Chicago Cubs: Five candidates to round out the starting rotation

Chicago Cubs: Hamels is clearly the most dependable choice

All signs point to Chicago picking up Hamels’ $20 million team option. But, if for whatever reason, the club decides to go in a more cost-effective direction, perhaps they look elsewhere. Let’s assume they don’t.

Darvish and Chatwood, as mentioned, are complete question marks. We know that. Hamels, though, is the antithesis to their instability. In his 12 starts with the North Siders, the lefty helped anchor the rotation down the stretch.

He pitched to a 2.36 ERA in those dozen outings, striking out 74 in 76 1/3 innings of work – and limiting the long-ball that plagued him in Arlington. That’s the only ‘question’ when it comes to Hamels. Can he keep the ball in the yard over the course of a full season at Wrigley?

This is the guy who slots into a postseason rotation right away, no questions asked. There’s no one else on this list who fits that description – not even close. Hamels is worth the money if the Cubs decide to pull the trigger. It all comes down to what they want out of that fifth spot.