“It’s probably the first time agents can come into our suites without having to look both ways to make sure no one sees them coming in,” joked Cubs president Theo Epstein in talking to reporters last night at the GM Meetings in Phoenix. He added, “We’re no longer the runt of the litter, I guess.” More on the Cubs as they embark on what seems likely to be their most active offseason since 2006-07…
- Epstein further explained, “We have a couple of the most important currencies in the game: some payroll flexibility and some good young players. So it opens up a world of possibilities and makes it more fun.” The Cubs are known for the game’s best stash of position player prospects, and their commitments for 2015 will likely come in not much over $50MM.
- Epstein commented on his previous relationship in Boston with free agent lefty Jon Lester, saying, “Free agents in general, they’re going to make good decisions for themselves and for their family and try to find a place where they can win and be comfortable and find a contract that works for them. To the extent that relationships help reassure players about those different factors, then (our relationship is) relevant. It establishes a comfort and trust. But beyond that…he’s going to have his pick.”
- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune also has Epstein’s thoughts on adding a reliever to put together a shutdown bullpen, as was on display in this year’s World Series. As Sullivan writes, the bullpen doesn’t seem to be a priority for the Cubs, and Epstein is careful to draw conclusions based on the Fall Classic.
- In his talk with reporters yesterday, Epstein made multiple mentions of “the next 15 months,” suggesting he’s got an eye on the 2015-16 free agent class as well.
I’m an O’s fan but I hope the Cubs make good decisions and end up with a winning team following this off-season. That fan base has suffered long enough lol.
Amen
I find sports are more entertaining when the biggest markets are competitive.
Imagine the TV ratings with the Cubs in the World Series…
You must have loved the years where the Yankees and Sox won most of the time.
I’m a Jays fan, so I don’t like it when they win all the time, but popular teams doing well grows the sport overall, which is great for baseball
Making it more like the Harlem Globetrotters versus the Washington Generals may increase revenue, but great for the sport – I don’t agree.
Sorry, not sure I follow your analogy…Why is having two large market teams in the World Series comparable to the Harlem Globetrotters vs. Washington Generals?
How did we get to two large market teams? Maybe they should just consolidate to a half dozen or so super teams.
If there were only 12 teams in the largest markets, Boston wouldn’t have a team. Nice try though. My point was that traditionally popular teams grow the sport, and you compared it to the Washington Generals. I still have no idea what you meant…
You’re being disingenuous. I didn’t compare the large market teams to the Generals, I compared them to the Globetrotters.
ah fair enough. regardless, if you’re looking to grow the game worldwide, the big market teams/teams with the largest fan bases need to be competing
I know it’s an ongoing issue to remodel Wrigley, and being the highest bidder is probably enough, but I wonder if the park facilities during the season are a factor in a free agent’s decision just as is the field surface. I recall Eric Karros being asked on the radio what he felt was a cause of the Cubs difficulties over the years, and him describing going down to a room the size of a closet to take some swings.
There is no longer an ongoing issue to remodel Wrigley. It is now ongoing construction. The Bleachers are basically gone already, and they will have the 2nd largest players facility in all of baseball soon. Shovels are in the ground.
Cubs will instantly be pretty scary if they make a couple good signings and get decent production from the prospects.
I’d say that the comments of “Next 15 months” means that they plan on making a serious splash or two this winter. Then they will watch how particular prospects and young talent pan out over the first 3 months of the season, and possibly head to the July trade deadline more as a buyer than a seller for the first time in a few years. Finally, they will assess where they are come this time next year, and make another splash or two in order to fill whatever holes they may still have. All leading to what will probably be a record somewhere around .500 in 2015, but a serious playoff push in 2016.