Chicago Cubs Sign John Lackey to Two-Year Deal

Per CBS Sports . com.

This is kind of a surprise; I knew the Cubs were in the market for an additional starting pitcher, but I didn't know Lackey was in the mix (especially since he's coming from their arch-rivals, the Cardinals).  Pretty decent year last year, and 9.6 WAR over the last three years (he had Tommy John surgery in 2012).  The only down side is he's 37 years old, so it's hard to say when his fastball will slow down.  Seems like a pretty good acquisition, with two caveats:  1) per Ken Rosenthal, the total payment to Lackey over the two years of the deal will be $32-$34 million, which may be a lot if he slows down, and 2) since St. Louis made a qualifying offer, the Cubs forfeit their first round draft pick to the Cardinals.  On the other hand, given the Cubs ineptitude in the draft - between Mark Prior in 2001 and Kris Bryant in 2013, the only 1st round pick over a 5.0 WARP is Josh Donaldson, who never actually played a game in a Cubs uniform (he was dealt to the A's a year after he was picked) - maybe that's just as well.

Lackey's Baseball Reference page is here.