Position: Second Base, Third Base 2016 Stats: 74 GP, 169 PA, .270/.357/.405, .287 TAV, 0.4 WARP Year in Review: The 2016 season was a roller coaster for Tommy La Stella, but it wasn’t what transpired on the field that created the most compelling storylines. In early August, the return of Chris Coghlan from the disabled list […]
Tag: 2016 Offseason
Tyson Ross: Potential Offseason Target
The Cubs want for very little when it comes to their expected 25-man roster going into 2017. Many things can change, of course, but they are well built enough to be the World Series favorite again next year—not just contend. It’s easy to make that projection before Christmas of 2016. However, there’s a developing point […]
Player Profile: Matt Szczur
Position: Utility Outfielder. Which, in the Joe Maddon era, means he actually plays fewer positions than the average Cub. 2016 Stats: .259/.312/.400, .265 TAv, 0.8 WARP Year in Review: A career high 200 plate appearances. A new personal best in home runs. A World Series championship. But the greatest part of Matt Szczur’s 2016 undoubtedly […]
The Cubs Outfield Is Going To Be Fine
In a perfect world, every Cubs player who contributed to the historic 2016 World Series Champion team would take the field on Opening Day, World Series ring in hand and a smile upon their face. Sometimes, that isn’t how baseball works though. The heartwarming tale of Dexter Fowler’s return to the North Side last February marked the […]
Transaction Analysis: Brian Duensing
This piece, previewed here, is part of Baseball Prospectus’ “Transaction Analysis” series, which covers all trades and signings around the league. It originally ran on December 5. The Cubs reached into the archives and grabbed a left-handed reliever in Duensing. He gave fans in Minnesota plenty to be happy about earlier in his career, and […]
The Bullpen’s New 1-2 Punch
And just like that, the Cubs have three of the last four pitchers to record the final out in a World Series. Even with the departure of Aroldis Chapman, Chicago possessed a cadre of formidable bullpen holdovers. Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon had, after all, handled the duties of closing out games for much of […]
Player Profile: Jake Arrieta
Position: Starting pitcher 2016 Stats: 197.1 IP, 23.9 K%, 9.6 BB%, 3.10 ERA, 4.02 DRA, 3.0 WARP Year in Review: 2016 was a banner year for the Cubs. Of course, I don’t simply mean that metaphorically — there will be a literal banner raised come April 2017 to celebrate the team’s first World Series championship […]
Cubs Don’t Wade in Free Agent Waters, Trade for Davis
Late Tuesday night, at the Winter Meetings in Maryland, the Cubs addressed their most pressing issue for 2017 by acquiring top reliever Wade Davis from Kansas City in exchange for Jorge Soler. With physical exams to be conducted and medical records reviewed—Davis suffered a forearm injury this season and Soler has been off the field […]
Player Profile: Kyle Schwarber
Position: Greatest DH in Cubs history 2016 Stats: .000/.200/.000, -0.1 WARP Year in Review: A number four overall draft pick with a -39 OPS+?! #FireTheo Kyle Schwarber might have just played the most unique season in baseball history. As you no doubt recall, his regular season ended on April 7 when he left Chase Field […]
Potential Offseason Targets: Drew Smyly/Patrick Corbin
The Cubs are likely casting an extremely wide net when it comes to the starting pitching market. While the likes of Chris Sale, Chris Archer, Jose Quintana, and Sonny Gray have gotten all of the headlines, I am looking at two lesser names for the Cubs to add to their stable of arms. I grouped […]