Post by Cubs on Mar 20, 2010 7:30:53 GMT -5
Although the Cubs didn't manage to make the playoffs or win the division, a lot of things went right and the were certainly some team highlights. Let's look at the team and see were things went well and poorly and analyze what that means for the team going into next season.
Offensive Highlights:
1B Ryan Howard - .297 40 HR 106 RBI
Another great season for Ryan, although his RBI's did drop off pretty dramatically down the stretch. He was a leading MVP candidate for most of the season, probably on the outside looking in now.
CF Cesar Geronimo - .268 22 HR 57 RBI 51 SB
Cesar showed great promise as a premiere leadoff man this season. Leading the league in stolen bases and really providing a spark for this offense. I expect more of the same from him next year.
C Joe Oliver - .249 25 HR 68 RBI
A solid rookie campaign for Joe will certainly see him as a possible rookie of the year candidate. His average plummeted after the All-Star break, but overall good numbers for a catcher in this league.
Offensively the Cubs were good for the first half and bad for the second. The second half woes were really shown in declining averages and a high number of strikeouts. Maybe this team wore itself out crushing the ball in the first half. The Cubs new strength and conditioning coach Chuck Norris will be looking into this problem in the offseason. As we all know, when Chuck Norris does push ups, he doesn't push himself up, he pushes the world down. He will look to bring that tenacity to these guys.
Pitching Highlights:
R Chris Young: 17-6 2.52 ERA 221 IP .211 OA
Young really anchored the rotation leading the way in ERA and wins and really providing leadership to the whole staff. Unfortunately for him, the Cubs offensive woes lead to him missing out on a lot of win opportunities.
R Michael Wuertz: 4-0 2.19 ERA 78 IP 5 SV 6 HLD
Mike was a rock out of the bullpen, being called on in 62 games and being nothing short of phenomenal. He really carried an inconsistent bullpen for the majority of the season.
Overall the Cubs pitching was good, but inconsistent, especially in the bullpen. I would expect to see things get shaken up in this department. Late season acquisition Ray Host also proved himself to be the future Ace of the team pitching great all the way down the stretch.
Overall this team performed well and just faded as the other teams got hot. It's a recipe for disaster that this team has seen play out several seasons in a row. I'd expect to see some major changes to this roster and also completion of the new stadium. It will certainly be interesting to see how things shake out.
Offensive Highlights:
1B Ryan Howard - .297 40 HR 106 RBI
Another great season for Ryan, although his RBI's did drop off pretty dramatically down the stretch. He was a leading MVP candidate for most of the season, probably on the outside looking in now.
CF Cesar Geronimo - .268 22 HR 57 RBI 51 SB
Cesar showed great promise as a premiere leadoff man this season. Leading the league in stolen bases and really providing a spark for this offense. I expect more of the same from him next year.
C Joe Oliver - .249 25 HR 68 RBI
A solid rookie campaign for Joe will certainly see him as a possible rookie of the year candidate. His average plummeted after the All-Star break, but overall good numbers for a catcher in this league.
Offensively the Cubs were good for the first half and bad for the second. The second half woes were really shown in declining averages and a high number of strikeouts. Maybe this team wore itself out crushing the ball in the first half. The Cubs new strength and conditioning coach Chuck Norris will be looking into this problem in the offseason. As we all know, when Chuck Norris does push ups, he doesn't push himself up, he pushes the world down. He will look to bring that tenacity to these guys.
Pitching Highlights:
R Chris Young: 17-6 2.52 ERA 221 IP .211 OA
Young really anchored the rotation leading the way in ERA and wins and really providing leadership to the whole staff. Unfortunately for him, the Cubs offensive woes lead to him missing out on a lot of win opportunities.
R Michael Wuertz: 4-0 2.19 ERA 78 IP 5 SV 6 HLD
Mike was a rock out of the bullpen, being called on in 62 games and being nothing short of phenomenal. He really carried an inconsistent bullpen for the majority of the season.
Overall the Cubs pitching was good, but inconsistent, especially in the bullpen. I would expect to see things get shaken up in this department. Late season acquisition Ray Host also proved himself to be the future Ace of the team pitching great all the way down the stretch.
Overall this team performed well and just faded as the other teams got hot. It's a recipe for disaster that this team has seen play out several seasons in a row. I'd expect to see some major changes to this roster and also completion of the new stadium. It will certainly be interesting to see how things shake out.