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: Who could go first in Cubs reshuffle?

What Theo Epstein knows for sure is that he doesn’t like what he’s seen so far. Sure it’s not bad for another club, but not with the tools provided and the expectation so high to win. Epstein sits like a king in a castle ready to fire the first general to screw up in the war, but the battle has been on a short pause this week.

The All-Star break has provided a nice bit of time for Epstein to review all the candidates and even the non-candidates for a reshuffle. It’s good to know who your core team is, even if it’s due to contracts or deals, at least you know.

Epstein will look to keep his main horses: Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Willson Contreras and Jason Heyward. Additionally, Epstein would look to keep Victor Caratini, Robel Garcia, and slowly work in Ben Zobrist as a sort of late charge in August or September.

Epstein now knows what he has to work with: Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr., Daniel Descalso, David Bote, and Ian Happ.

While no one wants to see Kyle Schwarber leave the Cubs, the leadoff man has struggled, and maybe that’s part of the reason Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon put him in that job: to shine a light on him. That light has shown some errors in the outfield by Schwarber and disappointing outings at-bat. David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune wrote,

And it starts at the top with Kyle Schwarber, still a square peg in a round hole batting leadoff, no matter how much apologists spin his on-base percentage. Either put Schwarber’s power bat fifth or sixth or ship him to the American League.

On the pitching side of the house, rumors abound that Cole Hamels could move on right after he comes off injury. Additionally, Tyler Chatwood, Mike Montgomery and Carl Edwards Jr. are all recent unproven Cubs heroes.

Epstein recently confirmed that Brandon Morrow will return and be another closing option for the Cubs. What everyone wants to know is what Epstein will do with his coaching staff?

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.