But what really justifies this approach to assembling a pitching staff is the all-around defensive unit behind the man on the mound. The Chicago Cubs are, by an extremely wide margin, the best defensive team in baseball. On the year, he's got a 3.58 ERA in 75 1/3 innings - and a far less palatable 4.86 FIP. Hoyer knows the strengths of his team and what plays well with this standout defensive group ready to take away hits. Given the results we've seen this year (which are even more impressive given the sheer volume of arms the team has burned through), it justifies Hoyer's aversion to mega-contracts for late-inning arms.