Spring Training begins in a month for the Chicago Cubs. And when pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, the Cubs’ starting five will be Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, John Lackey, Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks.
Conversations are ongoing with teams and the roster could look different in another month. As the roster is currently constructed, the Cubs starting staff will begin Spring Training with Arrieta and Lester anchoring the rotation, Lackey in the middle and Hammel and Hendricks in the backend.
ESPN Chicago reported that Adam Warren is the Cubs’ sixth starter right now, but that could change. Warren, along with Trevor Cahill, Travis Wood and Clayton Richard will be stretched out in Spring Training. The Cubs have built a versatile pitching staff. If all goes as planned, as many as four pitchers could begin the season in the bullpen labeled as utility pitchers.
According to ESPN Chicago, the Cubs “told Warren he was acquired to be a starter, but weren’t specific when he could break into the rotation.” Warren said he wants to start.
Adam Warren was 7-7 in 43 games, 17 starts, with a 3.29 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 3.59 FIP for the Yankees last season. Warren allowed 51 runs, 48 earned, on 114 hits with 39 walks and 104 strikeouts in 131 1/3 innings. And he was 2-2 in 23 games, three starts, after the break with a 2.53 ERA and 1.05 WHIP.
As a starter, Warren posted a 6-6 record with a 3.66 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. Warren gave up 42 runs, 39 earned, on 87 hits with 30 walks and 67 strikeouts in 96 innings. Warren started games against the Red Sox, Tigers, Rays, Orioles, Nationals, Royals, A’s, Angels, Astros, Blue Jays and White Sox.
Theo Epstein thinks Adam Warren is going to sneak up on some people and be a really important part of the pitching staff.
Warren said “it’s an exciting time to be a Cub” and if he was ever dealt from the Yankees, the Cubs were at the top of the list of teams he would like to be traded.
Warren will pitch a majority of the season as a 28-year old. And Warren does have two minor league options left. After reports suggested Warren might take a little time before he agreed to a one-year deal with the Cubs for the upcoming season. Warren avoided arbitration with a $1.7 million contract.
Steamer Projections for the season have Warren posting a 2-2 record in 40 games, all in relief, with a 3.08 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 3.26 FIP. And ZiPS projected Warren to make 48 appearances in 2016 with eight starts and complete more than 100 innings with a 3.01 ERA and 3.28 FIP.
• Full Report from ESPN Chicago