A Cubsmas Advent Calendar: Three Gold Gloves
The Cubs effectively improved their middle infield defense last summer when they added Dansby Swanson to a seven-year, $177 million contract. With the acquisition, an excellent defender was placed at second base, replacing previous shortstop Nico Hoerner. Most significantly, it provided the Cubs two players who rank among the MLB’s top 15 fielders by Outs Above Average going into 2023:
That duo did not disappoint in 2023, wiNo other team has a middle of the infield lockdown like this, even if a few other teams have multiple players ranked in the top 15. This is especially helpful for the Cubs because they have a starting rotation comprised of pitchers that pitch to contact. Behind those starters, strong defensive players make sure that poor contact made by pitchers like Kyle Hendricks and Justin Steele results in outs rather than hits.
The Cubs allowed just 723 runs in the 2023 season as a result of this run suppression. While only good for sixth place in the National League behind the Brewers, Padres, Dodgers, Phillies, and Braves, it is a long cry from the MLB-leading and division-winning Milwaukee Brewers at 647 runs allowed.
Apart from Swanson and Hoerner, who won Gold Gloves for the Cubs middle infield, Ian Happ won his second consecutive Gold Glove for his performance in left field. With 12 outfield assists in 2023, he tied for third place in baseball behind right fielder Lane Thomas of the Nationals (18 outfield assists previous season) and outfielder Nolan Jones of the Rockies (19 outfield assists from several positions).
But the outstanding defense at certain areas truly brought attention to the obvious weaknesses at other positions. Along with the Braves and Phillies, the Cubs committed 50 fielding mistakes in 2023, which matched them for ninth place in all of baseball. With 319 total double plays, they placed 17th, barely ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks and four short of the Detroit Tigers, who were rated 16th. Their overall double play production was mediocre.Nick Madrigal tied for second-fewest errors among all third basemen with at least 500 innings played, having only made four in 560â…“ innings at third base. However, he only converted nine double plays from third base. In terms of that, he is tied for 24th place among the 27 qualified third basemen.
th both Swanson and Nico again combining for 25 Outs Above Average, with Dansby moving into the MLB lead and Nico moving into the top 10:
