Cubs Make Moves: Sign Heyward, Zobrist, Lackey

The Chicago Cubs won 97 games last year and advanced to the NLCS in a season widely considered a major success. They were, however, swept by the Mets in that NLCS series, revealing a few flaws in a talented roster.  In an effort to maintain momentum it was important for the Cubs to address those holes this offseason, which were discussed earlier this offseason by yours truly here. They have done an astonishingly good job of doing just that, without breaking the bank too badly. Here’s a look at what moves the Cubs have made so far:

John Lackey:

2 years, $32 Million

He’s a bulldog. He’s human sandpaper. The young and fun Cubs just got a little more gritty, and that’s not a bad thing. He’ll fit in with former teammates Lester and Ross, and provide the Cubs with a No. 3 starter that is coming off an ace-type year for the Cardinals. Age may dictate that he can’t be an ace anymore, but on the Cubs he won’t have to be. He’ll pitch on normal rest in any playoff situation and the Cubs saw first hand what he can do to even the most talented lineup. At 37 there’s no guarantee Lackey will hold up, but it’s not a long term commitment and they didn’t have to spend $200 million. All in all, Lackey will slot in nicely in the Cubs rotation, giving them three legitimate starters for a post season series.

Grade: B+

Ben Zobrist:

4 years, $56 Million

Another player with championship level experience. The original multi-tool of manager Joe Maddon, Zobrist offers the Cubs flexibility, average, walks, solid defense, and an example for their crop of young infielders. It’s a lot of money for a 34-year-old player, but the Royals can tell you all about his worth come post season time. The Cubs are banking that his skill set will won’t deteriorate rapidly as he ages, but if he can stay healthy, he’s a good bet to thrive in a potent lineup and with a double play partner as defensively talented as shortstop Addison Russell.

Grade: A-

Jason Heyward:

8 years, 184 Million

Some will argue the Cubs overpaid, but this is perhaps the biggest sign that Epstein and Co. are all in. (Plus, reports are saying either the Cardinals/Nationals offered in excess of $200 million). Heyward was a free agent now, not in 2020 when the cable deal is supposed to kick in. Heyward is everything Cubs’ brass looks for in player: contact, walks, average, underrated power, good defense and an elite arm. Stealing him away from the division rival Cardinals? Icing on the cake. Heyward has an opt-out clause after 3 years, and if he out-performs his $23 million a year salary, it bodes well for the state of the Cubs championship aspirations.

Grade: A

Starlin Castro to Yankees for Adam Warren, PTBNL (Brendan Ryan):

This is bittersweet. I had mentioned before I would rather the Cubs move Baez than Castro, as Castro has proven that he can be an All-Star at the major league level while Baez might be. Aside from that, this deal essentially enabled them to sign Zobrist and netted them a young, controllable pitcher who at worst will provide solid bullpen depth and/or rotational relief, and at best could be a real steal and hold down a spot in the rotation, particularly after John Lackey’s contract is up. The thinking is Warren will do better with a more defined role after being shuttled back and forth between the bullpen and rotation due to New York’s rash of injuries last season. Brendan Ryan will be a nice defensive replacement late in games, if the Cubs decide to keep him. The deal itself is skewed towards the Yankees, but it gets a good grade for what it enabled the Cubs to do. If Castro regains his form in New York, the Cubs may regret this, but the Cubs couldn’t keep everyone if they were to move forward.

Grade: B

More Moves?

Chicago still has a logjam behind the plate with Miguel Montero, David Ross, Kyle Schwarber and Wilson Contreras tearing up the minor leagues, in addition to lacking a true center fielder defensively. Expect the Cubs to pursue young controllable pitching and a center fielder with defensive prowess, but to do so shrewdly. If they can swing a deal that is in their favor, they’ll pull the trigger; otherwise they’ll be content to go into 2016 picking up a rangy center fielder and banking on Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks to anchor the back end of the rotation.