Hope may spring eternal, but the Cubs have glaring needs. Needs that ownership may have blinders on (considering the imposition of "dynamic seat pricing" for the bleachers this season; the same bleachers that were mostly empty in the second half of 2011). Ricketts believes that the team is not "rebuilding" because he has forbad that word in the hallways. Sveum has been coached to say "rebuilding" instead. All in the glorious foggy lens view to sell season tickets for a team that may not even win 70 games.
When management dips into the second tier free agent market, trades away young talent for second tier veterans, tries one major pitcher rehab project after another, signs journeymen with the hope that they will regain their stroke now three years removed, that is throwing mud at cracked wall instead of repairing it. That is what got Jim Hendry fired. This is what the exhalted Esptein-Hoyer team is doing. Same thing; two different perceptions.
The New Cubs have not addressed any of the pressing needs of the team. The 1-2 power hitters, Ramirez and Pena, are gone. Stewart is years removed from putting up power numbers in friendly Colorado to replace Ramirez's production at third. LaHair is Micah 2.0 at first so it is doubtful he will have as many HRs as Pena did in 2011.
In this vain, the Cubs do have, finally, an alleged first baseman in waiting with Rizzo in AAA. However, there was no move to shore up the void of third base depth or the poor marginal players at the second base depth chart. Rotating Cardenas for DeWitt at second is not an upgrade or a solution.
There is no one new projected to push the current outfielders to perform at their best. Campana, Sappelt are not starters - - - it is unclear if they are even quality defensive replacements. Reed Johnson is old and nearing the end of his bench career.
The heralded pitching make-over is a foamy mess. After Garza and Maholm, the starting pitching staff goes acutely down hill. Even though the Cubs signed at least six guys for "starter depth," none of them have any solid credentials to be a full time third, fourth or fifth starter. Just expanding the depth chart name list does not mean you have solved the problem.
Some teams solve problems by spending money. The Cubs have been fairly tight on major league purchases. With all the holes in the roster remaining, could a Roy Oswalt be a fit in the rotation as a number three or four starter? Sure, but apparently not at his $10 million asking price. Would a Johnny Damon be a higher quality fourth outfielder pushing the regulars than Johnson, Campana or Sappelt? Sure, but apparently not at his $10 million asking price. Would a Miguel Tejada, at the end of his career, turn into a Omar Vizquel infield mentor solid bench player for a team? Sure, but not at his $5 million plus asking price. As spring training begins, the market is always very thin in available talent, especially for teams that are in WIN NOW mode (which we see is what Ricketts mind set is, for financially reasons).
What are the key "need" areas for the team?
1. Starting pitching is still thin from quality arms. Dempster is on the decline, and the team is hoping for numerous "rebound" years to shore up the back end.
2. Second base would have been an easy upgrade spot; Barney is a utility infielder (he is the back up shortstop as is) at best. This position now demands more power, run production and stolen bases.
3. Overall bench depth. This may be the weakest hitting lowest power bench since the dead ball era. If Wellington Castillo makes the club, he would be the lone power hitter off the bench.
4. Depth at third base. There continues to be no long term strategy to fill this position or have a pipeline of talent ready at this critical power corner.
All these areas will come into view when spring training games begin in a few weeks.
