Jon Heyman broke the news first: Aaron Bummer is out in Chicago, opting out of his contract with the Cubs and becoming a free agent again just weeks after signing.
Aaron Bummer has opted out of his deal with the Cubs and is now a free agent
It was a quick stay. Bummer signed a minor league deal with the Cubs on June 1 after Atlanta released him back on May 19, and he only threw 6 minor league innings for Chicago's system before deciding to bail. Those innings weren't pretty either -- 4 runs allowed on 8 hits, including 2 homers. The Cubs never called him up, and his deal reportedly included an opt-out that kicked in once a certain date passed without a promotion, so he took it and walked.
MLB Trade Rumors confirmed the move shortly after Heyman's report, turning a minor transaction note into a real storyline with the trade deadline bearing down.
Aaron Bummer Opts Out Of Cubs Deal t.co/mXgkh9F9oL
The money angle here is what makes Bummer an interesting flier for somebody. Atlanta is still on the hook for his $9.5MM salary this season after releasing him, meaning whichever club signs him now would owe him only the prorated league minimum for any time on a big league roster. That's about as cheap as bullpen help gets for a guy who has a real track record -- a lefty who's logged a decade in the majors and has been a trusted setup arm in years past.
That combination of name recognition and near-zero financial risk is exactly why contending teams stockpile relief arms like this every July. Bullpens get chewed up over a 162-game season, and even a reclamation project with recent rough outings is worth a look when the cost is pennies on the dollar. Don't be shocked if Bummer lands somewhere before the deadline dust settles -- just don't expect it to be back in Chicago.