The Cubs have granted lefty Matt Dermody his release in order to sign with Japan’s Seibu Lions, making it five pitchers who’ve left the organization to sign elsewhere in just the last two weeks. Colin Rea was likewise released in order to pitch in Japan, while Jon Lester, Tyler Chatwood, and Jose Quintana all agreed to MLB deals earlier this week.
Dermody had signed a minor league deal to return, but the money and opportunity are simply better for him in NPB.
Left-hander Matt Dermody, who agreed to a minor league deal to return to the #Cubs this winter, has now been granted his release so that he can sign a one-year deal with #NPB’s Seibu Lions, I’m told.