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My Christmas Wish List For the Chicago Cubs



 Now before everyone is saying "now you know the Cubs can't actually sign anybody..." I want to clarify that I understand that and I'm not actually that naive about what's going on with this lockout thing. With that out of the way, lets' move on with my Christmas wish list for the Cubs.

A Shortstop Every Cubs Fan Wants

All I've been hearing lately is Cubs fans and writers talking about "Correa to the Cubs." And I love it. Something I want to remind Cubs fans of is that Cubs fans were doing everything they could to get Stroman and Hoyer changed course at the last minute to sign Stroman. Coincidence? I really think Cubs fans wanting Stroman so bad had an influence on the Cubs front office. 

And you know what? The same can happen with Correa, so KEEP IT UP CUBS FANS! Anyway, Correa is certainly on my wish list, along with many other Cubs fans. Here's some reasons why Correa is on my wish list:
  • He can hit well. To say the least. He batted .279/.366/.485 with a 134 wRC+ in 2021, so if you think Correa isn't worth it, let me tell you that his bat is worth it in itself. He boasted a low 18.1% K rate and a high 11.7% BB rate along with an overall 5.8 WAR. Along with that, he also had a Max EV of 116.4 MPH, which is in the top 3% of the league. C'mon, that bat in the Cubs lineup? Solid!
  • His defense is also stellar, ranking in the top 10 of all infielders in all MLB. He had a 12 OOA (Outs Above Average) in 2021, which ranks No. 13 in all fielders in MLB in 2021. That is especially useful with a groundball-reliant rotation and shortstop being a weak spot for the Cubs.
  • He'll provide the reliable presence of a shortstop that will be with the Cubs when they start competing again. I get why he wants so much many and a long-term deal, and at this point I really want the Cubs to do whatever it takes to get him.
So, yes. Even if it is a late Christmas present, I still want Correa. C'mon Hoyer, bring him to CHICAGO!

A Fan Favorite Reliever


Andrew Chafin. Ah yes, the guy who helped no-hit the Dodgers and wanted to buy an old rusty pickup while in Chicago? Yep, that's the guy. And you know what? He was good. I mean, really good as a reliever and the Athletics sure got a good deal. I got some reasons why I want him back...
  • Chafin posted a 1.83 ERA in 68.2 IP. He seriously only allowed 14 runs all year long. I mean, guys like Arrieta allow that many in one game! Anyway, he also had a 24.1% K rate to a 7.1% BB rate, so great strikeouts and not bad walks. 
  • Not only has Chafin showed his success as a reliever, but he's also showed his reliability. The guy appeared in 71 games in 2021, which is basically half of the total games played in the season. And that's without any injuries this season and keeping those numbers steady.
  • Chafin also made himself a Cubs fan favorite by his unique personality and sense of humor. Those are the kind of guys you want on the team, and with the Cubs in need of a veteran reliever, Chafin would 100% match that.
Alright Cubs fans, it's time to start pressuring Hoyer into bringing Chafin back!

A Nasty Starter That Won't Play For Awhile

I believe the Cubs are good on starters for 2022, but it's not a playoff ready rotation. Although not a free agent, and the Cubs would have to trade for him, I think it's a trade that will pay off in the long run. That pitcher is Tyler Glasnow. He had TJ surgery this past season, so he likely won't pitch in 2022, but he'll be ready for 2023... 
Simply put, Glasnow is nasty. Here's why:
  • In 2021, he put up a 2.66 ERA in 88 IP before his injury. But's that far from all. He had a 36% K rate, which is one of the top K rates in MLB. He also boasted an average FB velocity of 97.3 MPH, something that the Cubs are looking to improve in their rotation. 
  • His vertical drop rates are also off the charts, having a 39.9 vertical inches of drop in the slider, which is extremely good. The curve had an even greater 57.3 vertical inches of drop, making it one of his best pitches.
  • Even if he won't be playing in 2022, if the Cubs got him this offseason, he'd likely be ready to go next season making the top of the rotation Glasnow and Stroman. Scary, huh?
So, he's on my wish list because I'm planning for the future, people! Be realistic, don't you want to see Glasnow and Stroman on the front end of your rotation?

That basically sums up my wish list. Would Schwarber or Seager be nice? Yes, but...there are things that would not work out logistically with that. Especially with Seager, who is basically the same as Wisdom defensively and is a career average hitter. Anyway, feel free to have your own wish list and mention it down below. This is mine. The end. 

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