Just because you closed out the Cubs’ first World Series in 108 years, doesn’t mean you get a leg up on the starting rotation competition. At the end of last season, reliever Mike Montgomery looked like a lock to round out the Cubs’ starting rotation with the departure of Jason Hammel.
Since the Cubs acquired him via trade in July, Montgomery excelled both as a middle reliever and sometimes-starter. In 38 1/3 regular-season innings (including five starts) with the Cubs, Montgomery posted a 2.82 ERA, and was solid in his first postseason, especially in the World Series, where he posted a 1.