Why the Cubs Are the NL’s ‘Biggest Disappointment,’ According to an MLB Insider originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
In his midseason awards column for USA Today, Bob Nightengale handed out a bunch of hardware and gave the Cubs an award they would surely have preferred to avoid: the title of National League Biggest Disappointment.
“The Cubs spent money, got a ton of value out of rookie sensation Shota Imanaga and somehow find themselves in last place,” he said. “The only category this team leads in is players thrown out for stealing: 35 and counting.”
The Cubs passed the halfway point of their season this week, and after Sunday’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, they now sit in last place in the division, 11.5 games back of first place and seven games below the .500 mark. While the club is just five games behind the third wild-card spot in the National League, currently held by the St. Louis Cardinals, they’d have to jump over seven teams to get there, a testament to just how tight the Senior Circuit is this season.
The team’s lackluster offense is largely to blame for their problems, with only two qualified players currently hitting above .250 on the season. Their leading home run hitter, Christopher Morel, is hitting just .198 on the season.
Their expensive free agent acquisition for the 2023 midseason season also continues to struggle, as Dansby Swanson has a .217 batting average with eight home runs and 77 strikeouts.
Justin Steele has started 12 games for the Cubs this season, and despite a 3.20 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 70 innings, he has yet to record a win. Hector Neris, who is tied for the team lead with seven wins, has a 4.25 ERA and has blown four saves in 15 starts for the North Siders.
Click here to listen to the Cubs Talk Podcast.
