Chicago Cubs - The Covid-19 Years (2020-2029)

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2020

Decade

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Titles:

Top Cubs Players of the Twenty Twenties

2020 - Won Division, WC Lost to Miami

2025 - Won WC (San Diego), Lost NLDS (Milwaukee)

Pitchers:

Kyle Hendricks (3.02) - 24

Ballpark:

Jameson Taillon (3.4) - 18

Wrigley Field

Justin Steele (8.23) - 18

Shota Imanaga (4.15) - 16

Team Name:

Matthew Boyd (2.6) - 11

Cubs

Drew Smyly (1.91) - 11

Adbert Alzolay (3.4) - 10

Owners:

Marcus Stroman (4.15) - 10

Thomas S Ricketts

Yu Darvish (2.63) - 8

Craig Kimbrel (0.27) - 7

General Managers:

Colin Rea (0.43) - 7

Jed Hoyer (2021-2021 kicked upstairs to President in '22)

Carter Hawkins (2022-2025)

Catchers:

Willson Contreras (9.06) - 24

Managers:

Yan Gomes (2.47) - 7

David Ross (2020-2023)

Craig Counsell (2024-25)

First Basemen:

Michael Busch (7.3) - 16

Hall of Famers:

Anthony Rizzo (2.36) - 11

None

Second Basemen:

Rookie of the Year:

Nico Hoerner (20.87) - 38

None

ShortStop:

MVP

Dansby Swanson (13.3) - 27

None

Javier Baez (3.5) - 11

Cy Young:

Third Base:

None

Christopher Morel (2.64) - 13

Patrick Wisdom (3.36) - 12

No Hitters:

Kris Bryant (2.72) - 9

2020 - Alec Mills (Milwaukee)

2021 - (Davies, Tapera, Chafin, Kimbrel) (LA)

Outfield:

2024 - (Imanaga, Pearson, Hodge) (Pirates)

Ian Happ (17.98) - 44

Seiya Suzuki (10.76) - 29

Notable Events:

Cody Bellinger (4.4) - 20

The Cubs sort of remind me of the Yankees a bit. Big market clubs that are

Pete Crow-Armstrong (8.3) - 17

second tier organizations. Certainly not small market, but their ownership is too

Rafael Ortega (2.3) - 10

timid and management is not competent enough to be anything more than fringe

Kyle Tucker (4.5) - 10

playoff contenders. They coulda been somebody, but they're not. The Yankees

handling of Juan Soto and the Cubs handling of Kyle Tucker are a perfect example.

Notable Events:

The teams were so much better when they had that high priced superstar in the

middle of their lineup. Soto was a perfect fit for the Yankees, Tucker was a focal

2020 - The last year of a six year above .500 run. The Cubs were special

point for the Cubs offense, the go to guy. The Yankees needed to sign Soto. The

from 2015-2018 and actually won a World Series in 2016. But nothing lasts

Cubs needed to sign Tucker. But, they didn't. And that, in a nutshell, is the

forever and the Cubs did not replenish.

problem with both franchises. Bridesmaids, never the bride.

2021-2022 - It's over, the Cubs are a below .500 team

Starting Pitchers:

□ RHP Cade Horton, 24, '22 7th overall pick, '25 11-4 2.67

2023-2024 - Chicago is 83-79 both years, they are building.

□ LHP Matthew Boyd, 35, '25 FA from Cleveland, '25 14-8 3.21

□ RHP Edward Cabrera, 28, '26 Trade from Miami, '25 8-7 3.53

2025 - The Cubs sign superstar Kyle Tucker to a one year deal. And, for one

□ LHP Shota Imanaga 32, '24 FA from Japan, '25 9-8 3.73

year, they are a contender, making the Wild Card and taking Milwaukee to

□ RHP Jameson Taillon 34, '23 FA from Yankees, 11-7 3.68

a seventh game in the NLDS.

□ LHP Justin Steele 30, '14 draft 5th round pick, 3-1 4.76

Horton is blossoming into an ace. Imanaga was an ace when he first came over

2025 - Thomas Ricketts has owned the club since 2009 and, after a rocky start,

from Japan in '24 but regressed to middle of rotation in '25. The rest of the rotation

has presided over a successful organization. He showed great management

are solid middle of the rotation types. Starting pitching is a minor strength for

savvy in hiring away superb GM Theo Epstein from the Red Sox organization.

the Cubs

Epstein, who rose to President of the club, was reluctantly let go because

Theo wanted an ownership stake in the club which Ricketts wasn't interested

Relief Pitchers:

in providing. It is not a coincidence that Epstein leaving and the Cubs are

□ Closer Daniel Palencia, 26, '21 Trade deadline from A's, '25 1-6 2.91 22 saves

no longer a contender. Jed Hoyer has taken over as GM and, unfortunately

□ RHP Phil Maton, 33, '26 FA from Texas, '25 3-2 3.52

for the Cubs, Hoyer is not Epstein.

□ LHP Caleb Thielbar, 39, '25 FA from Twins, '25 3-4 2.64

□ RHP Javier Assad, 28, '15 IFA, '25 4-1 3.65

2025 - Jed Hoyer was Cubs GM from 2011 thru 2020. He was kicked upstairs

□ RHP Hunter Harvey, 31, '26 FA from KC, '25 1-0 0.00

to team President when Epstein resigned. Hoyer had previously worked with

□ LHP Hoby Milner, 35, '26 FA from Texas, '25 3-4 3.84

Epstein in Boston, briefly moved to San Diego and then reunited with Epstein

□ RHP Jacob Webb, 33, '26 FA from Texas, '25 5-4 3.00

in Chicago. Now that Hoyer has been flying solo, things are not quite where

□ RHP Ben Brown, 26, '22 Trade from Phillies , '25 5-8 5.92

they were. Epstein is special. Hoyer is not. Carter Hawkins took over as GM

□ RHP Porter Hodge, 25,'19 draft 13th round pick, '25 2-2 6.27

in '22. The jury is still out as to whether Hawkins will add some special sauce

Solid group. No one outstanding. Raided Texas via free agency for three solid

to the mix.

unspectacular types.

2025 - Craig Counsell was hired on as field manager replacing David Ross.

Regulars:

While with Milwaukee, Counsell was considered to be one of the handful

□ C Carson Kelly, 31, '25 FA from Texas, '25 17 50 .249

of managers that actually make a difference and the Cubs made a bold

□ 1B Michael Busch, 28, '25 Trade from LA, '25 34 90 .261

move to get him. So far, the Counsell effect hasn't kicked in with Chicago.

□ 2B Nico Hoerner, 29, '18 draft 1st round pick, '25 7 61 .297 29sb

The Cubs have consistently underachieved the past three years.

□ SS Dansby Swanson, 31, '23 FA from Braves, '25 24 77 .244 20sb

Their runs totals have consistently projected more wins than they've

□ 3B Alex Bregman,32, '26 FA from Boston, '25 18 62 .273

actually produced:

□ OF Ian Happ, 30, '15 9th overall pick, '25 23 79 .243

2023 projected 90, actually won 83

□ CF Peter Crowe-Armstrong, 24, '21 Trade deadline from Mets, '25 31 95 .247 35sb

2024 projected 88, actually won 83

□ OF Seiya Suzuki 30, '22 FA from Japan, '25 32 103 .245

2025 projected 96, actually won 92

□ C Moises Balleseteros, 22, '21 IFA, '25 2 11 .298

This happens when you are not winning the close ones.

□ C Miguel Amaya, 27, '15 IFA, '25 4 25 .281

Usually that's a sign of a weak closer and closer has certainly been an

□ 3B Matt Shaw, 24, '23 draft 13th overall pick, '25 13 44 .226 17sb

achilles heel of the Cubs for the past three seasons. It can also be a sign

□ OF Kevin Alcantara, 23, '21 Trade deadline from NYY , '25 0 1 .364

of a weak overall bullpen which has also been the case. It also can be a

Lots of good solid big league hitters in the lineup who have some power and speed.

sign of a weak tactician as manager. Shouldn't be the case with Counsell.

Bregman mitigates the loss of Tucker to a degree. Crowe-Armstrong got figured

If anything, the numbers would probably be worse if Counsell wasn't there.

out in the second half of last season. Now, it's his turn to adjust, if he can.

There are some other young bats that the Cubs are hoping will emerge in Shaw,

Ballesteros and Alcantara. The lineup is a moderate strength for the Cubs.