74-88. That was “good” for third place in the NL Central because they’re lucky enough to reside in the same division as the 100 loss Pirates and the 100 loss Reds. They were 17th in MLB in team OPS, and 20th in team ERA. On the plus side, they finished the season much stronger than they started. They went 41-60 through July; they then went 33-28 from August 1 on.
With the departures of Jason Heyward and Wilson Contreras, the only active player still on the Cubs roster from the 2016 World Championship team is Kyle Hendricks. (Manager David Ross was, of course, that team’s back up catcher.) Hendricks is now the 5th starter on a below average rotation; he’s signed through next season (unless he finishes in the top 3 in Cy Young voting by some miracle, in which his 2024 option vests). They’ve signed Jameson Taillon, Brad Boxberger, and Cody Bellinger. Among their free agents are Wade Miley and Drew Smyly.
Fan Interference 