Chicago Cubs need to avoid bringing back John Lackey for 2018

Chicago Cubs: Keeping the ball in the yard a challenge for Lackey

If one were to try to sum up John Lackey’s biggest struggle in 2017, they would not have to do much research. He simply failed to keep the long-ball in check.

On the year, the right-hander served up nearly two homers per nine (1.9 to be exact) – by far the worst mark of his big-league career.

Control, as a whole, was an issue for Lackey as his strikeout-to-walk ratio dropped from 3.40 in 2016 back to his career average of 2.81 in 2017. Right there tells me that this year’s version of John Lackey seems far more likely in 2018 than what we saw during the team’s World Series run of two years ago.

That lack of control led to his allowing 36 home runs, the highest total in the league, in 2017. He came away with a 4.59 ERA across 170 2/3 innings of work – but his 5.30 FIP suggests he benefited from the Cubs defense. Still, he put together some solid stretches of play during the year – surely enough to get him at least one more year in the bigs.

Chicago Cubs: Lackey loves himself some home cooking

Don’t take my belief the Cubs should let John Lackey pitch elsewhere as some sort of dig against him. It’s not. I just think the team would be better served giving the ball to a younger arm with something to prove as opposed to a near-40-year-old veteran on his last leg.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

But make no mistake. He’s still got something to offer.

At Wrigley Field last season, Lackey pitched to a 3.95 ERA in 14 starts and one relief appearance. His 3.75 strikeout-to-walk ratio at home was a sight for sore eyes, as well. Away from the Confines, he struggled badly – to the tune of a 1.353 WHIP and 5.18 earned run average. But, more than anything, it was a tale of two halves for the right-hander.

Prior to the All-Star Break, it seemed like John Lackey might be destined for a one-way ticket out of the Chicago Cubs bullpen. But down the stretch, he found what he’d been missing, putting up a respectable 3.75 ERA in the second-half (down from 5.20 in the first-half).

Between September and October, the animated veteran shined. He allowed just nine earned in nearly 30 innings of work, with the only month he posted a sub-1.000 WHIP in 2017. But, all told, he put up an earned run average north of 5.00 in four of the six months during the regular season.

Chicago Cubs have to move on, not cling to the past

For most of my life, the Cubs have been known to cling to the past. The black cat, Bartman, a billy goat. With three-straight LCS appearances and a World Series title to their credit, Theo Epstein and his organization have shown the willingness to keep their eyes on the future – not years’ past.

After another 90-plus win season (and second-straight division crown), Epstein proved he’s focused on winning – not the fact this team has won already. He overhauled the entire coaching staff under Joe Maddon – bringing in fresh blood with new perspectives. Now, he needs to do the same with the roster.

Next: Arrieta's market value continues to climb higher

John Lackey famously said he wasn’t coming to Chicago for a haircut. He wanted jewelry. And he got it, as the Cubs snapped a 108-year title drought in 2016. We’ll all be forever grateful to him for his role on that team. But just because that group won a title in ’16 hardly means they’re the best group to go for it again in 2018.

Epstein will be active on the trade market and in free agency this offseason. There will be new faces on next year’s roster when camp opens in Mesa next February. And, like it or not, there’s not a good reason for John Lackey to be among them.