How badly did Trevor Cahill want to pitch for the Cubs? According to pitching coach Chris Bosio, the right-hander turned down a two-year offer from the Pirates in which he would have been in a starting role and instead took a one-year deal to pitch in relief in Chicago, as CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney reports.
Cahill was one of baseball’s top pitching prospects heading into the 2009 season but has failed to live up to expectations. He struggled in 26 1/3 innings with the Braves last season and was released in June. He signed with the Cubs in August and found success, posting a 2.12 ERA with a 22/5 K/BB ratio in 17 relief innings.
Cahill, who turns 28 in March, will earn $4.25 million this season and attempt to help the Cubs win the NL Central for the first time since 2008.