Chicago Cubs: Lack of spending will cause trouble in 2020

The Chicago Cubs have had a lack of spending during the 2019 offseason. That could cause trouble in 2020.

The Chicago Cubs‘ lack of spending and changing of the guards at the manager position could cause trouble in 2020. For starters, the Cubs missed the playoffs for a reason in 2019, poor pitching.

I can’t tell you how many times I watched a Cubs game for their relief pitchers to lose the game for the team. The team’s lack of depth is disappointing too. You’re telling me the loss of Ben Zobrist couldn’t have been fixed? He is a great utility player, this isn’t about him. It just shows how poorly the team handled his situation.

With the regression of other Chicago teams, all we had to look forward to was the Cubs. Now, in 2020, there is less faith in the team than years prior.

I think firing Joe Maddon will end up being a big mistake for the team. Maddon is the savior of the Cubs and one bad season gets him fired? It’s a very interesting decision by the front office. In fact, them getting rid of Maddon and not adding pieces to the team is very questionable.

I’m not here to say the team is purposely losing, I just find it interesting with their lack of trying to improve their team.

Let’s look at their offseason moves. They’ve lost multiple pitchers. Besides Nico Hoerner, they don’t really have an answer at second base. There isn’t a great solution for center field. I like Jason Heyward but the team needs to look elsewhere.

The Cubs added a few players though. They traded for Alfonso Rivas. He’s a solid prospect. As a first baseman, but Anthony Rizzo is still going strong. Rivas will have to wait many years to take his spot.

Casey Sadler and Travis Lakins were also acquired by the team. Really, their only positive move was re-signing Kris Bryant and Javier Baez. They’ve kept Kyle Ryan (eh),  Albert Almora Jr. and Willson Contreras. I like four of the five guys.

They’ve made a few more minor league moves that aren’t super necessary to cover. The fact is, I think they’ve dug themselves a hole. It’s not a guarantee to see the Cubs in the playoffs. The NL Central has improved during the last few seasons. There is no promise they’ll even be a top-three team in the division.

So, they’ll have to make a strong push for another starting pitcher. They missed the boat on a lot of solid free agents. The White Sox were the ones to get some of them.

It’ll be interesting to see. The Cubs still have time to make some moves. Let’s see if they pull the trigger on any of them.