Waiting to change the calendar

As I write, the Cubs have not yet been mathematically eliminated in this year's pennant race. However, a Colorado win or a Chicago loss would mean that the Cubbies are out, something that has felt inevitable for at least 6 or 8 weeks.

So what went wrong?

The Cub Reporter asked that question today, letting readers blame and rank a variety of choices. Results have not been published yet. Among the choices are (a) Soto, (b) Soriano, (c) Ramirez's injury, (d) Bradley, (e) the bullpen, and (f) Hendry. So let's consider...

"Hendry" is an odd-choice by comparison, as his mistakes this past off-season are of a completely different nature than anything happening on an actual baseball field. Rather, if you vote for "Bradley", isn't that a vote for "Hendry" by proxy? While Hendry certainly made some real gaffes last winter, I don't put the bulk of the blame on him.

Instead, I think that the injuries and underperformance of Soto, Soriano, and Ramirez (just an injury - Aramis performed plenty good when on the field) are the major factors in the Cubs disappointing season. That being said, I have a hard time deciding which was more significant. For example, when Ramirez was hurt, the Cubs lacked perhaps their best hitter, the importance of the loss compounded by Soriano's struggles. Yet, in the long-term, I'm most worried about Soto, because I was hoping for a nice little five-year run of good production...say 500 PAs with an .800 OPS.

So forced to choose, I'd say that Soto worries me the most but Soriano's troubles really sunk the team, especially because he defense, not good even when healthy, descended to the level of completely atrocious. Really though, all three combined to form a collective problem; the Cubs lacked impact offense for much of the season. If the three players had been healthy, if they had been reasonably productive, the Cubs would've won over 90 games this season and the howling would've been silenced. Milton Bradley still would've been a disappointment and perhaps a clubhouse cancer, but the team would be either in or close to the post-season if those three guys would've shown quality...and Jim Hendry's mistakes would be forgiven.

Maybe last year's team was lucky to have all three guys healthy and hitting for the bulk of the season.

Either way, we're waiting 'til next year. Que sera.