The Giants and reliever Joe Nathan discussed a reunion as far back as the winter meetings, when the right-hander with more saves than all but 10 pitchers hunted for a job, at 41, while recovering from his second Tommy John surgery.
The Giants offered a minor-league deal, the Cubs a major-league deal, so Nathan went to Chicago, where he finished his rehab, then pitched in three late July games before they cut him to clear a roster spot for outfielder Jorge Soler.
Now Nathan has a chance to return to his original team, for which he was an integral part of the 100-win 2003 team.