The Cubs front office is continuing saying it is all about the "process" of rebuilding the team.
Fans are now worried about the "progression" and not the process itself.
The process was simple: divert resources on draft choices and international signings of young (unproven) talent to stockpile a hoard of prospects to defeat the odds of success at the major league level (only 6% of all prospects make it the majors).
The process meant that the major league team was not the focus. For the past three years, the team has not been competitive by choice. Worse record, better draft position. Better draft position, more money to spend under the CBA.
Fans are well aware of all the bubbling press releases about the new "core" that is working their way through the minors. But there is no official time table for success.
And that is the major problem with the plan: there is no guarantee of success.
But the timing is starting to come into focus.
Javey Baez, the blistering power hitting infielder, will start at AAA Iowa. He may get a late 2014 call-up if Starlin Castro gets hurt; but otherwise he will spend the year in Iowa learning a new position (probably 2B or OF). Baez will be with the club in 2015.
Kris Bryant, the power hitting collegian, will start the season in AA Tennessee. As the best third base prospect on the team (leapfrogging over Christian Villaneuva and Mike Olt, both acquired in trades from Texas), Bryant will probably play in Iowa for the entire 2015 season. That means he will be with the club in 2016.
Albert Almora, the mature young outfielder, will start the season in High A Daytona. There are hints of injury concerns so the team will not push him along. Under the standard one year per class, this means that Almora tracks to be with the Cubs in 2017.
Jorge Soler, an immature outfielder, will also start the season in High A. His stock has been faded by temperament and injury last season. If he follows the standard career path, he will be with the Cubs in 2017.
Of all of the prospects, none can be called a finished product. Baez is the closest, based on his hitting. His fielding is a concern, and a shift of position may complicate matters. Just as Brett Jackson was heralded as a "can't miss" prospect by tearing up the PCL prior to his original call-up, players with potential can flop. Badly.
This means that the Cubs will not get serious in the free agent market to fill "needs" or holes in their roster until 2018. But realistically, it will not be until 2020 when the current cable contract expires. The Cubs hope for a Dodger-like deal in 2020 for their own billion dollar network (which also is not a guarantee given the rapid changes in the television industry.)
