Chicago Cubs: Who has something to prove this spring?

Mar 20, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; A general view of game action between the Chicago Cubs and the Seattle Mariners at Cubs Park. The Mariners won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Cubs Spring Training is underway!  A new season means different things to different people.  For some, a new beginning – Jon Lester, David Ross and Joe Maddon.  For others it’s a start to their new career – someone like Kris Bryant. For a select few – it’s time for a clean slate.  It’s time to show that what was last years problems are in the past.  There are some who have something to prove.  Not just to the organization and the fans, but themselves.  Some players went into last year with expectations, and fell well short.  While you can’t go back and change what is already done – you can make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.

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Travis Wood is the first player that comes to mind.  The 2013 season saw Wood become an all-star and what we thought would be a top of the rotation starter in 2014.  The Cubs’ left-handed All-Star pitcher was a tough-luck loser in 2013. Wood’s win-loss record was 9-12 – but had some impressive numbers to show how well he actually played.

He posted a 3.11 ERA- 24 of his 32 games started were quality starts – and six of those 24 starts Wood would be a loser in.  Also the lefty would hold batters to a .222 average.  Figuring that success and the fact that the Cubs would be expected to have a better offense in 2014 – Wood was expected to have his numbers tell the right story.  That didn’t happen though.

In 2014, the former All-Star would take a huge step backwards.  While the record didn’t show it, his ERA would skyrocket to a 5.03.  In his 31 starts, only 13 would qualify as quality starts, and only one of those quality starts Wood would be the loser of.  Hitters would also improve their average against Wood, raising the opposing hitters average to a .277 against.

Now the once All-Star is going to have to fight for a spot in the rotation.  The odds could be on Wood’s side.  Because he’s done it before it’s known he can do it again.  A new manager has come in, a new and potent offense will be hopefully supporting him more often.  He has competition, but some of that competition has something to prove also. A little competition might just be what is needed for the former All-Star to come back to that form.

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Edwin Jackson has been a disappointment thus far as a Chicago Cub.  After signing a four-year contract worth $52 million – Jackson has had the expectations to show he was worth that kind of contract.  He was expected to be a top of the rotation starter.  He was expected to be a leader for the Cubs – now he’s not even expected to be in the starting rotation.  If there was any time in Jackson’s career to push the panic button and step it up – it would be now.

The numbers haven’t been there while with the Cubs.  Jackson’s two-year totals are enough to have most pitchers looking for a new place to call home.  A record of 14-33 in 58 games started, and his 5.58 ERA only tell part of the story.  Hitter’s had a field day off of the Cubs’ big money right-handed pitcher as well.  The two-year averages have been .281 and .302 for hitters.  While 2013 Jackson did have 14 quality starts – that number would be cut in half in 2014.  This means a lot of early exits and longer innings being logged by a taxed bullpen.

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This year Jackson will see a few familiar faces from his past.  Joe Maddon had Jackson apart of his pitching staff while managing the Rays in 2006-2008.  The numbers are very similar with the Rays as they have been with the Cubs.  A win/loss record of 19-26 and a 5.08 ERA still stands out as eye sores.  Will Maddon have any more success the second time around? I hope so, but I’m not holding my breath.

Also reuniting with Jackson is Miguel Montero.  The duo spent 21 games together while with the Arizona Diamondbacks.  A record of 6-10 with 5.16 ERA still doesn’t give you a lot of confidence that Montero will make much difference for the righty this time around either.

So what is it that still gives Jackson a chance at capturing a job in the rotation? Ego of the front office to prove their signing wasn’t as bad as it has been so far? Probably not.  Every front office manager has made their fair share of signings and trades that haven’t worked out. Maybe the office still has confidence that their big signing from two years ago will finally figure it all out.

I think the fact that there is no expectations on Jackson anymore helps. The pressure of being in the top half of the rotation is long gone – there is no chance for that.  So to sneak into the back-end of the rotation while slim, is still there.  Maybe there is also the matter of pride for Jackson to show he belongs in the majors and with a winning team. Whatever it is, he’s got his work cut out for him to prove all of us wrong.

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Dexter Fowler, the now center fielder and lead off hitter for the Cubs.  There is actually more pressure on him than maybe anyone has thought about.  For Fowler personally, it’s a contract year.  You want to put on a show to prove you’re going to be worth what your agent (Scott Boras) is going to demand you’re worth.  But there is also competition ready and waiting for a chance to take the newly crowned lead off hitter’s spot.

Arismendy Alcantara showed last year that he is more than capable of being the Cubs center fielder.  And with what has been reported as a solid winter ball session for Alcantara, he has the confidence to take that spot away at the very moment it might become open.

Fowler is still a young enough (Turns 29 in March), he may want to be apart of team that is ready to go on a wild run.  If he were to come into the season and blow away everyone’s expectations, he might become a player the Cubs want to keep around.  If that were to happen, those prospects waiting for a call-up  then become trade chips.  But, again, if that doesn’t happen, those same prospects are going to be there to compete next year for the center fielder’s spot.

Fowler also needs to show that his past numbers aren’t his best.  His six-year stat line average while with Colorado shows a .270/.365/.423 percentage line with 40 homers, 210 runs batted in, 83 stolen bases, and 53 triples.  His single season with Houston – .276/.375/.399 percentages with eight homers, 35 runs batted in, 11 stolen bases, and  four triples.  While the numbers are fairly consistent throughout, they aren’t really anything to get too excited about with a lead off hitter. I’d love to see his on base percentage higher and his stolen bases higher. Alcantara can put up bigger numbers and possibly some of those hot prospects too.  Fowler needs to come in to prove he’s ready for the challenge.

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Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer told us they had a plan.  They also preached to the Cubs and the fans for patience. That’s a lot to ask a fan base who has been waiting 100 plus years for a championship.  But we gave them that wish. We have been waiting calmly for the day that we hope is right around the corner.  We now feel like that is all about to pay off.  The pressure is on Epstein, Hoyer, and even the Ricketts family to show all of us fans that those few years we sat on our hands, bit our tongues, and held our breath – will be all worth it in the end.

I personally believe in all three.  They were dealt a bad hand at first.  The club was a mess, the finances were a mess, the developmental system was beyond a mess.  They fixed all of that in four years.  We now have one of the top farm systems in all of baseball.  We have financial flexibility to make moves during the season if needed, and in the off-season when the right players become available.  We are going to have a renovated Wrigley Field to call home soon.  We have a new-found hope in our Cubbies.

But just because we have all of that, doesn’t mean the job is done.  Now the real work begins – now it’s make it or break it time.  If the Cubs and their core prospects turn into what is expected, what will be expected is a world series trophy.  If that doesn’t happen, will it take all of us Cub fans into a deeper darker state of baseball fan depression? Quite possibly.  We are hungry for a winner, we are tired of the jokes, we are tired of our rivals winning while we are losing.  We’ve put all our chips into the middle banking on the cards that Epstein, Hoyer, and the Ricketts hold and we’re ready to cash in.

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