Chicago Cubs: The outfield has three potential Gold Glove winners

This isn’t as crazy as it seems. The Chicago Cubs could have three players in the outfield that might be in the running…if they played consistently and in the same positions. But it’s Joe Maddon, so that’s unlikely.

So I know as many saw the headline and read the intro, their first thought about the Chicago Cubs was ‘not Kyle Schwarber.’ We need to let that go. Last season, Schwarber was one of the best-left fielders in the entire league and the best in the National League. Only Alex Gordon of the Kansas City Royals was better, per Fangraphs. 

We’re very aware of what Jason Heyward is capable of. Last season was the first time in four years that he didn’t win the Gold Glove in right field. This season has started a little shaky for him. But to be honest, it started that way for a lot of players. The Cubs committed six errors in a single game. Clearly, whatever it was, it was going around the clubhouse. But he seems to be settling in, only not just in right field.

When Joe Maddon decided to go with Albert Almora in center field over Ian Happ, we knew the defense would be much improved. Almora has had his issues at the plate, but his ability in the field can’t be ignored. Last night was a great example of that.

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Almora would probably be considered the most ‘flashy’ of the outfield. Schwarber goes about his business, doing what needs to be done in left. Part of his strength is his arm.

Schwarber was tied last season with Andrew Benintendi of the Red Sox with 11 outfield assists. His routes are much improved over the last few seasons, and he’s no longer a joke in the outfield. He’s proven that with his play and the stats back that up.

For Heyward, it almost feels that as he’s improving at the plate, his defense has fallen a notch. Now, that doesn’t mean he isn’t still an elite right fielder. Honestly, if he makes a few more errors but hits like he has to start the season? I’m on that J-Hey train. A ‘falloff’ for Heyward is still better than 99% of most outfielders.

But here’s the reason that the Cubs will have no more than one–if any, Gold Glove winners–this season. Maddon. I’m aware that Maddon isn’t concerned with the hardware, just the results. And while he has put faith in Almora as the ‘everyday’ center fielder, we’ve seen Heyward out there quite often. He very much believes in these guys in the field. But at the plate? He still lacks some trust in Schwarber against lefties and Almora against righties.

But if you recall, Anthony Rizzo used to struggle against left-handed pitching. Between the at-bats against them and the extra work he put in, he’s become a great hitter against both sides. Schwarber and Almora are going to need that trust at some point, or we’ll never see them at their max potential. Platooning is great, but only if you want to see half of what a player is capable of.

While these three could sweep the NL outfield for Gold Gloves? It’s highly unlikely. Even if they all have their best seasons in the field (a tough one for Heyward), someone in the league will likely have a better year. And taking the Gold Glove from the previous year’s winner can be tough. I remember Darwin Barney finally winning one over Brandon Phillips. It was almost as if they gave it to him automatically until Barney forced their hand.

I’d love to see what would happen if this Chicago Cubs’ outfield performed well enough to force the voters to consider it. But alas, I’ll take great seasons from each of them with no Gold–at least the individual awards.