During Spring Training of 2015, there was a team with a fan base that was yearning to win. It played in one of the best baseball metropolises. Over the previous two decades, there were flashes of baseball acuity mixed with chronic mediocrity. At times it was the laughingstock of the league.
In the few seasons prior to 2015, the team collected talented prospects like baseball cards. As the prospects got closer to the majors, optimism grew. The team had multiple All-Star caliber players already, so infusing the youth into the roster in 2015 started to turn the optimism into expectations.
To help ease the burden, the team signed the most highly coveted free agent at his position, and depending on the team, in the entire market. They also traded for skilled veterans to sure up other weaknesses a prospect wasn’t in line to fix.
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The prospects shined during that wonderful spring. And so, when it came time to break camp and head north to begin the season, fans, media, and other teams wondered what would become of the youngsters, who increasingly were being referred to as a unit rather than individuals.
Would they be ready? Would the team contend in 2015, or would they have to wait another year? Should they be kept in the minors a little longer, or should they begin the season in the majors?
Ultimately, the team decided to do…both.
The outcomes aren’t mutually exclusive because that scenario is a reality for not one, but two teams.
Meet the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays. Don’t see the similarities between the two? Allow me to explain:
Chicago has always been a baseball town. But over the past 20 years, the Cubs have kept North-siders’ attention well into the fall only a handful of times. There were the NLDS sweeps at the hands of the Dodgers and Diamondbacks in 2007 and 2008, the Bartman-induced collapse in the 2003 NLCS, and the 1998 NLDS sweep against the Braves. Other than those seasons, the Cubs have averaged just shy of 73 wins a season.
Toronto hasn’t made the playoffs since they won back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993. They then promptly won 55 and 56 games the next two seasons and haven’t won more than 88 (1998) since. The Carlos Delgado–Roy Halladay–A.J. Burnettera Jays could have contended, if not for that evil regime in the Bronx and its golden boy shortstop Derek Jeter.
Both teams already have All-Star talent. Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro has been on three All-Star teams, and first baseman Anthony Rizzo has played in one and received MVP votes in 2014. Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista has five consecutive seasons of 25 home runs and five All-Star appearances, while Edwin Encarnacion has hit more than 30 homers in each of the past three seasons.
Both teams have stockpiled oodles of talent minor leaguers. You have heard the Cubs names by now; Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler, Addison Russell, Javier Baez; but the Blue Jays have a horde their own: pitchers Daniel Norris and Aaron Sanchez, plus outfielder Dalton Pompey and second baseman Devon Travis all are seen as everyday major leaguers. The Cubs have focused their farm system on high-ceiling hitters, while the Blue Jays’ farm is producing balanced fare.
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Furthermore, think about the striking similarities in the offseason approaches of these two teams; both signed the most highly coveted free agent at his position (Jon Lester to the Cubs, Russell Martin to Toronto); both made trades to allay concerns at other positions: the Cubs traded for outfielder Dexter Fowler and catcher Miguel Montero, while the Blue Jays traded for third baseman Josh Donaldson and Michael Saunders; and both came into spring training knowing that their prospects were ready to make an impact in a major league lineup.
This is where the two teams diverge. The Cubs have sent Bryant, Baez and Russell to the minors for service-time concerns. Bryant had a superhuman spring and Russell hit .324, and yet to Des Moines and Tennessee they go.
The Blue Jays, on the other hand, are giving the kids the key to the Porsche. The announcement is official: six rookies will be on the roster. GotC’s Quinn Barry dove into what to expect from them this season, and most will likely have a positive impact. Norris had a 3.28 ERA and struck out 29 batters in 24 2/3 innings. Travis his .352 with six doubles and Pompey hit .327 and slugged .519. Why not give them a chance? Service time be damned!
Obviously the consequences of these decisions are yet to be determined. October 4, the last day of the regular season, is a long way off.
Off the field, the Blue Jays are showing confidence in their kid™s’ development and maturity. The Jays have been burned by cautiously promoting prospects in the past, especially with pitchers, so they decided to have a more aggressive approach.
The Cubs, on the other hand, could be damaging and helping themselves at the same time. Yes, Bryant will reach free agency in 2021 instead of 2020, but what about 2022? Being burned gives Scott Boras more ammunition to convince Bryant not to re-sign with the Cubs once he hits the market.
The Cubs and Blue Jays will be on my radar all season. Who made the right call? Let the kids play and decide.