The Chicago Cubs are going through one of the worst years in the history of their franchise this year. That’s obviously saying a lot as I don’t have to get too much into the demise of this supposedly cursed franchise (for the record, I don’t believe in curses). However, it’s not impossible to go from worst to first in sports, and if the Cubs make some moves this winter, that could change in a heartbeat. I strongly believe the Cubs did not bring in Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, pay them the money they’re getting paid and give up the player they gave up to rebuild this thing for three to four years. I believe they’re here to keep an eye on the prize every year as well as build from the draft and trade excess contract weight. That’s very possible and I’d like to discuss the offseason as a whole.
I believe the Cubs could make a run at two big time free agents and rebuild their bullpen through free agency. I believe they could also trade some of their prospects they have–anyone but Javier Baez, Albert Almora and Jorge Soler–for some veterans that might be coming off bad years. This could be a completely revamped roster and I expect the Cubs to kick the tires of some major moves this offseason.
Tom Ricketts is dedicated to winning. He has the money to spend and he knows the fan base is becoming very impatient with the process. He’s not a dumb guy and I believe he has a plan with his management team to turn this organization around ASAP–as soon as the winter hits, perhaps.
In review, I believe the Cubs can work the trade market and make a big splash in free agency while continuing to build through the draft. The Cubs will pick in the top four next year, so they’ll be able to develop the last three draft classes while rebuilding.
We’ll see where MLB rumors take the Cubs over the winter.
Check back as I start breaking down the moves I want the Cubs to make this offseason.
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The Cubs are not possibly making any moves of note this offseason.
There’s literally one or two free agents that could POSSSIBLY make sense to the team. Everyone else is old and hardly a game changer player .
I understand that you have to write about something, and being optimistic isn’t usually a bad thing, but don’t be ridiculous,
The Cubs re CLEARLY in the middle of a 2-4 year plan, and spending money on old turds this offseason would completely destroy that!
Basically, you just have to deal with that fact that 2013 is going to be as bad if not worse than this season. The following offseason will be a blast, but you have to get out of fantasyland. Hell, you didn’t even mention anyone that would make a difference!
As I said, I don’t believe Tom Ricketts brought in the management team he did to sit on their hands this upcoming offseason. This team is 4-5 moves away from contending again in the NL Central.
The Cubs are NOT the Pirates or the Astros. This is a big market team, with owners that haven’t spent anymoney yet. As I also said, they’re going to be ACTIVE. Doesn’t mean they get anything done- but they’re going to make their phone calls and we’ll see what happens.
No one can possibly know that the process will take 4-5 years.
After one more season of struggling and getting a top draft pick, the Cubs could go on a major spending spree in 2014.
At that point, adding three major Free Agents to the handful of prospects that have come up and begun contributing would create a contender. That is a 2 year plan, 3 if they wait out for better free agents or give the young guys more time.
Spending money next year, on an AWFUL crop of free agents, isn’t happening, and wouldn’t POSSIBLY make a contender.
Nxt year e team is going to be as bad as this year, and it’s just a fact we have to accept. It’s reality
Josh Hamilton Sucks. So does Zack Greinke. Who would want those guys? You’re definitely right. 30-120 in the middle wouldn’t help anyone. An ace in the rotation wouldn’t either. Good call.
Do you actually think that the Cubs would or should give the 5-7 year deal worth more than 15 mil a season that Josh Hamilton will ask for and get?
Really? Are you being sarcastic?
Did you seriously just advocate for the Cubs to sign a 31 year old, injury prone player to one of the most expensive deals in Baseball?
By the time the rest of the young guys are up Hamilton will be in the downswing of his career! This is lunacy!
But your right, if ONLY the Cubs gave a huge, expensive deal to Zack Grienke, the guy with a 4.00 ERA over the past three full seasons! What an Ace, right? Come on!
Thanks for proving my point exactly as to why the Cba shouldn’t, and DEFINITELY won’t be making moves on big time guys this offseason. I’m sorry bud, but you need to really look at the teams situation before just yelling bout what they need…
The Cubs are playing the waiting game and being very smart about this, and making a move in an offseason that does not help them win right now (while hurting them in the years they actually want to contend) is foolish. Very foolish. And they aren’t going to consider Hamilton or Grienke. Stop thinking like Jim Hendry, those days are over. THANKFULLY!
You know, it would be helpful if you knew what you were talking about prior to posting.
Greinke had an ERA under 4 last year, and a 3.44 ERA this year prior to being traded.
Nice work.
Let me guess? You think Matt Garza is an ace right?
Would i want Josh Hamilton in the middle of my lineup? Ummmmm- yes. Yes I would.
Let me guess again, you think Josh Vitters is the answer. You think Brett Jackson is the answer.
You want to HOPE guys like Albert Almora develop in 3-4 years…Soler…Baez…while acting like the Cubs are the Royals.
Big market teams ARE able to spend money, AND rebuild at the SAME time. If you think there’s any top quality arms in the cubs system right now that have the chance to be a shut down ace- you sir are SERIOUSLY mistaken.
The Cubs are going to have to spend money to build a quality rotation- sorry to burst your bubble bro.
The Cubs have a few core guys to build around, but other than that? there’s not much there for 3 years. Tom Ricketts is paying Theo 25 million over 5 years to “rebuild for 3 years.” He’s paying him to build the organization while shedding bad payroll and reloading. The Cubs bought 2 division titles in a row- the NL central is up for grabs EVERY year so yes- I would vote on spending some money on key players while developing the system AT THE SAME TIME. I know that’s something very difficult for you to understand and I apologize for that…but on this one? I’m right.