Cubs Christmas List Countdown |
It’s the Holidays and the Chicago Cubs are in the midst of a work stoppage. In the spirit of the holiday season, we at CubsHQdecided to make our Cubs Christmas wish list, counting down from 12.
On the 12th day of Christmas, the Cubbies gave to me… An extension for Manager David Ross David Ross was tasked with following future Hall of Fame manager Joe Maddon after winning the team’s first World Series Championship in over 100 years. Ross has been good in his two seasons. His first season included navigating a pandemic and leading the Cubs to a division title. The second included spending part of the season in first place and winning over 70 games after losing half of the roster in July. Managerial talks are one of the only allowed pieces of baseball business during the MLB lockout, so, the Cubs should extend their manager so Ross can be the leader of the next great Cubs team. On the 11th day of Christmas, the Cubbies gave to me… A leadoff hitter It has been well documented that since Dexter Fowler moved on via free agency after the 2016 World Series Championship that the Cubs have lacked a leadoff hitter. Unfortunately for the Cubs, they have tried a multitude of players at the top of the lineup but have not had much success. But, Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, Jorge Soler, and Tommy La Stella had success as leadoff hitters on playoff teams in 2021. Current Cubs Ian Happ and Jason Heyward have struggled a bit at the top — but the Cubs found some success with Rafael Ortega there in the season’s final months. Whether it is Ortega or someone from free agency or trade or Nick Madrigal — the Cubs need to shore up the top of the lineup. On the 10th day of Christmas, the Cubbies gave to me… A left-handed starting pitcher One of the most interesting stats of the 2021 season for Chicago was the fact that only nine of 162 games were started by a left-handed pitcher. Justin Steele was the Cubs’ only left-handed starter all season long. While adding some rotation depth is a guarantee for the Cubs, adding some left-handed rotation help would be a welcomed addition to Tommy Hottovy’s pitching staff. Two years ago the Cubs had four left-handed starters — Jon Lester, Cole Hamels, Jose Quintana, and Mike Montgomery. On the 9th day of Christmas, the Cubbies gave to me… A corner outfielder While Jason Heyward has been an excellent leader and was a huge part of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs, his best playing days are behind him. The Cubs need to acquire a corner outfielder to ensure that Jason Heyward’s playing time is not every day. While this could be a big move like Michael Conforto or Nicholas Castellanos, it could also be a smaller move. It’s important to remember the Cubs have Brennan Davis, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and more in the minors who may make it to the pros soon — but for now, a corner outfielder is needed. On the 8th day of Christmas, the Cubbies gave to me… Sammy Sosa to the Hall of Fame This one may be a long shot, as it is Sammy Sosa’s final year on the Hall of Fame ballot. Regardless of his involvement in performance-enhancing drugs, it is impossible to deny Sosa’s impact in growing and drawing attention to a sport that desperately needed it. His numbers are also spectacular. He’s in baseball’s exclusive 600 home run club and is the only player in MLB history to hit more than 60 home runs in a season three times. Maybe it’s time he gets a call for the Hall? On the 7th day of Christmas, the Cubbies gave to me… Sammy Sosa back at Wrigley This one kind of goes hand-and-hand with the 8th day, and it is something that I frankly believe should have happened a long time ago. Sammy Sosa is one of the most beloved Cubs in the history of the franchise — and while he did jeopardize the integrity of the game and his reputation — there is a whole generation of Cubs fans that began to fall in love with the sport because of Sammy Sosa. Sosa has the most home runs in Cubs history — and is the only member of the steroid era that is alienated by their franchise, like Bonds, McGwire and others have been welcomed back to their ballparks. It’s time for the Cubs to do the same. Part 2 of the countdown coming soon.
