Anyone who has grown fruits or vegetables from their own garden knows that the tastiest treats are the ones that are home grown. Although Chicago did not draft Anthony Rizzo, the 23 year old will be remembered as a Chicago Cub for the rest of his career. Rather than splurge in the free agent market like they have in the past, the Cubs decided to nip it in the bud and sign their slugging first basemen to a seven year deal worth $41 million.
The Cubs also have a club option for both 2020 and 2021 which would make both Starlin Castro and Rizzo under contract until the end of the decade. Castro and Rizzo are both the centerpieces that have been lacking on the northside for so long and it was crucial for the Chicago brass to sign this duo and anchor MLB‘s most popular franchise.
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While the scouting report on Rizzo says that he has struggled with left handed pitching, the stats say otherwise because in 2013 the Cubbie is hitting .320 against south paws and .258 versus right handers. This shows a gradual improvement considering Rizzo’s dreadful .208 average versus left handing pitching last season — a great work ethic and simplistic approach has made Rizzo an even greater threat inside the batter box.
Castro and Rizzo anchor the offensive attack for the Cubs, however the mystery in the starting rotation and the bullpen remains the biggest issue for the organization and general manger Jed Hoyer in particular. David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays has been a rumored target for the loveable losers, yet the woes on the hill can’t be solved in one simple acquisition, so time well tell what happens in the windy city.
