Javier Baez Comments Shouldn't Absolve Cubs Players of Blame After Disappointing 2019

The Chicago Cubs might have been the most talented team in the NL last season, but they failed to make the playoffs after some woefully bad performances from many of their key players.

Javier Baez crystallized why the end of the Joe Maddon era on the North Side was so haphazard, and he points to the fact that Cubs players, himself included, lacked focus, determination, and grit last season.

As honest as you'll get from a player. Here's Baez: Cubs not always ready to start last year https://t.co/93MxaM8XAm
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 16, 2020

Looks like we've got our answer as to why the Cubs missed the playoffs.

This team is going to go as far as Baez, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rizzo take them. If they don't feel motivated to play, and if they start to treat all, rather than some, of the optional improvement opportunities as time wasted, than the team is going to follow suit.

Several key Cubs regressed in 2019, and it'll be on leaders like Baez to set an example for David Ross' group.

Javy Baez this morning on the end of Joe Maddon era: “We had a lot of optional things. Not mandatory. Everyone kind of sat back on that, including me. I wasn’t really going out there and preparing for the game. I was getting ready during the game, which is not good.” #CBS2 #Cubs pic.twitter.com/7lAD2nKfw6
— Tim Ring (@timringTV) February 16, 2020

Baez is in position to be the face of the franchise, and his attitude simply needs to be better than that. While this is just as bad of a look on Maddon as it is on the players themselves, it shows that part of the reason the Cubs' regression last year was so pronounced was indeed the fact that they simply did not put in the effort that is required out of a championship team.