Cubs' John Lackey: Could pitch two more years

Lackey said he's leaning toward coming back in 2018 rather than retiring, CSN Chicago reports.

Analysis:

"At this point, I think I'm more likely to pitch next year than not pitch," Lackey said. "But we'll see at the end of the season." Lackey will be 39 at the start of the 2018 season, but he's shown he's still an effective pitcher at this stage of his career. Last year, Lackey struck out opposing hitters at the highest rate of his career (24.1 percent, 8.6 K/9), and he posted a strong 3.35 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, the latter of which was a new career best as well.