You won’t find this on any videos posted on Marquee, but during Tuesday night’s postgame coverage former Chicago Cubs infielder Jason Kipnis called out the team’s leadership and also questioned starting pitcher Edward Cabrera.
The 5-2 loss featured yet another frustrating night at the plate for the Cubs’ offense that went hitless for the 14th time in their last 35 games with runners in scoring position. An almost unbelievable trend seems never-ending, and on top of it, Cabrera couldn’t make it out of the fifth inning after allowing the Colorado Rockies to come back from an early 2-0 deficit.
Cabrera was the headline trade acquisition in the offseason, when the Cubs dealt Owen Caissie to the Miami Marlins for the right-handed starting pitcher. He began the year with good numbers, but Cabrera has heavily regressed since May, and he’s now exited two starts because of minor issues. First, it was a blister that sent Cabrera to the injured list, and then against the Rockies Cabrera called for the trainer after experiencing a cramp in his pitching hand.
It doesn’t seem like it’s a big issue, as neither Craig Counsell nor Cabrera made it seem like the pitcher would miss his next start. After hearing Cabrera speak to the media following the loss, Kipnis pretty much questioned Cabrera’s toughness and added that he wants pitchers who are bulldogs. Kipnis was stunned that Cabrera asked to come out.
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Cabrera now has a 5.21 ERA in 13 starts for the Cubs. He gave up five earned runs in 4.1 innings against the Rockies, leaving in the fifth after walking the first two batters in the inning. Cabrera has gone six straight games without a quality start.
On offense, Kipnis questioned the team’s leadership, asking Cole Wright who he thought the team’s leader was. Wright at first stumbled but responded with Justin Steele, though he quickly said he’s obviously not with the team as Steele continues to rehab from his elbow surgery and setback. There was talk that the longest-tenured player, Ian Happ, but Kipnis, who was with the Cubs in 2020, said Happ is not a vocal leader. So, should the responsibility fall on guys like Dansby Swanson or Alex Bregman?
That’s when Kipnis discussed how anything players who aren’t getting the job done, like Swanson and Bregman, say may not be well received. The larger point was clear: There is no leader for the Cubs right now in the eyes of Kipnis. There is no one willing to step up and call for a team meeting, something Kipnis kept harping on.
Kipnis also questioned the lack of changes to the starting lineup or in-game strategy from Craig Counsell like utilizing more hit-and-run with guys on base.
The Cubs were 27-12 on the morning of May 9, the best record in MLB. Since then, they’re 11-24, with the same issues happening up and down the lineup. So, will anyone step up inside that clubhouse? Jason Kipnis is finally asking the hard questions, and we’ll see if the Cubs find any answers.
