The Chicago Cubs will have to deal some of their top prospects to succeed

Recently, we at FanSided held our Faux Winter Meetings in order to keep things interesting with the Hot Stove season. Working alongside of my Co-Editor Jacob Misener, we made some deals that many frowned upon. Including…ahem, trading Kris Bryant. It’s not a move we want to see happen, and we knew the backlash was coming. But we wanted to delve into something positive about the Chicago Cubs that at some point will need to come to the forefront.

Insane wealth in the Minors that will be very valuable in trade.

From the fans perspective, all of these top talents in the Cubs farm-system coming together at near the same time is almost too good to be true. Who doesn’t want to see a “homegrown” roster full of superstars? But the likelihood of that happening is absolute zero. They aren’t all going to make it with the Cubs. Some won’t make it at all.

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But not all teams have money to burn like the Yankees, Red Sox and even the Cubs. Some teams have to deal for talent to develop over buying in free agency. It’s this aspect of what Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have done that gives the team the most flexibility. Not just the deep pockets that most fans seem upset they aren’t digging into. It’s not the right way to build a dynasty. There has to be balance.

The Cubs have assembled one of the top farm systems in all of baseball. But it’s clearly “hitter heavy”. The acquisition and development of pitching isn’t on the same track. Bryant, who was All-Universe this year it seems isn’t even the organizations No. 1 prospect anymore. It’s Addison Russell. That’s an embarrassment of riches the team will need to exploit.

Epstein built a winner in Boston, but also made some bad free agent deals that left the team in bad shape upon leaving. He learned his lesson and won’t do that again. The Red Sox finished last in the AL East this year. They just spent near $200 million on Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval. The attempt to buy a winner may or may not payoff. But check back in two years when those deals keep the Red Sox from doing anything else, especially if the “win now” idea fails.

The plan has always to build a team that competes year in, year out. While many may see the Cubs as “losing” by not signing the top free agents this season, or “stupid” to trade away top talent, it’s a necessity of the business of baseball. Surplus, supply, demand.

I’ve watched the Cubs try to buy a winner. It didn’t work. I have not, however, seen them try to build one like they are now. So I’ll take my chances and bet on Epstein. He brought a title to Boston after an 85-year drought. I’ll do my best to not let my inner-fan get the best of me till then.