[The Athletic] MLB playoff contenders 2023: Who is each team’s most indispensable ‘under-the-radar’ player?

10 comments

1. I agree with this as far as expectations go. I wasn’t expecting much from Gomes offensively but I’ve been pleasantly surprised.

2. Can’t believe they didn’t mention his two triples!

3. Yan stepped up for the Cubs this year. After Willson left for the Cardinals, I really felt kinda sad about not having an all-star catcher anymore. However he completely stepped it up and in my opinion, filled those shoes really well.

4. Tauchmann, Gomes, and Leiter have saved our season.

   Leiter was dfa’d before the season and no one picked him up. Now he’s one of our best relievers and the ONLY pitcher that can target lefties. We got so fucking lucky with him.

   Gomes was everything we hoped he could be defensively and miles ahead offensively…with huge hits from the bottom of the order.

   Tauchmann was a minor league signing, journeyman type. He’s won us several games and provides some lead off OBP.

   Biggest disappointments for me are Keegan Thompson, Wesneski, Taillon, Estrada. All have time to turn it around but if Wesneski/Taillon were at least average as starters we’d have won 5 more games. If Keegan/Estrada were as good as I thought they would be our bullpen would be elite.

   Mancini/Rios/Hosmer all failed but weren’t part of the long term plan.

5. Yan Gomes flies under the radar because his speed makes him impossible to pick up with even the most advanced equipment

6. Gas Money will get ya home baby

7. Gomes has had some clutch hits this year too. I love me a solid veteran catcher

8. Cubs player whom no one about talks is Yan. Did the editor take the day off?

9. Answer is probably Gomes but Bellinger’s offensive surge and bounce back is what is getting talked about and what’s left in the background is that he is fulfilling why the Cubs signed him in the first place – our CF defense went from literally last in the league last year to elite this year which has helped our pitching.

10. Honestly they couldn’t have asked for a better replacement for Contreras. Gomes has been Mr Clutch all year long. The unforseen consequence of his success is that Amaya isn’t getting consistent at bats which doesn’t help his development at all. What do they do with Amaya?