10 things we learned about the Chicago Cubs in 2022, including Ian Happ’s best all-around season and the need for more star power — and some thump
The Chicago Cubs do not want the last two years to be part of a trend in the wrong direction.
Ending the season 74-88 kept the Cubs at home for the postseason in a second straight year. Six consecutive seasons with a winning record that featured three division titles and a World Series championship seemed to be the start of a dominant era in the franchise’s history. As the Cubs look to return to the playoffs next season, an important offseason awaits, carrying lessons from this year.
1. Keegan Thompson is, at the very least, a multi-inning bullpen weapon.
Thompson will be part of the pitching staff next season after giving the Cubs versatility. The right-hander made 17 starts and 12 appearances out of the bullpen in 2022. It’s too early to know how he fits in, but that is also part of the 27-year-old’s appeal.
“I see Keegan as a really important piece to our success, where that fits in, the roster will shape out,” manager David Ross said during the final week of the season. “He’s done a really nice job of a multi-inning role out of the bullpen that I really trust and he’s also done a really nice job starting, so the more of those guys that can do both, I’ll take them all.”
After his shortest start of the season June 12 at Yankee Stadium, Thompson posted a 1.93 ERA
