Through the ups and downs of the regular season, the Cubs saw the end to their season in the NL Wildcard game against the Colorado Rockies, losing 2-1 in 13 innings. Even with the Cubs making the postseason for four consecutive years, there are still some concerns, but much to look forward to in the off-season.
Now, for the last couple days of the season and including game 163 with the Milwaukee Brewers and the wildcard game, the Cubs couldn’t hit to save their lives. In 22 innings between the two games, the Cubs could only score two runs. A lot are calling for the termination of Joe Maddon, which I don’t understand. Maddon has brought the Cubs to four playoff appearances and won World Series two years ago. I understand his managing style is different from others, with always switching the lineup, having the pitcher batting eighth in the lineup and taking a pitcher out too early or leaving him in too late. I do think Maddon and his players have a great connection and I don’t see why you need to break that up. There are also not many options for a new manager that has a better resume for the Cubs.
I do think they need to get hitting coach Chili Davis out of Chicago, though. The Cubs were second to last in games when scoring one or no runs with 39. The team ahead of them was the worst team in the league, the Baltimore Orioles. Before Davis came to the Cubs, he worked as hitting coach for the Boston Red Sox. Last year, the Red Sox hit 168 home runs. This year without Davis, they hit 208. The Cubs hit 167 home runs this year, that would be 22nd in that category. Last year without Davis the Cubs hit 223 home runs, ninth in the category. The Cubs are a power hitting team and the fact they had the second best is impressive since they had a hard time producing offensively, but Chili Davis must go.
The Cubs are going to have one of the most interesting pitching rotation situations in the offseason. Everyone knows the Cubs will roll with Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Yu Darvish and Jose Quintana, but who will be that fifth pitcher? Cole Hamels was amazing for the Cubs coming from the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline. The 34-year-old pitcher went 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and has a 2.5 WAR in only 12 starts. The Cubs have a club option on Hamels for one year, $20 million. It might be a little pricey but when Theo Epstein was asked if he wants Hamels back in Chicago he said, “Yeah, absolutely. I mean, Cole was such a breath of fresh air for us… He’s absolutely someone we’d love to have part of the mix going forward.”
Now, the Cubs also have Mike Montgomery who had a solid season filling the fifth spot in the rotation when Darvish went down. Also, the Cubs have Drew Smyly, who is coming off his rehab of Tommy John surgery I think the best chance is to either give Cole Hamels that one-year option or try to work out a long-term deal that would help the Cubs with salary cap issues for the year. Even though Montgomery had a nice season, he’s at his best when he’s the long reliever in the bullpen or when he is the sixth pitcher in the rotation, so someone can get an extra day of rest. Then, with Smyly coming off Tommy John, I don’t think he can make his way into the rotation. He can also get long relieving opportunities for the Cubs.
When the season ended for the Cubs, the attention has been on the bullpen. Especially Jesse Chavez. The 35-year-old relief pitcher was asked after the wildcard game if he would continue to play or retire, Chavez said, “If I’m not wearing this (jersey) next year I’m done.”
Chavez was amazing when he came over from the Texas Rangers near the trade deadline, as Chavez posted a 2-1 record in 32 appearances, 1.15 ERA, 42 strikeouts and held opposing hitters to a .217 batting average. The best thing to do would bring Chavez back, not only does he want to, but he has earned it. Other than that, the Cubs bullpen will look the same as this year minus the fact that Justin Wilson will probably leave due to free agency. I think they need to keep Randy Rosario up in the majors for a whole season. Rosario is poised for a bigger role with a possible Wilson departure and when limiting left-handed hitters to a .174 batting average in 64 at-bats, it makes a good case for Rosario to be a full-time reliever. We may even see Cubs top prospect, Adbert Alzolay, up in the bullpen for the Cubs sometime next season. His season was cut short in June due to strain, but according to scouts, he has the stuff to get called up and work for a relieving spot and a starting opportunity later in his career.
Cubs hitters are pretty much secured as the only free agent is Daniel Murphy and a potential opt-out with Jason Heyward. I don’t see Jason Heyward walking away from a $20 million per year contract. For Daniel Murphy, I can see him leaving due to free agency, simply because of other free agents the Cubs could bring in.
The big talk of the town is going after Bryce Harper. I don’t think that’s a move the Cubs should make though. Yes, I know Harper’s bat is good, but the first half of the season Harper was batting under .200. A solid second half of the season worked out for Harper, but he finished with a .247 batting average with 34 home runs and 100 RBIs. The thing with the Cubs is they already have a crowded outfield, and I like what they have. If they want to get Harper, they need Heyward to opt-out or find a trade destination for him, or could you see a way of Ian Happ or Kyle Schwarber being traded, and just let your pitching take a hit.
The only star player I’m sold on that the Cubs should go after is Manny Machado. With his time between the Orioles and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Machado as a batting average of .294, with 37 home runs and 107 RBIs. Then, who knows what can happen in the Addison Russell situation. Russell is suspended for the first 29 games of the season next year. Anything could happen with the ongoing investigation, or whatever happens in the Cubs front office.
Lastly, the Cubs could possibly trade for an infielder like second baseman Scooter Gennett. Even though he’s a one-year rental, the Cubs make the move to sign him to an extension and won’t make up $30 million a year, as Machado and Harper will. If the Cubs do make the trade with the Cincinnati Reds for Gennett and a prospect like Jose Lopez, I would expect Kyle Schwarber to be traded along with Tyler Chatwood and Luke Farrell. The Cubs need that other bat as Gennett hit .310 with 23 home runs and 92 RBIs. As the Reds get Kyle Schwarber in a hitter-friendly ballpark and as the Reds revamped Matt Harvey, they can do the same with Chatwood.
It’s depressing that Chicago Cubs baseball is officially over, but the offseason is just around the corner and the Cubs are used to making the big noise when the time comes. If the Cubs can just get rid of Chili Davis, bring back some familiar faces and make a big move regarding their lineup. The Cubs will not just have a good season but could avoid that troubling defeat early in the postseason.
