2018 Chicago Cubs Storylines
Last year when the Cubs began their season in St. Louis as part of the Opening Night game on ESPN, I joked that it was an important game because in order for the Cubs to go wire-to-wire, they had win that first one.
Alas, they lost in extra innings, and as we know, didn’t repeat as champions.
Today begins a new season. No more talk of a World Series hangover. This team should compete enough so that NEXT season, there IS talk of a World Series hangover. I’d be perfectly fine pulling a San Francisco Giants strategy and winning the whole thing every other year (minus the not so good year in between).
(As I’m typing this, Tom Verducci on MLB Network predicts a Cubs/Yankees World Series, with the Cubs winning. Everyone okay with that? Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium in October? Yes, Please!)
In order for the Cubs to do what Verducci says they will do, several things have to right. They have the talent to cruise through the division. But can they hold their own against some of the very difficult pitching in the NL East and the NL West?
Let’s take a look at some major story lines for the 2018 season.
1. Can Kyle Schwarber avoid becoming the next Alfonso Soriano?
Schwarber has the raw power to hit 30 homers every year. Soriano did too. Yes, the two are two totally different athletes and built to do different things on the field. Schwarber at least can hold his own in left field, which is something Soriano couldn’t say for the first few seasons he played the outfield. I’ll never forget the controversy Bob Brenly caused by saying on air, “I could throw a dart in the Cubs dugout and hit a better fielder than Alfonso Soriano.”
Offensively, I believe the thinned down, base stealer known as Kyle will be a powerful, impact bat in the lineup for the Cubs. He probably won’t challenge for the league batting title, but in the lineup Joe Maddon can throw out there, he doesn’t have to. Line the ball to the gaps and hit the occasional three run bomb. The RBI opportunities will be there for him. It’s up to him to take advantage.
2. Will Javier Baez and Addison Russell break out?
Both players have had trade rumors surrounding them, mostly because of the depth the Cubs have up the middle. Their team control doesn’t hurt either. Both could have probably been the center of a package to land a top of the line starter. Both have also had their set of struggles at the plate. Baez, a free swinger, will start the season batting eight. Maddon’s reasoning is that if Baez is going to swing for the fences, do it before the pitcher comes up with potentially men on base. In a perfect world, Baez shows self-discipline and takes more walks, sees the strike zone better, and forces Maddon to move him up on the lineup card. If this happens, the middle of the lineup will just be scarier.
Russell, like Schwarber, is a World Series hero. Remember that grand slam in Game Six? I do.
Great teams have a middle of the diamond double play combo that is together for years, possibly through an entire dynasty. Defensively, both Russel and Baez must cut down on their errors in the field. Anthony Rizzo’s groin can only take so much stretching from the wide throws he saves. Giving teams extra outs will make Maddon’s hair fall out, especially when his pitching staff has the ability to be so dominant. Wasting their bullets when they should be in the dugout toweling off won’t cut it.
3. If needed, will the Cubs add money to the payroll with next year’s free agent class looming?
Bryce Harper is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The rumors will be there all season. He will get standing ovations at Wrigley this season. Heck, he’ll get standing ovations from multiple opposing crowds hoping to woo him to their fine city.
But next year is just that. Next year. Cubs fans thought they’d be done saying “wait till next year,” but that’s what will be happening this year when/if the Cubs do/don’t add to the payroll in July for a playoff push addition. Jason Heyward would almost certainly have to be dealt to fit Harper in next year. That would free up some cash, but would also get the Cubs pennies on the dollar in return.
If a long postseason run occurs again AND a major, once in a generation player comes to settle down at Wrigley Field, the future of this team would be bright far beyond the magical year of 2021, when the Cubs lose control of team friendly deals for the stars on this team.
Until then, #EverybodyIn. Go Cubs Go!
