For those Chicago Cubs fans entering panic mode over a “June swoon,” longtime Chicago sports columnist and radio personality David Kaplan would like to talk you off the ledge with a reminder from the 2016 season.
During Monday’s episode of the “Kap and J. Hood” morning show on ESPN 1000, Kaplan noted the angst among the fan base after Chicago went 13-13 in June, including 4-7 over the final 11 games. But Kaplan also noted that the Cubs went through a similar mid-season stretch en route to their first World Series title in over a century.
“The 2016 Cubs, pretty good team,” Kaplan said. “They were 5 and 15 [from] June 20 to July 9. I think people forget that. And they had a losing month of July.”
Still, the Cubs have holes in their roster, and absolutely no one will be surprised if they are aggressive buyers ahead of the July 31 deadline. With significant issues in the starting rotation, along with concerns about the lack of offense at third base, Chicago has some work to do in order to boost its chances for a postseason run.
But for Jesse Rogers, the Cubs can’t truly be considered all-in unless they take a cue from that 2016 squad. Appearing on Monday’s show, the ESPN Chicago writer said the team’s commitment level will be revealed if they make a specific move.
“We will know in the front office’s mind if they’re really serious if they pull a 2016 and trade for a closer,” Rogers stressed.
Aroldis Chapman Helped Cubs Win 2016 World Series Following Mid-Season Trade
In fact, why not just make the retro look complete and trade for the same closer?
On July 25, 2016, the Cubs acquired Aroldis Chapman from the New York Yankees for a four-player package that included current Tigers shortstop Gleyber Torres. Chapman was dominant during the last two months of the regular season and the playoffs, helping the Cubs win their first World Series title since 1908.
Chapman is still throwing missiles.
Now wearing a Boston Red Sox uniform, the 37-year-old left-hander has a 1.32 ERA and 14 saves in 37 appearances, with 50 strikeouts in 34 innings. With Boston struggling to hang on in the American League playoff race, Chapman could be a hot commodity at the trade deadline, and Rogers said the Cubs should take advantage.
“If they traded for Chapman … what a story line,” Rogers said. “Nine years later, what a story line that would be.”
Adding Aroldis Chapman Would be Huge for Cubs’ Goal of ‘October Saves’
Chapman would not come cheap, and Rogers acknowledged the potential backlash from fans about spending so much for a ninth-inning guy when Daniel Palencia has succeeded in the role, with eight saves in nine opportunities. Actually, the entire bullpen has been pitching well, and as Kaplan pointed out during the show, Chicago’s relief pitchers have given up just one run since June 22.
But, Rogers countered, everything is different in the playoffs.
“I can’t stress this enough to Cub fans: June saves are not October saves,” Rogers stressed. “I love everything Palencia brings to the table, and if they went to October with just Palencia [closing], I could be, ‘Okay, let’s roll the dice.’ But if they’re really serious … you go out and get Araldis Chapman.”
Especially the way he has been dealing.
Chapman, who last reached the 30-save mark in 2021, has not allowed an earned run in his last 14 appearances. Since May 27, Chapman has pitched 13 innings, giving up one unearned run on three hits and two walks, and in June, opponents batted just .059 off him.
“You would really shorten the game if you paired Palencia with that,” Rogers said.
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