Chicago Cubs: The Top Five Current Players

Jul 15, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (right) and first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) celebrate after both scoring runs against the Texas Rangers in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 6

May 21, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) pitches the ball against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Jon Lester

Jon Lester was coming to Chicago to be their ace of staff. What has actually happened is that, despite improving during the past two years, the Cubs no longer need him to be that ace. That is not a knock on Lester, but rather a statement of just how good the Cubs current rotation is.

Lester is enjoying his best season as a Cub in his second season in Chicago. He piles up strikeouts and keeps his team in the game. The thirty-two year old pitcher is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career and there is no reason to think that he doesn’t have several more productive seasons ahead of him.

While win/loss records often mean little for pitchers, Lester’s 17-4 record does indicate how well his team plays behind him and how he has kept them in games. He has kept his earned run average well under three and has averaged close to a strike out an inning. These numbers alone explain how good of a pitcher that Lester is.

The Cubs made yet another wise investment in signing Jon Lester, an investment that is paying off this season and should continue to pay off for them in future seasons as well.

Home/Chicago Cubs