Currently, very few players from the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 World Series winning team are still in the lineup. Pitcher Kyle Hendricks is the only member of that legendary club that is still with the franchise due to trades, free agency, and retirement.
Regretfully, that is the inherent aspect of the sport. These days, almost nobody stays in one place for very long.
But as of this Friday, Hendricks isn’t by himself. In order to strengthen their pitching staff, the Cubs are re-signing a well-known player from that 2016 team.
Chicago is signing the 32-year-old righty to a minor-league contract, per MLB insider Robert Murray. As part of the agreement, he will be invited to Spring Training to try to earn a position on the big-league roster.
For Edwards, who made his Cubs debut in 2015 and immediately assisted them in ending their 108-year championship drought the following season, it’s a kind of homecoming. With a 2.84 ERA in the postseason and two outs in the seventh and final inning of Game 7, Edwards was instrumental in that 2016 postseason.
Although Edwards stayed with Chicago through 2019, he has been playing for the San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, and Atlanta Braves in recent years.
He spent the last two seasons with the Washington Nationals, most recently. He recorded a 3.07 ERA and two saves in 93 2/3 innings, continuing to be a dependable reliever for the Nationals.
Given his impressive track record, the Cubs are hoping Edwards can continue to be useful and add some depth in the bullpen. He’s back, and that’s a good thing for the time being.
