A left-handed pitcher with MLB experience has agreed to a new minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.
The Chicago Cubs have added some depth to their pitching staff, even though the move was not made in favor of Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
According to the New York Post, Thomas Pannone has reportedly signed with the Cubs. After making his Major League debut in 2018, the left-handed pitcher from Cranston, Rhode Island, has pitched in 50 games. In the minors, he has made 168 appearances.
He has a 7–7 record, a 5.46 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP, and 102 strikeouts in 118.2 innings thrown in his 50 big league games.
If Pannone advances to the majors, he will earn $800k. As part of his pact, he was also invited to MLB Spring Training.
Although it won’t be the major trade that Cubs supporters had hoped for, this arm might be utilized in the bullpen. With the purchase only being for $800k, neither party is taking on a lot of risk.
Chicago is hoping to acquire a valuable left-handed reliever in this trade.
Pannone made appearances in 2018–19, 2019–2023 Major League Baseball games. He has experience playing in the major leagues for the Milwaukee Brewers and the Toronto Blue Jays.
With a 4.19 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 2018, he had the finest season of his MLB career with Toronto. Chicago may decide to keep him around if he can get back to that level of play. Pannone will probably end up in the lower leagues in 2023 if his performance from his brief stint with Milwaukee is any indication.
