The Cubs open their season on March 29 on the road against the Miami Marlins. Joe Maddon’s team is coming off a NLCS loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers as the World Series honeymoon now appears to be over.
They’ll be looking to start the season better than last year where they got off to a slow start. Some attributed their slow start to a so-called “hangover year.” Whatever it was, there is no doubt that the team started off sluggish teetering at around the .500 mark throughout the first half of the season.
The Cubs were fortunate that the NL Central was relatively poor last season, allowing them to have a mediocre start and still be in contention.
Last season is history and the Cubs are once again favorites to win the NL Central and make a deep postseason run.
Coming into spring training, the club had their share of arrivals and departures.
They opted against re-signing last year’s closer in Wade Davis and former closers Hector Rondon and Justin Grimm.
Perhaps the biggest decision they made was letting Jake Arrieta walk. The dominance Arrieta displayed in 2015 is something we may not see again.
He looked completely unhittable that season and it was no surprise that he won the Cy Young award. He was instrumental in the Cubs winning the World Series in 2016.
To try and replace Arrieta, the Cubs signed one of the marquee free agent pitchers in Yu Darvish. The former Texas Ranger and Los Angeles Dodger signed a six year, $126 million contract.
Prior to the Yu Darvish signing, Fangraphs had the Cubs going 89-73. After the signing, their record improved to 94-68 with the Cubs having the second-best record in baseball, only behind the Houston Astros.
Suffice to say that adding someone the caliber of Yu Darvish will do that for you.
To round out the rotation, the Cubs also signed Tyler Chatwood. The former Rockies pitcher signed a third year, $48 million contract. Chatwood had decent numbers last season, and they’re hoping he can improve even more now that he’s out of the launching pad that is Coors Field.
Offensively, the Cubs did not sing a lead-off hitter, despite it being a position, they have not filled since the departure of Dexter Fowler. It looks like Joe Maddon will play the match-ups on gameday to see who leads off.
In spring training, Ian Happ has looked good in the leadoff, spot racking up six home runs. Other player options include Ben Zobrist and Kyle Schwarber.
Speaking of Schwarber, the big man is not so big anymore. Schwarber reported to be looking as lean as he’s ever looked. He struggled in 2017 even spending time in triple-A.
He came prepared this season as he’s in the “best shape of his life.” He’ll look to have a bounce back on both sides of the ball.
Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Willson Contreras will try to repeat the seasons they had last year and continue to improve. Contreras has quickly become one of the most exciting young catchers in baseball and showed that he was no slouch behind home plate. As far as Bryzzo goes, everyone already knows what they’re about.
The wild card players for the Cubs is Javier Baez. Baez has to be one of the most exciting and frustrating players to watch. He’s a defensive wizard at second base, but at the plate he struggles at times and when he does, he’ll swing at anything. If he can become more consistent at the plate, it won’t be long until he takes the starting spot away from Ben Zobrist.
Joe Maddon has already announced his rotation for the start of the season. Jon Lester will be the opening day pitcher followed by Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana, Yu Darvish, and Tyler Chatwood. That’s as strong a starting five as you’ll see.
The signings of Darvish and Chatwood also allow the Cubs to keep Mike Montgomery in the bullpen. He will be stretched out and be the emergency starter should someone pick up an injury. Let’s hope he can settle into a routine because the back-and-forth of going from the bullpen to the rotation and vice-versa, screwed up his rhythm.
The bullpen was another area the Cubs spent heavily on in improving. They lost Wade Davis, but signed Brandon Morrow. Morrow had a great season with the Dodgers last year and will take over the closing duties.
If they can get Carl Edwards Jr. and Justin Wilson to consistently throw strikes again, they have a shot at having one of the best bullpens in the league.
Looking at the Cubs roster, it’s obvious as to why many will have them as their World Series favorites.
Falling short of reaching the October Classic will undoubtedly instill a hunger in this team that they might have lost after winning it all in 2016.
Ernesto Hernandez
Sports Editor