Theo Epstein brings scouting mind

For the first time in a while, the Cubs will have a high-level executive running the show in Chicago. Now it is easy to hate and say that there are too many expectations with this move, but getting a guy with Theo’s track record is a definite plus for any team looking to get out of a hole. The main problem with the Chicago Cubs is the bad contracts, but the Cubs also have some problems with the amount of quality in the farm system. It isn’t as dire of a situation as most fans think, but there is definitely a problem in the Minors for their organization. Fortunately, they have one of the best scouting GMs in baseball on their side after the whole fallout.

Before I get into it, I want to let it be known that the main reason why Theo Epstein actually joined the Cubs was for control. Over in Boston, he wasn’t the only guy calling the shots; but he now has almost total control with the South Siders.  With that control comes managing some less-than-desirable contracts made by his disliked predecessor, but Epstein has a chance to make a career-defining turnaround in a baseball-crazed city.

While Theo Epstein has recently had a rash of bad contracts, not all of the culpability should be placed on his shoulders. He should deservingly take the brunt of the blame for that ill-advised Crawford deal, the horrific John Lackey signing, and the too risky Dice-K move.

Right now, though, he has two nightmarish contracts on his hands; Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Zambrano. On the bright side, Z’s contract will run out in a couple of years. As Tony says, on the dark side, Soriano’s deal keeps going on endlessly. This is the MLB’s version of the Paul Hewitt deal, except there is really no legit way out of it.

With Epstein’s statistical know-how and scouting eye, the Cubs should be poised for something that can be considered a turnaround. Although nobody expects anything dramatic, slight improvements are all that is needed right now to satiate Cubs’ fans desires in a relatively weak NL Central. Overcoming the Cards and Brew Crew will be difficult, but a division crown in five years is certainly a possibility with a farm system builder at the helm. Although Theo Epstein’s ranking among GMs in the league would make for an interesting debate, there is no doubt that his very presence has ignited the most important thing that came out of Pandora’s box: hope.