Among the middle-tier starting pitcher options for the Chicago Cubs this Winter, one of the least likely signees was Jake Westbrook. Traded mid-season from the Indians to the Cardinals, Westbook pitched very well under the tutilage of Dave Duncan (who doesn’t? I could throw 18 consecutive damn no-hitters if Duncan touched my shoulder), and all signs were pointing in the direction of a re-signing.
And now he has. Westbrook re-upped today with the Cards for two years and $18.5 million – a price tag that almost certainly would have taken him out of the Cubs’ range anyway. Westbrook, 33, was 10-11 overall last year with a 4.22 ERA. The deal comes with a mutual option for 2013.