Cubs Bring Back Jon Lieber, Add Depth to Rotation

The Cubs and Jon Lieber agreed on a 1 year deal worth about $3.5 million dollars. Lieber previously pitched for the Cubs from 1999 through 2002. He was the last Cub pitcher to win 20 games, accomplishing the feat in 2001 an earning him an All Star Game appearance. He pitched for the Yankees and Phillies over the last four seasons.

Lieber missed the entire 2003 season after undergoing Tommy John reconstructive surgery on his arm near the end of the 2002 season. He rebounded nicely in 2004 and 2005 winning 14 and 17 games. But the injury bug bit again in each of the last two seasons, forcing him to miss time. Fortunately, these were not arm injuries and it looks like Lieber is finally 100%.

Jon is expected to compete for a spot in the Cub rotation. With Ryan Dempster attempting to move from the bullpen back to the starting rotation, it will be interesting to see how the rotation pans out. Carlos Zambrano and Ted Lilly are the top two starters returning. Rich Hill had a solid 2007 season and should be the third starter. That leaves Jason Marquis, Dempster, Lieber, Sean Marshall, and rookies Sean Gallagher and Kevin Hart battling for two spots.

Marquis generally starts the season well and fades after the All Star break, so it would make since for him to start as the season opens. If Lieber is healthy he can certainly fill that 5^th spot in the rotation, but has also indicated he could go out of the bullpen as well. I liked what I saw from Marshall in 2007. I'm not sure where he fits if he doesn't make the rotation. I think Gallagher and Hart could open the season in the minors, but each will have a shot at making the team in Spring Training.