Two rounds of the MLB playoffs have provided important lessons, especially for a team like the Cubs with ambitions to join the party.
The Cubs were two games short of securing a wild card spot – one if that extra win was against Arizona or Miami – so perhaps these trends can help them get through the winter:
Opt for the slug
The National League playoffs have been all about home runs, with Arizona hitting 13 in five games and Philadelphia hitting 13 in six games. The Cubs had a decent offense in 2023, but lagged a bit in home runs, ranking 15th in MLB.
This argument is confusing, however, because the Cubs hit 30 more home runs than the Diamondbacks in the regular season. Atlanta, meanwhile, set the National League record and tied the MLB record with 307 home runs this season, but fell short in the postseason.
Solving this problem, how to hit home runs when it counts, will be a challenge. Plus, at one point, wasn’t the prevailing wisdom just about manufacturing runs in low-scoring playoff games?
Either way, this information doesn’t change much about the Cubs’ offseason plan. Among their top three home run hitters, Cody Bellinger needs to be re-signed, Christopher Morel needs a roster spot and Patrick Wisdom likely won’t stick around long term.
The Cubs need to find something with these three and also increase their home run total. Committing to Ian Happ (21 HR) and Seiya Suzuki (20) at the corner outfield spots may not be the winning plan.
Sign free agents
Philadelphia’s roster is primarily focused on free agents, with Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner all grabbing the cheesesteak since 2019. These are two former Cubs (Castellanos and Schwarber) and a so-called budding Cub (Harper).
Schwarber has struggled in the playoffs so far, but the other three have been incredible. Remember, Harper has been in Philadelphia since 2019. Sometimes bold moves don’t yield instant results.
The same could be said for Texas giving Corey Seager a 10-year, $325 million contract in 2022. In year one, it looked like a bad deal. This season he was an MVP candidate and could lead the Rangers to the World Series.
At the same time, Houston saw free agents like Gerrit Cole, Carlos Correa and George Springer walk away and continue to win. It appears Jed Hoyer is trying to follow a hybrid plan: build a solid farm system like the Astros, but sign a big free agent every now and then.
Signing Shohei Ohtani doesn’t seem realistic for the Cubs, but a trade for a 2025 free agent like Juan Soto or Pete Alonso, followed by a big contract extension, could be.
Maybe skip the bye
Two years into MLB’s triple wild card playoff format, NL teams getting a bye are 0-4 in the second round. Bye teams are 3-1 in the AL, so who really knows? Free time isn’t much different from All-Star break.
Don’t be thin
We learned a few details about Atlanta Braves etiquette:
Celebrating a personal milestone in the 10th inning of a tie game? Perfectly fine, don’t even ask any questions.
Are you reporting on a player repeatedly yelling at an opponent in an open clubhouse while interviews are in progress? Violation of the sanctity of the clubhouse.
The Braves had fun flapping their arms and celebrating stolen bases during the regular season, but might have been troubled by Phillies fans.
If they put the right team on the field, maybe the Cubs can soon come back to face opponents complaining about fans.
Twitter: @McGrawDHSports
