Panic is setting in

Things are not looking good for the Cubs. After riding high from a second 10-game winning streak, the Cubs have been on a free-fall, losing 12 of 14 games.

There have been a couple of times early in the season where lots of fans were ready to press the panic button – after the Cade Horton injury, and then when they got off to a slow start. But now feel like a much more appropriate time to panic.

The losing streak has been a perfect storm of a an offense in a slump (especially with runners in scoring position) a starting rotation putting in mediocre or worse performances, and a bullpen giving up just enough runs to turn potential wins into losses.

Systemically, I still feel like the offense can bounce back. The inability to hit with runners on base is getting farcical at this point, but I just don’t think it is sustainable. If it does continue much longer, though, I think we may just have to throw up our hands and say this is just not the Cubs’ year.

I also think the bullpen can be solid. Phil Maton and Ryan Rolison gave up very costly home runs in the extra inning loss to the White Sox, and Caleb Thielbar allowed a costly run against the Astros. But as a whole, the bullpen has looked decent, and is not the reason the Cubs are struggling.

When I think fans are justified in being worried is the rotation. Three of the five expected starters are on the injured list, and a guy expected back this season had a setback in his recovery. You just can’t expect a rotation to be this hard hit by injury without it having a major impact. Guys who were expected to be 4th or 5th starters (Imanaga and Taillon) are now at the top of the rotation, but both are struggling with allowing home runs. Colin Rea has been up and down, and now we may see Jordan Wicks get another chance. Ben Brown has been the only good surprise for the rotation, but he’s never going to give you 7 or 8 innings.

I’m feeling some hints of 2021, when after climbing into first, the Cubs went on a losing streak that doomed the season, and triggered the biggest sell-off in their history. That season was doomed by a shaky rotation, that simply could not keep game close.

The fact that the Cubs did not pursue Lucas Giolito more aggressively is looking like a mistake. But now they have to figure out a way to stay in the NL Central race until some of their rotation can return. Cabrera will probably have a minimum stay. Boyd is expected back in late June or early July. And Justin Steele might be back after the All-Star break, but a this point, I’m not holding my breath.

So as fans, what can we do? Well, nothing really. Cubs Twitter is typically very negative, but I think we may be entering unprecedented territory with the scope of the negativity. But, I suppose, it is better for fans to vent their frustration out on social media, as opposed to taking it out on families and friends.

But the real question is what the front office and manager will do. We’ve seen a few minor reactions to this slump:

1. Tinker with the batting order
2. Bring up two hot minor-league hitters in Alcantara and Ramirez
3. Sit Ian Happ for a couple of days
4. Bring up Jordan Wicks

So, not much.

It’s still very early in the season, but another club that is not expected to be a contender might dangle a starter in a trade offer if they can get one of the Cubs best prospects. This is absolutely the worst time to make this kind of deal, as the seller has all of the leverage. But if the choice is between overpaying for a player to stay in the race or seeing the season crash and burn, I think I’d prefer to see the overpay.

But it would truly be a panic move, at this point.