Tauchman braces for another offseason of uncertainty
Mike Tauchman was one of the last players to enter the Cubs clubhouse after Sunday’s season finale. His family was at the game, so he stuck around to take some pictures on the field.
What the future holds is anyone’s guess. The Fremd High School product did nothing to lose his role as the Cubs’ utility outfielder, but there are prospects in the minors who could join the club next year in Owen Caissie or Kevin Alcantara.
“I haven’t known what the future’s going to hold since before the draft my senior year (at Bradley),” Tauchman said. “I have 162 games to try to control what I can control. I think I was asked to wear a lot of hats this year. I was asked to fill a lot of different roles for the team. I’m proud of the work that I did, so that’s really all you can focus on.”
Tauchman, 33, achieved a couple milestones this year. It was his first full season completely in the majors. He's also now played 217 games for the Cubs, well beyond his 141 appearances for the Yankees. He also played for the Giants and Rockies, after being drafted in the 10th round by Colorado.
“I made the joke to somebody the other day, I don't know how many senior signs from the 2013 draft are still hanging around,” Tauchman said. “This is all I’ve ever wanted to do. To be able to have another full year doing what I love to do is special.”
Plan of attack:
Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy had an interesting take on an identity he'd like to see from the Cubs pitching staff.
“When people come to play at Wrigley Field, we want them to feel like they're going to face a staff that’s going to attack,” he said. “You’re going to have to be aggressive if you want to try to beat us.
“And the same token on the offensive side, just being a relentless group that continues to put pressure on the defense, put pressure on the pitchers. Those are things we should be striving for.”
Limiting walks was a goal this season. That strategy was a partial success, since Cubs pitchers ranked 14th in walks allowed heading into Sunday.
“We know we’re going to give up some damage at times, but we don't want people ever thinking we're afraid of their lineup,” Hottovy said.
Hendricks’ final bow:
When Kyle Hendricks got his final salute from fans at Wrigley Field on Saturday, pitching coach Tommy Hottovy got the honor of making the switch and talked about how manager Craig Counsell gave no prior warning.
“Counsell’s like, ‘Go.’ And I’m like, ‘What? I'm not going,’” Hottovy said. “He says, ‘Go, you’re going.’ I started going up the (dugout) steps and I stopped and turned and I go, ‘I’m not going.’ But he forced me to go out there and I really appreciated the opportunity.”
Hottovy has been on the coaching staff since 2015, so he’s been around for most of Hendricks’ Cubs career.