Chicago Cubs: Who is the ace of the Cubs’ staff?

Jon Lester needs to be that guy

When the Cubs signed Jon Lester prior to the 2015 season, they knew who they were getting. They were getting a two-time World Series champion, three-time All-Star, and a pitcher who had finished in the top five in Cy Young voting twice. Moreover, they were getting a veteran workhorse who had recorded six 200 inning seasons, and who had made 30 or more starts seven times in his career.

Lester did not live up to the hype that surrounded the first year of his six-year, $155 million deal with the Cubs. Lester posted an 11-12 record but did record a solid 3.34 ERA in 205 innings pitched.

The 33-year-old south paw settled down in a big way last season, finishing second in Cy Young voting, and leading the Cubs to a World Series title.

If the Cubs hope to return to postseason play in 2017, they will need to get Lester going. There is no doubt that the 6-4 lefty is the bona fide ace of the Cubs’s staff. With Kyle Hendricks still trying to find his way in a league where he has only recorded 512 innings pitched, and John Lackey and Jake Arrieta free agents at the end of the year, Lester is the best option the Cubs have starting pitcher wise.