It is no secret that the Chicago Cubs have spent the past three seasons trading away their best starting pitching for offensive prospects and draft picks. A number of those prospects — Arismendy Alcantara, Javier Baez, Jorge Soler — have found themselves in the Major Leagues this season with many more — Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber — still awaiting their chances. Even though they have had and continue to have their struggles as they learn to play in the Majors, these sluggers have already shown promise that they will help turn around the Major Leagues’ 26th-ranked offense in terms of runs scored.
Rebuild the offense — check.
In addition, the Cubs have brought along two of their top young pitchers in Jake Arrieta and Kyle Hendricks. Although not a rookie, Arrieta (8-5, 2.82 ERA in 23 starts) is young enough at age 28 to fit into the Cubs’ long-term plans. Hendricks (6-2, 2.38 ERA in 11 starts) turns 25 in December and looks like he will remain a Cub for quite some time. He could have gotten into the running for National League Rookie of the Year if he had more than half a season in the Majors this year.
Develop starting pitching — check.
The next big step in the Cubs’ rebuilding plan is to find some top-notch pitching to mentor the young starters and protect the leads that the Cubs will undoubtedly have in the coming seasons. The best way to do that is to comb the free agent market and sign the best pitcher or two available to compliment Arrieta, Hendricks, and Travis Wood. That may include current Oakland Athletics left-hander Jon Lester.
NBC Sports HardBall Talk and CSN Chicago’s baseball insider Patrick Mooney reported on September 10 that the Cubs are among the front-runners pursuing Lester. Mooney calls Lester “open-minded” about his potential market value. In addition, HardBall also recently noted that Lester claimed that he will not necessarily go to the highest bidder.
The Cubs have the ability to pay Lester what he may want. Lester rejected a four-year, nearly-$80-million offer from the Boston Red Sox before the trade that sent him to Oakland. Lester, age 30, wants a five-year contract, and Cubs team president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer could offer it. Mooney reminds us of the ties that Lester has with Epstein from earlier years in Boston. Mooney writes,
“But Lester is believed to be open-minded about his future, and the connections to Chicago are obvious. Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, the former Red Sox general manager, watched Lester develop into an All-Star, beating cancer and winning the clinching game in the 2007 World Series.”
Lester would make a perfect fit for the Cubs. He has won two World Series, and he has played in four postseasons. If he could wait another year or two to reach the postseason again, then he could use his veteran presence and leadership to help the young pitchers learn how to get Major League hitters out — especially down the stretch. There is a reason Lester has a career record of 114-66 and an ERA of 3.60 entering play on September 11. He is good. He has a career 3.5 average WAR pitching every five days. He also approaches 200 innings almost every year.
In addition, the Cubs could go after at least a second free agent pitcher, possibly James Shields (Kansas City Royals) or Brandon McCarthy (New York Yankees), both of whom will receive many phone calls and offers. The Cubs can pay the salary that each would seek.
The Cubs’ future looks strong offensively. They also have some good young arms in the starting rotation. If they can land a top-notch veteran starter or two, then they should bring at least a division title to Wrigley Field before long. Jon Lester would fit their plans exceptionally well.
Veteran starting pitcher? That box needs checking.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images Sport
