A little more on the other former MVP-vote-getter who got traded yesterday, Ryan Tepera. Over 64.0 innings with the Cubs from 2020-21, Tepera posted a 3.23 ERA and 2.96 FIP. A reclamation signing (and re-signing) that worked out extremely well, Tepera developed a nasty slider and found a little extra giddyup on his fastball with the Cubs, and he’ll serve the White Sox well.
I appreciated him sharing how the Cubs kept his agent in the loop about talks, and he then learned of the trade from Cubs President Jed Hoyer (The Athletic):
Roughly 30 minutes after first pitch, the news began to trickle out that the Cubs traded reliever Ryan Tepera to the White Sox for Class-A left-hander Bailey Horn. The day before, Tepera’s agent had informed him about a possible move, the kind of buzz that has left the entire team feeling distracted. Tepera sat in the team cafeteria, eating his lunch before the game when Hoyer walked into the room.
“He told me man to man, ‘Hey, the deal is done, you’re headed across town,’” Tepera said. “It’s a unique thing for a trade to happen between crosstown rivals. Going to a first-place team and playoff contention, I’m looking forward to it.”
Nice for Tepera that it’s a relatively easy transition for him. He won’t even have to change residences. Just his commute.
“It’s been a pleasure, man,” Tepera said of his time with the Cubs. “Just playing here at Wrigley Field in front of the fans, and enjoying this atmosphere and just being a part of history, honestly. It’s been awesome.”