Chicago Cubs: Three things they need to do to get back on track

The Cubs have several issues to address before the 2021 season rolls around.

The Cubs have many questions that need answering as they inch closer to the 2021 season. Who’s anchoring the starting staff? They have two-fifths of the rotation (three if you’re counting Alec Mills.) But the two spots in the last leg in the rotation are yet to be determined.

And what about the outfield? Kyle Schwarber was non-tendered, leaving Ian Happ and Jason Heyward as the only true outfielders on the roster. Heyward is a lock to cover right field after a strong 2020 showing. Happ could move to left, but regardless – one fact remains: the Cubs need a third starting outfielder.

And what do they need to do to balance it out and break a three-year streak of offensive disappointment? Timely hitting and a revamped approach at the dish. Let’s look a little closer at these three things Chicago needs to be good at to have a promising 2021.

Cubs will roll with Happ, Heyward and… a new face in the outfield

As things stand, Chicago has some options and ways to mix-and-match. Most notably, Kris Bryant comes to mind for the left field vacancy – that is, if he’s not traded by Opening Day. Otherwise, Happ could slide over to left and Jed Hoyer could go shopping for a center fielder.

Kevin Pillar, Jon Jay or Billy Hamilton would be a good fit for the North Siders – but that remains to be seen. Stephen Souza Jr, Cameron Maybin and Hamilton are with them no more. Maybin and Hamilton had a good rapport with the Cubs, but we haven’t seen any signs pointing toward a reunion next year.

If you read my work at all, you know that I’m a big Hamilton guy. In 14 games with the Cubs this year, he slashed .300/.364/.600 with an OPS of .964. He added one home run and one RBI with three stolen bases. He might not be quite as fast as he used to be, but he’s still got the ability to turn and burn. As for Maybin? He’s been with 10 teams – five in the last three years – I’d bet he’ll move on.

So, where do they go after Schwarber? I doubt they overspend on left field. Remember, a big factor in letting him go was the roughly $10 million they saved in doing so. The front office seems unlikely to turn around and pay just as much for a comparable replacement. It just doesn’t make sense.

The Cubs need timely hitting – and they need it fast

For all their spending in the last few years (the Cubs have ranked near the very top of the league in payroll for some time now), they sure haven’t had much to show for it offensively. This year, Jason Kipnis and Javier Baez were among a  group of seven guys who struck out in more than 30 percent of their at-bats. Another nine punched out north of 20 percent of the time.

Don’t get me started on their maddening approach at the dish. Taking hittable pitches, getting down in the count then swinging through a fastball at the belt. I pray we don’t see more of that come next spring, that’s for sure. 

The Cubs wRC+ was atrocious. Bryant, a former NL MVP and Rookie of the Year, had a wRC+ of 76, and it went downhill from there. Nico Hoerner and Baez were 64 and 57, respectively – one of eight players clocking in under 76 wRC+ on the year. When it rains, it pours.

Schwarber hit .188. Definitely not good for the North Siders. Although he hit 11 long-balls in a shortened season, it still wasn’t enough for Chicago to overlook his shortcomings. And to make you feel even better, the Cubs are reportedly ‘very open’ to trading catcher Willson Contreras. Let’s just say I don’t envy Jed Hoyer and the task he’s facing this winter.