MLB

Cubs’ freakish talent could save your fantasy team

Let’s start this week’s column with a few jokes at the expensive of the lowly Cubs: What’s the difference between dirt and the Cubs?

Give up? Nothing, they’re both constantly being swept.

Here’s another: What song do Cubs fans sing before the bottom of the ninth? No one knows, because there’s never anyone left at the game.

OK, one more: What does a Cubs fan do when his team wins the World Series? He turns off his PlayStation (or Xbox).

Sure, these jokes are hysterical since the Cubs haven’t had a winning record since 2009 (sound familiar Mets fans?) and haven’t won a title since 1908. What isn’t a joke, however, is the future of the organization — well, at least in terms of fantasy production.

The Cubs introduced 22-year-old outfielder Jorge Soler to the big leagues this week, and he made an amazing first impression, going 7-for-11 with three homers and six RBIs in his initial three games. In three minor league stops this season, Soler hit .340 (including .400 in rookie ball and .415 in Double-A) with 15 homers, 57 RBIs and a 1.13 OPS. He was ready for the call and became the most added player in ESPN leagues this week.

And Soler (59.3 percent owned) is just the newest addition to a roster packed with young bats. Earlier this month, the Cubs brought up 21-year-old infielder Javier Baez (86 percent owned), who has hit seven homers and driven in 15 runs in his 24 games. His major downfall thus far: He has struck out 44 times and walked just four, dragging his batting average to a miserable .192.

Before Baez, there was 22-year-old Arismendy Alcantara (19.8 percent owned), who was hot after his call up in July, but has cooled down considerably since (though, keep an eye on him as he is hitting .297 with three homers and six RBIs over his last nine games, helping raise his batting average from .211 to .227).

Looking even deeper, the Cubs also have shortstop Addison Russell (.296, 13 homers, 44 RBIs in 64 games in the minors), who was the key acquisition from the A’s in the deal for Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel, and Albert Almora (.275, nine homers, 60 RBIs in the minors) waiting for their calls to The Show in the future.

So, why are these guys on a terrible team worth adding or keeping an eye on down the line?

Mainly because of players like 24-year-old All-Star shortstop Starlin Castro (.287, 13 homers, 64 RBIs, .764 OPS) and 25-year-old All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo (.278, 30 homers, 71 RBIs, .889 OPS). The Cubs may not have a winning record, but they have a track record of developing young hitters into stars, and that is what you need to build your fantasy team.

Quick hits

Add of the week is Twins rookie Kennys Vargas (86.2 percent owned). In his first 27 games as a pro, the 24-year-old is hitting .310 with four homers, 24 RBIs and a .828 OPS.


Before being traded to the Rays, Drew Smyly (28 percent available) was a pedestrian 6-9 with a 3.93 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 89 strikeouts over 21 appearances (18 starts). Since joining the Rays, he has looked like an ace, going 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in five starts.


There has been an Ike Davis (0.8 percent owned) sighting! Roto Files is happy to report he’s still playing baseball. In fact, he had two homers and five RBIs in two games on Wednesday and Thursday. If he keeps it up, the Mets may want him back.


Fantasy Team Name of the Week (American Pie edition): This One Time at Band Kemp.