Chicago Cubs: It’s time to put a cap on several players’ 2019 season

The elimination number sits at one for the Chicago Cubs. Knowing that, there’s no reason to risk the long-term health of three key players this week.

In recent years, maybe I would’ve been optimistic enough to believe the Chicago Cubs might have one last magical run in them to save the job of manager Joe Maddon and put the team’s recent four-game sweep at the hand of the St. Louis Cardinals in the rearview mirror.

But not this season.

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The 2019 campaign has been marred by injury and inconsistencies in virtually every facet of the game – from guys like Jon Lester and Cole Hamels riding a performance roller coaster, to seeing the team rank near the bottom of the league in several defensive metrics and, of course, the bevy of injuries that sidelined almost every key player at some point.

Knowing all that, the outcome in Tuesday’s lopsided 9-2 loss at PNC Park to the 66-91 Pittsburgh Pirates just seemed fitting. Only more so when you consider the MLB At-Bat app actually had this game marked as a no-hitter watch halfway through the game, with Kyle Hendricks dominating.

Then, it all pretty much went sideways – dropping the Cubs a seemingly insurmountable five games out of the second Wild Card spot, tied with the New York Mets in the standings. So while players, coaches and other members of the organization won’t publicly say it – it’s over.

Now just exactly what ‘it’ is surely remains up for debate. The end of the team’s postseason hopes, to be sure. But there’s more than that drawing to a close. All signs point to the Cubs moving on from Maddon at the end of the year. But with major roster turnover anticipated this offseason, are we looking at the end of the team’s once-heralded core?

No matter which way Theo Epstein goes this winter – one thing is for sure. Chicago has nothing to gain by continuing to push Anthony Rizzo out there. The same goes for recently-injured Kris Bryant or infielder Javier Baez. This season is lost, but there’s always next year.

"“We still have a chance here,” Bryant told MLB.com prior to Tuesday’s loss. “I know everybody here is believing that. I’m believing it and I want to do everything I can to get back out there and feel like I can help the team. That’s what we’re going to do, and it starts today.”"

Sure, maybe there was a chance – but it’s gone now. We’ve heard rumblings and rumors about the Cubs being willing to listen on key guys, especially Bryant, this winter, in hopes of reloading the roster. Who knows if it’ll play out that way, but the team can’t risk worsening his ankle sprain he suffered over the weekend by trying to get him back on the field in 2019.

All eyes ahead and chins up. There’s a lot to play for – just not this season.