So far, all we have heard about the Chicago Cubs is the terrific news that Theo Epstein is the new president, Jed Hoyer is the GM, Jason McLeod is the scouting director, and third base coach Mike Quade has been fired.
Now, I understand that the first order of business is to bring in their guys and to build up a a front office that had previously been one of the smallest in MLB—I get that; but there has been nary a word about who the Cubs might sign (or re-sign) for 2012.
Normally, that wouldn't bother me because I understand that rebuilding the club will take time if they want to do it the right way through the draft and organizational development.
However, Jed Hoyer said the Cubs would strive to be competitive every year. Specifically, he implied that there would be no down period with 90-100 losses, until the Cubs rebuilt their farm system to compete.
So, if that is still the goal, we need answers on what the Cubs are going to do with their own free agents, and who they may pursue in the free-agent market.
Look, I understand that a manager is the top priority, and it appears to me—as an outsider who may be wrong—that Epstein wants Terry Francona, while Hoyer wants to go in another direction.
Here is where my confusion comes in: if the Cubs had said that it will take time to build a winner, I would be more than willing to wait. After all, it's been more than a century, and unlike the previous administration, I believe in these guys.
But no, Hoyer said the Cubs would be competitive next year, which confuses me. Does that mean they are going to sign free agents until the farm develops?
Again, personally, I would be fine with waiting, but there seems to be a disconnect here.
I would love to hear what the payroll is going to be in 2012, and who is in and who is out among current Cubs (especially Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano).
I do not expect the Cubs to be champs overnight just because they have brought in competent leadership.
But the Cubs themselves have created this expectation by saying what Hoyer said, instead of taking the opportunity to remind Cubs fans that rebuilding takes time.
My concern is that Epstein and Co. understand there is a need to rebuild, but Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts has indicated the organization cannot afford to wait, as it needs to make money in the short term.
Sure, Hoyer's comparison is with the 2010 San Diego Padres, who won 90 games, but what good did that really do for them, considering they didn't win anything and went back to losing in 2011?
That sounds too much like Jim Hendry, I'm afraid.
To sum up my confusion, I understand what the Cubs want to be long term, I just don't know how they are going to reconcile that goal while attempting to win in 2012.
Marcel Goc Jamie Lundmark Nick Spaling Pikka Rinne Mathieu Carle Lars Eller
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