Former Chicago Cubs Pitcher Signs Deal with Athletics
The MLB Hot Stove is underway now that the Texas Rangers have defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games for the World Series crown.
In one of the first free agent signings of the winter, a former Chicago Cubs pitcher has signed a deal.
The Oakland Athletics signed left-handed hurler Sean Newcomb to a one-year, $1 million deal according to multiple reports.
Newcomb appeared in 17 games for the Cubs in 2022 and started in one of them. During his time in Chicago he compiled a 9.13 ERA in 22.2 innings pitched.
Newcomb joined the Cubs in April of last season after the Braves designated him for assignment. The Braves traded Newcomb to the Cubs for right-handed pitcher Jesse Chavez and cash.
The lefty was DFA'd on Sept. 17 of last season after dealing with an ankle injury. He was most recently in the Majors with the Athletics this season when his contracted was selected on Aug. 23 after being acquired in a trade with the San Francisco Giants.
While Newcomb may have not worked out with the Cubs, the southpaw does hold a career 4.47 ERA with a 1.461 WHIP in 421.0 innings pitched over a seven year MLB career.
Newcomb is the exact type of pitcher the Athletics, a glorified AAAA club, is looking to add to their roster as they aim to keep payroll low ahead of a move to Las Vegas.
Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at [email protected].