Below, I’ve collected some of the highlights from their chat and added some thoughts of my own. Enjoy.
There’s certainly some fluffier bits at the top of the conversation, but it’s still pretty interesting. Epstein addresses what the team must do mentally to get back to where they were last season and when winning the World Series “really kicked in.” Most of it is stuff we’ve heard before, but there’s certainly nothing bad in hearing Epstein talk about the Cubs.
[adinserter block=”1″]
Asked when (or really, whether or not) a wave of starting pitching will ever emerge from the Minor Leagues, Epstein claims that the Cubs have “at least three super talented guys at the lower to mid-levels” who have a chance, but that’s not how he likes to think about his organization’s pitching (ah, but who does he see as the three!?!? Cease, de la Cruz, Clifton? Albertos? Inquiring minds want to know!). While you can “plan” around your young position players, pitchers are a whole different story (TINSTAAPP). Epstein doesn’t beat around the bush with this one, basically adding that if there was one thing he’s learned throughout all these years is that your pitching plans always “blow up on you.”
Epstein continues by adding that of the two avenues they could have taken, he (clearly) believes that building around position players (in the draft and through trades/international signings) is the way to go. At the same time, you’ll obviously always have pitching needs, but Epstein prefers to address them year by year (with the hope that one or two guys can emerge here or there).
While we knew that Epstein preferred to build around position players, because obviously, I’ve never quite heard him explain the year-to-year pitching strategy out loud. We’ve certainly seen him piece together really great rotation after rotation, but I don’t believe they’ve ever conceded it was a dedicated approach. Perhaps they might not use as many resources to target that young cost-controlled starting pitcher as we originally imagined/expected.
After dealing with widely being considered the favorites last Spring, this Cubs team is well-equipped to deal with any labels placed on them this year. Whether it’s favorites, defending Champs, trying to repeat, or anything else, they’re just going to play their game their way, like always.
[adinserter block=”2″]
Epstein’s goal for the Cubs, now that he’s won the World Series, is to continue developing the organization into one whose culture is bigger than any one person. To use Kaplan’s examples, he wants the Cubs to be in the model of Alabama football or the New England Patriots – an organization that expects winning and creates their own luck. And apparently, he very much expects that to carry into the non-player personnel, as well. They’re not quite there yet, but it sounds like a swell plan.
And, for what it’s worth, Epstein believes that the key to building a successful organization top to bottom is transparency. They were transparent about the rebuild (which bought them credibility), they were transparent about “embracing the target” last year, and as the favorites again this year, they’ll continue to be transparent about their goals and motivations. Again, excellent.
Moving on, Epstein reiterated that Jason Heyward had “a remarkable offseason,” and that he’s never seen a player of his caliber (and contract) work as hard as he has this winter. Apparently, he was in the Spring Training facility almost every single day this offseason. More importantly, Epstein believes that Heyward’s swing is “so much better” now than it was at this time last year. If you want some encouragement on Heyward’s progress, with some specifics on how he looks in batting practice (different from last year) I suggest you check out the rest of Epstein’s remarks around the 14:00 min mark.
Epstein also – fairly candidly – discussed Kyle Schwarber’s immediate future (like 2017) as a catcher, and I bet it’ll surprise you [Brett: It actually did surprise me a little bit]. I think, by now, we had all come to expect that for this season Schwarber was mostly going to be something just greater than an emergency catcher, but it sounds like he’ll be more of a true third catcher instead. While Epstein admits that there are really just two full-time catchers (Willson Contreras and Miguel Montero) in 2017, the existence of Schwarber and his ability to catch will be used to create more favorable match-ups before and during games. And furthermore, Epstein added that even if Schwarber’s limited this year, that doesn’t mean he can’t catch more often down the road.
[adinserter block=”3″]
Ian Happ, Eloy Jimenez, Jeimer Candelario, and Chesny Young have each impressed the big man this Spring, but Jimenez is one player that has really caught Epstein’s eye (naturally). “The balance and presence in the batters box is really impressive,” said Epstein after commenting on how Jimenez only just turned 20 years old.
Epstein also heaped tons of praise on Jeimer Candelario, mentioning that if it weren’t for the glut of young position players already on the roster, Candelario would be getting a ton of attention throughout the league. But sooner or later, Epstein was sure to add, he’s going to force his way into the Cubs plans.
There’s a hilarious anecdote about the Red Sox *not* signing/drafting Justin Grimm, despite Epstein’s strong push for it that you’ll want to listen and chuckle over. And it also reveals a bit about Epstein’s draft strategy and how he’s been forced to adapt over the years as the rules change.
Epstein believes that lefty Brian Duensing is an underrated guy who might prove to be a big part of the bullpen in 2017. Needing someone to get those “big outs” against tough lefties late in the game seems to be especially important to Epstein, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Duensing – who is in on a modest big league deal, by the way – make the team right out of camp.
In addition, however, Epstein mentioned that Mike Montgomery could help backfill that role as well, considering that he should be spending some time in the bullpen throughout the season. To be sure, that really depends on how he pitches as a starter, and how healthy Brett Anderson is throughout the year.
As we discussed yesterday, Epstein believes that the next competitive advantage is learning how to better predict, avoid, and treat injuries. It may sound obvious, but I assure you that the method they’re taking to get there is anything but.
Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL.
In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy.
You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami
In the top of the seventh inning of today's 8-3 win over the Miami Marlins, Alexander Canario trotted out to left field in place of Ian Happ. At first, we thought (or maybe just hoped) that Craig Counsell was giving...
And just like that the Chicago Cubs are the first team in the NL Central to reach 12 wins! They're not technically in first place yet because the Brewers (11-6) have played fewer games, but we're talking about a matter...
With a lefty Marlins starter on the mound this afternoon, Nico Hoerner lead off today's game for the Chicago Cubs. And he did it in style, ripping a leadoff double to the left-center field wall, before coming into score a...
*The Cubs were rained out yesterday, but today? Today, we've got a Friday 1:20 start at Wrigley Field, and that means all is right in the world. Before you take a look at the Cubs lineup against Miami, check out...
Happy Friday! Well, for everyone except for the pilots who were supposed to be manning the Colorado Rockies flight last week but instead allowed a member of the Rockies coaching staff to hop in the pilot's seat for a fun...
Justin Steele, arguably the single most irreplaceable player on the Chicago Cubs 2024 roster, went down with a hamstring injury just 4.2 innings into his Opening Day start against the Rangers on March 28. In his place, the Cubs sixth...
If you do this job long enough, it's really wild to see the range of topics that can somehow become attached to sports. That is to say, I did not envision myself at some point writing about flight safety, cockpit...
The Iowa Cubs were rained out, but the rest of the farm was in action, and so was Kevin Alcántara, who picked up four hits and now has seven in his last three games as he breaks out of an...
Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...
The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...
The San Diego Padres (11-11), led by Fernando Tatis Jr., host Justin Turner and the Toronto Blue Jays (11-9) at 8:40 PM ET on Saturday.Find out how to watch the San Diego-Toronto matchup below.When is Padres vs. Blue Jays and...
The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers square off to tip off the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets are favored by 7 points in the matchup, which will be broadcast on ABC at 8:30 PM ET....
Today's NBA playoff schedule has four quality competitions on the docket. Among those contests is the Phoenix Suns playing the Minnesota Timberwolves.One of the most fun ways to wager on the NBA is via NBA player prop bets. There are...
The Arizona Diamondbacks (10-11), led by Ketel Marte, visit Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (9-12) on Saturday at 4:05 PM ET.See how to watch the Arizona-San Francisco matchup below.When is Diamondbacks vs. Giants and when does it start?This...
Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-10) host Pete Alonso and the New York Mets (11-8) at 4:05 PM ET on Saturday.See how to watch the Los Angeles-New York matchup below.When is Dodgers vs. Mets and when does it...
The St. Louis Cardinals (9-11), led by Brendan Donovan, host William Contreras and the Milwaukee Brewers (12-6) on Saturday at 2:15 PM ET.The article below will give you everything you need to know to watch St. Louis take on Milwaukee.When...
Javier Assad will take the mound for the Chicago Cubs (12-7) when they host starter Jesus Luzardo and the Miami Marlins (4-16) on Saturday, with first pitch at 2:20 PM ET.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for...
The Minnesota Twins (6-12), with Bailey Ober on the mound, host the Detroit Tigers (11-9) who will start Reese Olson, at 2:10 PM ET on Saturday.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch Minnesota play Detroit.When...
The New York Yankees (14-6), with Nestor Cortes Jr. on the hill, host the Tampa Bay Rays (11-10) who will start Zach Eflin, at 1:05 PM ET on Saturday.Find out how to watch the New York-Tampa Bay matchup below.When is...
Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (10-9) host Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels (9-11) at 6:40 PM ET on Saturday.See how to watch the Cincinnati-Los Angeles matchup below.When is Reds vs. Angels and when does it...
NEWSLETTER
