Chicago Cubs need to avoid bringing back John Lackey for 2018

Veteran John Lackey reportedly plans to pitch in 2018. That being said, he’s not the rotation answer the Chicago Cubs should be looking for this offseason.

After a gritty veteran performance late in the year, effectively pitching the Chicago Cubs back to the postseason, John Lackey seemed to be headed off into the sunset. His teammate and friend Jon Lester toasted him in the visitor’s clubhouse in St. Louis, all but sealing the deal when it came to his future.

"“Here is to one hell of a career,” Lester told his teammates after the game."

Then came October. Lackey found himself on the wrong side of a big moment, when Justin Turner took him deep for a Dodgers walk-off win – coming on the anniversary of Kirk Gibson‘s emotional and iconic homer. For not just Lackey, but the entire Cubs team, the series was a forgettable one. The team underperformed in virtually every aspect, leading to a prompt Game 5 exit in blowout fashion.

With Jake Arrieta and Lackey both free agents, Chicago needs to replace 40 percent of its 2017 starting rotation. It was widely assumed Lackey would retire and, in the last week, other moves seemed to push Arrieta’s market value presumably out of the Cubs’ price range.

But with Lackey reportedly wanting to keep pitching, the team has a decision to make. Bring him back on a one-year, incentive-laden deal or move on and keep an eye on the future.