Chicago Cubs: How are replacements faring compared to the former core?

Chicago Cubs: Anthony Rizzo, Frank Schwindel have both been on a tear

While there hasn’t been a whole lot to talk about at the shortstop position, first base is an entirely different story. First, let’s start with Rizzo, who was sent to the Bronx one day prior to the trade deadline, leaving Cubs fans everywhere dumbstruck.

When he’s been on the field for New York, good things has happened. Rizzo missed time after a COVID infection that sidelined him more than a week, but if you look past that, he’s been exactly what the Yankees wanted and then some. In 11 contests, he’s done pretty Rizzo-esque things, playing an above-average first base and putting up a .256/.354/.487 line, to boot.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Frank Schwindel, who has handled the bulk of first base duties for the Cubs here in August, has been on a tear – and ranks as one of the best hitters in all of baseball during that span. He carries an entirely uncharacteristic .365/.403/.683 line that’s definitely not sustainable in any way, shape or form, but has given us all something to smile about as the team continues their free fall in the standings.

It’s hard to think Schwindel manages to put up these numbers here in the final six weeks of the season and even harder to fathom Chicago trotting him out as the Opening Day starter in 2022. But, hey, stranger things have happened and for now, none of us have a problem with this guy doing his best MVP impression on the North Side.