Five MLB Teams With The Grimmest Future
Chicago Cubs
Nico Hoerner– the last remaining top 100 Cubs prospect- was just called up to a roster that admittedly has a number of stars. However, when one observes past the surface they will realize that all which remains is the hollow remnants of a World Series champion.
Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez, and Kyle Hendricks are all unquestionably great. Yet, most of the Cubs salary is dedicated to Yu Darvish, Jon Lester, and Jason Heyward, none of whom are force multipliers with the team.
Deals that appeared foolish at the time- and even more so now- are lingering above the heads of Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein. Darvish’s contract was predictably bad, yet it went south far sooner than anyone could have figured. Lester’s deal will be worth it in the end- a World Series is all the justification required- even though it stagnates the team’s future.
The trades have further put the Cubs behind their competition.
The acquisition of Aroldis Chapman paid great dividends at first glance, they won a World Series. Despite this clear fact, it should be mentioned that Chapman- when pushed to the brink- almost cost the Cubs that series. The return in that deal is none other than Gleyber Torres. A very valid counterpoint to this line of reasoning is that the Cubs may not have reached the Fall Classic without him.
Jose Quintana‘s acquisition also saw massive talent leave and go slightly south. Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease are now at the forefront of the next wave of Chicago White Sox prospects. This trade particularly hurts because it did not propel them to playoff glory, they have not come particularly close since the first title.
This description may seem overly reliant on the past, yet this specific past will determine the Cubs future. Their attempts in the last two seasons have had an overall soulless feel to them. There has been no support to the pillars of their team.
The club will encounter the expiration of Bryant, Rizzo, and Baez’s respective deals with large sums of money to rather ineffective players still on the books. This will likely force them to choose between the overwhelmingly large sources of production. The resultant situation prevents them from providing reinforcements because there is no cash to spend and the farm system is barren.