Thus far in the 2012 season, the Cubs have done their best to not have a memorable season. The drama of 2011 seems to have taken a trip to South Beach, along with a notable free agent that had previously donned the Cubbie blue. There have been no smashed water coolers, despite this being one of the worst teams to ever grace a Wrigley Field dugout. Despite bumbling to a 33 win first half of the season, the Cubs have had some bright spots that have gone largely unnoticed.
Shortstop Starlin Castro has become quite a polarizing figure. While experts love his hitting ability, his defense and maturity have been called into question ever since his May call up in 2010. Castro has racked up an ugly 13 errors (only Dee Gordon has more with 17), though he has appeared more comfortable at short, and his coaches have said he has improved his fundamentals. The Cubs will have no choice to be happy if Castro can remain on pace for another 200 hit season (currently 100 hits in 2012).
He might not be the second baseman of the future in Wrigleyville, but the front office has thoroughly enjoyed Darwin Barney's play half way through the season. The only second baseman with less errors is Dustin Pedroia (one error). Defense had been a major concern in 2011, but Barney (two errors) has been nothing short of spectacular thus far. He may not have the offensive prowess of Castro, but manager Dale Sveum can live with a .259 hitter that is a defensive staple. If only the Cubs had a player with Castro's youth and hitting ability to go along with Barney's defense..
Sveum has been quoted as saying that this could be an entirely different season if Anthony Rizzo had been in Wrigley since April. Since making his arrival on June 26, Rizzo has helped the Cubs win eight out of his first 12 games. His defensive displays have included throwing out runners at home and making highlight reel diving catches. Glimpses of Rizzo off the diamond show that he possesses leadership qualities sorely lacking in the Cubs club house. He has looked more like a major leaguer than a majority of the 25 man roster. Not to mention the slugger already has four home runs, nine RBI and a .354 average. The man that Rizzo replaced at first base will not soon be forgotten, though.
No one could have predicted that 29 year old Bryan Lahair would make the All Star Game in his first major league season. Though half way through 2012, Lahair has exceeded all expectations. He currently posts a .286 average to go along with 14 home runs, and is a backup for Tony Larussa's National League Team in Kansas City. Lahair could be a valuable trade chip if the Cubs are looking to get younger, though no one can argue against his productivity. Though he had played first base for his entire career in the minor leagues, Lahair was forced to move to the outfield when Rizzo got the call up to Chicago. Even with the move to the outfield, though, Lahair's numbers have not dipped much. He isn't the only Cubs outfielder exceeding offensive expectations, though.
Alfonso Soriano's time in Chicago thus far could be described in some pretty negative ways. It has been disappointing, frustrating, and at times just plain awful. His contract has been an albatross, and it will remain as such until 2014. If it's possible to ignore the mistakes that Soriano has made since signing with the club, and avoid thinking about that monstrous contract, Soriano has had a very decent 2012 in Chicago. His defense has been almost average, despite a knee injury that has been hampering his running. The .265 average and 15 home runs are better than most people expected, and it could be at just the right time. Soriano is making himself attractive to other teams in need of offensive ability.
Yet when other front offices come to Chicago offering trades, don't expect hitting to be the main topic of conversation. 35 year-old Ryan Dempster has found the fountain of youth this season, posting a National League low 1.98 ERA. His shockingly low number of wins (four) have been a result of anemic offense, and he could be the addition a contender needs to get over the top.
So, the question is, with so many players exceeding expectations, why are the Cubs so bad? Ian Stewart has been the only lasting injury, and his .201 average hasn't been missed. If injuries aren't to blame, the finger must be pointed as the talent. Even with Castro, Lahair, Soriano and Barney having above average seasons, the team is in the bottom third of every offensive category. Even with Dempster and young fire-baller Jeff Samardzija (six wins) playing well, the pitching staff ranks in the bottom 10 in most categories. Is the rest of the team really that bad?
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