MILWAUKEE – For now, the Cubs finished their dealing by trading outfielder Junior Lake to the Baltimore Orioles for reliever Tommy Hunter, a major-league source confirmed at Friday’s deadline.
Hunter should give manager Joe Maddon another option for high-leverage situations, strengthening a Cubs bullpen that’s been dominating, overworked and unpredictable.
Hunter emerged as a key piece for Buck Showalter’s bullpen in Baltimore, putting up a 2.97 ERA in 60 appearances for the American League East champions last season. The year before, Hunter accounted for 86-plus innings, finishing with a 2.81 ERA and a 0.985 WHIP.
Hunter is 29 years old, right-handed and set to become a free agent after this season.