Bilder » 7, we have decided to consider other internal

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs declined Jason Hammels $12 million option for next season, opening a spot in their rotation and making the right-hander one of the top starters on the free-agent market.The World Series champions announced the move Sunday. Hammel gets a $2 million buyout.While Jason is healthy and primed to have another effective season in 2017, we have decided to consider other internal and external options for our starting rotation next year, President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said in a statement. Our hope is that by giving a starting opportunity to some younger pitchers under multiple years of club control, we can unearth a starter who will help us not only in 2017 but also in 2018 and beyond.The 34-year-old Hammel went 15-10 with a 3.83 ERA in 30 starts this year. The 6-foot-6 right-hander is 33-22 with a 3.59 ERA in 78 starts over two stints with the Cubs.Hammel did not pitch in the postseason. The Cubs got left-hander Mike Montgomery in a July trade with Seattle, and he could replace Hammel in the rotation.Hammel first signed with the Cubs in February 2014. He went 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA in 17 starts before he was traded to Oakland in the deal that sent shortstop Addison Russell to Chicago.The pitcher re-signed with Chicago in December 2014, for $20 million over two years.The option was included with the intent that it would be exercised if Jason was going to be a Cub in 2017. The intent was never to exercise the option and then trade Jason, so we will not consider that path, Epstein said. Instead, Jason will have the opportunity to enter free agency coming off an outstanding season and the ability to choose his next club. Meanwhile, the organization gains some flexibility and the opportunity to use a rotation spot to develop a younger, long-term starting pitcher.Montgomery was on hand when the Cubs were honored at Sunday nights NHL game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars. Montgomery, right fielder Jason Heyward and slugger Kyle Schwarber, along with team owner Tom Ricketts and a couple of Cubs executives, brought the World Series trophy to center ice, and the players posed with a W flag as the crowd roared its approval.Retiring catcher David Ross, fresh off his appearance on Saturday Night Live, later joined the group and got a big ovation when he was shown on the videoboard holding the trophy.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap Swell Bottle Green Jasper . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. Swell Bottle Uk Stockist . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. http://www.ukswellbottle.com/ .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. Swell Bottle Milky Way . Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced Wednesday that the team would assign Swedish forward Elias Lindholm to his nations team for the upcoming tournament. Swell Water Bottle Clearance . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. DAYTON, Ohio -- Steven Davis had 23 points, Grant Benzinger added 22 points, and Wright State used a late rally to get past North Dakota 83-79 on Saturday night.North Dakota (3-2) went without a field goal for over seven minutes late in the second half and Wright State (5-1) used a 14-1 run during the middle of that stretch to turn a six-point deficit into a 70-63 lead with 2:31 to go.Justin Mitchell added 16 points for the Raiders, who made 13 of their final 14 freee throws to hold on for the win.ddddddddddddJosh Collins and Geno Crandall scored a pair of baskets within 11 seconds of each other to close North Dakotas gap to 77-74 with 31 seconds left. Wright State made all six of its free throws from there.Quinton Hooker had 18 points, Crandall scored 17 and Corey Baldwin added 10 for North Dakota. ' ' '