At least the front office admits its mistakes. When the new regime tagged Lendy Castillo in their first Rule 5 draft, it meant keeping the AA pitcher on the roster a full season. That happened, but most the year was dragged down by injury.
So when the Carlos Villanueva signing was official, the Cubs needed to move a player off the protected list. Lendy was designated for assignment, which means the team has a short time to deal him or waive him.
Castillo
was another one of these fashionable "reclamation" projects. He began his career as a shortstop in the Phillies organization, but
converted to a pitcher in 2010 because of his arm velocity. That is why the Cubs selected him in the 2011 Rule 5 draft.
The 23-year-old Castillo appeared in
13 games for Cubs last season, posting a 7.88
ERA and 2.25 WHIP in 16 non-pressure innings.
Castillo went on the disabled
list May 11 with a groin strain and missed several months before being
recalled in mid August. He had never pitched above the Single-A level
before 2012.
It is possible that the Cubs think that Castillo will clear waivers this time because of his poor performance and injury history. If he clears waivers, the Cubs could send him to the minors where he should have been last season, a season by all accounts was totally lost in the development cycle of a young player.
January 29, 2013
January 28, 2013
SECOND BASE
Darwin Barney may have been the best player at his position. He had the best player WAR in 2012, at 4.6. However, he defensive WAR was 3.6. His offensive numbers were below average: .254 BA, 7 HR, 44 RBI, .299 OBP, 6 SB. In a dismal season, Barney's defense was the one good story of the year.
He is Ryan Theriot 2.0. Because he hustles, fans like him. He is not flashy or an off-field problem, so fans like him. And once Cub fans like a player, there is an upgrade in job security. The Cubs PR department made Barney one of the centerpieces for the Cubs convention.
That's all fine and good, but celebrating the defense of a second baseman misses the big point: every position needs to be reviewed for a season to season upgrade. And Barney's defense stats are over-rated in comparison to the consenus view in baseball.
When one organizes a team, what are the most important defensive positions?
1. Catcher. The catcher is the most important because he handles the ball the most during a game. He calls the pitches, he helps set the infield, he holds runners and really sets the tone for the game. A good catcher, like A.J. Pierzynski, could get under a competitor's skin and throw an opponent off their game. A gold glove caliber catcher makes the pitching staff better.
2. Shortstop. It is clear that the shortstop needs to be the most athletic infielder. He has to have the best range and strong, accurate arm for both throws deep in the hole and crossing over second base (against his body). All quality teams have to have a quality shortstop anchoring the infield.
3. First base. A good glove at first base will save games for a team. It was estimated that Mark Grace probably was worth five victories for getting to errant throws to stop runs scored or big innings. It makes sense because first base is the place for most put outs in a game.
4. Third base. They do not call it the "hot corner" for nothing. Quick reaction time and a strong arm are needed to cover third base area properly. A bad third baseman without reaction time or range turns an opponent into a doubles hitting machine.
5. Center field. Center fielder is the quarterback of the outfield. A speedy center fielder who anticipates the play can cover a tremendous amount of ground and can make up for corner outfield defensive short comings. A great defender can take away extra bases hit into the gaps.
6. Right field. The most important part of a right fielder is arm strength. A cannon arm is important to hold runners going from first to third, or for plays at the plate. A quality right fielder changes the strategy of a third base coach on whether to send an average runner home in a close game.
7. Second base. The second baseman has the easiest infield throws of any player. The only tough play is turning the double play at the bag.
8. Left field. A team's worst position player usually winds up in left field because it has the shortest distances to cover throws to third base. As a result, a team's best hitter but worst fielder is usually exiled to left. In a progression example, Alfonso Soriano's career path went from being a bad second baseman to a forced move by manager Frank Robinson to left field.
9. Pitcher. A pitcher is not expected to be a great fielder, even though there are stellar examples of players who fielded the mound with precision like Jim Kaat, Greg Maddux and Mark Buerhle. Commentators believe that pitchers should concentrate on pitching and not fielding. However, a horrible fielder such as Matt Garza can be exploited by opponents by merely bunting down the third base side.
So, Barney's defensive skills only rank #7 on total team defensive skills. And if Barney was the best fielder on the team, it means that every position except Soriano and the pitcher needs to be improved.
He is Ryan Theriot 2.0. Because he hustles, fans like him. He is not flashy or an off-field problem, so fans like him. And once Cub fans like a player, there is an upgrade in job security. The Cubs PR department made Barney one of the centerpieces for the Cubs convention.
That's all fine and good, but celebrating the defense of a second baseman misses the big point: every position needs to be reviewed for a season to season upgrade. And Barney's defense stats are over-rated in comparison to the consenus view in baseball.
When one organizes a team, what are the most important defensive positions?
1. Catcher. The catcher is the most important because he handles the ball the most during a game. He calls the pitches, he helps set the infield, he holds runners and really sets the tone for the game. A good catcher, like A.J. Pierzynski, could get under a competitor's skin and throw an opponent off their game. A gold glove caliber catcher makes the pitching staff better.
2. Shortstop. It is clear that the shortstop needs to be the most athletic infielder. He has to have the best range and strong, accurate arm for both throws deep in the hole and crossing over second base (against his body). All quality teams have to have a quality shortstop anchoring the infield.
3. First base. A good glove at first base will save games for a team. It was estimated that Mark Grace probably was worth five victories for getting to errant throws to stop runs scored or big innings. It makes sense because first base is the place for most put outs in a game.
4. Third base. They do not call it the "hot corner" for nothing. Quick reaction time and a strong arm are needed to cover third base area properly. A bad third baseman without reaction time or range turns an opponent into a doubles hitting machine.
5. Center field. Center fielder is the quarterback of the outfield. A speedy center fielder who anticipates the play can cover a tremendous amount of ground and can make up for corner outfield defensive short comings. A great defender can take away extra bases hit into the gaps.
6. Right field. The most important part of a right fielder is arm strength. A cannon arm is important to hold runners going from first to third, or for plays at the plate. A quality right fielder changes the strategy of a third base coach on whether to send an average runner home in a close game.
7. Second base. The second baseman has the easiest infield throws of any player. The only tough play is turning the double play at the bag.
8. Left field. A team's worst position player usually winds up in left field because it has the shortest distances to cover throws to third base. As a result, a team's best hitter but worst fielder is usually exiled to left. In a progression example, Alfonso Soriano's career path went from being a bad second baseman to a forced move by manager Frank Robinson to left field.
9. Pitcher. A pitcher is not expected to be a great fielder, even though there are stellar examples of players who fielded the mound with precision like Jim Kaat, Greg Maddux and Mark Buerhle. Commentators believe that pitchers should concentrate on pitching and not fielding. However, a horrible fielder such as Matt Garza can be exploited by opponents by merely bunting down the third base side.
So, Barney's defensive skills only rank #7 on total team defensive skills. And if Barney was the best fielder on the team, it means that every position except Soriano and the pitcher needs to be improved.
January 26, 2013
BIG IMPROVEMENT?
Spring training is less than a month away.
Most teams are pretty set now on their rosters.
You are what you are, so to speak.
Now, the projection software, stats guys and pundits have crunched their variables to begin the guessing game: how many wins for the Cubs in 2013.
The consensus range is surprising: 72 to 85 wins. That would be an improvement of 18 to 39 percent.
How can that be realistic?
The off season focus has been on improving the pitching staff. A player to player gut check is in order.
1. Ryan Dempster replaced by free agent Scott Baker, who is coming off major surgery. Baker will not be ready by Opening Day, and may not pitch until May. Dempster had a great first half of 2012, but got no run or bullpen support. There is no realistic chance that Baker will be better than Dempster. However, to hedge against total Baker failure, the Cubs signed Edwin Jackson. Jackson is an innings eater, but highly inconsistent from outing to outing. He projects as a similar hit-or-miss guy like Baker. Combined, it is still doubtful they can garner the same quality starts and innings of 2012 Dempster.
2. Old Garza vs. Rehabbed Garza. The Old Garza was fairly average for the Cubs. The Rehabbed Garza may not be ready until May. Pitchers coming off injuries tend to have mechanic issues, brought on by the psychology of "not" hurting their arm upon their return. At best, Garza will be the same as 2012.
3. Samardzija vs. Sophomore Starter Samardzija. The training wheels (limited innings) will be off for Smardzilla in 2013. One would expect that with experience, Samardzija will continue to improve, but batters will have a complete scouting report on him now - - - one would think that he would still be slightly better than last season.
4. Scott Feldman has replaced Chris Volstad. Volstad was horrible. Feldman fell out of favor in pitching rich Texas to bullpen-long relief role. Whether Feldman can rebound to his very good form of several years ago is a real question mark. But it is hard to imagine that Feldman will be as bad as Volstad. This fifth starter spot seems to be improved.
5. Travis Wood replaces Paul Maholm as the lefty starter in the rotation. Maholm was really the most consistent and steady pitcher the Cubs staff had last season. Wood started off in the minors, but was recalled to provide some depth after the trades and injuries. Based on last year's performance, Wood will probably not match Maholm's production.
So if you look at the rotation comparisons, it would seem that two pitchers will be worse, one slightly better, one better and one the same. Formula: -2.0 + 0.5 +1.0 + 0.0 = -0.5.
So the rotation appears to be the same to slightly worse as a collective whole.
The bullpen is hard to gauge at this stage. Last year was a merry-go-round circle of bad AAA pitchers and injured journeymen trying comebacks.
You have the returning core of Marmol, J. Russell, and Camp.
You have new arms in Villanueva (who will probably spot start), Fujikawa, and Rondon (who is basically the same AA gamble as Lendy Castillo who failed last year).
So anyone else to fill out the pen will be AAA-AAAA type of thrower.
The only thing the Cubs may think they have is extra MLB experienced back up starters in T. Wood, Villanueva and Feldman. But are they really that good, especially when the position players are basically the same core and cast-off utility players?
The bottom line is that the Cubs are still basically the same team as last season. The changes in players are merely cosmetic and not long term solutions to becoming competitive now. The Cubs project in my mind to another 100 loss team.
Most teams are pretty set now on their rosters.
You are what you are, so to speak.
Now, the projection software, stats guys and pundits have crunched their variables to begin the guessing game: how many wins for the Cubs in 2013.
The consensus range is surprising: 72 to 85 wins. That would be an improvement of 18 to 39 percent.
How can that be realistic?
The off season focus has been on improving the pitching staff. A player to player gut check is in order.
1. Ryan Dempster replaced by free agent Scott Baker, who is coming off major surgery. Baker will not be ready by Opening Day, and may not pitch until May. Dempster had a great first half of 2012, but got no run or bullpen support. There is no realistic chance that Baker will be better than Dempster. However, to hedge against total Baker failure, the Cubs signed Edwin Jackson. Jackson is an innings eater, but highly inconsistent from outing to outing. He projects as a similar hit-or-miss guy like Baker. Combined, it is still doubtful they can garner the same quality starts and innings of 2012 Dempster.
2. Old Garza vs. Rehabbed Garza. The Old Garza was fairly average for the Cubs. The Rehabbed Garza may not be ready until May. Pitchers coming off injuries tend to have mechanic issues, brought on by the psychology of "not" hurting their arm upon their return. At best, Garza will be the same as 2012.
3. Samardzija vs. Sophomore Starter Samardzija. The training wheels (limited innings) will be off for Smardzilla in 2013. One would expect that with experience, Samardzija will continue to improve, but batters will have a complete scouting report on him now - - - one would think that he would still be slightly better than last season.
4. Scott Feldman has replaced Chris Volstad. Volstad was horrible. Feldman fell out of favor in pitching rich Texas to bullpen-long relief role. Whether Feldman can rebound to his very good form of several years ago is a real question mark. But it is hard to imagine that Feldman will be as bad as Volstad. This fifth starter spot seems to be improved.
5. Travis Wood replaces Paul Maholm as the lefty starter in the rotation. Maholm was really the most consistent and steady pitcher the Cubs staff had last season. Wood started off in the minors, but was recalled to provide some depth after the trades and injuries. Based on last year's performance, Wood will probably not match Maholm's production.
So if you look at the rotation comparisons, it would seem that two pitchers will be worse, one slightly better, one better and one the same. Formula: -2.0 + 0.5 +1.0 + 0.0 = -0.5.
So the rotation appears to be the same to slightly worse as a collective whole.
The bullpen is hard to gauge at this stage. Last year was a merry-go-round circle of bad AAA pitchers and injured journeymen trying comebacks.
You have the returning core of Marmol, J. Russell, and Camp.
You have new arms in Villanueva (who will probably spot start), Fujikawa, and Rondon (who is basically the same AA gamble as Lendy Castillo who failed last year).
So anyone else to fill out the pen will be AAA-AAAA type of thrower.
The only thing the Cubs may think they have is extra MLB experienced back up starters in T. Wood, Villanueva and Feldman. But are they really that good, especially when the position players are basically the same core and cast-off utility players?
The bottom line is that the Cubs are still basically the same team as last season. The changes in players are merely cosmetic and not long term solutions to becoming competitive now. The Cubs project in my mind to another 100 loss team.
January 25, 2013
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART
It seems the Cubs are now done assembling their 2013 cast for the League of Gentlemen Journeymen.
There still has to be two roster moves to add Scott Hairston and Carlos Villaneuva to the team with one possible utility infielder and one bullpen reliever added during spring training (which means Clevenger and Rusin/Raley/McNutt will be DFA'd). I expect Baker to start the season on the DL, and Garza may also miss some action too.
Here is the current projected depth chart:
OUTFIELD
LF Soriano CF DeJesus RF Schierholtz
Sappelt Hairston
INFIELD
3B I. Stewart SS Castro 2B Barney 1B Rizzo
Valbuena Lillibridge
C W. Castillo
Navarro
ROTATION
E. Jackson Samardzija Garza T. Wood Feldman
Baker
BULLPEN
C. Villaneuva J. Russell Fujikawa Marmol Rondon Camp Takahashi
There still has to be two roster moves to add Scott Hairston and Carlos Villaneuva to the team with one possible utility infielder and one bullpen reliever added during spring training (which means Clevenger and Rusin/Raley/McNutt will be DFA'd). I expect Baker to start the season on the DL, and Garza may also miss some action too.
Here is the current projected depth chart:
OUTFIELD
LF Soriano CF DeJesus RF Schierholtz
Sappelt Hairston
INFIELD
3B I. Stewart SS Castro 2B Barney 1B Rizzo
Valbuena Lillibridge
C W. Castillo
Navarro
ROTATION
E. Jackson Samardzija Garza T. Wood Feldman
Baker
BULLPEN
C. Villaneuva J. Russell Fujikawa Marmol Rondon Camp Takahashi
January 24, 2013
HAIR OF THE DOG
For those who still give management the benefit of the doubt, here is more evidence to wonder:
the Cubs are now collecting platoon players like former GM Jim Hendry did with second basemen.
The Cubs signed 33 year old reserve outfielder Scott Hairston to a two year contract. He only really hits left handed pitching and has never played full time in his career.
Last season with the Mets, he had 398 PA, hit .263, 20 HR, 57 RBI, 8 SB, .299 OBP, 1.5 WAR.
It is hit or miss for Hairston. He had a .994 fielding percentage for the outfield positions; he has only played second twice since 2009.
So technically, Hairston is now the second best outfielder on the roster after Soriano.
His signing means that two-thirds of the opening day outfield roster will be in a platoon situation:
DeJesus/Sappelt and Schierholtz/Hairston. It is sort of Little League: everyone plays.
But this is another signal that the Cubs are going to sign marginal part time journeymen for the next several seasons. It is called "Rebuilding While Standing Still." Epstein and Hoyer are putting all their competitive eggs in their draft choice basket, hoping that the young players they have signed will be a collective of Mike Trouts in 2015.
the Cubs are now collecting platoon players like former GM Jim Hendry did with second basemen.
The Cubs signed 33 year old reserve outfielder Scott Hairston to a two year contract. He only really hits left handed pitching and has never played full time in his career.
Last season with the Mets, he had 398 PA, hit .263, 20 HR, 57 RBI, 8 SB, .299 OBP, 1.5 WAR.
It is hit or miss for Hairston. He had a .994 fielding percentage for the outfield positions; he has only played second twice since 2009.
So technically, Hairston is now the second best outfielder on the roster after Soriano.
His signing means that two-thirds of the opening day outfield roster will be in a platoon situation:
DeJesus/Sappelt and Schierholtz/Hairston. It is sort of Little League: everyone plays.
But this is another signal that the Cubs are going to sign marginal part time journeymen for the next several seasons. It is called "Rebuilding While Standing Still." Epstein and Hoyer are putting all their competitive eggs in their draft choice basket, hoping that the young players they have signed will be a collective of Mike Trouts in 2015.
January 23, 2013
GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
Some people believe in the saying, "you get what you pay for."
In the case of the Theo Epstein compensation pick to the Red Sox, it seems it was nothing.
An ESPN source with knowledge of the situation indicated the Cubs would be interested in signing relief pitcher Chris Carpenter if he is put on waivers. He was designated for assignment in order to the Red Sox to sign Mike Napoli.
Carpenter was the final compensation that the Red Sox received for allowing former general manager Epstein to leave in order to become the Cubs' president of baseball operations.
Carpenter, who had elbow surgery in the summer of 2011, pitched for the Red Sox's Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket and with the parent club briefly toward the end of the 2012 season. He appeared in eight games and had a 1-0 record with a 9.00 ERA, recording 10 walks and two strikeouts.
The Red Sox have 10 days to trade Carpenter before they must put him on waivers. If no club claims Carpenter, Boston could re-sign him to a minor league contract.
Like Boston, the Cubs also have a full 40-man roster, which would most likely preclude a trade between the clubs.
Of course the Cubs are interested in any young pitcher with a history of arm issues. Carpenter only pitched 21 innings in all of 2012 (AAA and the majors).
In the case of the Theo Epstein compensation pick to the Red Sox, it seems it was nothing.
An ESPN source with knowledge of the situation indicated the Cubs would be interested in signing relief pitcher Chris Carpenter if he is put on waivers. He was designated for assignment in order to the Red Sox to sign Mike Napoli.
Carpenter was the final compensation that the Red Sox received for allowing former general manager Epstein to leave in order to become the Cubs' president of baseball operations.
Carpenter, who had elbow surgery in the summer of 2011, pitched for the Red Sox's Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket and with the parent club briefly toward the end of the 2012 season. He appeared in eight games and had a 1-0 record with a 9.00 ERA, recording 10 walks and two strikeouts.
The Red Sox have 10 days to trade Carpenter before they must put him on waivers. If no club claims Carpenter, Boston could re-sign him to a minor league contract.
Like Boston, the Cubs also have a full 40-man roster, which would most likely preclude a trade between the clubs.
Of course the Cubs are interested in any young pitcher with a history of arm issues. Carpenter only pitched 21 innings in all of 2012 (AAA and the majors).
January 21, 2013
REBUILDING
There was some sour cynicism at the Cubs convention. The Ricketts family touted the new ball park renovations to such an extreme, that one fan asked whether the owners had any plans to rebuild the ball club.
The hype surrounding the family's retreat from public funding for their private property was only masked by the rapid fire improvements and architect renderings. The $300 million project does not seem to make any movement on building a better team for the fans; but merely attempts to bring more revenue from fans to the team bank account.
The Cubs will gut and rebuild the clubhouse under the lower deck, with a concealed batting cage behind an expanded dugout. The idea is to enlarge the Cubs locker room, add more space for a weight and training room, and other amenities. Jed Hoyer called the clubhouse "AA." For some fans, the idea of pampering the players more does not equate to better performance on the field.
The Cubs also said the entire rebuild would be contingent on the city relaxing some of the landmark restrictions. Well, that is not going to happen. The Cubs have no leverage to change the landmark restrictions, or add new burdens on the residents of the neighborhood. The Cubs want more night games, more "other" events without clearance from the city or neighborhood. The gist is that the Ricketts family deems Wrigley as an entertainment venue, and they want to run a 24/7, 365 day per year entertainment complex. The renovation plan includes more patios, more restaurants and more skyboxes, which means more opportunity to keep the gates open during the off-season.
The Cubs also want unlimited signage in and outside the park. The Cubs want to add another LED screen like the RF one on the LF catwalk area. Purists hated the Fenway mini-wall in RF. The Cubs were also looking to add more signage, including a jumbotron (which could only truly mean replacing the manual scoreboard). A Cubs spokesman said the electronic scoreboard met with fan favor "so long as it did not interfere with the historic scoreboard." All the signage does is add revenue to the club. It fact, it could turn into a billboard palace like some Class AA venues.
The artist sketches appear to literally raise the upper deck roof to create a higher upper deck, with a "party patio" concession area behind it. I don't know what the fascination of Tom Ricketts to party patios, but Wrigley will have them everywhere. Which is strange, since the upper deck ones won't have a view to the playing field. A skeptic would call that normal, if the baseball team is merely secondary to the venue itself. The raised upper deck would slide in a new set of luxury boxes, which could be a hard sell. But the new renovation won't change the obstructed seats in the lower level grandstands, because Cub management said it wanted to "keep the historic charm and the overhang of the upper deck" so the support posts must stay. It is also an indirect means to have fans buy more expensive, non-obstructed seats.
With the huge plans to add a 175 room hotel in a commercial complex across the street, the Cubs are more focused on real estate development and revenue enhancement than baseball operations. Some would say that without new revenue sources, the Cubs could not be competitive in present or the future. The reply is, "at what real cost?"
A major reason people came to Wrigley Field was that it was stepping back into time. To a time before night games; a place where one's grandparents went to see Hall of Fame players, including legends like Babe Ruth. The manual scoreboard, ivy brick walls, and neighborhood views were unique in baseball, which is now filled with theme park industrial designs like in Miami and Houston. There is a fine line to rehabbing a landmark and ruining the place.
The Ricketts family continually told fans "we are not running a museum." But baseball is all about memories and times long gone. The Cubs have sold tradition for generations. The landmark status shows that the public wants Wrigley to be preserved and not perverted into an entertainment theme park.
The rebuilding proposals may be part of a bait and switch since the actual baseball rebuilding process has stalled; ESPN projects the Cubs being competitive in 2015. That is when the young Class A players like Soler and Almora would debut with the Cubs. The five year physical construction plans are to keep the fans interested until 2016. That is going to be a hard sell to maintain.
The hype surrounding the family's retreat from public funding for their private property was only masked by the rapid fire improvements and architect renderings. The $300 million project does not seem to make any movement on building a better team for the fans; but merely attempts to bring more revenue from fans to the team bank account.
The Cubs will gut and rebuild the clubhouse under the lower deck, with a concealed batting cage behind an expanded dugout. The idea is to enlarge the Cubs locker room, add more space for a weight and training room, and other amenities. Jed Hoyer called the clubhouse "AA." For some fans, the idea of pampering the players more does not equate to better performance on the field.
The Cubs also said the entire rebuild would be contingent on the city relaxing some of the landmark restrictions. Well, that is not going to happen. The Cubs have no leverage to change the landmark restrictions, or add new burdens on the residents of the neighborhood. The Cubs want more night games, more "other" events without clearance from the city or neighborhood. The gist is that the Ricketts family deems Wrigley as an entertainment venue, and they want to run a 24/7, 365 day per year entertainment complex. The renovation plan includes more patios, more restaurants and more skyboxes, which means more opportunity to keep the gates open during the off-season.
The Cubs also want unlimited signage in and outside the park. The Cubs want to add another LED screen like the RF one on the LF catwalk area. Purists hated the Fenway mini-wall in RF. The Cubs were also looking to add more signage, including a jumbotron (which could only truly mean replacing the manual scoreboard). A Cubs spokesman said the electronic scoreboard met with fan favor "so long as it did not interfere with the historic scoreboard." All the signage does is add revenue to the club. It fact, it could turn into a billboard palace like some Class AA venues.
The artist sketches appear to literally raise the upper deck roof to create a higher upper deck, with a "party patio" concession area behind it. I don't know what the fascination of Tom Ricketts to party patios, but Wrigley will have them everywhere. Which is strange, since the upper deck ones won't have a view to the playing field. A skeptic would call that normal, if the baseball team is merely secondary to the venue itself. The raised upper deck would slide in a new set of luxury boxes, which could be a hard sell. But the new renovation won't change the obstructed seats in the lower level grandstands, because Cub management said it wanted to "keep the historic charm and the overhang of the upper deck" so the support posts must stay. It is also an indirect means to have fans buy more expensive, non-obstructed seats.
With the huge plans to add a 175 room hotel in a commercial complex across the street, the Cubs are more focused on real estate development and revenue enhancement than baseball operations. Some would say that without new revenue sources, the Cubs could not be competitive in present or the future. The reply is, "at what real cost?"
A major reason people came to Wrigley Field was that it was stepping back into time. To a time before night games; a place where one's grandparents went to see Hall of Fame players, including legends like Babe Ruth. The manual scoreboard, ivy brick walls, and neighborhood views were unique in baseball, which is now filled with theme park industrial designs like in Miami and Houston. There is a fine line to rehabbing a landmark and ruining the place.
The Ricketts family continually told fans "we are not running a museum." But baseball is all about memories and times long gone. The Cubs have sold tradition for generations. The landmark status shows that the public wants Wrigley to be preserved and not perverted into an entertainment theme park.
The rebuilding proposals may be part of a bait and switch since the actual baseball rebuilding process has stalled; ESPN projects the Cubs being competitive in 2015. That is when the young Class A players like Soler and Almora would debut with the Cubs. The five year physical construction plans are to keep the fans interested until 2016. That is going to be a hard sell to maintain.
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