Cubs: 12 thoughts on rebuild that cant be called a rebuild – Chicago Tribune

Jed Hoyer is scheduled to deliver the autopsy on the Chicago Cubs season Monday at Wrigley Field. But if youve been paying attention, you already knew the team was not built to win in the first place in the rebuild that cant be called a rebuild.

Nevertheless, Chairman Tom Ricketts already declared 2022 a success despite the 88 losses and lowest attendance in a non-pandemic-affected season since 1997, when the Cubs started with a National League record 14 straight losses.

Here are 12 thoughts on what we saw and heard in 2022.

The drone went through Murphys Bleachers, a fire truck and the center-field scoreboard. It was seamlessly spliced with GoPro video from the clubhouse and followed Seiya Suzuki to right field.

Even the ballhawks on Kenmore and Waveland avenues cooperated by pretending to battle for a home run ball that was staged, with an employee tossing a baseball from the bleachers.

Wrigley traditions make the Cubs the Cubs, a lesson learned once again.

Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward tosses a ball to fans as the sun sets after the rain at Wrigley Field on June 13, 2022. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Marquee Sports broadcaster Pat Hughes asked analyst Jim Deshaies during Sundays telecast if the teams late-season surge means anything for 2023.

Not really, Deshaies replied, noting there will be many new players and a carryover effect will be negligent.

As nice as it was to see the Cubs turn things around, Deshaies is absolutely right. If youre buying season tickets based on the September performance, you deserve what you get.

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Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman pitches during the first inning against the Nationals at Wrigley Field on Aug. 9, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

That happened under pitching coach Tommy Hottovy, but bullpen coach Chris Young deserves credit for getting strong performances out of a young and revamped relief corps after several key veterans left at the trade deadline.

Still, the Cubs finished 19th in pitching (4.00 ERA) and runs scored (657), so a lot of improvement is needed to be competitive in 2023.

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Ian Happ singles to score Seiya Suzuki during the fifth inning on Sept. 29, 2022, at Wrigley Field. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

The numbers were skewed by playing 38 games against rebuilding division foes: the Pittsburgh Pirates (98 runs) and Cincinnati Reds (115 runs). That means almost one-third (32.4%) of their runs scored came against those two 100-loss teams.

The good news is neither the Pirates nor Reds figures to spend any money to improve. So just by standing still, the Cubs virtually are assured of no worse than another third-place finish.

Cubs, Woo!

Nick Madrigal sprints around the bases before scoring a run on a double by Rafael Ortega in the sixth inning of a game against the StCardinals at Wrigley Field on Aug. 23, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Madrigal showed flashes of his White Sox development in August, hitting .300 with a .378 OBP for the month. But injuries limited him to 59 games.

His status for 2023 is up in the air as the Cubs contemplate signing a potential free-agent shortstop such as Trea Turner or Xander Bogaerts, which likely would move Nico Hoerner to second. Madrigal understands its possible he could be a role player.

I dont know whats going to happen but I want the best players in this organization no matter if theyre at my position or any position, he said before suffering a season-ending groin strain in September. Thats ultimately what creates a winning atmosphere and winning teams, and thats something I want to be a part of.

Christopher Morel hugs teammate Willson Contreras following a victory over the Pirates at Wrigley Field on May 17, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

The Morel-infused energy was less noticeable as the season wore on, and the rookie struggled to hit for average, falling to .235, including .190 against left-handers.

But Morel said he will continue to be a hugger in 2023 and beyond.

Ive been doing it since I came up, always hugging players, and Im happy to be here and am not going to change, he said. I do it for myself and the rest of the players.

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Cubs fans make a beer snake in the bleachers on May 22, 2022, at Wrigley Field. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Instead of letting viewers listen to Cubs fans sing their anthem, Marquee Sports now opts to make the song the background music to discussion of the Binnys-sponsored Toast of the Game highlight. Then its back to the studio for positive postgame analysis.

Its another example of top-level executives making Cubs telecasts as generic as possible to appease sponsors and the Rickettses.

Cubs third baseman Patrick Wisdom blows a bubble during the ninth inning on Sept. 29, 2022, at Wrigley Field. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

That would average out to 227 strikeouts in a 162-game season. Thats a lot, even by todays standards.

The single-season record is 223, set by the Arizona Diamondbacks Mark Reynolds in 2009. But Reynolds had an .892 OPS that season. Wisdoms OPS as a Cub is .764.

Grounds crew workers prepare the batter's box for a game on Sept. 27, 2022. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

That could mean theres a shortage of celebrity Cubs fans coming to games during the rebuild thats not at all a rebuild, or the team has drawn a red line and no longer invites anyone below a B-list celeb.

Cubs catcher Willson Contreras warms up before a game on Sept. 27, 2022. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Is it the money? The years? The wear and tear? His age?

Contreras, 30, always was patient with the media asking the same questions during his many goodbyes.

He caught only 72 games this year, his lowest total in a non-pandemic season since his rookie campaign in 2016. Maybe the Cubs believe hes primarily a designated hitter, which are always available on the open market.

Why it has to end remains one of the biggest unanswered questions of 2022.

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Simmons earned $4 million and started in 22 games, hitting .173 before being released.

Manager David Ross, Jason Heyward and Simmons were lockermates with the Atlanta Braves in 2012. When Simmons signed with the Cubs in March, Ross said he texted the news to Heyward.

Hes like, I got my two lockermates back, Ross said.

Sometimes its better not to get the band back together.

After being inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame last month, Cardenal was asked why Cubs fans became so attached to him. He told a story of being booed on opening day in 1972 after losing a ball in the sun.

I went to the fans and said: What do you want me to do? Cardenal said. From that day, they accepted me, and I was confident the fans were behind me now. That was it.

You dont have to be a superstar to become a legend at Wrigley. Thats a tradition that wont soon end.

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Cubs: 12 thoughts on rebuild that cant be called a rebuild - Chicago Tribune