Small Market Cubs?????

[CSF77]

Yes but the Cubs farm system was terrible when Theo first took over. They didnt have depth in either hitting or pitching. Tanking gave them more money to spend through all rounds allowing them to stockpile.

Now we three drafts(1 upcoming in 2014) to stockpile talent and have a larger pool, I'd expect the Cubs to stop tanking.

They had a few decent talents like Cashner and Shark but in general the MLB team ran a bloated payroll that kept the Cubs around .500 and the team would use the first round picks to choose easy to sign types IE 4 year college with no leverage. Colvin was not the top talent at that point. Simpson not the top talent. etc.

Development was a whole different level but as we saw the team mostly developed BP arms in that era.

3B: A-Ram Trade. SS: Bunch of F/A until Theroit and Castro came up. 2B F/A and trade until Barney. 1B: Lee before that Choi failed before him Crime Dog then Gracey from the Green years, LF: Sori, then a bunch of F/A. Had like 1 self developed one sense Mathews. CF: Mix of both, RF Sosa and F/A for the most part. Cant think of any self developed guys going back to Morland to be honest here. Catchers outside of Barrett it has pretty much been in house. SP Woody/Z/Prior/Shark/Cash Some trades and F/A mixed in a good balance. Pen same thing.

 

[SilenceS]

The percentages say you are more likely to get an impact player in the top 10 of the draft. Did the Cubs tank? Yes. Was it for the betterment of the franchise? TBD. The Cubs actually have had good drafts since Ricketts took over. 2010 and 2011 drafts were good looking drafts by Hendry and company. So, was the 12 and 13 drafts by Theo and company. Now, lets not forget that people were not happy with Hendry and company for drafting Baez. I remember reading a scout before the season saying the more and more I look at Baez. The more and more I feel like Hendry and scouts outworked the rest of the teams in front of them. I think the scout hit the nail on the head after Baez season last year. Also, Hendry loved him some Volgy and everyone tried to dismiss him before he put on a professional uniform. The guy bat is really unbelievable. I consider him the most complete hitter in our farm. Its between him and Soler. The last two years the plan of attack has been simple. Draft the best impact player in the first round and then stockpile the shit out of pitching. I would like them to go for an Ace type in this years draft, but the plan of attack seemed to be a good one. This is how the Cardinals pull pitchers out their ass. Now, we are not sure about development yet so lets hope that is right so we don't ruin any of these major league prospects.

 

[nwfisch]

But still if in 3 years Almora is pushing 200 hits per and Bryant is mashing 40-50 HR's are you going to hate still?

If this "rewarding journey" results in a World Series, I couldn't be happier for Cub fans.

 

[CSF77]

If this "rewarding journey" results in a World Series, I couldn't be happier for Cub fans.

Really was not the question but I'll accept it. Sounds like you do not associate your self as one from the way that response came accross.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I hope the "rewarding journey" includes a different theme song.

 

[nwfisch]

Really was not the question but I'll accept it. Sounds like you do not associate your self as one from the way that response came accross.

I couldn't care less if those guys mash 500 ft. HRs. If it doesn't result in a World Series for the Cubs at some point, whether with those guys or players acquired from them, its really in vain IMO.

 

[CSF77]

I couldn't care less if those guys mash 500 ft. HRs. If it doesn't result in a World Series for the Cubs at some point, whether with those guys or players acquired from them, its really in vain IMO.

flip side tossing cash at the problem did not help either.

It is always better to have an affordable base team with the flexibility to add pieces.

VS

Having a bad system and a over priced team and no flexibility to add.

Take 2008 they could not add a front of the rotation and the Brewers got Sabathia at the deadline.

Fukudome was a bust of an investment and they had to move DeRosa to RF and plug 2B as an answer.

2009 they dumped DeRosa/Marquez to open up payroll to sign the missing LH bat they could not afford. The team ended up worse and unprepaired for A-Ram's injury as DeRosa was the back up 3B. They had no 3B prospect in the system at that point.


So over paying has not helped the cause. It never will.