Ted Lilly was part of the Cubs spending spree following the disastrous 2006 season. Lilly signed a four year $40 million dollar contract in a move that was not received favorably by Cubs fans and media. As time has passed this has turned out to be one of the better bargains in baseball. He has quietly become one of the Cubs more reliable starters. Lilly is approaching the final year of his contract and the Cubs have an important decision regarding Lilly. They must decide whether to extend him or to let him walk. I would like to extend Lilly for two years.

Obviously a lot goes into the decision whether or not to resign him. It depends on what the Cubs want to do with prospects like Andrew Cashner and Jeff Samardzija. They are prepping them to become starters, but some projections have them being relievers. If they decide they are better off being relievers then the Cubs have two less options to help fill a potential void in the staff. Jay Jackson is a wildcard in this too. If he proves he is ready then he could make Lilly be expendable, but I would feel more confident with Lilly being in our staff as opposed to Jackson assuming Lilly’s recent injury is not serious. Lilly seems to be getting better with age also. If he keeps his walks down I don’t see any reason why Lilly cannot have continued success. If Lilly falters you could always plug Jackson in his place, but if Jackson falters you most likely replace him with another rookie. Pitching depth has been the Cubs strength recently and I would hate to lose some of it. I wouldn’t overpay to keep Lilly here, but if we could extend him for something similar to what he is making now I would be all for it.  Plus you don’t know what you are getting out of Randy Wells and Tom Gorzelanny going forward and having Lilly could provide some much needed insurance. I’d wait and see how this season unfolds first before any move is made. If Lilly proves to be healthy and is producing the way he has shown in the past I see no reason not to extend him to a short-term deal.