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97 wins, a divisional champion, and in the end the Chicago Cubs experienced the same result they have for the past 100 years; no World Series Championship. So what was it that had most Cubbie fans believing this was finally the year?
This Cubs team was loaded with talented hitters who beat on enough National League pitching staffs over the summer to lead the league in runs. The Cubs pitching staff and defense was above average so the three major pieces were in place to bring a World Series Championship to Chicago. Cubs GM Jim Hendry summarized the year this way; ”It’s a hard team not to like, it’s a team that hustled all year, a team that got off the mat when it had a few snags, a team where everybody contributed with a bench that Lou (manager Lou Pinella) used very well. We expected to be good this year, and we were very, very good. We just have to roll up our sleeves and get to work and keep plugging.”
So why did the Cubs go 3 and out?
Two major areas are readily apparent for the Cubs. First, in the playoffs, teams face the elite of their opposition’s pitching staff so runs are usually a premium. Getting the top of your order on base for the middle of your lineup is essential. This didn’t happen for the Cubs. Soriano is more suited as a 5 or 6 hitter in the Cubs lineup not as a lead off hitter. This will need to be addressed during the off season.
Second, the Cubs have no left handed hitters who pose fear to the opposition. Disagree? Look at how many left handed pitchers the Dodgers threw at the Cubs in their 10 total meetings this year. The answer is zero.
So what are the 3 top areas for the Cubs to address during off season?
1. Find a true lead off hitter with speed. Brian Roberts, from Baltimore, has been on the Cubs radar for some time now. The Cubs will need to get creative to find a way to wrestle him into a Cubs uniform.
2. A left handed power hitter. The ideal candidate for the Cubs would be a center fielder since it is likely Jim Edmonds will retire. Carlos Beltran would look good in a Cubs uniform, wouldn’t he?
3. The Cubs pitching staff needs one more starting pitcher, someone like CC Sabathia?
Mark DeRosa summed up the Cubs year best, “When you’re on a special team like this, it’s tough. There is nothing this team lacked. Nothing. So for us to go out and perform the way we performed for three days is shocking. It will stick with me for a while.” As Cubbie fans, we know his pain. But for its October flaws, there’s a lot to like about this Cubs team. If the Cubs can address the three areas mentioned above, the window appears wide open for multiple playoff runs and a World Series Championship.