If one looks at the Cubs season so far, it has been disappointing to say the least.
If one tries to find a silver lining in the dark cloud, one will also find disappointment.
The team is so bad that marginal players appear to be playing better.
If one looks at Wins Above Replacement (WAR) as an objective factor on how well individual players are doing, we would find that only ONE Cub player has a WAR of more than 2.0 (which equates to being a major league starter).
Just one.
So far, the team batters have a combined 6.1 WAR. The only players with a 1.0 WAR on the team are:
W. Castillo (1.5)
DeJesus (1.3)
Rizzo (1.2)
Schierholtz (1.2)
Ransom (1.1)
Valbuena (1.0)
This is not surprising since Schierholtz, Ransom, and Valbuena have been career bench-utility players. What is disturbing that the two long term contract "core players," Rizzo and Castro, are below 2.0 WAR.
The pitching staff has a combined 6.4 WAR. Six pitchers have a WAR over 1.0:
T. Wood (2.6)
Samardzija (1.8)
Feldman (1.1)
Gregg (1.1)
Russell (1.1)
Villanueva (1.0)
Only one starting pitcher is of starting caliber. The bullpen is led by three relievers barely above AAA level.
Based on this information, the one Cub All-Star by default would be T. Wood, at 5-6, 2.74 ERA, 1.000 WHIP.
