Chicago Cubs: Theo Epstein shows John Mozeliak how to handle players

After John Mozeliak hung Dexter Fowler out to dry over the weekend, Theo Epstein took to the airwaves defending a struggling player of his own.

The times have changed. Once upon a time, the Chicago Cubs and their fans stared longingly at the St. Louis Cardinals. Division titles seemed like foregone conclusions for a good long while in St. Louis, as the Cubs popped up from time to time, but remained largely a nuisance and little more.

Now, taking aim at a third consecutive division crown, the ball is in the Cubs’ court. Simultaneously, the quality of the Cardinals’ on-field product and their reputation are dropping precipitously.

This weekend, frustrated by a team that’s just three games over .500, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak took to the airwaves. There was no rallying cry or support for struggling players. Instead, he used his pulpit to take former Cub Dexter Fowler to task.