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

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(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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.

Mozeliak lets it fly in heated interview

“Those are things I can’t defend,” Mozeliak said of the questions surrounding Fowler’s energy level and effort. “Everybody needs to take a hard look in the mirror and decide what they want that next chapter to look like. In Dexter’s case, maybe taking a brief timeout, trying to reassess himself and then give him a chance for a strong second half is probably what’s best for everybody.”

Since then, he’s backpedaled furiously – only to come out looking, at the best, incompetent.

“I would not make too much of this and really what I was trying to say is: I hear what our fan base is saying,” Mozeliak said. “And I just hope our players understand it as well, but there is a time to get this right and to win.”

Fowler, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal with St. Louis this winter, is mired in the worst stretch of his career. So far this season, he’s been worth -1.2 WAR and is hitting a dreadful .171/.276/.278. His OPS sits more than 200 points below his career average and nearly 300 below his two-year average with the Cubs.

There’s a right way and a wrong way to voice concerns

I’m not saying the organization shouldn’t take issue with his play. If he continues playing like this, we’re talking about an all-time bust in terms of free agency. For St. Louis to have any shot at the Central, he needs to get his game figured out.

But as the leader of an organization, how do you air your dirty laundry like that? It’s no way to treat anyone – especially someone you just signed for the next half-decade. Forget what message that sends to impending free agents and trade targets. It tells the clubhouse you better perform or you’re chopped liver.

Nothing like getting put on blast to get your head straight – right?

Theo vehemently defends Darvish in interview

Meanwhile, Theo Epstein spoke to the media on his own struggling offseason prize, Yu Darvish. The right-hander made some comments last week in Los Angeles that left a bad taste in the mouths of more than a few folks – myself included.

“He’s human, and I think he’s a little more open than most,” Epstein said. “I think part of the way people get over adversity or critical moments in their life is by talking about them and sharing them with people and connecting with them. If that’s going to continue to help him face challenges and, in the case of the World Series, overcome them next time, then good for him. I think people should be encouraged to open up. There’s more than one way to compete, and there’s more than one way to handle emotions.

Darvish elaborated on his postseason meltdown to the media at Dodger Stadium – and, by now, we’re all well aware of what went down in the World Series. The Astros pounded Darvish in both of his starts, including Game 7. Still, the Cubs were not dissuaded from signing him this winter, hoping to fill a big need in the rotation.

The Japanese-born hurler has pitched to a 4.95 ERA in Chicago. More pressing, perhaps, are two separate DL stints – including his current one that’s spanned more than a month. But given it’s been mere months, we’re probably jumping the gun in calling him a ‘bust’.

Next: Forget the All-Star Game: Baez is an MVP candidate

Theo all-class on the North Side

But that’s not what we’re talking about. Epstein perfectly demonstrated why Chicago is a primetime free agency destination these days. As the Cardinals backslide, the Cubs are hitting the right note at every turn – including showing their guys they have their backs, no matter what.

Is this the beginning of the end in St. Louis? Who knows. But one thing is abundantly clear: the Chicago Cubs are the class of baseball. The same cannot be said for a frustrated St. Louis front office.

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