Looking back on 2023: Cubs run out of gas; Counsell replaces Ross
It was a season of ups and a big down for the Cubs in 2023.
Expected to finish in the middle of the NL Central pack and possibly play .500 baseball, the Cubs wound up second in the division at 83-79.
Not too shabby, but overall it was a disappointing year on the North Side.
After a four-game losing streak left the Cubs with a 26-36 record in early June, they got hot and looked like can’t-miss playoff participants three months later at 76-64.
The Cubs collapsed down the stretch and missed the postseason for the third straight season.
Here are the Cubs’ Top 5 stories from 2023:
Counsell hired
The Brewers’ manager the last nine seasons, Craig Counsell deftly guided the small-market franchise to five postseason appearances over the past six years.
The 53-year-old Counsell’s contract with Milwaukee expired at the end of the season and he joined the Cubs on a five-year, $40 million deal, the most lucrative for a manager in MLB history.
“I saw quickly that the organization is in great health,” said Counsell, who was introduced as Cubs manager on Nov. 6. “(President of baseball operations) Jed (Hoyer) presented a compelling vision of that. It’s time to be a Cub. There is momentum happening here and it feels close. Now it’s my job to be part of taking us to the next level and that’s the plan.”
Ross fired
They Cubs lost 15 of their last 22 games, but manager David Ross got a late vote of confidence from owner Tom Ricketts and Hoyer.
“Rossy had a great season and the players play hard for him,” Ricketts said. “He’s our guy.”
Until he wasn’t.
Ross was fired Nov. 6 and replaced by Counsell. Over four seasons in the Cubs’ dugout, Ross was 262-284 with no playoff wins.
“If my boss doesn’t think I am a good manager, then he should move on,” Ross told the Tallahassee Democrat, his hometown newspaper. “I don’t fault him for that. If he doesn’t think I am the right guy, that’s his job. That’s his choice. I have my own thoughts and opinions that I will keep to myself.”
Bellinger boost
After three straight down years with the Dodgers, Cody Bellinger signed a one-year, $17.5 million deal with the Cubs.
Performing much more like he did in 2019, when he was the National League MVP, Bellinger hit .307/.356/.525 and led the Cubs with 26 home runs and 97 RBI.
Bellinger, who finished 10th in MVP voting last season, is a free agent and he’s going to be an expensive sign.
Steele sharp
He ran out of gas down the stretch en route to pitching a career-high 173.1 innings, but Justin Steele had nothing to shake his head about last season.
The left-hander went 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA and finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award race.
Armed with a plus four-seamer and slider, the 28-year-old Steele has the stuff and makeup to remain the Cubs’ ace starter next season and beyond.
Local lift
A Cubs fan growing up in Palatine, Mike Tauchman got the chance to play for his favorite team last season.
After signing a minor-league contract with the Cubs in late January, Tauchman opened the season with Class AAA Iowa. The 33-year-old outfielder got the call from the Cubs on May 19 and he made an instant impact.
In 108 games, Tauchman hit .252/.363/.377 with 8 home runs and 48 RBI.
“It’s been a crazy ride and I’m very grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had and the experiences that I’ve had,” said Tauchman, who played in Korea in 2022 after spending parts of five seasons with the Rockies, Yankees and Giants.