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Back in 2016, while the Cubs were lapping the NL Central Theo Epstein was looking ahead to the postseason and beyond. He made a blockbuster deal, trading for Aroldis Chapman, but before that Epstein made a deal with the Mariners.
It was a four-player trade, but the big pieces were lefty Mike Montgomery going to the Cubs with left-handed slugger Daniel Vogelbach going to the Mariners.
The Cubs really had no room for Vogelbach, as he’s pretty much been a DH in Seattle, with some playing time at first. The Cubs have Anthony Rizzo and the DH isn’t coming to the NL for at least a few more years at the earliest.
Anyway, Vogelbach has started 2019 on fire, slashing .310/.462/.732, with eight home runs and 16 RBIs. Before this season, he only had four home runs in 61 MLB games, hitting below .200.
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Right now, Montgomery is rehabbing in the minors after a lat injury. He’s also been shaky going back to 2018.
Before Tuesday’s series opener in Seattle, Epstein was jokingly asked about trying a sandwich named after Vogelbach.
Theo then flexed on everyone.
Some people might forget that the Cubs won the 2016 World Series and Mike Montgomery got the final out.
Theo remembers.
