Chicago Cubs: What the Cubs outfield wants this holiday season

Earlier this week, I broke down the wish list of the Chicago Cubs infield. Now, it’s the outfielders’ turn – and they’re asking for quite a bit heading into 2019.

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year. Really, all that matters are holiday season and Chicago Cubs season – who needs the four ‘official’ seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter?

I can remember getting my presents on Christmas morning and lining up all the packages. After lining everyone’s packages up, I would count them all to see who got more. If someone got more, then I would look at the value of my presents to see if Santa was fair in his dispensation of gifts. Santa always seemed to be pretty equitable across the board as I have never had to file any complaints with the North Pole.

This year, the Chicago Cubs pitching staff and infield might be comparing some gifts of their own with their outfield teammates. Why? There are some high-end, high-priced talent on the shelf out there, ready for delivery.

If the Cubs outfield could ask Santa for some gifts this year, what do you think they’d be seeking?

Chicago Cubs: Some magic dust to keep guys healthy

If the outfield had a bit more room on its list, it might ask Santa to bring them some consistent power hitting. When I think outfield, I see three power sluggers. Let’s face it, an outfield that can consistently put the ball into play is a dominating presence.

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None of the Cubs outfielders stood out in 2018 for their power hitting, as outfielder Kyle Schwarber used to in the past. Ian Happ struck out a ton last year, Jason Heyward hasn’t found his stroke since joining the team and Albert Almora fell off a proverbial cliff late in the year.  Santa needs to bring the power hitting back to the Cubs outfield.

Next on the list? Relative health. This group wants to make the big plays without the injuries. This year, they treated fans to amazing grabs from Heyward, Almora and Happ.

The problem with those gravity-defying grabs? More than once, they ended with someone banging into a wall, hitting the ground after a full-speed dive or rolling head over heels after laying out.

What follows these types of instances? Injuries. Only the healthiest teams can do survive the 162-game grind and move on deep into the postseason. Santa’s elves might sprinkle a little magic dust over the outfield so we still make the highlight-reel catches but without the injuries.

Chicago Cubs: Heyward wants to hit; Schwarber, Happ want to play

Jason Heyward would love to have his best career hitting season in 2019.  Heyward worked out so many of the bugs last year and ended up with a .270 batting average, seven more hits than 2017 (119-to-112) but fewer home runs (8-to-11) and RBI (57-to-59). Heyward wants Santa to take his swing back to 2015 and his .293 BA. That year, Heyward had 160 hits, 13 home runs and 60 RBI as a member of the rival St. Louis Cardinals.

Outfielders Kyle Schwarber and Ian Happ want ‘life’ for Christmas. Both players are hoping to be heading toward Mesa, Arizona and not traded off to make financial room for more established players.

It will be tough going, especially for players like Schwarber who did everything from transforming his body to leading MLB in some defensive metrics during part of last season. Both players are hoping for a roster spot this Christmas. They’re keeping it real, and that’s putting it mildly.