ALL DECADE CUBS

2016 featured arguably the greatest World Series in history, as the Cubs broke their curse and finally won another World Series. They're coming in hot, as one of the 12 teams thus far to reach the 7000 point barrier. They've got explosive power and speed at the plate, a dynamic rotation led by a Cy Young winning Jake Arrieta (tier 1, control 6, no doubles) and a stellar bullpen thanks to Aroldis. Definitely going to contend for the NL Central crown despite their complete ineptitude as a team for the first half of the decade! In fact, only two of their players hail from 2009 through 2014!! So enjoy this Cubs team, and fly the W flag after you play with them!

Even if he gets traded, this wonderful man will always be a Cubs legend

LINEUP: Unsurprisingly, this lineup is heavy on guys from the amazing 2016 Cubs - truly one of the greatest Showdown teams ever assembled (and winner's of Matt's first showdown cup!). Starting things off is prototypical leadoff man, Dexter "Riley's all-time favorite, basically" Fowler. He sets the table extremely well for a shockingly balanced 2015 Anthony Rizzo! Rizzo's got his typical OB 10, HR at 18 card, but with A speed to boot! MVP Kris Bryant may have a lot of outs on his chart (borderline OB 9/10 hitter), but that 17-20 HR power sure is sweet - that's some 40 HR pop! The stud 1B from the early part of the decade, Derek Lee, comes in at cleanup for yet another OB 10... and the brigade continues with a stellar, do-everything Ben Zobrist card from the World Series champs (Side note, this is still one of my top 3 all-time favorite cut outs). Willson Contreras hits sixth and gives the Cubs an offensive weapon behind the plate -- can't argue with Pudge 01> type pop with a solid arm! Then a pair of OB 8 guys with a lot of extra base power hit 7th and 8th, and the team is rounded out by the ultimate wild card, 2018 Javy Baez (another one of my top 3 all-time favorite cut outs). His low OB is definitely an issue in this league, but his extremely advantageous chart, defensive prowess, and speed make him a lethal #9 hitter nonetheless! Overall, I'd say that scoring runs won't be an issue!

ROTATION: What a powerful way to start things off -- Cy Young Arrieta is everything you could want in an ace. Control 6, IP 7, no doubles.... and Tier 1!!! He's followed by a super solid Tier 2 Jon Lester, who's essentially the same with one less control and IP (and K). Then "The Professor" comes in with a Control 6, Tier 2 card that screams "classic Maddux" to give the Cubs a three-headed monster. Rounding it out is classic Cubbie Carlos Zambrano, who's a Tier 3 but brings a Control 6 to bear too! Definitely going to be a rotation that lives and dies off its own chart, which is how most managers prefer to settle things!

BULLPEN: Chapman mirrors his Reds self for the 2016 Cubs and WHEW what an ace to have in the closer role. He's supported by a pair of Control 6, Tier 2 guys to lock down the 7th and 8th. If necessary, they've got another pair of Tier 3 relievers... but they're the Control 4, no doubles kind of Tier 3 that most managers build their 'pens around, so they're still useful. While not the best bullpen, I think it falls into that "good enough" range to make the Cubs true contenders.

Overall, the Cubs team is almost entirely composed of guys from the second half of the decade.... and it's not a surprise after the Cubs had a World Series title and two NLCS berths, along with another season of over 90 wins in there. The Cubs come in at 7000 Points!! I think most of this has to do with a fairly cheap bullpen, the least important of the three "categories" of players that comprise a Showdown squad. Even if they're in the middle of the pack points wise, I expect big things from the All Decade Cubs!

1.   Dodgers              8010 points
2.   Yankees              7920 points
3.   Red Sox              7770 points
4.   Nationals            7670 points
5.   Astros                 7420 points
6.   Reds                    7220 points
7.   Phillies                7200 points
8.   Blue Jays            7140 points
9.   Rockies               7090 points
10.   Rangers              7070 points
11.   Rays                    7060 points
12.   Cubs                    7000 points
13.   Indians                6880 points
14.   (T13) Mariners  6880 points
15.   Orioles                6830 points
16.   Giants                 6800 points
17.   Marlins               6750 points
18.   Tigers                  6710 points
19.   (T18) Cardinals 6710 points
20.   Athletics             6670 points
21.   Royals                 6570 points
22.   Padres                 6510 points