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

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.