Following the saga of the Cubs’ highly-paid free agent outfielder was like taking a journey through the five stages of grief. First came denial: No way can he continue to be this bad. Then anger: Dammit, how can he continue to be this bad. Bargaining: Please, God, can you help him to not be this bad. Depression: This sucks, there’s no way the Cubs can win with him in the lineup. And finally, acceptance: The bat may suck, but the glove’s awesome and that speech pushed the team over the top.
But now everyone’s least favorite regular-season storyline has taken on a different tenor as it’s been laced with optimism this winter.