Chicago Cubs: Theo Epstein’s got solutions, determining the problems

When the president of your organization comes out and says you can do better and haven’t been playing to your potential?  Things are not good. What will happen after the All-Star break for the Chicago Cubs?

Chicago Cubs, President of Baseball Operations, Theo Epstein, is a man with many solutions. Usually, when writers are hitting the ball clubs hard, they talk about a manager or president with many ‘problems.’ But in this case, Epstein doesn’t seem to know the problem with the Cubs other than the apparent – offensive production, bullpen pitching and injuries.

How will that problem manifest itself so Epstein can react? He has many solutions in trades, deals, sending players down to Triple-A and just about whatever he needs from the Ricketts. Even a man with so many solutions still has to ask himself, “With who and where do I start?

That’s what Epstein is thinking right now as he tries to make sense of the poor overall performance of his club this month and assess where he needs to be in September. Once Epstein understands how many wins the team will need by September to assure themselves the Division title and a Postseason berth; he can ‘backwards’ plan to the end of the break to assess what big moves need to be made. This may include firing, trading, or sending players down and also saying goodbye to ineffective coaches.

Epstein has got many solutions but first has to determine who are the ‘problems.’