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: 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?