If the Chicago Cubs want to continue to be in the postseason hunt, they need to move on from these two players.
The Chicago Cubs are performing better than many had expected, since said beliefs were that the team would begin to sell at the deadline. However, the team has gone through a bit of a rough patch recently. They were once tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the NL Central. But entering Sunday, the Cubs sit in third place, 8.5 games behind the Brewers for first with a 42-42 record.
If the Cubs want to right the ship, they need to remove some struggling players from their starting lineup. Whether that is through a benching, a trip down to the minor leagues or a designation for assignment. Here are two players that stand out.
Ian Happ, OF
Remember last year when outfielder Ian Happ was one of Chicago’s best hitters in the 60-game truncated season? Happ’s success has not translated to the 2021 campaign whatsoever. He had a poor April but rebounded in a real way in May. But June has been disastrous for Happ.
Through 71 games this season, Happ is slashing .183/.296/.335 while recording nine home runs, 21 RBI, 23 runs scored and 40 hits. Additionally, Happ has struck out 73 times in his 218 at-bats. In the month of June, Happ has recorded a .132 batting average, a .497 OPS, three home runs, seven RBI, nine hits and 18 strikeouts through 68 at-bats.
The Cubs are in a position where they need to start getting into the groove of things, especially offensively. The trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and the team needs to decide whether they need to buy to win with their corps of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Baez, all of whom are set to become free agents at the end of the season.
If they are to buy, they should explore bringing in an outfielder.