The Hot Stove season is now half over.
The Cubs have made several acquisitions.
But from the sportswriters round tables over the holidays, it is the consensus that the Cubs will not be competitive until 2016.
One reason is that last season demonstrated that the Cubs had no major league pitchers in AAA or AA ball. The turnstile of fifth starters getting lit up start after start shows there is is a lack of pitching depth in the minor league system.
Another reason is that the new management has drafted and placed all their new prospects at the lowest levels, rookie ball and Class A. The Cubs brass are not willing to rush their signees to the big leagues. It appears that each prospect will spend a full year at each level of development. That means four years, even for the college pitchers, to make it to the Cubs roster.
Another reason is that new management has been signing "stop gap" players to plug holes on a year to year basis. Starting pitchers like Baker and Feldman are on short term deals. Ian Stewart is on a one year "take a chance" contract to possibly man third until someone like Vitters or Lake take the job in two years.
The last reason is the lack of sense of urgency by the Cubs ownership. The monotone mantra of being "patient" will only go so far with the fan base. It will be interesting to see how many fans at the Cubs convention will have an adversary tone towards management. For if fans have to look forward to three more seasons of 2012 deja vu, will they really wait for a competitive team?
