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.
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.
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