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The Starting Rotation
Free Agents: Jason Hammel
Projected Rotation
Jon Lester
Jake Arrieta
Kyle Hendricks
John Lackey
Mike Montgomery
To put into words just how good the Cubs’ starting rotation was this past season would not do it justice. They were absolutely phenomenal, paving the way for a 103-win season with 79 of those victories credited to the Cubs’ starting rotation.
That’s incredible.
There was really no weak link aside from a couple of rough patches for each pitcher. But if one had to be pointed out it would have probably been Jason Hammel. A man whom the Cubs opted to let go of so he could cash in on a really weak starting pitcher market.
The reason the Cubs were comfortable doing that? I haven’t personally asked Joe Maddon, but I would be willing to bet the Cubs are very comfortable with the option of Mike Montgomery as the fifth starter. Potentially what they have in Rob Zastryzny as another intriguing option.
Like the Cubs’ star-studded lineup, the starting rotation is an area of enviable strength for 2017, but there are definitely questions for the future. They start with Jake Arrieta. That’s a contractual bridge the Cubs will cross when they come to it, hopefully locking him up long-term sooner rather than later.