As the winter dragged out uneventfully for the Cubs and it became clear that they were seeking small advantages, one of the leverage points they appeared to be using was the idea of a homecoming. They were linked to a number of pitchers who either had Chicago-area roots or had played for either the Cubs or Sox, eventually agreeing to deals with Jake Arrieta and Trevor Williams that rounded out the rotation.
Shortly after news of the Williams signing broke, Cubs fans learned that the pitcher’s father, Richard, was one of them.