Chicago Cubs could play it safe and shock nobody this offseason

The Cubs don’t need an ace – let’s quit acting like they do

Kyle Hendricks is a true top-of-the-rotation arm. Just because he doesn’t pitch with as much flair and drama as other starters doesn’t mean he’s less valuable. Every time his team needed him, he answered the call in the last two postseasons.

So pencil him in as the Opening Day starter. The middle of the rotation is a bit less defined, but has plenty of talent regardless. Jon Lester comes off a grind of a year, in which his earned run average skyrocketed from his Cy Young runner-up campaign of 2016. Jose Quintana, who came over in a deadline deal from the White Sox, pitched effectively in the second half and slots in in the three-spot.

That’s what you’re bringing back from last year’s team. Jake Arrieta and John Lackey both enter the offseason as free agents. While the former will likely price himself out of the Cubs’ price point, Lackey could still be an answer at the back of the rotation. Initially believed to be retiring, he recently announced he plans to pitch in 2018.

Back-end fixes at a fair price

So assume the team takes a one-year flyer on Lackey. Who fills that last spot? By any indication, Alex Cobb is ready to sign on the dotted line. Bring him in on a three or four-year deal and you’re set for years to come as far as the rotation goes.

Again, nothing too flashy – but you address the holes and avoid shelling out $30 million a year for a guy to take the mound every five days. Remember, the Cubs already have that guy in Jon Lester.