Cubs won't dismiss reuniting with Lackey in 2018 |
John Lackey is returning to pitch in 2018.
Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer confirmed those reports at the winter meetings on Tuesday according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers. Lackey and the Cubs might have mutual interest for one more season together. "It's certainly something we're going to talk about, Hoyer said. The Cubs are looking to add a No. 4 starter and No. 5 starter in free agency or through trades. One spot might be filled soon with Alex Cobb and Lackey could fill the No. 5 role adequately with his durability and veteran presence at the back end of the rotation. In 2017, Lackey was 12-12 with a 4.59 ERA with 149 strikeouts and 1.28 WHIP. However, during the second half of the season, he had an impressive 3.75 ERA as the Cubs surged to win the NL Central division. For his 14-year career, he has a 188-147 record with 3.92 ERA with 2294 strikeouts. He made his major league debut back on June 24, 2002 against the Texas Rangers. It will be interesting to see what kind of offers will be out there for the 39-year old in free agency and whether the Cubs are thinking of him for a possible fifth spot in the rotation or fall back option. In 2017, Lackey had a salary of $16,000,000 which ended his two-year, $32 million deal with the Cubs. In those two years, he made 59 starts and had a 3.94 ERA.
