Sports

The Ex-Cub Factor

By Steve Rhodes

One in an occasional series tracking the movements of former Cubs.

1. Luis Valbuena.

Via ESPN:

"CARACAS, Venezuela - Former major league players Luis Valbuena and Jose Castillo were killed in a car crash caused by highway bandits who then robbed them, officials said Friday."

See also: Remembering Luis Valbuena, at 29:33 of The Beachwood Radio Sports Hour #229.

2. Chili Davis.

Charles Theodore "Chili" Davis is now the hitting coach for the New York Mets.

3. Miguel Montero.

Miggy has officially retired and is starting a new career as an agent. I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Miggy, who told it like it was. Plus, he has a pretty great Twitter feed.

Directv suck pic.twitter.com/92bo5iE9u5

— Miguel Montero (@miggymont26) October 3, 2018

4. Trevor Cahill.

Via MLBTradeRumors.com:

"Fresh off one of his most effective seasons as a starter, free-agent right-hander Trevor Cahill has drawn interest from 'four to five' clubs this winter, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred. Cahill now has 'multiyear opportunities,' Heyman adds on Twitter."

5. Pierce Johnson.

Via MLBTradeRumors.com:

"Right-hander Pierce Johnson has announced (via Twitter) a new deal to pitch for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan. The exact terms of the deal are not yet known. Johnson became a minor-league free agent in early November after pitching for the San Francisco Giants and their Triple-A affiliate last year. The former first round pick of the Cubs has yet to see much of an opportunity in the majors, though he pitched well in the upper minors: 17 games, 3.57 ERA, 11.91 K/9, 3.97 BB/9 in Triple-A last season."

6. Peter Bourjos.

Back with the Angels.

7. Lee Smith.

Elected to the Hall of Fame.

8. Geovany Soto.

Via MLBTradeRumors.com:

"2008 Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto will attempt a comeback next season after sitting out 2018, per agent Paul Kinzer (via MLBTR's Tim Dierkes on Twitter). Soto, 35, has been mostly a backup option after a rough 2012 with the Cubs and Rangers, though has often acquitted himself well in limited action since. He last appeared in the majors with the 2017 White Sox, slashing .190/.271/.405 in 48 plate appearances."

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Comments welcome.

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