Jake is Back

[Bertz]

[David]

i'm irrationally happy about this

[Cubswin11]

Yeah I irrationally like this. He’s probably washed up but whatever.

[Cubswin11]

Never forget

[Sammy Sofa]

[Post Count Padder]

Yeah I'm exciting about this for mostly nostalgic reasons. I don't think he has much left but we need somewhat reliable starters.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'll pack his bags when he's traded for a 17 year old in June

[Irrelevant Dude]

I would have much rather had Lester at 3-4 Million than Arrieta at 7, but I don't hate this. At least they spent money on someone.

[Schwarber Fan]

Hendricks
Davies
Jake
Mills
Williams/Alzolay

Could be much worse

[Irrelevant Dude]

Hendricks
Davies
Jake
Mills
Williams/Alzolay

Could be much slightly worse

Fixed.

[Cubswin11]

Hendricks
Davies
Jake
Mills
Williams/Alzolay

Could be much worse

I do wonder if they go with a 6-man rotation. Given the innings limit issues, Hendricks being the only proven guy and everyone else having some sort of questions/issues around them.

[d_money]

When’s Lackey coming back?? Jake is washed up (well, maybe not entirely but pretty close).

[Bertz]

Jake isn't great anymore, but unlike Lester there are some reasons to think he might still be pretty solid with some tweaks.

[Gilby]

Still gets a lot of groundballs at least. That could work here.

[mias_tisg]

https://twitter.com/GDubCub/status/1360382518244081665?s=19

Jake isn't great anymore, but unlike Lester there are some reasons to think he might still be pretty solid with some tweaks.

That's pretty awful. Wasn't a fan of bringing back Lester but should have just brought him back if you're doing a horsefeathers pitcher reunion to sell tickets.

[Andy]

Give me 1 or 2 throwback nights at Wrigley where he's got it working like 2015-16 and I really won't care much what else happens from this.

[Cubswin11]

https://twitter.com/GDubCub/status/1360382518244081665?s=19

Jake isn't great anymore, but unlike Lester there are some reasons to think he might still be pretty solid with some tweaks.

Decent thread about how maybe tweaking some things could make him serviceable. If we can get 160-180 innings of 3.9-4.5 ERA ball I’d take it.

[Bertz]

[Rob]

Jake is looking pretty washed up. Velocity is down from his peak. Not getting the same results from his offspeed stuff.

Maybe they see something they can tweak. Add some spin, change an arm angle, alter pitch sequencing, etc...Pitching is complicated, and there are a lot of levers to pull. The Cubs know him well, so if they think it’s worth a gamble I’m inclined to believe them.

But I’m not expecting much.

[Bertz]

https://twitter.com/GDubCub/status/1360382518244081665?s=19

Jake isn't great anymore, but unlike Lester there are some reasons to think he might still be pretty solid with some tweaks.

Decent thread about how maybe tweaking some things could make him serviceable. If we can get 160-180 innings of 3.9-4.5 ERA ball I’d take it.

This is interesting. His velocity is still basically where it was when he left. There are still some things to like about his secondaries. He still gets ground balls (xFIP thinks he's been a league average pitcher since leaving).

Like, God mode Jake isn't walking through that door, but I'd absolutely buy that a smarter coaching staff can help him still be a #3 starter

[David]

also philly's infield defense is really bad i'm pretty sure

[Cubswin11]

also philly's infield defense is really bad i'm pretty sure

Bottom 5-10 in DRS at every infield position last year

[champaignchris]

I know he sucks now, but if the Cubs have to sign a sucky pitcher, it might as well be Jake.

[mias_tisg]

I'd rather see Alzolay, Tyson Miller, etc get starts over Arrieta. Guess why I'm pissed off here. I don't need to see a 2016 reunion, I'm tired of bringing back old players. The Cubs actually made a great decision when they let him walk.

[Brian]