Chicago Cubs: Greatest players of the decade – #30-21

Chicago Cubs: No. 24: Jason Hammel

Because he wasn’t a part of the team’s postseason success in 2016, we tend to forget about Jason Hammel and his contributions to the Cubs in the middle part of the decade. However, when we look back, we can see that he was a key member of the club.

Hammel signed with the Cubs prior to the 2014 season and was tremendous for them: In 17 starts, he put up a 2.98 ERA. He then was a part of the midseason trade with the Oakland Athletics that year, along with fellow pitcher Jeff Samardzija, that brought the team Addison Russell.

Hammel wasn’t quite as good with the A’s down the stretch, but the Cubs decided to bring him back for the 2015 season and again he was solid, making 31 starts and putting up a 3.74 ERA. Hammel was again an important piece during the 2016 regular season, starting 30 games and putting up a 3.83 ERA.

Hammel was the odd man out of the rotation for the 2016 playoffs and did not appear in a postseason game. However, he’ll always be an important part of that team, even if many fans have forgotten. Hammel last pitched in the majors with the Royals in 2018.