Cubs Live
When Cubs President of Baseball Operations, Theo Epstein, came over to Chicago in 2011, the goal was simple... to win the World Series. To complete something that looked so far fetched with a team that just lost 91 games and finished 5th in the division. Theo Epstein took on the responsibility of trying to transform a team nicknamed the "Lovable Losers" and turn them into a team full of winners that attracted free agents. When Theo Epstein inked his five year contract with the Chicago Cubs in 2011, the rebuild began immediately.
If you ask Cubs fans in 2011, they would say "just one World Series before I die". Those are the same fans that waited 103 years, at the time, to see their beloved Cubbies win the World Series. Not to mention, those are the same fans today in 2020 that are mad at the front office, rightfully so, on doing nothing the past two off-seasons. The last time the Cubs hoisted up the World Series trophy, in 2011, was 1908. Way before radio or television was invented. Theo Epstein was determined to change the way of how the Cubs were to operate and to put them in a position to win. After a huge rebuild that included a lot of losses, a lot of number one draft picks, and a lot of trades, the 2016 season happened. The season that made all of those tough years worth it. The season that fans waited a life time for. The season that was THEE CUBS year. The Chicago Cubs won the World Series and for the first time ever Pat Hughes, the Cubs radio voice, was the first person ever to announce that over the radio air waves. The Cubs broke the 108 year curse and were on the verge of becoming the dynasty that all sports analysts talked about. A team filled with MVP Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Jon Lester, Kyle Schwarber, Kyle Hendricks, Addison Russell Albert Almora Jr were destined to do so many great things. Fast forward to 2020 and that same core has not been the dominate core they once were four years ago. There's many reasons for this: 1. Addison Russell went from a 95 RBI shortstop with a bright future to now jobless after being suspended for Domestic Violence. 2. The Cubs first round draft pick in 2012, Albert Almora Jr., turned out to be an offensive liability after batting .236 and posting an on base percentage of .271 in 2019. 3. The Cubs 2016 MVP and 2015 Rookie of the Year, Kris Bryant, has battled injuries the last few years. 4. The Cubs went from first place (2016) to last place (2019) in Major League baseball within their lead off hitter production going from a .381 on base percentage to a .294 on base percentage. The Cubs have been absolutely lost in the lead off spot with the departure of Dexter Fowler after the Cubs 2016 World Series year. 5. The front office's struggle to develop home grown starting pitching. It's always been simple and that was the plan from the start. The Cubs were going to draft position players with their high draft picks and use their high end payroll to fulfill their starting rotation. It worked in the beginning and after some pitchers aging, some injuries, and regression.. that hasn't worked out in the past few years. In 2019, The Cubs had only 44 innings thrown by home grown pitchers in the organization. To put that into perspective, in the last eight years, the most impactful home grown pitcher the Cubs have developed has been Rob Zastryzny. 6. The Cubs front office's financial miscues that have made them sit out in the past two off-seasons to not exceed the luxury tax threshold has been an issue. The Cubs are committed to $52.5 million between Jason Heyward, Craig Kimbrel, and Tyler Chatwood in 2020. Enough said. 7. September collapses in 2018 and 2019. That's just some of the issues that have plagued the Cubs within the past few years to become the dynasty they once were made out to be. Now looking into 2020 and beyond, the Cubs and their front office are looking forward and not behind. One of the most winning managers in Chicago Cubs history and successful managers the Cubs have ever had, Joe Maddon, will not be managing the Cubs for the first time since 2014. The Cubs and Joe Maddon have parted ways after the 2019 season. Right after the two parties agreed to part ways, it was reported by multiple sources, including MLBTradeRumors.Com, that the Cubs front office "drifted out of sync" with Maddon's leadership style. The Cubs have brought in back up catcher and World Series Champion, David Ross to come in and manage this Cubs core starting in 2020. This is a guy that was a back up all of his life but is described to be a great teammate, a leader, a guy that is going to hold his players/teammates accountable, and someone that is going to bring out the best in those around him. Just a few short years ago, it was Jason Heyward and Anthony Rizzo carrying David Ross off the field in Cleveland after the Cubs won the World Series in game seven and after Ross hit a home run in his final game versus one of the best relievers within Andrew Miller. So if the Cubs and the front office want to look forward and not in the past, why bring in a player from that 2016 team to coach this core? That's a good question but one that David Ross is not paying to much attention to. Many guys have voiced how well respected and well liked David Ross is and how great this hire is going to be for everyone in the organization. Entering 2020, most of this young core that debuted with the Cubs are just two short seasons away from entering free agency. After the 2021 season, Kris Bryant, Jon Lester, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, and Kyle Schwarber will be free agents. That's not to say the Cubs front office won't sign them to long term extensions. But not so fast... The Cubs President of Baseball Operations, Theo Epstein, and General Manager, Jed Hoyer's contracts end after the 2021 season with the Cubs as well. So Chicago's window to win again is right now and it's closing sooner than most may realize. 2020 is a telling year for the direction of where the organization is going to go. If the Cubs aren't in contention come July of 2020, your favorite player on this Cubs team may be getting traded. Remember, even though your fandom is as loyal as it could ever be, baseball is a business and the Cubs ownership/front office does not care about your feelings. They care about the future of their team and what the best moves are to put them in a position to win. Oh -- don't forget about caring about money because The Ricketts sure care about that. I'm sure fans can see that with their roll out of their new TV Network within Marquee Sports Network.
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Kyle MalzhanFounder who is an aspiring journalist who covers the Chicago Cubs daily. Archives
April 2020
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