Chicago Cubs: The importance of John Lackey

While many were expecting the Chicago Cubs to add a David Price or a Jeff Samardzija, the Cubs quietly improved their staff with John Lackey. While not the marquee name–at least in 2016–his importance cannot be overstated.

The addition of Jon Lester last season was in part due to his “postseason pedigree”. While there weren’t any famous stories forged by Lester in the playoffs, you can’t deny his bearing on a Cubs team that made it to the National League Championship Series. So can we assume a similar effect by John Lackey? There’s no reason to think he won’t.

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The Cubs and Theo Epstein have built a winner. And to build that winner, they’ve taken pieces from other winners and assembled them in Chicago. Many of then have been from Epstein’s Boston days, but there are plenty from elsewhere. But when it comes to seven degrees of separation–you’re actually lucky if it takes that many.

Epstein had signed Lackey to a five-year, $82 million deal before the 2010 season in Boston. But well before that, when Lackey was a rookie in Anaheim–Joe Maddon watched him beat the Giants in Game 7 of the World Series. It’s like everybody knows everybody, and everybody has had some success. I can’t find any issues with this plan.

And for good measure, Lackey–as well as having David Ross and Lester in the clubhouse–he’ll have Jason Heyward who comes over from the Cardinals as well. They’re assembling winners as well as pilfering from their rival. Did I mention I like this plan?

Lackey won 13 games last season for the Cards, posting a 2.77 ERA. His final game was a loss to the Cubs in the NLDS. If you can’t beat ’em? Good call John. But the simple fact is that while Lackey isn’t a marquee addition, his addition has completely changed the face of the Cubs starting rotation. After Lester and defending NL Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, the Cubs staff could be a dangerous place.

Jason Hammel has had two solid first halves in Chicago over the last two seasons but has fallen off (last year in Oakland) in the second half. Kyle Hendricks failed to replicate his rookie season numbers–and don’t get me started about that number five-spot.

But now the Cubs seem to have solid 1-2-3, and Hammel and Hendricks (should it end up that way) will fit better into those roles now that there is less of a question mark in the five-spot–unless one of those two BECOMES the question mark.

Next: Strop, Rondon to be a key in 2016

There are so many reasons to be excited about the Lackey signing. He’s a winner. He’s familiar with like, half of the team and coaches already–and we took him from the Cardinals. Is that petty? Probably. But I still remember Ryan Theriot saying he was “happy to be on the right side of the rivalry” when he signed with the Cards years age. So yeah, I’m a bit petty. But I’m sure Lackey is happy to be on the right side now.