Three Chicago Cubs who may have played their final game in Wrigleyville

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Wrigley Field / Chicago Cubs (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

As we strain for baseball amidst a national pandemic, and the sad potential reality of a lost season, whom amongst the Chicago Cubs have played their final game in Wrigleyville?

It is a strange question to ponder, especially since baseball is currently not being played due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. The possibility of a lost season. The chance that new faces in new places will never see the light of day beyond spring training.

For the Chicago Cubs, this means a world where some guys have, honestly, played their final game on the Northside of Chicago. No, Kris Bryant or Willson Contreras do not immediately come to mind, and, frankly, the debate on either guy holds little credence.

Many who are most eligible are seasoned veterans, fringe guys of sorts. The guys who last season carved a role and found their way into a lineup; however, they do not hold much leverage moving forward. So, the question remains, who will not be donning the blue and white pinstripes when baseball returns?

Daniel Descalso / Chicago Cubs (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Daniel Descalso, 2B/3B

Kicking things off is a guy who most would agree would find himself at the top of this list. Daniel Descalso signed a two-year, $5 million deal with Chicago before the start of the 2019 season and carries a club option in 2021, with a $1 million buyout.

While the Cubs don’t seemingly find themselves in a secure spot with finances, Descalso immediately registers as a prime cut candidate when baseball gets rolling once again. Descalso is 33 years old and does not fit into a role any longer with the Cubs. They should have released him last season.

Descalso slashed a paltry .173/.271/.250 over 82 games and 194 plate appearances, registering a 29.4 percent strikeout rate and posting a lowly 42 wRC+. By the end of the season, the veteran infielder found himself worth -0.8 WAR. Yikes.

The Cubs saw the exciting emergence of 2018 first-round pick Nico Hoerner last season, who came out of the gates hot last season. Add David Bote into the infield mix, who was an above-average defensive second baseman last year, and it becomes clear the Cubs don’t have much use for Descalso any longer.

Chicago Cubs: Albert Almora Jr., OF

Albert Almora is a guy who has been in talks between fans and analysts alike for a while, at different points, as a potential trade chip for an outfield-needy team. He represents the second guy on this list as one to have maybe played his final game in Wrigley.

At only 26 years old, Almora may seem like a strange candidate for this debate. He enters into his second year of arbitration this season and does not become an unrestricted free agent until his age-29 season in 2023. Still, there is some sense as to why Almora finds himself here.

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Since his career year in 2017, it has been a steady decline for the 26-year-old. Almora reached a peak in 2017 after slashing .298/.338/.445 with a 104 wRC+ (career-high) and a 1.1 WAR. It was an improvement from his first year in the league in 2016 and gave fans something to be hopeful for down the line.

Unfortunately, over the past two seasons, Almora has regressed considerably. In that span, Almora has carried a slash line of .264/.301/.379 with a 78 wRC+ and just a .680 OPS. There were some positives from Almora this year in spring training with his swing alteration, but, thanks to the novel coronavirus, we may not bear witness to that change.

The Cubs have Ian Happ, who is a year younger, who does not enter into arbitration until 2021, and who has shown he can be an above-average center fielder. Add in his consistency since arriving in the Show, and it is a no-brainer as to which direction Theo Epstein should go, especially with the talented Brennen Davis waiting in the wings.

Chicago Cubs: Duane Underwood Jr., RP

The final guy on this list may strike fans as odd. Duane Underwood is not your everyday run of the mill talked about player, but that is not a good thing. The Cubs drafted Underwood way back in 2012, in the second round of the first-year player draft, with high hopes for the big right-hander.

Underwood was once ranked as a top-15 prospect in the organization but has been incredibly inconsistent throughout his professional tenure. He is just 25 years old, but it has become crunch time for Underwood, and a decision looms for the front office as to whether or not the club should keep him around.

Underwood has just 15 2/3 innings at the big league level, but opposing teams have hit him hard, as he carries a 4.60 career ERA. Last season in 11 2/3 innings, Underwood pitched to a miserable 5.40 ERA, posting a 4.24 FIP and a 22.2 percent HR/FB rate.

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At this point, the Cubs should cut ties with Underwood despite the two years left of team control. Maybe the Cubs continue giving Underwood opportunities to shine, but at some point enough is enough. Realistically his absence will not hamper the club as he is who he is and not much more, and that is why Underwood may have played his final game in a Cubs uniform.

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