Chicago Cubs, LHP Drew Smyly agree to 1-year contract

Updated Mar. 19, 2022 3:51 p.m. ET

Associated Press

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a one-year contract with Drew Smyly, adding another experienced pitcher to their staff.

Smyly's deal includes a mutual 2023 option. The 32-year-old Smyly went 11-4 with a 4.48 ERA in 29 games, 23 starts, for the World Series champion Braves last year.

Smyly also signed a $10 million, two-year contract with the Cubs in December 2017, but he never pitched for Chicago. Working his way back from Tommy John surgery, he ran out of time to get into a big league game in 2018 and was traded to Texas that November.

The Cubs also announced one-year deals with infielder Jonathan Villar and left-hander Daniel Norris on Saturday. Infielder David Bote was placed on the 60-day injured list for his recovery from left shoulder surgery, and right-hander Tommy Nance was placed on the COVID-19-related IL.

Villar is slated to make $4.5 million in salary in 2022, and there is a $10 million mutual option with a $1.5 million buyout. He earns a $500,000 performance bonus for reaching 500 plate appearances.

The 30-year-old Villar spent last year with the New York Mets, batting .249 with 18 homers and 42 RBIs in 142 games. He can play second, third and shortstop.

Norris’ contract is worth $1.75 million, and the lefty can earn up to $2 million in incentives. Norris played for Detroit and Milwaukee last year, going 2-3 with a 6.16 ERA in 56 games.

Chicago has been active since opening spring training after the 99-day lockout. It made its biggest move on Friday, finalizing an $85 million, five-year deal with Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki.

The Cubs also recently added pitchers Mychal Givens, Chris Martin, David Robertson, Jesse Chavez and Robert Gsellman. Slick-fielding shortstop Andrelton Simmons signed a $4 million, one-year contract.

The Cubs finished with a 71-91 record in 2021 after breaking up their 2016 championship core prior to the July 30 trade deadline.

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