3 offseason decisions the Cubs are paying dearly for right now

2: The ill-fated Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini first base experiment

The only reason the Eric Hosmer signing made any sense was because the Cubs were only on the hook for the league minimum. But no one should have had any real expectations for the former Gold Glover and World Series champion. The numbers in recent years told you what he was at this point in his career - and his performance this year confirmed as much.

Hosmer appeared in 31 games for the Cubs, drawing way too many starts from manager David Ross, and was a subpar player both defensively and offensively, with a -0.6 bWAR and 66 OPS+ in 94 at-bats. Lauded for his clubhouse presence, Chicago desperately hung onto the veteran until finally cutting ties with him in late May.

The Mancini signing was - and still is - more defendable. The former Orioles fan favorite has always been a 'plus' bat with the ability to DH, play corner outfield or hold things down at first. The only problem this year is that his defense at first has made him completely unplayable at the position, evidenced on an international stage last weekend during the London Series.

After a slow start offensively, he's bounced back - but his issues at first led the Cubs to promote Matt Mervis, who struggled badly before getting optioned back to Iowa, and Jared Young, who's been solid in limited action. The first base position has been a major issue - and, when combined with the lack of a proven power bat in the lineup - has left holes in the lineup on a nightly basis.