Ostrowski: Time to grade the Cubs
What a difference a year makes. In 2016, the Cubs stumbled to the first half finish line losing 9 of 11, but still held a commanding seven-game lead in the NL Central and were 18 games over the .500 mark. This year, they've been .500 20 different times.
With the All-Star break upon us, it's time to hand out the Cubs mid-term grades:
Albert Almora, Jr.
The decision has been made that the full-time center fielder of the future would only play that position this season. He's dominated left-handed pitching and struggled against righties.
Grade: C+
Javier Baez
Two-thirds of the time at second base and one-third at shortstop, where his defense hasn't been as dazzling. A bit of a power spike for Baez so far.
Grade: C-
Kris Bryant
Don't let losing the NL Final Vote fool you. The offense hasn't gone anywhere. His runs and RBI are down, but mostly because of Bryant's teammates. The defense at third base has taken a step back with 9 errors and -2 defensive runs saved.
Grade: B+
Willson Contreras
In his first full season, Contreras is third among catchers in Fangraphs WAR, behind Buster Posey and Yasmani Grandal. He's thrown out 18 runners, tied for most in MLB. Needs to work on his pitch framing.
Grade: B
Wade Davis
The closer is 16-for-16 in save opportunities with a 1.80 ERA.
Grade: A+
Ian Happ
A younger Ben Zobrist? Happ has played four different positions and hit in the top five spots of the lineup, but also gone through slumps.
Grade: B-
Jason Heyward
The stud defender has missed time with two hand injuries. The offensive numbers aren't quite to his career norms, but an improvement over 2016.
Grade: C+
Jon Jay
With multiple outfield injuries and Kyle Schwarber's demotion, Jay has been a pleasant surprise. Has the ability to be the everyday leadoff man.
Grade: B
Anthony Rizzo
The clubhouse leader stepped in to hit leadoff for two weeks when the offense needed a spark. On pace for a career-high 37 homers.
Grade: A-
Addison Russell
It's impossible to know if personal issues are affecting his play. Offensively, his worst season. Defensively, he has 8 errors, but metrics say he's been great.
Grade: D
Kyle Schwarber
F.
Grade: F
Ben Zobrist
Another player having his worst year at the plate. A .230 batting average of balls in plays suggests some bad luck. Have to hope his back and wrist issues are behind him.
Grade: D-
Starting rotation
Three starting pitchers from the opening week of the season are on the disabled list. Jon Lester's ERA is up a run and a half. Jake Arrieta's velocity is down and opponent's are hitting about 50 points higher than any of the previous three years. John Lackey allowed 24 home runs in his first 16 starts, more than all of last season.
Grade: D+
Bullpen
Carl Edwards Jr, Pedro Strop, Koji Uehara, and Brian Duensing give Joe Maddon four strong options before getting to Davis with ERAs in the two to three range.
Grade: A
• Joe Ostrowski is a co-host of the "Hit & Run" baseball show from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on WSCR 670-AM The Score with Barry Rozner. Follow him on Twitter@JoeO670.