03-16-2023, 03:29 PM
Hoping that Steele, Smyly, Taillon, Stroman, Wesneski, Assad and Sampson will all become great, dependable Cub starters one day but shouldn’t attempt comparisons to 2016 roster.
Agree that 2023 pitching roster is 7-8 deep with guys who could legitimately start MLB games but no reason to mention 2016 roster as it is far too big a stretch.
In 2016, Lester, Arrieta, Hendricks and Lackey were all significantly more established and better than the current Cubs roster. The 2016 spring had Arrieta coming off one of the most dominant pitching performances in modern baseball with his 2015 season. The 2016 club played outstanding defense which benefits pitchers but those starters each had above average to great pitching repertoire as foundations. Believe that Hammel, Montgomery, Cahill, Wood and others provided solid depth despite the starting 5 taking almost all of their scheduled starts.
Agree that 2023 pitching roster is 7-8 deep with guys who could legitimately start MLB games but no reason to mention 2016 roster as it is far too big a stretch.
In 2016, Lester, Arrieta, Hendricks and Lackey were all significantly more established and better than the current Cubs roster. The 2016 spring had Arrieta coming off one of the most dominant pitching performances in modern baseball with his 2015 season. The 2016 club played outstanding defense which benefits pitchers but those starters each had above average to great pitching repertoire as foundations. Believe that Hammel, Montgomery, Cahill, Wood and others provided solid depth despite the starting 5 taking almost all of their scheduled starts.