3 former Chicago Cubs who are failing miserably this season

Although the Chicago Cubs brought kept its entire core of Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras intact heading into 2021, last season saw a number of familiar faces end their time on the North Side.

Of course, following the 2019 campaign, Chicago and manager Joe Maddon parted ways, with the latter returning home to manage Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels. That hasn’t gone as planned for either side, with Maddon leading the team to a 65-75 mark since the start of the 2020 season. 

Desperately needing to shore up his pitching staff, the former Cubs skipper brought in a guy he knew well from his time in Chicago in left-hander Jose Quintana. Of course, the 2017 trade for the southpaw is one of the most polarizing moves in recent memory given the emergence of Dylan Cease and Eloy Jimenez.

But, all told, Quintana held his own with the Cubs. He was remarkably durable and worked to a 3.93 FIP across 439 2/3 innings. That consistency, though, has eluded him with the Angels. After signing a one-year, $8 million deal in the offseason, Quintana has struggled mightily, evidenced by a -0.5 WAR on the year.

He’s made nine starts and a trio of relief appearances – losing his spot in the starting five given his struggles. A 1.895 WHIP and 6.95 ERA tell you just about all you need to know about his Angels tenure. It’s been downright awful – and has done nothing to stabilize Los Angeles’ pitching staff.