Cubs fans, Come in off the ledge

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Though it’s not my style to be optimistic about Chicago sports, I find myself not as pessimistic about the Cubs as most Cubs fans seem to be. While it’s disappointing that the team won’t be adding any money, and is actually trying to reduce payroll, it’s not like the team is devoid of talent. If they went with their current roster they would be, at least contenders for the NL Central. Their under performance last season was almost criminal. 

Cubs performance last year was Maddoning

As anyone who follows my Twitter account, @LarryLambert6, knows, I wasn’t a fan of Joe Maddon. Last season the Cubs finished at 84-78. Their Pythagorean record was 90-72. That was the worst under performance in baseball. Many of the problems came from the bullpen. While Joe Maddon didn’t have a lot to work with, he did a terrible job of using what he did have. Joe often got the matchup he wanted, I just have no idea why he wanted those matchups. Joe seemed to manage the game being played in his head, not the one the 

going on in the field.`

Stability please!

There are other causes for optimism. Kyle Schwarber played better in the second half of the season. Also, Albert Almora Jr. can’t be as bad a he was last season, can he? Jason Heyward hit a little better than he had previously with the Cubs, though his defense declined. The Cubs need to stick him in right field and leave him there. Putting him in center only negates what value he does have.

This doesn't look so bad

Assuming the Cubs don’t trade Kris Bryant, they’re set at third, short and first. That’s leaves a black hole at second. Nico Hoerner would appear to be the front runner at this point, and while I’m not wild about him, he figures to be better than the revolving door of ineptitude that manned the position in 2019. There are plenty of cheap free agent options available if the Cubs do manage to free up a few bucks.

The Cubs are strong behind the plate with Willson Contreras and Victor Caratini. Contreras is rumored to possibly be on the trading block. If so, I’m okay with that. Caratini is a solid backup and one of the few decent prospects the Cubs have is catcher, Miguel Amaya. If Contreras could bring back some starting pitching help, I’d be so be it.

Help wanted

The starting rotation, barring significant changes, will feature Yu Darvish as the number one, followed by Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana and Jon Lester. Cole Hamels will be missed, but Alec Mills or Tyler Chatwood could provide coverage in the rotation. 

Break out the hazmat suit

In the biggest meltdown since Chernobyl, the Cubs bullpen went further than any other group on the team to sabotage the team’s playoff hopes. Craig Kimbrel’s 2019 season was an unmitigated disaster. He’s unlikely to be that bad again in 2020. If he is, the Cubs need to cut bait on him and move on. Rowan Wick and Kyle Ryan were good finds in 2019 and should be available from the start of the 2020 season. In a cheapo free agent signing, the Cubs picked up Dan Winkler. It’s a good, low risk signing. However the Cubs fill out their bullpen for 2020, it figures to be better than the 2019 group.

And then there's this.

While there is talk of the Cubs trading Kris Bryant, even if they do, they should be better off in a couple of years if they get young talent back. While Cubs fans are doing a lot of weeping and gnashing of teeth, the NL Central in general is less than overwhelming. That in itself should keep things interesting for the Cubs in 2020.

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