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Chicago Cubs: Here’s how Yu Darvish can rewrite the narrative
His first season with the Chicago Cubs couldn’t have gone worse. What does Yu Darvish need to do to flip the script and win over fans this season?
Right-hander Yu Darvish, a highly coveted free agent star just a year ago, made one of the worst first impressions one could hope to ever make with an organization. Darvish had all the hype after proving himself following his jump from overseas. In the big leagues, he accumulated a 57-45 record, 3.45 ERA, and 11 K/9 through his first six seasons. This track record helped him land the monster six-year, $126 million dollar deal with the Chicago Cubs.
However, describing his 2018 campaign in Chicago as disastrous would be an understatement. In just eight starts, the last of which came on May 20, Darvish went 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA and 1.45 WHIP before being shut down for the season.
Things were so bad that even Yu was lead to believe that Cubs fans hated him. With the nightmare of 2018 in his rearview mirror (hopefully), things can only go up for Darvish as we head into 2019, and he has an excellent opportunity to rewrite his narrative moving forward in Chicago.
Chicago Cubs: Don’t forget – he tried to pitch through his injury
Darvish fought hard to make a return in 2018 but ultimately, the organization decided the best decision would be to focus on long-term health. In late September, he had arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow.
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After the decision, Darvish felt relieved that he could make his health a top priority and not have to feel pressured into returning. So things are already off to a good start for the right-hander, as he feels at ease in his situation and is ready to put in the rehab in order to be ready for 2019. He still has a long way to go to make himself worth the $126 million, but taking that first step to accept where you’re at is big.
One thing we can’t help but think about when we think of Darvish is Jason Heyward. It seems like they’ve had identical situations. Heyward signs the massive deal, doesn’t live up to it, and Cubs fans almost saw him as a ‘lost cause’.
Then, out of the blue, he hit his stride and proved himself to the organization and his contributions were surprisingly huge additions to a great core. Darvish is off to that same start. He’s signed the massive deal, hasn’t lived up to it, and Cubs fans have firmly written him off.
There won’t be nearly as much pressure on Darvish heading into 2019 and I believe this will be big for him. Coming from Japan, I’m sure a big thing for him is making sure he fits in, and when you get off to such a rough start with a city with so much love for their team, it’s got to make you uncomfortable.
Chicago Cubs: Darvish ready to prove what he’s got
With less pressure and a better feel for the city, Darvish will be able to relax and focus on his health. To top that off, he doesn’t need to be the number one, two, three or even four starter on this team.
Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and Jose Quintana have the firepower at the front of the rotation, and the damage control addition of Cole Hamels in there as well is huge for the staff. The addition of Hamels paid so many dividends in 2018, but I think we will see greater benefits in 2019 in the form of Yu Darvish.
Darvish and Hamels pitched together in Texas, where the former began his career and pitched lights-out (52-39, 3.42 ERA in five seasons). Having a familiar face and friend back in the staff alongside him will make Darvish so much more comfortable in his new city, and I think he’ll be able to feed off Hamels in a very positive fashion.
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With the ceiling to be the team’s ace and the cushion to be the fifth starter, Darvish can work to improve day-by-day and not worry about his critics. I believe he’s in a great situation and I believe he has the potential and work ethic to come back even better than he was before. He can prove not only Cubs fans wrong, but the rest of the league, by helping the Chicago Cubs have one of the best rotations in the league.