After striking out in the David Price Sweepstakes, the Chicago Cubs officially have their consolation prize.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports on Friday, free agent right-hander John Lackey has reached an agreement on a 2-year deal that will pay him approximately $32 million.
Lackey deal with #Cubs is two years, $32M. Pending physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 4, 2015
Lackey, 37, went 13-10 for the Cardinals last season with a 2.77 ERA, a 3.57 FIP, and 175 strikeouts. After looking like an overpaid, injury-prone shell of himself for most of his tenure with the Red Sox from 2010 to 2014, the two-time World Series champion enjoyed a bit of a resurgence upon his trade to St. Louis, actually finishing ninth in NL Cy Young Award voting last year.
It’s a solid deal for the Cubs who poach a starter from their NL Central rivals at a semi-affordable price and can cut bait after 2017. Lackey is reunited with former Red Sox teammate Jon Lester, and behind Lester and actual 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta, can serve as a veteran innings-eater for a hungry Cubs team heading into 2016.
Image Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
