Cubs near 100 losses for season, Rizzo and Castro remain gems beyond the total humility

AP Photo/Matt York

To admit the Cubs have endured the worst record in over 5 seasons is a shame yet true. Closing in on 100 losses in 2012 the franchise has put too much time in lollygagging to piece together an unnamable and incomplete, poorly executing lineup in Wrigleyville. Sighs and complaints from the numerous fan base doesn’t seem to do much justice. New ownership from Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein have the team spinning in the wrong direction still. Instead of bringing new prospects from the minors to fill spots in a lineup the least the management team can do is acquire veteran leaders with enough pop in their bat plus find real quality, durable pitching. Trading away veteran starters, Ryan Dempster and Geovany Soto to Texas in July was a big mistake. The ball club had no one reliable to go to for big results or effective leadership (As Reed Johnson plus Paul Maholm departed to Atlanta shortly later).

With the demising offense the Cubs place low in most hitting categories and average only around 3 runs per game. That is not near enough to win. Chicago bats didn’t come alive to rally at all during the season and struck out in too many key run scoring situations. The Cubs only power support in 2012 came from Alfonso Soriano (31 homeruns, 106 RBIs). It’s stunning how the club managed all season long with the following outfield rotation alignment: David DeJesus/Brian LaHair RF, CF Marlon Byrd/Brett Jackson, and Alfonso Soriano LF. Besides the fact the Cubs really struggled with runners in scoring position the players which were added to the roster in August really had no effect on scoring frequency and hits-to-runs ratios. Scraping for run support for their starting pitchers was what the Cubs showed with agony on the field. Stranding runners on base decimated their chances to win even close games. Nothing to be content with at all.

  There is truly not much to applaud in the dismal 2012 season. The only real bright gems which remain are Andy Rizzo (acquired from the Padres in 2011) and Starlin Castro who signed a long-term contract extension. The star shortstop has drove in 78 RBIs so far and was hitting over .325 in April and May(currently .285). Anthony Rizzo came along from Triple-A Iowa in July/August to bash 15 homeruns with 92 total hits in 83 games. He provides a stinging effect to opposing NL pitchers. Rizzo is a definite potential superstar at first base for Chicago who needs to see bawdy offensive numbers from guys like him next season. This off-season the GM and owner have to think intelligent moves for the Cubs to fill the gaps to put a defined, potent offense back on the map in Chicago. Fans want to see their beloved franchise break away from the NL Central’s underbelly. Time to get serious as ever at Wrigley Field and learn to how to win again.