Derek Lowe May Interest The Chicago Cubs

The Cleveland Indians have designated starting pitcher Derek Lowe for assignment. The talk around the baseball industry has Lowe headed to the Boston Red Sox in what would be seen as reunion. But, lets be honest, the Red Sox that Lowe would be headed to in 2012 are not the same Red Sox team that Lowe was a part of from 1998 to 2004. A true reunion for Lowe would come if he were to sign with the Chicago Cubs. While Lowe has never player for the Cubs’ organization, but with Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod in place in the Cubs’ front office, these Cubs have the feel of the Red Sox teams that Lowe was a part of.

The Cubs could have interest in Lowe, as Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times tweets that the Cubs are indeed looking into the 39 year old starting pitcher. After trading away Paul Maholm and Ryan Dempster, the Cubs are in need of some depth for the starting rotation.

Lowe has posted an ERA of 5.52 while going 8 and 10 for the Indians in the 2012 season before being designated for assignment.

The Cubs interest in Lowe is rather perplexing. The main reason being the Cubs are not in a position where they need to add a starting pitcher for the final two months of the season. The Cubs are well out of contention for a spot in the post-season, and the final two months of the season should be used as tool for the front office to gauge what they have in some of the prospects that are ready for a showcase at the Major League level. Handing a rotation spot to the 39 year old Lowe may take an opportunity away from a pitcher such as Brooks Raley.

The Cubs interest in Lowe may have to be chalked up to the idea of Epstein and Hoyer doing right by a pitcher that did right by them during their time together in Boston. However, the Cubs and Lowe would appear to be an unlikely pairing.