CHICAGO _ The Cubs started to look toward the future Sunday by cutting ties with 15-game winner Jason Hammel.
The team announced it declined Hammel's option for 2017, making the right-hander a free agent. The option was worth $12 million, and Hammel gets a $2 million buyout.
President Theo Epstein, in a statement, said the Cubs' intent was never to pick up the option and trade Hammel, which a few teams anticipated.
"While Jason is healthy and primed to have another effective season in 2017, we have decided to consider other internal and external options for our starting rotation next year," Epstein said in a statement. "Our hope is that by giving a starting opportunity to some younger pitchers under multiple years of club control, we can unearth a starter who will help us not only in 2017 but also in 2018 and beyond."
The only way the Cubs would have picked up the option was if the Cubs intended to keep him, Epstein added.
"Jason will have the opportunity to enter free agency coming off an outstanding season and the ability to choose his next club," Epstein continued. "Meanwhile, the organization gains some flexibility and the opportunity to use a rotation spot to develop a younger, long-term starting pitcher."
Left-hander Mike Montgomery, who made five starts in August and September, has the inside track to grab the fifth spot in the rotation, for now.
Hammel, 34, is expected to attract interest from several teams, including the Phillies and Mariners.
Hammel was traded in July 2014 by the Cubs with Jeff Samardzija to the A's as part of the deal that brought Addison Russell to the team. In December of that year he signed as a free agent with the Cubs, who paid him $9 million each season he was with the team.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon praised Hammel for how he handled being left off the postseason roster. Hammel said he was disappointed but understood the decision.
"You still feel like you're a part of it," he said. "You want to be a little more a part of it. We'd be sitting home on our couch if we really didn't matter."
