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The Cubs face elimination this week from the National League playoffs after a season of ups and downs that drove the fanbase to the brink of insanity. Three game winning streaks would coincide with infuriating by four and five game losing streaks. The story of the 2019 Cubs is one of inconsistency and the realization that aspirations of multiple championships following the 2016 title have become a distant memory. The latest installment of this team’s futility is marked by a six game losing streak in the midst of a tight pennant race with Saint Louis and Milwaukee.
Pitching once again could not hold down a lead heading into the ninth inning against a crucial divisional opponent and not just any divisional opponent but St. Louis, the current division leader. The Cubs were enjoying a one run lead before surrendering two runs in the ninth to lose their sixth straight and fourth straight to the Cardinals. The back breaker that more than likely put this team out of its misery. A roster once littered with talent now seems devoid of anyone capable of taking the lead in lifting the team.
To top it all off, Kris Bryant is hurt once again.
It’s tough to see when the downward spiral started for this once promising team but a good moment of demarcation is when the Cubs traded for pitcher Jose Quintana. Giving up four high ranking prospects in the process. Outfielder Eloy Jimenez, pitcher Dylan Cease, first baseman Matt Rose and middle infielder Bryant Flete were all included in the blockbuster trade.
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Bringing in players such as pitchers Tyler Chatwood and Yu Darvish as well as outfielder Jason Heyward have handcuffed the Cubs flexibility moving forward. As of 2019, the Cubs rank second in payroll with a good portion of the Cubs payroll going to the previously mentioned Heyward and Darvish. According to Bleacher Report’s ranking of all Major League teams farm systems, the Cubs currently rank 28th of the 30 teams in baseball. So not only are top prospects being traded away but they’re being traded away for large contracts that are struggling to create a positive impact on the team. Darvish currently the second highest paid player for the Cubs is ranked ninth in total WAR (wins against replacement) for the team. Decisions will be made on manager Joe Maddon as well as players star third baseman Kris Bryant and catcher Wilson Contreras.
The emergence of a team such as the Astro’s has almost become a reflection of what the Cubs were projected to be following the 2016 World Series and many feel what they were destined to be. Even their south side rivals the White Sox are being applauded and getting more positive reception for their direction. The mortgaging of the future for a win at all costs now mentality has left a once gold standard in the sport in constant question. The number one question for the Cubs being, “What now?”
