Cubs sign John Lackey

The Chicago Cubs made their first big splash in the free agent market, signing John Lackey from division rival St. Louis Cardinals.  The deal is reportedly a short two-year deal that is worth o32 million dollars.  It was expected that the Cubs were going to make a splash in the pitching market with a deep free agent field, although coming in to the offseason, the Cubs were thought to get a top starter. But, the price that the aces brought, was just too high for the Cubs, and in my mind, absolutely ridiculous.  The Cubs were thought to be the frontrunners for lefthander David Price, but he went to the Red Sox on a seven year, 217 million dollar contract.  I was a big fan of the Cubs considering signing him, but for around 31 million a year, it was not going to be worth it.  Another problem with David Price, is that he was been just absolutely awful.  He has no playoff wins, and has an awful ERA.  For the Cubs, the deal just plain would not make any sense whatsoever.  It was more of a desperation move by the Red Sox, a bad team who is desperate for success, after making terrible free agent signings the year before. the Cubs used patience to build a contender for probably at least 5 to 7 years.
So, the Cubs went with the veteran, who at 37, might be on his final contract.  Lackey has got himself  a reputation of not being that nice of a guy. He is always fired up on the mound, and when he doesn't get a call he thought he should of, he will stare down the umpire to make his thoughts known.  Also, he divorced his now ex-wife, Krista, who was fighting breast cancer in 2011.
But, he will bring a veteran presence to this very young team that could always use some more.  Also, this is big in an NL Central vantage point.  These two teams will probably be the best two teams in the division, with the Pirates lurking.  The Lackey signing puts a hole in the Cardinals rotation, who has already lost Lance Lynn with a torn rotator cuff for the entire 2016 season, while fixing a huge hole in the Cubs rotation. I'm excited about this signing, and this team is still trying to trade for a young, cheap starter with a long-term deal, with using their young prospect hitters.