Chicago Cubs: Long contracts need patience from fans–like it or not

Since 2015, the Chicago Cubs have signed a few long-term deals. They’ve had mixed results, but one thing we need to have with them is patience. That’s easier said than done.

When the Chicago Cubs signed Jon Lester to a six-year, $155 million deal, it was a sign the team was ready to rise up from ‘Lovable Losers.’ The only issue was that Lester wasn’t ‘living up’ to the money he was being paid.

Before I even get going on this subject, can we understand that ALL players are overpaid? It’s just that some are worse than others. That’s just the way it is. It’s not fair. But until something changes, it won’t. Lester’s first year with the Cubs ended with an 11-12 record and a 3.34 ERA. Not terrible numbers. But not what many expected for the ‘big free agent’ signing.

Before the 2016 season, the Cubs signed Jason Heyward to a huge deal. An eight-year, $184 million contract, with several opt-outs. Most figured he’d have another solid year, opt-out and go for more money. That didn’t happen. While the defense of Heyward was as advertised, winning his fourth Gold Glove, the offense–for the money–was a bust.

His average dipped 63 points. His home run total went from 13 to seven, and his stolen bases fell from 23 to 11. An AAV of $23 million and this is what we get? He did have the rain delay speech in Game 7 of the World Series, but that means little to most Cubs fans.