The Cubs announced Saturday that they had acquired 27-year-old righty Jharel Cotton from the Athletics for cash considerations. Cotton, who missed all of 2018 rehabbing Tommy John surgery, is exactly the type of high-upside hurler who could benefit from the Cubs’ new pitching development infrastructure.
The #Cubs today acquired RHP Jharel Cotton from the Athletics for a cash consideration. pic.twitter.com/3CSbbfv6Rx
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) November 23, 2019
Before the 2016 season, Cotton was considered a “sleeper” by many baseball enthusiasts. I too bought Cotton’s hype because he showcased a disgusting changeup that was thrown slower than 95% of MLB righties and had a walk rate under 2.