Chicago Cubs: The 2010s All-Decade Team
By Bill Felber
The All-Decade Chicago Cubs Outfield
Kyle Schwarber, Leftfield
- Years: 2015-2019
- HRs: 110
- OPS+: 115
The contest comes down to Schwarber vs. Alfonso Soriano, who held down the position into 2013. It’s a close call. During the decade, Soriano played in 170 more games (2,054 to 1,884) and had a better batting average (.255 to .235). But Schwarber had all the power advantages, 110 home runs to Soriano’s 99 and a 115 OPS+ to Soriano’s 110.
The nod goes to Schwarber because his 4.9 WAR is also superior to Soriano’s 3.5.
Dexter Fowler, Centerfield
- Years: 2015, 2016
- HRs: 30
- OPS+: 97
The case for Fowler is handicapped by the fact that he played more seasons in Colorado (4) and St. Louis (3) than in Chicago (2). Still, they were good seasons, including his critical stints as an instigator of the 2016 offense, for which he produced a .393 on-base average.
Fowler also benefits from the lukewarm contributions of his competitors, principally Albert Almora Jr. and Marlon Byrd. Of the three, Fowler actually played in more games during the decade, had the most home runs and the best OPS+.
Jason Heyward, Right field
- Years: 2016-2019
- HRs: 47
- OPS+: 86
- Gold Glove 2016-2017
It says something about the state of right field in Chicago that a guy with a cumulative 86 OPS+ is the selection.
But Heyward basically wins the honor by default. Kosuke Fukudome gave Chicago one decent season, and from there you’re looking at a combo platter of Tyler Colvin, David DeJesus, Nate Schierholtz, and Jorge Soler.
And as good as Nick Castellanos was in August and September of 2019, you can’t make an All-Decade team in two months.
Compared with them, Heyward’s .252 average and two Gold Glove begin to look tolerable, if not overwhelming.