Cubs non-tender INF Ronald Torreyes

Ronald, we hardly knew ya. Again.

Just two days after the Cubs traded for infielder Ronald Torreyes from the Yankees, the team declined to offer him a contract for the 2019 season by tonight’s deadline. The Cubs also declined to offer new contracts to right-handed pitchers Justin Hancock and Allen Webster.

Seven players who were eligible for arbitration but not free agency were tendered contracts. Infielders Javier Baez, Kris Bryant and Addison Russell; outfielder Kyle Schwarber; right-handed pitchers Kyle Hendricks and Carl Edwards Jr.; and left-handed pitcher Mike Montgomery. Six of those decisions were routine and were to be expected. Russell was a candidate to be non-tendered for reasons covered earlier today but ultimately the Cubs decided to keep the infielder for now.

Torreyes was acquired two days ago for a player-to-be-named-later or cash. There was much speculation around here that Torreyes was acquired to replace Tommy La Stella, who was dealt to the Angels. That likely won’t happen now, although the Cubs are free to try to re-sign Torreyes as a free agent and they may try to do so.

Hancock spent most of the 2018 season with Triple-A Iowa, although he did get two quick stints with the major league club in May and June. In ten relief appearances, the 28-year-old had a 1.46 ERA over 12.1 innings. He did, however, walk nine batters in that time while striking out 11. With Iowa, he was 2-2 with a 4.57 ERA over 18 appearances. He missed the entire second-half of the season with a shoulder injury.

Webster also made just three relief appearances for the major league Cubs in September. He pitched three innings and allowed two runs. Webster pitched for three different minor league teams in the Cubs system in 2018. He was 0-0 with three saves and a 2.45 ERA in 17 innings over 17 appearances.

The Cubs 40-man roster now stands at 36.