The Chicago Cubs have solved their closer problem.
The World Series champions acquired Wade Davis from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday in exchange for outfielder Jorge Soler. The Cubs got closer Aroldis Chapman at the non-waiver trade deadline, but he’s now a free agent, and Chicago never seemed to show much interest in re-signing him.
Davis pitched just 43 1/3 innings in 2016 due to injuries, but he’s a talented closer nonetheless. He’s excelled out of the bullpen since becoming a full-time reliever in 2014. In that span, Davis is 19-4 with a 1.18 ERA and 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings. He’ll be a free agent after the 2017 season.
Soler was the odd man out in the Cubs’ outfield, but the Royals will have him through the 2020 season. The 24-year-old Cuba native also missed time with injuries in 2016 and batted .238 with 12 home runs and 31 RBIs over 86 games.
Thumbnail photo via John Rieger/USA TODAY Sports Images
