Two games into what was viewed as a pivotal series between the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta Braves, and Chicago has dropped both games, scoring a combined three runs. It is the second time this season that fans have been reminded they are outmatched when it comes to team spending, with the depth of Atlanta's roster simply being too much for the Cubs to overcome. This is weeks after the Los Angeles Dodgers took two out of three from Chicago and sent the same message.
These two series combined have to serve as an undeniable wake-up call for a Cubs front office that has its work cut out for them. Chicago currently ranks 9th in team payroll, well behind the Dodgers and just behind the Braves. The Cubs' hot start has been impressive, but when they have come up against the league's top contenders, a reminder has been sent that this roster isn't ready just yet.
Much of this falls on the shoudlers of a front office that is facing building pressure to find answers. The Cubs can't afford to waste this incredible start and owe it to the current roster and fanbase to swing big ahead of this year's upcoming trade deadline.
Cubs Series Loss to Braves Serves as Obvious Wakeup Call to Chicago's Front Office
It is clear the franchise needs to look at adding a potential top-of-the-rotation arm as well as reinforcing bench depth. Both of these can be achieved without completely mortgaging the future and give the Cubs a better shot at matching up with the National League's top contenders. Not since the team's magical World Series run has there been this much talent rostered with a clear shot at postseason relevance.
The Cubs simply are a handful of moves short of realizing this potential, and the series loss to Atlanta serves as a reminder of that. This is a Cubs team that is going to beat up on the majority of the NL, but struggle against the elite due simply to having less experience and depth that needs to be reinforced by a front office that hopefully is paying close attention.
Chicago fans shouldn't view this as discouraging, but a reminder of the work ahead and hope that it serves as a message that the front office is receiving. Otherwise, this team is destined for a great regular season and postseason frustration that can be avoided if the Cubs simply embrace an aggressive trade deadline approach over the season's next two months.
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