WORLD CHAMPION CUBS GET CLOSER WADE DAVIS FROM ROYALS FOR OUTFIELDER JORGE SOLER Holliday, Yanks finalize contract
Wade Davis already had closed out a World Series. And that was part of his appeal for the Chicago Cubs.
In a trade between the last two champions, the Cubs acquired the All-Star reliever from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday for outfielder Jorge Soler. Davis immediately takes over the spot held by Aroldis Chapman, who became a free agent after the Cubs won their first title since 1908.
"Wade is going to pitch the ninth inning," Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said.
Davis has done especially well in the postseason and helped the Royals win the 2015 crown. In 27.1 career postseason innings as a reliever, he has a 0.33 ERA with 39 strikeouts. The 31-year-old righty went 2-1 with 27 saves in 30 chances and a 1.87 ERA last season. He spent time on the disabled with a forearm injury and was limited to 43.1 innings, but returned to pitch in September.
Hoyer said Royals GM Dayton Moore allowed the Cubs' trainer to examine Davis earlier in the day, and the medical report was fine. "He looks fantastic," Hoyer said. The 24-year-old Soler hit .238 with 12 home runs and 31 RBI in 86 games last season. He missed almost two months because of a strained left hamstring.
"Love his upside. Love his power," Moore said.
For the Royals, the deal made financial sense as they try to cope with several star players eligible to leave after the 2017 season. Davis, who will make $10 million next year, was part of those looming free agents, along with outfielder Lorenzo Cain, first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas and pitcher Danny Duffy.
Starting next offseason, teams only receive a draft pick after the first round if a player signs with a new club for $50 million or more. Otherwise, it's a lower pick.
At 24, Soler is under contract control by the Royals for a while, "so this was important for us," Moore said.
Soler figures to play right field and can also serve as a designated hitter.
Davis joins a bullpen that includes Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, Carl Edwards Jr. and more. For a team that expects to play "that seventh month," as Hoyer said, it helps to have extra arms.
Hoyer said the Cubs saw the physical toll it takes on pitchers to play until November. With Chicago well positioned to try to extend its run, Hoyer said, "we want to plan accordingly."
Chapman was traded from the New York Yankees to the Cubs late in the season.
— Associated Press Free agent outfielder Matt Holliday and the New York Yankees have finalized a $13 million, one-year contract.
Holliday, who turns 37 next month, fits into the Yankees strategy of signing veterans to short-term deals while pivoting toward a youth movement.
A seven-time All-Star with a .303 career average, Holliday was drafted by Colorado in 1998, traded to Oakland after the 2008 season and then dealt to St. Louis the following July. He hit .246 with 20 homers and 62 RBI in 110 games this year, missing substantial time after his left thumb was broken when he was hit by a pitch on Aug. 11.
Holliday became a free agent when St. Louis declined his $17 million option.
He figures to be primarily a designated hitter in a lineup where the projected outfield has Jacoby Ellsbury in center, Brett Gardner in left and 24-year-old Aaron Judge in right. Aaron Hicks and Tyler Austin are the backups.