John Lackey Reportedly Signs with Cubs
John Lackey filled in fluidly for the St. Louis Cardinals when ace Adam Wainwright suffered an Achilles injury in early April, and his performance piqued the Cubs' interest enough for Chicago to reportedly sign him Friday.
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Cubs Reportedly Sign Lackey
Friday, Dec. 4
Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported Lackey is going to the Cubs on a two-year deal worth between $32 and $34 million. MLB.com's Carrie Muskat confirmed the deal.
Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports first reported the Chicago Cubs are "pretty hot" on Lackey and are interested in a two- or three-year deal.
Multiple Teams Interested in Lackey
Thursday, Nov. 19
Rosenthal reported Lackey’s market includes three teams he’s played for previously: the Cardinals, the Boston Red Sox—the team who traded him to St. Louis—and the Los Angeles Angels, with whom he spent the first eight years of his career.
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers have also reached out to Lackey’s camp. Rosenthal reported that all six clubs had "checked in" on Lackey.
"The Cardinals may feel they’ve gotten the best out of Lackey, but they have kept their toes in the water. The Red Sox also inquired, but their priority is finding an ace. Lackey wants to stay in the NL, and the Cubs and Giants may have the best shot of signing him," reported Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe on Sunday.
What Lackey Brings to Cubs
Lackey positioned himself well by maximizing his value, and declining the handsome qualifying offer came as no surprise.
After being dealt from Boston to St. Louis at the 2014 trade deadline, Lackey appeared on a decline from his early-career heroics. He finished with a 4.15 ERA, 7.2 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in 12 starts with the Cardinals, including two in their run at the National League pennant.
But his turnaround in 2015 was remarkable. Lackey eclipsed 200 innings for the first time since 2010, going 13-10 with a 2.77 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 175 strikeouts, his most since his only All-Star season in 2007.
This from a man who turned 37 in October.
The Cubs made the most sense for Lackey. Given his age, Lackey probably has a desire to chase a ring in his career's twilight, and Chicago has realistic World Series aspirations in 2016.
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