The 2014 season was not a very memorable one in Chicago Cubs historical past.
They have been out of rivalry by the tip of April, misplaced 89 video games and completed final within the National League Central, 17 video games behind the division-winning St. Louis Cardinals.
But group President Jed Hoyer is hoping the 2022 Cubs can emulate the tip to that season, which prefaced one of many best turnarounds in franchise historical past — a 97-win season in ’15 that ended within the NL Championship Series.
Wishful pondering? Or can historical past repeat itself?
“I’ve thought about that and I’d love to finish strong that way,” Hoyer stated Thursday earlier than the Cubs’ 8-3 loss to the Cardinals at Wrigley Field. “I don’t bear in mind our precise file however I bear in mind we have been over .500 (28-27) in August and September. Our general file wasn’t spectacular however the final couple of months have been spectacular.
“It definitely gave us confidence that what we were building on top was starting to be real. We had young players there. I’d love to feel that way.”
Despite the loss and a tough begin from Marcus Stroman, the Cubs are 13-8 since Aug. 5, getting sturdy beginning pitching and successful 5 consecutive sequence earlier than dropping the rubber match of the five-game set with the first-place Cardinals. They’ll head to Milwaukee on Friday for a three-game sequence, after which it’s on to Toronto, the place Hoyer stated he expects three or 4 gamers to be positioned on the restricted checklist for not getting a COVID-19 vaccination as required in Canada.
Hoyer stated the Cubs have performed properly “in spite of me trading our bullpen away” on the deadline. After Labor Day they’ll play 22 of their ultimate 28 video games in opposition to groups with sub-.500 data.
“It’s been really encouraging to watch,” Hoyer stated. “We had a really hard schedule before. I think sometimes it’s a strength-of-schedule thing. When you’re losing, sometimes people look at that as an excuse. We struggled against some of the better teams. That’s sort of started to even out here a little bit.”
No one knew on the time that the 2014 ending would result in the sustained success from 2015-20, which included 5 playoff appearances and a championship in ’16.
Jake Arrieta started dealing that season after being acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in 2013, going 10-5 with a 2.53 ERA. Kyle Hendricks was known as up in July 2014 and shortly established himself as an enormous a part of the longer term, going 7-2 with a 2.18 ERA in his ultimate 12 begins.
Justin Steele has progressed in his first full season just like the 2014 model of Hendricks, compiling a 1.47 ERA over his final 9 begins. Keegan Thompson currently has struggled however was 9-5 with a 3.97 ERA earlier than happening the injured checklist with decrease again tightness.
Javier Báez struggled in his debut in 2014 however quickly would develop into one of many very important cogs of the championship core. His counterpart is shortstop Nico Hoerner, who has established himself and proven the management expertise Anthony Rizzo exhibited.
Hoyer known as Steele, Thompson and Hoerner “three guys that have really stepped up and made it clear they are going to be a big part of the future for years to come.”
Of course, the Cubs’ turnaround in 2015 was aided by the offseason signing of free-agent Jon Lester, the call-ups of Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber and the addition of supervisor Joe Maddon, who changed Rick Renteria and established a successful tradition.
It’ll be as much as Hoyer to fill within the gaps with some free-agent signings this offseason to attempt to mildew David Ross’s group right into a contender. Hoyer stated “certainly power is something we’re well aware we’re looking for this winter.”
The Cardinals stay the gold commonplace of the division, very like when former President Theo Epstein and Hoyer took over after the 2011 season. Hoyer in contrast it to operating the Boston Red Sox within the early 2000s and understanding the New York Yankees had raised the bar.
“As we were building (in 2012), we knew in order to be a really good team and win this division to compete at the highest level, we weren’t going to back into the playoffs,” Hoyer stated. “We needed to compete with (the Cardinals), and I really feel that approach now. They’ve acquired the potential 1-2 within the MVP race on the corners (Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado) and have a whole lot of younger expertise.
“It’s a good challenge for us. I’d rather have it that way and know that we had to keep our standards so high for what it means to win a division. They look really strong now. And like the Yankees and the Cardinals before, I think it is an advantage for us.”
A robust end this season and a few free-agent signings received’t guarantee a repeat of 2015 or the tip of the rebuild that may’t be known as a rebuild. We received’t know if outfield prospect Brennen Davis in 2023 can emulate Bryant’s Rookie of the Year season or if Hoerner or Christopher Morel will take one other step ahead after their eye-opening seasons.
Everything needed to go proper for the 2015 Cubs, however Epstein knew the rebuild turned a nook in ’14.
“A lot of people around baseball are aware this place is going to get very interesting for a long time very soon,” Epstein stated after that season. “It’s an attractive place to be.”
Selling hope was what Epstein did greatest.
Hoyer patiently waited for his probability to take over from his mentor and shortly shall be in place to promote a difference-making free agent akin to Aaron Judge, Jacob deGrom or Xander Bogaerts on the charms of taking part in at Wrigley Field.
But first issues first. The Cubs want to indicate they’ll maintain their latest stretch of excellent baseball for the remainder of the season.
Then it’s as much as Hoyer — and Chairman Tom Ricketts — to deliver out the wheelbarrow of cash.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com