Chicago Cubs: Expect plenty of competition for roles this spring

Given the lack of additions this offseason, internal competition will likely be the story for the Chicago Cubs when the team heads to Mesa next month.

A week into the new year – and still, the Chicago Cubs have yet to sign a free agent to a major league deal. That’s jarring, to say the least, given the team’s financial might and their big market status, but here we are regardless.

While teams like the division rival Cincinnati Reds and crosstown foe Chicago White Sox have taken major steps forward, with each team arguably serving as the biggest winners so far this winter, the Cubs have been quiet – dead quiet.

They’ve picked up some buy-low guys who will get a shot to compete for a roster spot this spring, but hardly the type of talent needed to help an 84-win team get back to the postseason in 2020. So far, the core remains intact – despite incessant trade rumors involving the likes of Kris Bryant, Willson Contreras and even Anthony Rizzo.

Chicago’s plan seems pretty clear: once again, hope this group can get the job done. It hasn’t worked in each of the past two years. The Colorado Rockies bounced the Cubs in the 2018 Wild Card game after a brutal month of September and then missed the postseason altogether in 2019.

Chicago Cubs: Let’s see if we can Frankenstein a bullpen, shall we?

Despite an overall strong showing in 2019, Chicago’s bullpen struggled when it mattered most. No matter who Joe Maddon trotted out, it seemed like more often than not, things went sideways in those high-leverage spots.

We’d all hoped that bringing in free agent closer Craig Kimbrel mid-season would help. It did not. The right-hander put up the worst numbers of his career and did little to solidify the back end of the bullpen. A 1.597 WHIP and 8.00 FIP tell you just about all you need to know there.

But, under contract for two more years, he’s the closer moving forward. So we’ll work backward from there, trying to highlight some guys who will bridge the gap from the rotation to Kimbrel. Kyle Ryan broke out as a quality southpaw last season and there’s no reason to think he, along with Brad Wieck, aren’t the top left-handers as things currently stand.

Other potential left-handed options include CD Pelham and Justin Steele, although the latter has not yet pitched above Double-A and really struggled with Tennessee last season (5.59 ERA in 38 2/3 innings).

From the right side, Rowan Wick seems like your setup man. This kid put it all together in 2019 – stepping up when manager Joe Maddon needed big outs. From there, it gets a little shakier. Chicago lost Pedro Strop, Brandon Kintzler and Steve Cishek via free agency (assuming they don’t re-sign) and that’s a big void to fill.

We’re going to look for guys like Dan Winkler, Trevor Megill, Ryan Tepera and Alan Webster to step up. That’s not what I’d call a mix that will inspire fear, but right now, it’s what we have to work with.

Chicago Cubs: Who will comprise Ross’ bench in year one?

If the Cubs fail to trade one of their stars (or other teams simply refuse to meet the team’s asking prices on Bryant and Contreras), there’s a solid position player mix coming back for 2020.

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Around the diamond, you’re going to have Rizzo returning at first base, Javier Baez at shortstop and Bryant at third. Contreras will handle the lion’s share of the duties behind the dish, backed up by Victor Caratini, who turned some heads with his work last season filling in while Contreras was sidelined with an injury.

In left field, Kyle Schwarber will hope to build on his 38-homer performance from a year ago and five-time Gold Glover Jason Heyward returns in right field. The two big questions are the same as they were in 2019: center field and second base.

In center, it seems pretty likely there’s a competition between Ian Happ and Albert Almora this spring to determine who gets the most at-bats. Don’t be shocked if this becomes a sort of platoon situation, either.

At second, the club’s got a ton of options. David Bote stands out to me the most, personally. I like his upside and his bat brings a lot to the table. But Happ can also play there, not to mention Daniel Descalso, who will hopefully put a disastrous 2019 behind him. Top prospect Nico Hoerner will likely be with the club at some point and Robel Garcia could return and play a role, as well.

So while there’s been little to talk about outside of rampant trade rumors this offseason, this spring should bring plenty of chatter regarding roles – especially given it’s the first year under David Ross and this club should have a different feel than in recent years.