Yu Darvish Reportedly Chooses Not to Opt Out of Cubs Contract After Monster Second Half
By Parker White
You know who actually had a nice second half and looked like a top-of-the-rotation starter while you likely weren't looking? Chicago Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish, his injury woes firmly behind him.
At the conclusion of this season, Darvish had the chance opt out of his deal with the Cubs and become a free agent, where he could potentially ride the momentum into a larger contract with more security. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, however, he's going to stay in Chicago where he has four years and $81 million left on his contract.
Yu Darvish had a big 2nd half (0.81 WHIP, 2.76 ERA, .199 BAA) and 229 Ks fir year, but he will not opt out of his deal. Has $81M, 4 years to go. He likes Chicago and had previously suggested his plans to stay.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 31, 2019
Darvish certainly hasn't lived up to the lofty expectations he had attached to him when he signed, but in 13 starts after the All-Star break, he went 4-4 with a 2.76 ERA and had 118 strikeouts over 81.2 innings.
Yu Darvish Will Not Opt Out of His Cubs Contract https://t.co/uqU6SZKMgo pic.twitter.com/3M0m9uOH0x
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) October 31, 2019
It's the start of a new era in Chicago, as manager Joe Maddon is no longer in place, replaced by first-time skipper David Ross at the helm. That could've been something that forced Darvish's hands, but he loves the city and is getting paid big money to stay.
You can't really blame him for staying put.