Though Cubs manager Joe Maddon is entering the final season of his contract, the organization will not explore an extension during the offseason to come. President of baseball operations Theo Epstein announced the news, which Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times was among those to cover (via Twitter).
Maddon, who was hired just after the end of the 2014 season, has already served four of the five years covered by his initial contract. Now 64 years of age, Maddon has been at the helm for a period of remarkable success. The club has a .597 winning percentage and one World Series title in that span.
That success has not come without whispers of some internal tension, though it’s always hard to know how much stock to put in that kind of talk. For his part, Epstein has made clear that he’s not looking to make a change in the managerial role and has continue to praise Maddon. Still, it’s plenty notable that a new deal won’t come until late in the 2019 season (or thereafter), if at all.
Today Epstein emphasized again that this isn’t a final decision, as Wittenmyer also covers (Twitter links). “We’re not running away from Joe in the least,” he said, “but given that we all have things that we’re working on to get more out of this team and to be one game better than we were last year, this is the appropriate move.”
Interestingly, the top Chicago baseball decisionmaker also made clear that this is a “pivotal year” for the organization as a whole, not just Maddon. “It’s time to produce or else there’s a chance for significant change for the group,” he said, seemingly referring to all levels of the organization including the front office. (Of course, Epstein and his key lieutenants are under contract through 2021.) It’s a bit of a harsh assessment given how well things have gone, but it seems that Epstein (and also, perhaps, his own bosses) are looking to keep expectations high entering an interesting offseason.
I don’t think it’s a harsh assessment considering the money they’ve spent (wisely or otherwise). Businesses tend to want a return on their investment, and the Cubbies should be making the playoffs every year these days.
As long as you count the wild card game, they have made the playoffs every year.
I dont think Cubs fans count it. They were the #1 seed in the NL all the way until game 162 and didnt even make the division seires..
I count it. They still had the 2nd best record in the NL. Wild card game counts as the playoffs.
At game 162, they had the best record in the NL. They lost game 163 and the WC.
I have been a Cubs fan for 30 years and I admit, I expect them to win every year with these players. But we have also become spoiled with all of the success. There were many long periods where a winning record was a good season. Heck, a single win in a playoff game was amazing. Getting to the NLCS seemed impossible. Now we expect a WS trophy every year or we want to run members of the team/front office through a Walk of Atonement.
the record book counts it… but weve been spoiled rhe last few years, and even if theyd won the division – i wouldnt have counted it they got swept in the nlds.
Brewers were ahead of them from May 17th until June 11th.
A Game of Thrones reference in a Cubs thread. You have joined my two favorite things on TV.
Nobody wins every year with any set of players. A lot of money was spent last winter with virtually no return. Was that Maddon’s fault?
The Cubs, Cardinals, Pirates, and Reds all won the same number of Playoff games this year.
As we should. As should any fan base of a big market franchise. We’ve been brainwashed to accept the mediocre.
I know, and that’s as it should be… I probably should have said “the Cubbies need to be going deeper than one game into the playoffs each year.” My bad!
This is the first year under Maddon’s tenure that they haven’t made the NLCS.
True. but look at how they went out in 2015, 2017 amd 2018. Those werent hard fought exits. not sayinf the team quit, or didnt try, but their offe se has disappeared every October.
“Their offense disappeared every October”
And you blame Maddon for the offense going dark in 3 championship series and one Wild Card Game?
Maddon is also the highest paid manager in the majors. Most clubs aren’t paying there managers 6 mil plus. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this relationship end at seasons end. Though I doubt Maddon gets anywhere near that figure managing another ball club because those kind of deals just don’t happen anymore.
Yup. It’s likely about the money. They can’t really be disappointed in the results.
The Cubs want a dynasty and so do their fans. Playing ” numerology” with no set lineup will not get them there.
Its a harsh assesment considering wrigley is just a cash cow giant beer garden. maddon has done better than his predecessors in the past 40 years.
Theo has brought in the younger talent and rebuilt wrigley ala boston, but his free agent signings arent that good and that is what maddon has to work with. Time for a new gm, Push the rest up the ladder. Dont go overboard and sign old free agents like the giants did. Sorry jed hoyer, you dont get much credit.
There hasn’t been one FA signed that the vast majority of Cubs fans weren’t behind at the time. It’s easy to criticize in hindsight. I haven’t seen data on it, but it seems FA signings in large are a gamble heavily tilted to the signee. The good ones get the ink & accolades, and the bad ones the ink & pitchforks. In the middle, I’d bet there’s a lot of “eh.” None of the FAs Theo signed were paid over the market (like Soriano) and all were in competitive markets. I can’t blame them for ones that didn’t pan out based on the bias of hindsight.
Let’s be clear…did Theo actually “announce” this or did he just answer a question? To me those are two separate framings of Maddon getting an extension. MLBTR usually provides a filter in these instances.
Joe has had his day, and Theo is right there with him.
As happens with all professional sports, others have caught up and passed them.
The Cubs are now doing what Theo’s Red Sox teams did his last 3 or 4 years there; what George Steinbrenner did for over 20 years until Gene Michael and other baseball people finally got through to him; and what the Angels did under Gene Autry once free agency started right through today – minus the Bill Stoneman GM years…….
Throw money at whoever are this years name, hot, sexy free agents to fill holes. That’s because the farm systems prospects were traded off for high priced veterans, and the front office is incapable of making subtle, smart, surgical trades that gets the team to jell.
Joe’s maneuvering of players in which they can’t get their rhythm and timing down – especially pitchers – will make him the fall guy in 2019. Then the Ricketts family will – like others before them – realize that the cycle has run its course.
The farm system wasn’t traded off for high priced veterans. A whole bunch of them are wearing WS rings. A few were used as trade tokens, yes – but the criticism that the farm system was drained by bad trades is patently wrong.
Bob;
Some of the Cubs came through the farm system. And yes, they won the WS. But people can’t live off of that for 10-15 years.
The Cubs farm system today has few quality prospects to trade, or to bring up to play a major role for the team. Torres was traded off for Chapman in the stretch run. Prospects were traded off for Hamels this year. There were others in between. The only meaningful way to fill holes to improve the team in the past few years was/is to take on salary in trade, or sign high-priced free agents.
This is Epstein’s pattern, and that of many others. At some point the owner has a high payroll of past their prime players that aren’t going to get any better, and a front office asking for tens – and maybe millions – of more dollars to sign what may well be another Jason Heyward. Sustained winning involves constantly adding young, cheap players with a future on to the team. Name me some for 2019.
No pity, even on job security. Look how much he’s paid, 2019
its not about money, its about power. it is very easy for a team to quit on a manager that doesnt have a multi-year contract.
Non-story. This kind of stuff happens all the time.
In order to assess what someone is truly worth, you wait until the deal is almost near completion.
It’s fair to the team, and it’s fair to the manager. That’s the correct thing to do, as things change.
Someone should tell that to the SF Chronicle. They were convinced we were doing Beane, Forst and Melvin wrong, because they’re idiots and don’t actually know anything.
All three proved they were what the team needed, and were rewarded handsomely.
People read the Chron?
Unfortunately. I think everyone would be better off if they didn’t read the SF Chronicle’s sporting section. Bunch of nonsense written by idiots that don’t have degrees in sports journalism.
Can I let you in on a little secret? I have a degree in journalism and covered pro sports, including MLB – most people in the profession with such a degree, or without, are not that smart about the subjects they cover and/or anything else.
I know more people outside of media who could do a better job and I say that sincerely.
I mean that would have been news to me last year. This year it wouldn’t take much to convince me that that is true.
@CharlesR yes as someone who’s job it is to scan sports media nationwide, one common theme I noticed once SABR took off was was massive criticism of it from the onset, almost immediately followed by citation of it once it became standard measure. smdh ridiculous
There’s nothing wrong with Susan Slusser’s A’s coverage; she works hard and knows what’s going on. Now if you’re talking about some of the Chronicle columnists, well yeah. they’re not the brightest.
Alex Cora took the Red Sox all the way to a World Series Title (as well as the best record in the majors) all while making less than $1M/season. Aaron Boone took the Yankees to the second best record in the majors making (I think) ~$1.3M/season.
Why would the Cubs pay Maddon over $6M at all? They’re cutting payroll at the one place they can: the manager’s position.
Managers salary is not part of the team payroll for luxury tax and $6m is nothing to the cubs money machine
lol the cubs are not the money machine you think they are right now…the luxury tax is around 206 mil this year and after arbitration hits the cubs will be around 220 mil…so don’t expect the cubs to be in on the big free agents this years….plus you better hope Brandon Morrow is healthy and the cubs have other holes to fill if they want to get better…they gave away Drew Smyly to the Rangers so they could save money…I think you exaggerate this big Money Machine
Manager‘s salaries don‘t count against the cap, and $5 million gets a mediocre backup nowadays, so the only real question is if the Cubs really want Maddon back.
He’s a manager. I doubt his salary counts against the Cubs payroll. His pay is a non-issue. How he runs the team, and the results of that performance will determine his future in Chicago. Some of the players have complained offline about the lack of continuity in the lineup. In short, Joe experiments too much. Guys want to know they’ll be rewarded for playing well with starts at one position. If they don’t get to the NLCS in’19, he won’t be retained.
I’d say that the only way they consider a new contract is if they win the WS next year. Seems as though Theo an Co. are ready to move on.
I’m not a huge fan of his. I respect what he did for the Cubs and I do like some of the things he has done. With that being said I think this could and should be his last year.
‘cuz managers don’t count against the luxury tax and if you’ve got the guy you want, why let him walk over money a team like the Cubs can basically print for themselves?
if the Cubs like Maddon and Maddon likes the Cubs, pinching pennies doesn’t make any sense
Just because it doesn’t count against this tax or that tax doesn’t mean they’re not paying him. The team can save $5M+ a year if they hire a new manager. That’s not an insignificant amount of money for a position that is largely interchangeable on an elite team.
it’s an insignificant amount of money for a team that makes as much money as the Cubs every year. replacing him with another proven manager costs at least 3 million a season, replacing him with an unproven one is a total crap shoot and likely not worth the ‘savings’
anybody who honestly believes the Cubs need to ‘cut costs’ that badly and that, well, stupidly, hasn’t really thought it through
I didn’t say they needed to cut costs. But they will where they can, and where they can is the manager.
Maybe it’s not about the money, maybe like the Yankees and Girardi they just want a change of leadership. Either way, they can’t be unhappy with what Maddon has delivered.
and i’m pointing out that the idea of ‘cutting costs’ by downgrading to a cheaper manager is the kind of cost cutting that makes no practical sense. odds are you’re getting less production out of the team as a whole and ‘saving’ the kind of money that won’t even buy you a bad middle reliever.
You can make other arguments as to why the Cubs may want a change of direction at the position, that’s all well and good. But trying to make it about the money is just silly.
5 million dollars in baseball doesn’t go far, when half of that at least is going to his replacement, it goes even less far. It literally IS an insignificant amount of money, since it’s not enough one way or the other to let the team to do anything of significance.
And you’re talking about young managers that inherit a team that are built to win now or almost there. Granted both teams had great improving years, but I’m not sure if was one of those “we couldn’t have done it without him” type of managers
It does seem that Maddon has used his bullpen and bench in rather questionable ways. The Dodgers and Cubs have both fallen in love with platoons, and while I think it works over the course of 162, I don’t like it for postseason series. The platoon situation isn’t all Maddon’s fault however, he has a bunch of mediocre to slightly above mediocre players, and he lacks the quality bats outside of Rizzo, Bryant and Baez that can lead a lineup every day. Almora, Happ, Schwarber, Caratini, Heyward and Zobrist are all average to above average, but it’s time to start making some 2 or 3 for 1 deals to bring more impact in.
As far as Maddon goes as a manager, I think he’s a great 2-3 year manager, but how many fun and quirky tactics along with catchy one-liners can you use with adults before it kinda becomes stale? The kids love it, guys who haven’t seen it before probably appreciate the freshness of it, but after you’ve seen it a couple times, it’s probably hard to be motivated by it.
Joe Giradi overwhelming favorite to manage the 2020 Cubs
Yep! Unless Madden wins it all that’s the only way he comes back!
Are you only saying that because he has an Italian name?
Joe Girardi would be a fine choice to succeed Joe Maddon as the next Cubs manager. There is another solid candidate that should not be overlooked and one just as familiar to Theo Epstein as Maddon and Girardi…Buck (Naked) Showalter.
Girardi has done embarrassingly little with the amount of talent and resources he was given. I think he’s a swell guy – but no thanks.
Joe is the next fall guy for Theo when they underachieve.. again next year.
Yeah who’s fault is it that the team has a bloated payroll and has a completely drained farm system? I’m not saying Maddon is without fault but Epstein is more to blame for the Cubs present (and future) shortcomings than anything Maddon could be scapegoated for.
A few years from now they can bring in Dombrowski to fix the Cubs problems.
Cubs were tied for the best record in the NL after 162 games. The roster is hardly a dumpster fire.
Theo is equally responsible for overseeing a complete organizational overhaul that yielded a World Series championship.
This team is hardly constrained by its contract obligations. They will have a new TV deal next year. That will likely be a massive new revenue stream.
The team is constrained by whatever budget the Rickett’s family sets. That seems to be lower than what most Cubs fans think it is or should be, but none of us actually know what that budget is.
Budget aside, Theo has done a great job of tanking and rebuilding. They drafted well, sold assets with amazing (AMAZING) returns, and built a great solid young core.
Then the Cubs went into classic “win now” mode and sold off future assets for current value. It has worked, they have been the team to beat. But it does look like the window is starting to fog up a bit. There are two ways to markedly improve on problem areas short term (2-3 years): trade from the MLB roster or sign FA. Theo still showed why he makes the big bucks with the Hamels acquisition, but his FA ventures of late make the Cubs future a little less clear and daunting for other NL Central teams.
All that said, they could just bring back the same roster and probably be the division favorites.
You must be a carpenter. Because you hit the nail on the head!
Maddon wrung as many wins out of this team this year as he could given CHC’s horrible offseason moves a year ago. I still don’t know how they won 95 games with that starting staff.
Cubs played one more game than the Baltimore Orioles. What cruelty.
Two more games. Tiebreaker and wild card
2 more.
What have you done for me lately?
Theo isant going to fire himself.
Almost managed a couple of losses in WS – screws with lineup to much – time to move on from the wizard.
Good to kick that question down the way a bit. I mean seriously. If this season becomes a disaster, does anyone else really think the Cubs are going to sit pat and not blow up the better part of the roster and hire a new manager? Hopefully third time is a charm with this crew as it seems we may be destined to roll for one more trip with them.
People looking on the bright side- the Cubs won 95 games and “made the playoffs.”
People who actually analyze the team’s performance- the Cubs blew a 5.5 game lead on the Milwaukee Brewers. The team stopped hitting. Albert Almora, Ian Happ, and Kyle Schwarber all split playing time, even when one of them was on a hot streak, Joe would sit him. As a result, the trade value of all of them has been lowered. To cap it off, the Cubs lost the division by 1 game, and Joe Maddon gave up on several games throughout the season. The most egregious and unacceptable of these was the final game during the August series with the Mets when Joe bragged about how silly his lineup was. Instead of sweeping that series, the Cubs won 3 of 4.
Joe might not be responsible for the performance of these hitters at the plate, but he is responsible for setting back their development and lowering their trade value by not even giving the team an opportunity to showcase them.
Theo is not innocent. He has handcuffed this organization with bad deals and trades. Chatwood/Heyward/Darvish are all busts. He traded Torres and didn’t resign Chapman. He acquired Wade Davis and didn’t resign him.
All that being said, the real culprit is Tom Ricketts. He is a cheap owner and should sell the team to someone who cares. The Cubs are a billion dollar organization and Ricketts only cares about profits, not winning. The Cubs could easily spend this offseason while they have this window and then lower spending after 2021-2022. But instead, Ricketts is playing it cheap. If Theo was not handcuffed by Ricketts then Theo would never have signed Tyler Chatwood, but knowing that he didn’t have the budget to spend on Darvish and another quality starter, Theo was forced to go shopping in the bargain bin for 1 of 2 starters, and he got burned with Tyler Chatwood.
So, does Joe need to go? Meh, the Cubs need to trade some players and take away some of his toys so he can’t do these silly lineups. Aside from that, Ricketts is the main problem.
People also kinda’ forget that the Cubs have had a fantastic run the last few seasons and there’s simply not enough actual data that tells us whether or not this year was a fluke or the beginning of a decline…
I think where the Cubs are right now is trying to figure out internally if they wanna commit big dollars to maintain the team as current constructed, plus a few big additions, or whether they wanna do some retooling before they do find themselves in as dire straights as some people want to believe
part of that also involves deciding if Maddon is their guy for the next 5 years.
The chat wood and darvish contracts would have been definite no’s in my book. They’re they result of hot guy on the market ploy and paying top dollar. Two years ago fans wanted to rip Baez head off and now he has this upside
I like Baez but teams and fans overreact. Teams always buying too fast and fans always wanting to trade and sell people for one bad year. They do have to get one of those pitchers chatwood or darvish off the books. Most likely chatwood. Once the cubs win a playoff series again we will think everythign is right again.
Probably one of the better insights on Cubs baseball that I have seen on this site. Thanks for the post.
Amar
I think this post is a bit over the top. No team should be expected to sweep a four game series. I don’t think the Ricketts are cheap. They are definitely spending enough and it’s not guaranteed if they spend more that they will win the World Series.
The Cubs were 16-12 in September They did lose a couple of series to Milwaukee. Those were the only series they lost during that time. But you know what, the Brewers were on fire and the hungrier team. Even if the Cubs won that “one more game”, they likely would have lost the NLDS to them.
The 2018 Cubs never seemed to catch fire, for better OR worse. They are still a very good team in the golden age for the franchise during all Cubs fans’ lifetime. And we should expect them to make the adjustments to make and go deeper in the postseason next year. Mason is the guy to manage them for 2019. If he can change a bit to help them improve, he’ll be the guy for the next couple of years, too.
Whose mason?
That’s what I call Joe after we drink wine together.
I seriously think it could be at the very least argued that 2018 may have been the best season Maddon has had managing with the cubs, missing Bryant, his closer, yu, for good parts of the season and still managing 95 wins is harder to do than most realize. I think they resign him at some point next year, barring some kind of huge meltdown..
To some extent, I agree that Joe Maddon wasn’t the central problem that the Chicago Cubs had last year. The Cubs won 95 games, but they won nothing, no division title to hang our hats on, and they didn’t advance 1 game into the playoffs. What is worse is that he sacrificed the development of Schwarber, Almora, Happ, etc. for the sake of winning 95 meaningless games and having nothing to show for it.
But overall, you’re correct. Theo has made a ton of awful moves. Joe Maddon didn’t have Yu Darvish because Yu Darvish is not dependable, but Theo gave him over $100 million anyways. Theo traded Jiminez for Q, thus far, Q has been ok, but not worth a top prospect. He traded Torres for Chapman. Ok, awesome. But then he didn’t re-sign Chapman (is that one on Ricketts or Theo)? He traded Soler for Wade Davis. Ok, awesome. But then he didn’t re-sign Wade Davis (Theo or Ricketts)? The Cubs had two of the best closers in baseball and they pitched amazingly well for the Cubs, and Theo/Ricketts did not re-sign them. Theo signed Tyler Chatwood because he thought he was getting a bargain. Again, this would not have occurred if Ricketts had opened up his purse a little more. Jason Heyward, an ok defensive player who is not worth his salary.
So, some of this is on Theo, but I believe this: Theo won, despite Ricketts. Theo had to try and be clever with trades and signings because Ricketts cares more about profits than winning. Sometimes, the cleverness worked, and other times, he got burned. When you roll the dice this many times, when you play with matches, eventually, you’re going to get burned.
The first warning sign about Ricketts being cheap was when the Cubs were rumored to sign 2 big free agents for 2015. Jon Lester and Max Scherzer. Anyone remember that? They had the money that year to do it, and what happened? The Cubs signed Jon Lester and John Lackey. John Lackey, far from Max Scherzer. Let’s not forget that if the Cubs had done that then that years rotation would have featured CY Young Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, and Max Scherzer, and that trio probably would not have been eliminated from the NLCS. So this happens every year with Ricketts. He brags about all the money the Cubs make, he brags about TV deals, and then he holds back finishing the team.
This year, let’s hope, the Cubs don’t shop in the bargain bin again, it will only make things worse, and that Ricketts allows Theo to complete the team. If not, the Cubs will be run over again by Milwaukee.
Also, let’s not forget that the whole idea behind “tanking” is that while you’re “rebuilding and tanking,” you are saving a ton of money, and while you’re “winning and have a window to win,” you are spending a ton of money.
That strategy is bad enough and bad enough for the sport, but what’s worse is when an owner has the window to win and doesn’t spend, even with the promise of savings in years to come. That’s just greed.
Tom Ricketts should sell the Chicago Cubs if he is going to act this way, but he will not because the Chicago Cubs are a cash cow, and he is purely greedy.
Joe was also the only manager in the playoff race to go with a 6 man starting rotation in September giving away 4-5 games. They lost every game that was started by Mills and 1 game started by Garcia I believe. He wore out the bullpen by pulling starting pitchers after 5 innings forcing the front office to trade for questionable relief pitchers. Chavez worked out. Kintzler was a disaster and has a player option for 2019 he picked up.
As a Cubs fan, I think Joe constantly lineup shuffling works for some of the position players to get them at bats and into the games. I have a feeling the starting pitchers hate the lack of confidence he has in them refusing to let them pitch to a lineup a 3rd time thru the order. And with over $100 mill invested in the starting rotation, I think Theo will choose the $100 mill investment in starting pitching over Joe’s very questionable handling of a pitching staff.
There is criticism that can be given to Theo for the Chatwood and Morrow signings. Chatwood never showed anything but the SABR stat geeks loved his numbers. Morrow can’t stay healthy. I don’t know how wise it was to guarantee a roster spot to a closer that can’t pitch 3 days a week. Darvish has had success and despite the TJ season and a half has mostly been healthy so Theo gets a mulligen there.
Maddon never really was much as a manager. That’s not saying he was a BAD manager; just that he isn’t the type that can squeeze another 5-7 wins out of any roster. His greatest attribute is that he buys wine for all the beat reporters, so of course they fawn over him and opine how great he is. And he’s slightly off-center, personality-wise; at least he’s entertaining.
He took a maturing Rays team to the playoffs, then did the same with the Cubs. Really, any of dozen managers could have done the same (tho to be fair, some would have messed it up).
As for the 5M, ya, it doesn’t count against any “cap”. But 5 million is a lot of millions; many a GM has been fired over less.
Yet another factor; both Maddon and Theo have HUGE egos. Once the going gets a little rough, divorce is almost guaranteed. And Theo is the boss. Guess who loses that one.
another 5-7 wins? I think you are highly overvaluing the impact a manager has on a baseball team.
Probably another Mgr. would of won at least 2 titles with this group. Maddon is horrible in game Mgr. Never understood the love affair the media had with him.
Not true. For the last 2 seasons that is. Theo got very reckless after 2016 and even the move that put them over the top put a dent in their window. 2015 they had a chance but decided not to show up vs the Mets
Some might even say the Cubs were fortunate to win their one title in 2016 considering his overall postseason managing. If the Cubs hadn’t regrouped and pulled out that 7th game in extra innings versus the Indians it’s likely that Maddon would have already been launched.
Good. “Genius” Joe is on notice for the 2019 season and with his job at stake. If the Cubs get off to a poor start like 2017 there will be zero reason not to launch him at any point during his lame duck year.
For those disappointed by this season’s losses in 162 and the Play-In game, I have to say having watched the rest of the playoffs, they wouldn’t have won a World Series.
I know “anything can happen in the playoffs” but they just weren’t hitting and the bullpen wasn’t reliable.
Remember when the Pirates won 98 games & the Cubs won 97; but Arrieta beat Cole in the WC? So this year? Karma, Cub fans. I think it was even sweeter because the Cubs lost twice. Madden continues to be overrated everywhere but in his own mind.
karma for what? beating the Pirates is a fair game isn’t some cosmic wrong
There’s nothing “harsh” about holding the people you pay millions to, accountable. I take issue with those who thrash Theo for the signings that haven’t panned out. Heyward and Chatwood in particular. There were other teams in on both of them but Theo got the deals done. Now, on the other side, he’s been hammered for it. He bet on past performance and the players let him and us down. Maddon? Yes, he was the manager of the team that finally won a championship, but I would argue that they won it in spite of him. Now, he’s being held accountable for next year without an extension. Seems to me, we’re gonna find out how good of a manager he really is in 2019. Good for you, Theo.
Yup. Exactly. Well said.
Is it normal to announce that you aren’t extending someone?
In other news, the Cubs have not yet begun extension talks with the other 7 billion people on Earth either.
I’ve said this for many, many years; Joe Maddon is vastly overrated and believes his own hype.
Cubs best moves would be to do nothing or very little. They have talent level to win it all still, just very hard for breaks to go your way every year. What are they gonna do, sign Harper or Machado? At cost of not being able to afford Baez, Bryant, and Contreras when they are up for free agency? It’s not about the tv deal and unlimited money, it’s luxury tax that eventually gets all teams regardless of budget. They should trade some of Russell, happ, schwarber etc, for prospects to rebuild farm system. Imagine if they still had eloy and Torres and others? They can’t just sign the biggest free agents every year and think that’ll fix the problem, or they will need to tank again at some point. Haven’t they learned from the Soriano deal? They had this great young core that was inexpensive then Theo ruined it with rental trades and bad contracts. Tough to draft well from bottom of picks so another tank is coming unless changes are made. As Cards fan I hope they add Harper to crowded OF and further neglect their true needs which is pitching and farm system.
I agree that they have to do little. Even without Russell, they still have good depth in the infield. In the OF, still think Happ and Kyle can improve their hitting. They have enough starting pitching. Just need a couple relievers, maybe a backup catcher to give Caratini some competition. They should win at least 90 games and be in the hunt for a division title.
Doesn’t look like the Ricketts will splurge on Harper or Machado.
These aren’t your 2016 Cubs. At best, they’re a WC team heading into 2019. They have much work to do if they want to win a championship. Sporadic offense, and lack of a reliable closer will send them packing in any WC game.
I really have a hard time on this sporadic offense thing—they did the exact same thing in 2016—they played 17 playoff games and were shut out in FOUR of those games and scored one in another. They won the World Series that year. There was a little bit of an extreme this past season, but it’s not really that different. Sporadic offense is an excuse that just doesn’t need to be made–the just lost to the Brewers and the Rockies. The Rockies lost to the Dodgers and the Brewers.
The 2016 Cubs had Aroldis Chapman closing out games, sometimes from the 8th inning on. They currently lack a reliable, elite closer.
There’s no need to extend him right now. Their priority should be a starter and a lead off guy. Aj pollock would look great in Cubs blue. They have almora who in limited playing time did great in center field. He has 4 of the best plays made in 3 game series at coors field.
They can add Pollock to their list of fragile, overpaid players who won’t be in the lineup past August.
Oh man I was at two of those games at Coors field and saw all of those catches. It was truly an amazing defensive performance to witness.
I was at all 3 it really was. The 3rd game I was at the mile high bar area (forgot the name) I had a great view of him making those plays and directly below me i saw Heyward lose the ball in the sun.
breaking news: chicago media to fire joe maddon.
Stop teasing and link a source.