Chicago Cubs have no ‘ace debate’ – this is Kyle Hendricks’ rotation

Recently, a member of our team asked who the Chicago Cubs’ ace is heading into 2018. There’s only one right answer – and it’s not Jon Lester.

Less than 48 hours ago, my colleague Nicholas Blazek offered up his thoughts on the Chicago Cubs’ starting rotation. He ultimately came to the conclusion that Jon Lester remains the ace on this team.

And, well. He’s wrong.

(For the record, I love writing articles like this. I guarantee one of you will point out that we wrote an article about this team’s “ace” without reading this one and the reason behind it. And, to be blunt, I can’t wait.)

But back to the point I’m going to make. Jon Lester has been the ace of whichever team he’s played on for the better part of the last decade. That legacy, in part, made him so attractive to Theo Epstein and the Cubs three years ago. But his time has passed.

I’m not going to say you should expect a mid-4.00 ERA and a losing record (not that it matters) from Lester moving forward. Rather, I believe right-hander Kyle Hendricks will simply outperform him moving forward.

That’s hardly a problem.

Chicago Cubs: Kyle Hendricks has been better than advertised

Since joining the big-league team, the right-hander carries a sub-3.00 earned run average. (2.94, to be exact). And we’re not talking about a handful of solid starts, either. Hendricks has appeared in 100 games on the dot – including 99 starts – in a Cubs uniform.

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Overshadowed by the team’s World Series championship, Hendricks put together a historic 2016 campaign. He brought home Major League Baseball’s ERA title with a sterling 2.13 across 30 starts. He also led the league with a 196 ERA+, finishing third in National League Cy Young voting.

Last season, injuries derailed the soft-tossing hurler. He made just 24 starts – his lowest total since his 2014 rookie campaign. Still, he posted a 144 ERA+ – marking the third time in four years he’s been an above-average starter by this measure.

One of the things that really has me high on Hendricks is his ability to limit base-on-balls. Given the staff-wide control issues that plague the Cubs, the fact the allowed just over two walks per nine last year makes him incredibly appealing.

Chicago Cubs have a gritty performer in veteran Jon Lester

In Blazek’s post, his final conclusion seems to come down to personality. And, no, Kyle Hendricks is never going to be an in-your-face, screaming on the mound leader. But that fact only makes me appreciate him more.

Lester has a certain “gamer” mentality about him. Even when he doesn’t have his best stuff, he’ll find a way to gut it out and do what he can. But for now, I can’t take this away from Lester until he gives it up.

I will say. I have to agree with his assessment of Lester. He grinds through outings when he doesn’t have it. And he usually knows right away when he doesn’t. Which is important, because there are plenty of pitchers who don’t.

Jon Lester isn’t going to be what he was last year again. I truly believe that. Now, I think his best days are certainly behind him as well. But that’s not to say he can’t be a 3.50 ERA and 30-start arm in your rotation with years of postseason experience under his belt. If I need a no-surprises outing, though, I’m turning to Hendricks.