Chicago Cubs news: Theo Epstein looking for value pitching, not just big names
The Chicago Cubs’ starting rotation is a problem for them in 2017. While Theo Epstein is in the market to shore up that pitching, he is looking for value more than just big names.
Watching the Chicago Cubs defend their title in 2017, you see what their greatest weakness is at the moment. Their starting rotation, which was the best last season, is not as good this season. Their 4.32 ERA going into Wednesday’s game ranks 12th in MLB. Their 241-and-2/3-innings ranks just 24th. They average about 5.5 innings per game. That puts a lot of pressure on the bullpen. Last season, the starters got through six or seven innings on a pretty consistent basis, helping the bullpen a great deal. Jon Lester‘s complete game shutout and Kyle Hendricks‘ seven-inning gem really helped, but just getting starters to go six or seven innings is a task this season.
President of baseball operations Theo Epstein sees the same thing we do. He knows that something needs to be done. He is on the lookout for pitching but trying to be smart about it. The market just isn’t moving much…yet.
The trade deadline isn’t until July 31st, so there is still some time before some teams with attractive pitching decide to sell. Many teams still have visions of competing.
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"This time of year, if you want something, you kind of have to go get it. Sellers aren’t (shopping yet).They don’t usually target prospects and go get them, especially this time of year. If the seller has a player that they think is going to have a lot of value, they’re aware of it, protect that value. You have to go get it. That’s the way the trade market works… This trade dialogue, small deals here and there (this time of year) and obviously some bigger ones out there on the horizon, but it hasn’t really heated up yet. And it usually doesn’t until after the draft (in June)."
There are some pretty mouth-watering rumors out there. One, for example, has the Cubs looking at San Francisco starter Johnny Cueto. We got to see how he looked on Tuesday. While he lost, he still looks good. Remember what he did against the Cubs in the NLDS last year.
Big names aren’t something that Epstein is just looking for, however. Yes, he got big names Lester and John Lackey. Remember, though, he also obtained lesser-known names Jake Arrieta and Hendricks through trades that did not make headlines. Also, he acquired Mike Montgomery late in the season last year and that turned out big.
Epstein is looking for contract-controlled pitchers like Arrieta and Hendricks. He got them and hasn’t needed to worry about contract situations (until this offseason of course, with Arrieta).
Just because the Cubs have prospects and deep wallets doesn’t mean they need to go out and spend like there is no tomorrow. The Atlanta Braves of the 1990’s continued to succeed for over a decade because they consistently brought up their prospects. They had a deal here or there, but their minor league system greatly helped them make all those playoff appearances.
Epstein and the Chicago Cubs have done a great job of scouting. They know what type of pitchers they want and they go out and get them. If he gives up any prospect, he wants to do it for a pitcher controlled for the next few seasons.
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That’s a balancing act that he needs to perfect if the Cubs are to win another title.