Lackey had a fine season in 2015 with the St. Louis Cardinals at the 2014 trade deadline. Still available were the likes of Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija and Yovani Gallardo. Zack Greinke’s anticipated decision between the Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers could come as soon as this weekend, which should start a chain reaction among free-agent pitchers.
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The short-term deal – first reported by Fox Sports on Friday – also gives the Cubs some flexibility as they try to improve a 97-win team and keep their window to contend open. As news broke of the Cubs’ agreement with Lackey, David Price was holding a press conference in Boston.
Team president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer instead – pending the physical – opted for a shorter-term deal with Lackey, who pitched alongside Lester in Boston and knows manager Joe Maddon from the years they spent together in Anaheim. Also, this was his first time throwing past the 200-inning mark since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2011.
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The Cubs will forfeit their first-round pick because Lackey had been given a qualifying offer by the Cardinals. While only going 13-10, Lackey struck out 175 batters and had a 1.21 WHIP and 2.77 ERA, which was a career-best in the Major League Baseball. Lackey is 8-5 with a 3.11 ERA in 23 postseason appearances (20 starts) and is 2-1 with a 3.42 ERA in six World Series games (four starts). He will provide the Cubs with a solid No. 3 starter behind Lester and National League Cy Young Award-winner Jake Arrieta. He has been part of World Series-winning clubs in 2002 (Angels) and 2013 (Red Sox). Many experts feel that starter Jason Hammel is more suited to be the fourth starter in the rotation, and that Kyle Hendricks is more suited to be a fifth starter.
