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.’

Chicago Cubs: Will Epstein reshuffle his coaches?

I believe that Theo Epstein is considering changing up some of the coaches and possibly Joe Maddon. That is unless Maddon already has a contract or agreement, which then puts Epstein in a real tight spot.

No one wants Maddon to succeed more than Epstein because that would be loads of trouble off his mind for contract purposes and that would mean of course the Cubs had won “enough” for Epstein. It also reinforces Epstein’s decision to bring Maddon to Chicago in the first place. Easy enough, when the team is winning, things are good, and when they are losing…well this is what the AP reported Epstein recently said about Maddon:

“I see us as in it together,” Epstein said. “My job is to put him in a position to succeed. I like nothing more as an executive than sitting back — the team’s playing well, the manager’s on a roll, you guys are all talking about this is the best job he’s ever done. That makes me feel good. Now, the team’s struggling so there’s going to be speculation in the other direction.”

Although there are no hard rumors about both hitting and pitching coaches being on the chopping block, no one feels safe. Epstein has to win, and players are either going to show him the money or cash out. Coaches may need to be reviewed based purely on personnel and their relationships on the team. It’s like everything is up for review over the next few weeks.

Remember, Epstein has all the solutions and can apply them at any time. So how will it happen?

Chicago Cubs: Epstein delivers his solutions

Remember, Epstein has all the answers; he needs to know ‘who’ the problems are. That’s what he’ll be doing the next three weeks. Looking to see who the problems are so that he can apply a solution. A quick solution so the team can move on and win. He’s not shy about saying exactly what all fans are thinking: fix the issues now not later when it’s too late and another Division Title and season has slipped through our fingers. We’re lucky to be where we are, not good.

“I think we all feel fortunate to be within half a game of first place, giving the way that we’ve played,” Epstein said. “If the (division) had shaken out a little bit differently, we’d be in a lot different mindset — probably looking more longer term. Right now, we’re looking very short term. We’re looking at how to claw back to first place and then build a lead.”

Epstein is too smart to start pinning pink slips on players in the media just yet but expect that his team’s performance over the rest of the month will go far in determining the moves Epstein tries to make before the July 31 deadline.

The All-Star break may give the Chicago Cubs time to reflect on the first part of the season and how they want to come back and attack the second half. They’ve already succeeded in drawing themselves back to first place and now must look to build their lead.

If there was ever a time you might see many Cubs “over-performing” or fighting for their jobs, it’s going to happen in these next three weeks. Especially for those players I’ve already named, it’s almost like Spring Training again – let’s see what you got – all or nothing. That should fare well for the Chicago Cubs overall and help with some early wins to get that lead Epstein wants.

I’m especially eager to see how the Cubs come out against the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend because a slow start for some Cubs might sadly be another ‘solution’ for Epstein.