Entering the decade, the Chicago Cubs were on the horizon of change while still looking for their first World Series win in over 100 years. After many losing seasons and a lot of turn over between the front office, managers, and player group... this decade became the golden era for Chicago Cubs baseball. Here are some of the best players from the past decade, in no particular order:
1. Starlin Castro: When Starlin Castro made his major league debut in 2010, he came into the league with a bang. In his first ever game he hit two home runs and collected six RBI against the Reds. After that, he was the highlight to watch during the Cubs rebuild when Theo Epstein came over and tore down the Cubs MLB roster. Castro held down short stop providing many fun memories and highlights for fans at Wrigley during some tough seasons. Not only was he a bright spot on the television but he was a bright spot for fans. Many #13 jerseys still walk around Wrigley to this day. Castro was traded after the 2015 season, right before the 2016 World Series year, but he sure deserved that World Series ring for sticking with the Cubs during the tough times. 2. Pedro Stop: You may consider Strop one of the funnest guys the Cubs have had in the last 10 years or you can call him one of the best relievers in Cubs history.. literally. Numbers don't lie and when Pedro Strop came over to the Cubs in a trade with Jake Arietta during the 2013 season, the rest is consistency. According to Christopher Kamka of NBC Sports Chicago, No other Cubs reliever has had five seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA, let alone consecutively. In the history of the Cubs. Cheers to you, Pedro. 3. Kris Bryant: What can you say about this guy? Kris Bryant is everything you want in a poster player for your organization. Not only does he understand the fan interaction but the accolades just continue to rack up during his time with the Cubs. Minor League Player of the Year, NL Rookie of the Year, World Series Champion, NL MVP.. the list will go on and for a player who had billboards in Chicago while he was in triple A grinding to get to Wrigley, I sure hope the Cubs front office does the right thing and gives Kris Bryant the money and contract he deserves. Make him a Cubs for life. 4. Anthony Rizzo: This has been the Cubs captain since he got to the organization. From 2011 to now, he's done everything right and has been this teams leader from day one. Not to mention, he's super consistent offensively and a gold glove winner at first base. His charity work and his foundation has touched so many different people throughout Chicago and the rest of the country. I'm sure years down the road there will be a statue waiting for him outside Wrigley. 5. Javier Baez: Javy is the flashy shortstop that makes everything look so easy. Literally, it's insane how easy he makes plays when he flashes the leather. Other than his diving plays and his ability to tag anyone out, his offensive caliber has just progressed as years went on. In 2014, this was a guy who struck out more times than not and it looked like a far fetch if he was ever going to tap into his ability in the batters box. After weight loss and a lot of mechanical adjustments to his swing, the runner up NL MVP has proven what he can do and I'm sure this is just the beginning. 6. Jake Arrieta: Jake Days were always the best days. Every time Arrieta was on the mound in 2015 and 2016, it was must watch television. The way he could locate, command his pitches, and deliver on the mound was insane. He was literally unhittable putting up one of the best second half performances baseball has ever seen in 2015. By the numbers: 12-1, 0.75 ERA , 2 shutouts, no hitter, 9 earned runs, 113 strikeouts, Hitters batted .148 against him, a CY Young, a 0.40 ERA in his final 12 starts. Literal video game numbers. One of the best Cubs pitchers ever in his tenure in Chicago. 7. Jon Lester: When Jon Lester inked his six year contract with the Cubs back in the fall of 2014, it was the start of the new wave of Cubs baseball. He was the start of turning the lovable losers into the fun and exciting winners on the North Side of Chicago. Jon Lester came over the Cubs and provided so many exciting moments and when the Cubs needed a big start from the veteran, he always came through big time.
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Kyle MalzhanFounder who is an aspiring journalist who covers the Chicago Cubs daily. Archives
April 2020
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