Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2014 17:05:17 GMT -5
Five years ago, Matt Andersen took over the GM reigns of the Chicago Cubs and promptly gutted the team with intentions of building an organization that would be able to have consistent success within the financial constraints he currently is working with. Nobody on Chicago's North Side thought it would take this long, but after 5 long seasons, Andersen is finally willing to proclaim that it's time to move to phase 2 of his plan, starting to win with the youth acquired while having the financial means to add payroll if opportunities present themselves. I know, I know. You are thinking "What?! He just traded on of our top young bats right as he was starting to produce?!" While it's true that Robertson looks to be one of baseball's top bats, the Cubs would have had a difficult time retaining him in 3 years while trying to keep all of their other young bats and arms under contract, including re-upping Ernie Banks in a few years who will no doubt be looking for one last long big contract. By moving Robertson, Andersen was able to bring back five players who the Cubs will have cost control over for the next number of years and added another draft pick in this up-coming draft, which many think is the deepest draft in years. Among those coming over were SP-Jim Flanigan and OF-Bill Wilson, who will both contribute immediately.
"We know how it looks on paper" Andersen said. "Despite the cost, and believe me, we know how talented Robertson is, despite the cost, we really feel like this deal will help us expedite the process and get us on the winning path sooner rather than later." The Cubs announced today that they were calling up Flanigan and putting him in the rotation. Also, Tom Cheney will spend the rest of 58 in the rotation. Both Bob Keegan and recently signed Jake Thies were shipped to AAA. The Cubs also called up Jim Constable, Ruben Amaro Jr., Bob Shaw and Shigeo Nagashima, who Cubs fans had been clamoring for since he was drafted earlier this year. "We just didn't feel there was any point in waiting any longer" Andersen said. "Amaro will move to SS allowing Banks to move to first. That move alone will make us SO much better defensively. I know when we acquired Amaro in the Norm Cash deal many thought he was just a throw-in on that deal, a defensive stopper who may never have the bat to start. The kid has done nothing but hit since we've acquired him. He had a .426 OBP in AAA this year. We really feel he's ready". As for Nagashima, many felt he was ready when drafted. The Cubs sent him down and let him start at AA before promoting him to AAA. All he did was hit a combined .304 with 24 homers in 319 AB's. Shaw and Constable will get some bullpen work with the Cubs hoping that they are capable of moving in to the rotation in the next year or two.
While it's undoubtedly too late for the Cubs to make much of a splash this year, for the first time in a LONG time, Cubs fans will have something interesting to watch after the All-Star break and the future is looking a lot closer than what it was. With yet another top draft choice coming in the up coming draft, the Cubs should FINALLY have some good depth in their minor league system, lots of talent at the major league level and close to the major leagues and the financial resources to actually jump in and spend in the free agent market or through trade. "We're not going to come right out and say we're done making trades" says Andersen. "If opportunity arises we're certainly going to listen. We ARE done making trades looking to the future however. The future is now. We're ready to win."
"We know how it looks on paper" Andersen said. "Despite the cost, and believe me, we know how talented Robertson is, despite the cost, we really feel like this deal will help us expedite the process and get us on the winning path sooner rather than later." The Cubs announced today that they were calling up Flanigan and putting him in the rotation. Also, Tom Cheney will spend the rest of 58 in the rotation. Both Bob Keegan and recently signed Jake Thies were shipped to AAA. The Cubs also called up Jim Constable, Ruben Amaro Jr., Bob Shaw and Shigeo Nagashima, who Cubs fans had been clamoring for since he was drafted earlier this year. "We just didn't feel there was any point in waiting any longer" Andersen said. "Amaro will move to SS allowing Banks to move to first. That move alone will make us SO much better defensively. I know when we acquired Amaro in the Norm Cash deal many thought he was just a throw-in on that deal, a defensive stopper who may never have the bat to start. The kid has done nothing but hit since we've acquired him. He had a .426 OBP in AAA this year. We really feel he's ready". As for Nagashima, many felt he was ready when drafted. The Cubs sent him down and let him start at AA before promoting him to AAA. All he did was hit a combined .304 with 24 homers in 319 AB's. Shaw and Constable will get some bullpen work with the Cubs hoping that they are capable of moving in to the rotation in the next year or two.
While it's undoubtedly too late for the Cubs to make much of a splash this year, for the first time in a LONG time, Cubs fans will have something interesting to watch after the All-Star break and the future is looking a lot closer than what it was. With yet another top draft choice coming in the up coming draft, the Cubs should FINALLY have some good depth in their minor league system, lots of talent at the major league level and close to the major leagues and the financial resources to actually jump in and spend in the free agent market or through trade. "We're not going to come right out and say we're done making trades" says Andersen. "If opportunity arises we're certainly going to listen. We ARE done making trades looking to the future however. The future is now. We're ready to win."
