Yes, They Played on the Chicago Cubs this Decade

The past decade has been a memorable one for the Chicago Cubs as they won the 2016 World Series, their first in 108-years. While it did bring glory, the team faced some rough patches which saw some odd names join the big league club. Join me as I look back at this past decade and share a list of some of the worst, most random, and a few memorable Cubbies from 2010 to 2019.

Catcher: Koyie Hill

Cubs have had some solid production out of their catcher over the years, thanks to guys like Geovany Soto, Wellington Castillo, and Willson Contreras. But still, they needed guys like Koyie Hill to fill the gaps when starters had off days.

Hill played six seasons and was the backup catcher while in Chicago. He was not great offensively: He had a negative WAR during his Cubs career. From 2010–2012, he had -1.3 oWAR but managed a 0.8 dWAR.

Hill wasn’t great but still managed to make over $2 million, so he’s not complaining.

Not many Koyie Hill highlights exist. But there is this one…

First Base: Carlos Peña

After the departure of Derek Lee, the Cubs brought in Carlos Peña on a 1-yr./$10 million contract for the 2011 season. He had hitting splits of .225/.357/.462 in 153 games played. He hit 27 doubles, three triples, and 28 home runs, while walking 101 times and driving in 80 runs. He also struck out a whopping 161, which was tied for 10th most in the MLB in 2011.

Second Base: Darwin Barney

Darwin Barney was the 2007 Cubs’ draft pick. He made his debut in 2010 after Mike Fontenot’s departure. He won the starting job in 2011 and even earned National League Rookie of the Month honors to kick-start the season. He batted .326 and drove in 14 runs in April 2011. He finished year a .276/.313/.353 slash line.

The best part of his game was defense, especially his 2012 Gold Glove display. That season, Barney was worth a career-best 4.6 WAR and 3.6 oWAR. He committed only 2 errors across 1270.1 innings. To top it off, he tied the MLB record pf 141 consecutive errorless games by a second baseman.

In 2013, Barney started on the DL but managed to get into 141 games and had .993 fielding percentage (only four errors). His batting slash line declined for the second straight year. Only hit .208 across 501 at-bats.

In 2014, the once Gold Glove stud could not prevent his offensive struggles from getting cut. The Chicago Cubs designated Barney for assignment on July 22, 2014, after hitting .230. Less than a week later, he was swapped for cash and a player to be named later by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Third Base: Mike Olt

Mike Olt joined the Cubs around the trade deadline in 2013. The Texas Rangers sent Olt, two future World Series Champions in Carl Edwards Jr. and Justin Grimm, as well as a player to be named later (Neil Ramirez) to Chicago for Matt Garza.

Olt played for the Cubs for part of the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He played a majority of his games at third base while seeing some time at first and was a designated hitter.

He hit .158 with 24 runs, eight doubles, 13 home runs, 34 runs batted in, and 106 strike outs in 95 games. He was worth -0.7 WAR playing for the Cubs.

Shortstop: Starlin Castro

Starlin Castro has been one of the best Cubs of this past decade and it’s a crime he missed out on the 2016 World Series run.

Castro joined the team in 2010 and became the youngest in franchise history to play shortstop. He made an immediate impact that May when he went 2 for 5 with a triple, home run, and six RBIs against the Cincinnati Reds.

Cubs fans like to only remember his offense because his glove was often a defensive liability (-29 runs saved).

He had an impressive 991 hits across six seasons. Castro hit .281 while averaging 165 hits, 31 doubles, 5 triples, 10 home runs, 61 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. He also lead the league with 207 hits in 2011.

Even when he was on the opposing team in a brawl, there was nothing but love for Castro toward/from the Cubs.

Outfield: Tyler Colvin

The Cubs drafted Tyler Colvin with the 13th pick in the 2006 amateur draft. It wasn’t until September 2009 that he would debut. Colvin would go on to make the Cubs roster in 2010 and 2011. He hit a career-best 20 home runs in 2010. During those 2 seasons, he was worth -0.3 WAR mostly because of his 2011 struggles.

Colvin was running to home plate in a late-2010 September game when he was struck with a broken bat. He would leave the game and head to the hospital. Colvin would end up not playing the final stretch of the season.

After the 2011 season, the Cubs sent Colvin and D.J. LeMahieu to the Colorado Rockies for Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers.

Starting Pitchers: Casey Coleman, Edwin Jackson, Chris Volstad

Coleman:

Casey Coleman was drafted by the Cubs in 2008. After injuries to starting pitchers Andrew Cashner and Randy Wells, Coleman stepped in to start games in 2011. He would go on to have 7–13 record with 5.76 ERA in 48 games (26 starts) as a Cub.

Jackson:

The Cubs signed Edwin Jackson to a massive 4-yr/$52 million contract in January 2013. That upcoming season, he lead the league with 18 losses, had a 4.98 ERA, and even had an outing with 5 wild pitches in an inning.

2014 was not any different. Jackson was 6–15 with a 6.33 ERA (140.2 IP/95 ER) in 28 games (27 starts). Jackson would lose to Travis Wood for the starting job in 2015. Jackson arguably had his best stretch that season. He pitched 23 games in relief going 2–1 with a 3.19 ERA. His time in Cubs uniform would be cut short when he was designated for an assignment on July 19, 2015.

Volstad:

The Cubs traded Carlos Zambrano to the Marlins in exchange for Chris Volstad. Both sides did not see much success from either player, but Volstad was the worst.

He was 3–12 with a 6.31 ERA (111.1 IP/78 ER) in 21 starts. Volstad gave up a staggering 11.1 hits per nine innings.

Relief Pitchers:

Rafael Dolis

Rafael Dolis signed with the Cubs in August 2004, at just 16-years-old. He would not crack the big leagues until 2011. But he didn’t see substantial time until he made the 2012 Opening Day roster.

Across 3 seasons, he pitched in 40 games, going 2–4 with a 5.48 ERA (44.1 IP/27 ER), walking 26, and striking out 25.

Closer: Carlos Marmol

Carlos Marmol was one of the most electrifying closers the Cubs had this past decade. He was either lights out or rocky. In 2010, Marmol took over closer duties with Kevin Gregg, who was gone from the team. He went on to convert 83.6 percent (92) of 110 save opportunities.

His 2010 campaign was one of his best years. He pitched in 77 games and finished 70 of those games. Marmol was 2–3 with a 2.55 ERA (77.2 IP/22 ER), only one home run allowed, and career-best 138 strikeouts. That was good for a wild 16 strikeouts per nine innings.

Marmol didn’t shy away from 4-out saves. On September 22nd, 2010, he pitched 1 1/3 innings to close out 2–0 win while striking out the would-be World Series champs 2–5 hitters (Sanchez, Huff, Posey, Guillen)

As we look ahead to the 2020 season, under new management with a familiar face, Cubs fans seem to be split down the middle. Some say this will be the best year ever, while others claim we’re in for a rocky ride. Either way, we here at Wrigley Rapport will be watching the whole thing and wish nothing but the success for the Northsiders this next decade in Chicago.