Theo Epstein Speaks: Big Spending, Acquiring Pitchers, When It’ll Come Together

theo epstein about thatIn conjunction with the season ticket holder event this weekend, Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein spoke several times about the offseason, and the Cubs’ plans.

  • Epstein threw cold water, per Gordon Wittenmyer, on the idea that the Cubs will be trading top prospects this offseason to acquire big league talent and improve the near-term outlook. “In our situation, where we have to make every asset count and every dollar count and we don’t want to get in our own way with our development plan …. The possibility of trading significant assets so you can then acquire someone and then reward him with a nine-figure contract is not as appealing as keeping your core prospects if they’re guys you really believe in, and then at the right time adding that impact piece from outside the organization.” That feels like a reference to David Price, who is expected to command a gigantic extension if a team that trades for him is to retain him beyond 2015. Epstein did make sure to caveat, however, that the front office will always explore the trade market and see what’s what.
  • As mentioned earlier, Epstein was asked at the event about the Edwin Jackson signing, and his response indicated that, from a financial standpoint, if the front office knew then what they know now, they may not have proceeded with the signing, believe it was too soon. Couple that with several references to the Cubs being “a couple years away” from having the business plan come together (i.e., meat of the Wrigley renovation underway, new TV deal kicking in) at the same time as the development plan (i.e., core prospects theoretically breaking through in the bigs), and it’s starting to look like 2014 could resemble 2012 and 2013 in most meaningful ways.
  • That said, Epstein suggested to Carrie Muskat that the front office is not looking to grab a bunch of pitchers to flip at the deadline in 2014 this offseason, and instead are looking for pieces for the future. How best to square these things? The Cubs are feeling good about their pitching depth right now, such that there isn’t much reason to go out and sign several one/two-year types like they did last year. But if they can get a quality starter at a decent price that could contribute in 2015 and beyond, maybe they go out and make that happen. But there’s no urgency.
  • Supporting that theory, Epstein told Jesse Rogers about the starting pitching, “We need to add some quality. I think we’re in a little bit better position than we’ve been as far as quantity.” Masahiro Tanaka, anyone? Jed Hoyer said the Cubs would be involved in that process, and Tanaka, 25, certainly lines up with everything Epstein has laid out. That includes these comments, per Colleen Kane: “We’re going to look for moves that make sense for now and for the future. We wish there were a free agent market for young players, as we talked about. There’s not. Every now and then that situation pops up, and you harbor your resources for that one guy who might make sense.”
  • Also on the pitching side, Epstein said something interesting about the relief market. Per Carrie Muskat, Epstein said that having an open closer’s position gives the Cubs a special opportunity when shopping for a top-end reliever. That’s quite true: the ability to say to the top setup men on the market that, with you, there’s a chance to become a closer and rake in bigger bucks the next time around, is a big asset. Given the makeup of the bullpen, it already made sense for the Cubs to go after at least one reliable, veteran reliever. I think we’ll see it for sure, now.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Pablo Aliendo Goes Way Deep, Alexander Canario Goes Way Grand

    Pablo Aliendo gave the Tennessee Smokies an early lead on Tuesday night. Matching up with the Rocket City Trash Pandas, Aliendo sent a ball deep into left field during the 2nd inning. The homer gave the Smokies an early 1-0...

    Nico Hoerner Was Scratched Just Before Tonight’s Game Started

    You know that expression, when it rains, it pours? This is like that, except instead of raining, it is pouring deluxe turds. Just an absolute monsoon of shit. Another Cubs injury issue to another key Cubs player: https://twitter.com/maddie_m_lee/status/1790522697002455532 So, Nico...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Braves (6:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs were shutout in the opener against the Braves last night. And it doesn't figure to get any easier against a resurgent Chris Sale tonight. Here's how Craig Counsell will line 'em up against the 35-year-old...

    Adbert Alzolay Update: Imaging Results, Timeline, and a Sprinkle of (Unexpected) Optimism

    I had the weirdest reaction to what is objectively bad injury news on Adbert Alzolay just now. According to Meghan Montemurro, medical imaging confirmed that Adbert Alzolay has a right flexor strain. While I should have been upset to learn...

    Jed Hoyer Speaks: New Reliever, Bullpen Issues, Imanaga, Morel, Swanson, Bat Data, More

    The Chicago Cubs' President of Baseball Operations just hopped on 670 The Score On the Bernstein & Holmes Show, discussing a number of Cubs-related items. He led things off with a discussion of newly-acquired reliever, Tyson Miller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hes1lI-8ZCI So, then,...

    Shota Imanaga Favored for NL Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, MVP, Nobel Peace Prize, and an Oscar

    There is nothing Shota Imanaga can't do. Going up against one of the best teams in baseball — and best overall offenses versus LHP — on the road, without his best stuff, Shota Imanaga tossed 5.0 scoreless innings in Atlanta, with...

    MLBits: ShĹŤta and ReyLo Duel, New MLB Pipeline Top 100, Investigating the New Statcast Swing Metrics, More

    Baseball's top two pitchers in the ERA department squared off last night and did not disappoint—that and more in today's MLB Notes. Shōta Imanaga Was Awesome (Again), But So Was Reynaldo Lopez I've watched a lot of Reynaldo López, given...

    Cubs Farm Report | May 14, 2024: Top 25 Prospect Stock Report

    The Chicago Cubs minor league affiliates were off on Monday, so it's time to take stock of some recent hot (and not-so-hot) performers inside the Cubs Top 25 prospects down on the farm in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm...

    Did You Ever Wonder What Happened to Frank Schwindel?

    I've gotten back into baseball cards, which, among other things, sends me down a lot of Memory Lanes. You pull a particular card, you think about that player, and you have various memories. It's part of the fun. The other...

    Shotamania, Counsell Boot, Rotation, Wesneski, Happ, and Other Cubs Bullets

    I hope your Tuesday is treating you well. So far so good on my end ... Shota Imanaga dealt with more traffic last night than he has thus far in his debut MLB season, but hey, that's a ridiculous Braves...

    Latest News

    Pablo Aliendo Goes Way Deep, Alexander Canario Goes Way Grand

    Pablo Aliendo gave the Tennessee Smokies an early lead on Tuesday night. Matching up with the Rocket City Trash Pandas, Aliendo sent a ball deep into left field during the 2nd inning. The homer gave the Smokies an early 1-0...

    Nico Hoerner Was Scratched Just Before Tonight’s Game Started

    You know that expression, when it rains, it pours? This is like that, except instead of raining, it is pouring deluxe turds. Just an absolute monsoon of shit. Another Cubs injury issue to another key Cubs player: https://twitter.com/maddie_m_lee/status/1790522697002455532 So, Nico...

    WATCH: Caleb Williams is Already Making Connections with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen at Halas Hall

    Caleb Williams clips, however brief, will always grab my attention. Because while I can tell myself over and over again that I will not get googly eyes over spring practice videos, the reality is that I can't wait to see...

    How to Watch Phillies Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

    If you are a Philadelphia Phillies fan and looking to catch their games, you can watch most of them on TV with a cable subscription or via streaming with one of the many different apps. Let’s break down the cable...

    Connor Bedard Scored Again for Canada

    Oh hey! Blackhawks' star Connor Bedard scored his fifth goal of the World Championships for Canada on Tuesday afternoon. https://twitter.com/BN_Blackhawks/status/1790468565675483262 Bedard helped Canada sprint to a 6-1 lead... which evaporated as Austria scored five unanswered goals in the third period...

    How to Watch Yankees Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

    The Bronx is booming! Yankee Stadium crackles with energy as the New York Yankees chase another World Series title. Whether you're a die-hard Yankees fan bleeding pinstripes or a baseball enthusiast captivated by the American League East race, their remaining...

    Adbert Alzolay Update: Imaging Results, Timeline, and a Sprinkle of (Unexpected) Optimism

    I had the weirdest reaction to what is objectively bad injury news on Adbert Alzolay just now. According to Meghan Montemurro, medical imaging confirmed that Adbert Alzolay has a right flexor strain. While I should have been upset to learn...

    Kiran Amegadjie Reportedly Signed His Rookie Deal (UPDATE: It’s Officially Official)

    Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie is reportedly signing his rookie deal. NFL reporter Aaron Wilson has details on the contract, which includes: A $1.121 million signing bonus Annual workout bonus of $50,000 per year from 2025-27 Total deal worth...

    2024 PGA Championship Prize Purse and Payout Breakdown: How Much Money Does the Winner Make?

    The countdown has begun for the highly anticipated PGA Championship. As the second major of the 2024 calendar, this prestigious event will grace the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, from May 16-19. This year marks the 106th edition of the championship,...

    Lonzo Ball Shares a Very Optimistic (Nearly Unbelievable) Update on His Rehab

    Lonzo Ball's new podcast "What an Experience" didn't avoid the elephant in the room. Within the first few seconds of the inaugural episode, Ball addressed his current health status and provided an update on his return to play. To be...

    more cubs news