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Kyle Schwarber’s knee injury is devastating, but all is not lost for the Cubs Kyle Schwarber’s knee injury is devastating, but all is not lost for the Cubs
(about 3 hours later)
So we’re a week into perhaps the most anticipated Chicago Cubs’ season since — well, at the risk of hyperbole, the creation of Earth — and for the superstitious among us, it’s already time for all that ridiculous billy goat talk. The Cubs are the Cubs, regardless of roster or résumé, potential or pedigree. It’s easy to fall into such a trap when the season’s not yet a full week old.So we’re a week into perhaps the most anticipated Chicago Cubs’ season since — well, at the risk of hyperbole, the creation of Earth — and for the superstitious among us, it’s already time for all that ridiculous billy goat talk. The Cubs are the Cubs, regardless of roster or résumé, potential or pedigree. It’s easy to fall into such a trap when the season’s not yet a full week old.
The reality, though, is this: Kyle Schwarber, a preternatural power hitter, collided with Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler Thursday night in Arizona. He writhed on the warning track. He was carted off the field. And Friday evening, the Cubs announced he had torn both his anterior crutiate and lateral collateral ligaments in his left knee. He is out for the year.The reality, though, is this: Kyle Schwarber, a preternatural power hitter, collided with Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler Thursday night in Arizona. He writhed on the warning track. He was carted off the field. And Friday evening, the Cubs announced he had torn both his anterior crutiate and lateral collateral ligaments in his left knee. He is out for the year.
This could be considered a calamity, and that’s not entirely inaccurate. It could also be considered something else: baseball season.This could be considered a calamity, and that’s not entirely inaccurate. It could also be considered something else: baseball season.
[For Cubs, spring training skies are completely blue][For Cubs, spring training skies are completely blue]
“Lots of things are going to go wrong,” Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said during spring training. “There’s going to be lots of down points. We’re going to have to make some tough decisions. There’s going to be a lot of adversity coming at us from a lot of directions. There’s so much to go through just to get to that position, where if things break your way you can compete in the postseason.”“Lots of things are going to go wrong,” Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said during spring training. “There’s going to be lots of down points. We’re going to have to make some tough decisions. There’s going to be a lot of adversity coming at us from a lot of directions. There’s so much to go through just to get to that position, where if things break your way you can compete in the postseason.”
Prescient? Well, kind of. Realistic is more like it.Prescient? Well, kind of. Realistic is more like it.
The St. Louis Cardinals, en route to 100 victories last year, lost ace Adam Wainwright. The New York Mets, on their way to the National League East title, got only 38 games from third baseman David Wright. The Kansas City Royals, winners of the World Series, were without Gold Glove left fielder Alex Gordon for nearly two months. The Arizona Diamondbacks, with designs on trumping both the Dodgers and Giants, lost dynamic center fielder A.J. Pollock before the season began.The St. Louis Cardinals, en route to 100 victories last year, lost ace Adam Wainwright. The New York Mets, on their way to the National League East title, got only 38 games from third baseman David Wright. The Kansas City Royals, winners of the World Series, were without Gold Glove left fielder Alex Gordon for nearly two months. The Arizona Diamondbacks, with designs on trumping both the Dodgers and Giants, lost dynamic center fielder A.J. Pollock before the season began.
&^%$#@! happens. Not that this is a time for Cubs’ fans to shrug shoulders. But it’s also not a time to declare defeat. When the extent of Schwarber’s injury was announced Friday, the Cubs (3-0) were off to a start that matched their promise. Either way, there were 159 games — and 10,000 times as many possibilities — to go.&^%$#@! happens. Not that this is a time for Cubs’ fans to shrug shoulders. But it’s also not a time to declare defeat. When the extent of Schwarber’s injury was announced Friday, the Cubs (3-0) were off to a start that matched their promise. Either way, there were 159 games — and 10,000 times as many possibilities — to go.
So deep breaths, Chicago. Deep breaths.So deep breaths, Chicago. Deep breaths.
[Nationals add Speier, who was drafted by the Senators at age 18][Nationals add Speier, who was drafted by the Senators at age 18]
Consider, first, the player the Cubs lost. When Schwarber, a 2014 first-round pick, was called up for good on July 17 of last year, the Cubs were nine games behind the St. Louis Cardinals and five-and-a-half behind the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Central. They finished three games back of the Cards, a game back of Pittsburgh, going 50-24 the rest of the way. Schwarber unloaded 16 homers in just 273 plate appearances, added five more homers in just nine postseason games, and was one of the biggest reasons the Cubs arrived as a wild card perhaps a year ahead of schedule, and therefore entered spring as the “it” team of 2016. Consider, first, the player the Cubs lost. When Schwarber, a 2014 first-round pick, was called up for good on July 17 of last year, the Cubs were nine games behind the St. Louis Cardinals and 51/2 behind the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Central.
They finished three games back of the Cards, a game back of Pittsburgh, going 50-24 the rest of the way. Schwarber unloaded 16 homers in just 273 plate appearances, added five more homers in nine postseason games, and was one of the biggest reasons the Cubs arrived as a wild card perhaps a year ahead of schedule, and therefore entered spring as the “it” team of 2016.
There was, though, the question of where Schwarber’s at-bats would come from. He was a catcher in college at Indiana, and can catch in the majors as well — he would have on Friday night. But the Cubs had more frequently run him out to left field. Their regular catcher is Miguel Montero, and they still have veteran backup David Ross.There was, though, the question of where Schwarber’s at-bats would come from. He was a catcher in college at Indiana, and can catch in the majors as well — he would have on Friday night. But the Cubs had more frequently run him out to left field. Their regular catcher is Miguel Montero, and they still have veteran backup David Ross.
They can, too, field an outfield of Jason Heyward in right, Fowler in center and Jorge Soler in left. When the Cubs faced left-handers — as they did Tuesday in Anaheim, when Andrew Heaney threw for the Angels — Schwarber wasn’t in the lineup, even though the Cubs had the designated hitter available. (Soler DH’ed, with Matt Szczur in left, and in an early indication that the Cubs have seemed blessed and not cursed, Szczur homered.)They can, too, field an outfield of Jason Heyward in right, Fowler in center and Jorge Soler in left. When the Cubs faced left-handers — as they did Tuesday in Anaheim, when Andrew Heaney threw for the Angels — Schwarber wasn’t in the lineup, even though the Cubs had the designated hitter available. (Soler DH’ed, with Matt Szczur in left, and in an early indication that the Cubs have seemed blessed and not cursed, Szczur homered.)
But consider, too, a magical moment early in spring training, when the Cubs had gathered around Manager Joe Maddon on one of their practice fields in Mesa, Ariz. Epstein walked toward the group with Fowler at his side. Fowler was the Cubs’ leadoff man and center fielder a year ago, when they went to the National League Championship Series. Surprise! He was back.But consider, too, a magical moment early in spring training, when the Cubs had gathered around Manager Joe Maddon on one of their practice fields in Mesa, Ariz. Epstein walked toward the group with Fowler at his side. Fowler was the Cubs’ leadoff man and center fielder a year ago, when they went to the National League Championship Series. Surprise! He was back.
In February, re-signing Fowler to a one-year deal appeared to provide Chicago with an embarrassment of riches. In April, it appears essential.In February, re-signing Fowler to a one-year deal appeared to provide Chicago with an embarrassment of riches. In April, it appears essential.
Because Schwarber provided the threat of power from the left side every time he comes up, there would seem to be a problem of balance if he’s not available against right-handers. But the top of the lineup would remain unchanged — Fowler is a switch-hitter, Heyward hits from the left side, Ben Zobrist bats both ways, Anthony Rizzo is a left-handed hitter, and Kris Bryant is right-handed. Last year, Schwarber hit second more than anywhere else. But with Heyward imported as a free agent, sixth seemed to be his spot; that’s where he hit both times he was in the starting lineup this year. The Cubs also have Montero as a left-handed hitting catcher and Tommy La Stella as a left-handed hitting infielder. The loss of power could be a problem. Balance won’t be. Because Schwarber provided the threat of power from the left side every time he comes up, there would seem to be a problem of balance if he’s not available against right-handers. But the top of the lineup would remain unchanged — Fowler is a switch hitter, Heyward hits from the left side, Ben Zobrist bats both ways, Anthony Rizzo is a left-handed hitter, and Kris Bryant is right-handed.
Last year, Schwarber hit second more than anywhere else. But with Heyward imported as a free agent, sixth seemed to be his spot; that’s where he hit both times he was in the starting lineup this year. The Cubs also have Montero as a left-handed hitting catcher and Tommy La Stella as a left-handed hitting infielder. The loss of power could be a problem. Balance won’t be.
Lastly, then, would be the question of how the Cubs — as people — deal with this. By design, Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer have sought players who could handle all manner of situations.Lastly, then, would be the question of how the Cubs — as people — deal with this. By design, Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer have sought players who could handle all manner of situations.
“It could be proven wrong,” Epstein said, back in spring training. “We could crumble the first adversity we face. But I doubt it. I’m telling you: all those guys, the vast majority of them, are super high-character and here for the right reasons. They don’t just have blinders on. They’re connected to their teammates. They’re fully invested. They’re here to win. They recognize that this is a special circumstance. They don’t take this for granted.”“It could be proven wrong,” Epstein said, back in spring training. “We could crumble the first adversity we face. But I doubt it. I’m telling you: all those guys, the vast majority of them, are super high-character and here for the right reasons. They don’t just have blinders on. They’re connected to their teammates. They’re fully invested. They’re here to win. They recognize that this is a special circumstance. They don’t take this for granted.”
If they needed a reminder, they have it now. And Epstein’s right: This is the first thing to go wrong. If it’s also the worst, well, then, this summer could still play out as the Cubs had hoped.If they needed a reminder, they have it now. And Epstein’s right: This is the first thing to go wrong. If it’s also the worst, well, then, this summer could still play out as the Cubs had hoped.
barry.svrluga@washpost.combarry.svrluga@washpost.com