Position: Relief Pitcher, Occasional Worm 2018 Stats: 2.60 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 4.39 DRA, 1.31 WHIP, .227 TAv, 0.3 WARP Year In Review: We know about the Cubs struggle to develop pitching, but if you consider the Spokane Indians part of the Cubs farm system, it’s much less of a problem: the Rangers affiliate rostered both […]
Category: Articles
I Think He’s Talking To You: Ian Happ
While no one was mentioned by name in Theo Epstein’s post-season treatise on everything, when he got to the line about evaluating players on “production, not talent,” it was pretty clear there were only a couple players he could be talking about. Namely, they were Albert Almora, Kyle Schwarber (to an extent), and Ian Happ. […]
Farewell For Now From BP Wrigleyville
When I got word of the new Cubs-focused site to be launched by Baseball Prospectus in early 2015 and led by Sahadev Sharma, I jumped at the opportunity to write about baseball for the first time away from academia. Sure, I had concerned myself with baseball history as an undergraduate working on his senior thesis, […]
Anthony Rizzo, Hall of Famer?
On January 06, 2012 the Chicago Cubs completed a trade with the San Diego Padres. In exchange for starting pitcher Andrew Cashner, the Cubs received first baseman Anthony Rizzo. At the time, not much was thought of the trade. Rizzo had familiarity with the Cubs new front office due to his time playing for teams […]
2019 Player Target: Craig Kimbrel
Since he first appeared for Atlanta in 2010, Craig Kimbrel has been an elite reliever in baseball. Now that he’s got a World Series title under his belt, it’s time for the 30-year-old flamethrower to enter free agency for the first time. Position: Relief Pitcher 2018 Stats: 0.99 WHIP, 2.74 ERA, 2.58 DRA, 58 DRA-, 1.7 […]
2019 Player Target: Dallas Keuchel
There are a lot of great beards in baseball these days. It’s a trend that I, someone who once had a glorious beard before paramedicine said it had to go away, fully support. Dallas Keuchel has a 65-grade beard, which would instantly make him the best-bearded player on the post-Arrieta Chicago Cubs. Position: Starting Pitcher […]
2019 Player Target: Adam Ottavino
Adding an elite arm to your bullpen is always a good idea. That’s why Adam Ottavino will find himself with lots of suitors this offseason, the Chicago Cubs should be one of them. Position: Relief Pitcher 2018 Stats: 2.43 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 2.69 FIP, 3.02 DRA, 67 DRA-, 1.7 WARP How He Fits: Outside of a slightly down […]
2019 Player Target: Charlie Morton
When people think big name free agent pitchers the name Charlie Morton isn’t tossed around much. Maybe it’s time the right-hander started getting more respect? Position: Starting Pitcher 2018 Stats: 3.13 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 3.62 FIP, 3.68 DRA, 82 DRA-, 3.1 WARP How He Fits: Morton would fit on the 2019 Chicago Cubs for one reason: […]
Player Profile 2019: Jason Heyward
Position: Right fielder par excellence 2018 Stats: .270/.335/.395, 97 DRC+, 8.8 FRAA, 3.0 BRR, 2.6 WARP Year in Review: On June 6 of this past season with the Cubs trailing the Phillies 5-3 and with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Jason Heyward stepped to the plate with the bases loaded. In the previous […]
2019 Player Target: Ian Kinsler
Ian Kinsler is coming off of winning a World Series with the Boston Red Sox. He’s also near the end of a borderline Hall of Fame career. Is the 36-year-old worth a roster spot on the Chicago Cubs? Position: Second Base 2018 Stats (two teams): 99 DRC+ Los Angeles Angels: .239/.304/.406, -0.9 BRR, 3.9 FRAA, 1.2 WARP Boston […]