The fact the Chicago Cubs like the idea of a six-man starting rotation isn’t a surprise to anyone. Reports surfaced as early as January regarding the team’s pitching plans, when the front office was still looking to shore up the staff.
At that point in time, Tyson Ross appeared to be the club’s top target. Of course, Ross wound up in Texas and the Cubs moved on to left-hander Brett Anderson, who inked a one-year, incentive-laden deal.
Anderson will pair up with fellow lefty Mike Montgomery to fill the team’s fifth starting spot – in what Joe Maddon calls a ‘hybrid’ model for the rotation entering the season.