The Chicago Cubs may not be currently riding high on glory and post-season success, but this last quarter-century of Cubs history has been the most eventful in ages, with a World Series victory breaking the franchise’s 108-year drought.
But, how do the current roster stars stack up to the best of the best in the last 25 years of Cubs history?
Actually, surprisingly, quite well.
The 2025 Chicago Cubs squad gets the nod when it comes to two starting slots on the Cubs “all-quarter” team, per Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.
Cubs All-Quarter Second Baseman: Nico Hoerner
At second base, Nico Hoerner wins the position as the team’s best second baseman since Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg.
Per Bastian:
“A Gold Glove winner in ‘23, Hoerner debuted with the Cubs in ‘19 and has grown into an anchor for their defense up the middle (second or short). Through 548 career games with the club to date, he has hit .278 with 99 doubles, 102 steals and 289 runs, while being one of the hardest hitters to strike out in the Major Leagues.”
Cubs All-Quarter Left Fielder: Ian Happ
Aside from Happ and Alfonso Soriano, the Cubs have had a lot of fluidity in what many feel is the non-glamor corner outfield spot. Actually, per Bastian, Happ and Soriano are tied for top left field spot, with Happ’s durability and superior glove serving as the tie-breaker.
Per Bastian:
“Happ is tied with Alfonso Soriano in career fWAR with the Cubs, but he gets the edge here due to games played and historic hardware. Happ is the only outfielder in Cubs history to have three Gold Gloves (‘22-24) on his resume. In 989 games to date with Chicago, Happ has 150 homers, 185 doubles, 453 walks, 478 RBIs and 480 runs scored from ‘17-24.”
Also mentioned in the MLB all-Cubs team article was Seiya Suzuki, who was a distant runner up behind Sammy Sosa for the right field spot.
New Cubs Philosophy Present?
Happ and Hoerner, specifically, scream “new Cub philosophy” players as they lean more towards steady and consistent than explosive and impactful. They are versatile assets who can play around the field and are adept defensively. In other words, they are “pro’s pros.”
Some would argue that the team needs more Sammy Sosas than Ian Happs right now, that the Cubs would do well to pursue impact players who can carry the team on their shoulders for days at a time.
It’s hard to argue with that assessment, but if the goal is to create a long-term winner and one where the team can win without one or two key pieces present, the current mindset, championed by president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, may be the way to go.
Or, maybe, there really should be a combination of the two philosophies.
Hoyer’s recent trade for Houston Astros impact player Kyle Tucker may be a sign that even Hoyer, himself, understands that reality.
And, hopefully for the Cubs, Tucker will win a spot for himself on the next All-Quarter Century Team.
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