May 18, 2021: Sea Level

With a win last night over the Nationals, the Cubs got back to sea level. At 20-20 through just about the first quarter of the season, the Cubs sit in 3rd place in the NL Central 2.5 games back of the Cardinals. How do we feel about this?

I’m feeling OK. The Cubs offense has certainly played better as of late. 4 of their last 6 losses have went like this: 8-6, 13-12, 6-5, & finally 9-8 this past Saturday. I’m certainly satisfied with those run totals. The bullpen has remained solid most of the year as well; they will have their bad games too though. It’s been the starting pitching that has been letting us down lately. Again, these things go through cycles, but heading into the season, certainly the starting rotation was a concern. When you factor in Hendricks up and down season, the one guy we thought we didn’t have to worry about, it’s going to be a rough go. Jake has been solid; that’s been a nice surprise. AA is young; he’s looked OK. Trevor Williams and Zach Davies… well, they are who we thought they were. The rotation is my biggest concern as we move forward this season. Where is Mike Montgomery when you need him?

What do the Cubs do about this, if anything? Without another big arm in the rotation, like say a Yu Darvish, the Cubs will be right around 500 all year IMO. If the Cubs were to somehow acquire one at the trade deadline, assuming that Hendricks regains his consistency, the Cubs could definitely make a playoff push. Who could this be? What would we have to give up to get him? Well, if this was my full time job, that is working for the Cubs, constantly trying to look at ways to get better, I would know many options of the top of my head. But let’s give it a spin anyways…

Let’s look at the standings. You have the Orioles, Twins, Rangers, Nationals, Pirates, and Rockies in last place in each of their respective divisions. The first guy that jumps to mind is John Means. Of course, having him on my fantasy baseball team, I know all about this guy. He’s cheap, and only under a 1 year deal. He will get more expensive if he keeps his performance up, but that’s OK. He’s a 28 year old left hander just coming into his own IMO. What else is the rotation missing besides just an arm? A left handed arm! Problem solved. After all, we’ve had some good luck trading with the Orioles in the past. Let’s go get him! Who do we have to give up? Would Ian Happ be enough? Ian Happ and Eric Sogard? Jake Marisnick? I’m guessing Means wouldn’t cost the farm. How about somebody on another team that is probably not going to contend this year, like the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ever hear of Madison Bumgarner? Well, he’s going to cost us; $23 million per year for the next few seasons. He’s 31 years old. He is a lefty; he does bring a ton of experience. We probably could get him on the cheap just to take his contract. But oh yeah, we need money to sign our guys; have to pass on MadBum. How about a guy we’ve seen a couple times? Another lefty, 31 years old, very cheap… Tyler Anderson from the Pirates. Certainly they would take Happ for him. Happ is from Pittsburgh… makes for a nice story. Does it feel like I want to get rid of Ian? Well, yes, but nothing personal. It’s just that we have other guys to pay, so flip Ian, and get another arm, and boom… then of course go out and pay the guys that need to get paid on our roster. When does Jason Heyward’s contract end?

OK, so after the first quarter of the season, the Cubs number one need is to get another starter, preferably a left handed starter. I’ve given you some options; I’m sure there are more. Make it happen Jed. Go Cubs!