This would be good for the Cubs News & Notes blog at 5pm today but I just can’t wait that long.
This is actually a big development because Lance Lynn won’t sign to be on anything less than an absolute guarantee that he would be in the starting rotation.
We know Shota and Steele and Jameson are set.
We know Matt Boyd just signed and should start.
That leaves the last spot to Jordan Wicks, Ben Brown, Colin Rea and Javier Assad.
Breaking that down:
- Wicks is always hurt
- Ben Brown can’t throw a changeup
- Colin Rea is… I have no idea
- Javier Assad is injured
So the Cubs going into opening day must feel compelled to upgrade the #5 position before even trying to give it to one of the younger guys?
That says a lot about one of two things. We’re on either side of the spectrum. These are our options:
- The Cubs are simply too good to pass up the opportunity to be great, and Jed recognizes it. So we’re willing to bring in Lance Lynn because we KNOW he’s a better option than whoever else we are considering, and we feel pressure to not waste the chance at a faster start. That’s how good the club is. We can’t even waste the #5 starting rotation on a younger pitcher or someone from the system.
OR - The #5 options listed above have been really bad behind the scenes. Jordan Wicks isn’t who we though. Ben Brown looks like trash in his bullpens. Colin Rea is a long reliever at best and Assad won’t be back until May? I don’t know how bad it is for each, but it’s kinda jarring we’d be bringing in Lance Lynn at this point. So I’m left to interpret it that everyone else is simply just too bad right now.
I don’t know which one it is, but I applaud Jed for making a move because he has to make a move. I’d rather solve the problem before it manifests itself. There’s absolutely no sense in just seeing how things play out if you already think the #5 spot is a problem. If anything it’s gross professional negligence to just roll the dice with shittier options when you could bring in Lance Lynn.
That’s the theory on the move.
Next question is whether or not we like it and that’s LOADED.
Lance Lynn is a real son of a bitch. He can be a huge baby but also a real tough competitior.
I think he can still get outs but that entirely depends on the guy who shows up to camp.
For now it’s a major story that the #5 rotation spot couldn’t get figured out by this point. To the point that they have to bring in a former Cardinal like this? That’s something I really hope we didn’t have to do but here we are.
Life as a Cubs fan.