Chicago Cubs: Pressure should be on Theo Epstein, not Joe Maddon

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon has been operating under the ‘lame duck’ label for the last seven months, assuming the blame for all that’s gone wrong.

As Joe Maddon, one of the most successful managers in franchise history, attempts to guide the Chicago Cubs back to the playoffs, there is plenty of background noise.

Chicago’s poor finish to the first half of the season prompted Theo Epstein to suggest that “tons of changes” were coming. Even prior to this season, the firing of former pitching coach Jim Hickey, who had a relationship with Maddon since his days on the bench for the Tampa Bay Rays, prompted speculation that there was a rift between the front office and the manager.

With the trade deadline just six days away, the Cubs have multiple holes to fill. They need bench depth and should look for another left-handed reliever. Yet once again, the notion of “limited financial flexibility” is coming into play as the North Siders look for potential additions.

The Cubs have one of the highest valuations and generate some of the most revenue of any team in baseball. Should they fail to make necessary moves, internal or external, at the trade deadline, it should be a direct indictment on Tom Ricketts, Epstein and the rest of the team’s leadership, rather than its manager.

Chicago Cubs: Maddon doing the best he can with what he has

In recent weeks, I have seen a ton of criticisms of Maddon’s lineups. Some of them are fair.

It seems rather questionable to continue to bat Albert Almora at the top or middle of the lineup when he has been one of the least productive hitters in baseball over the course of the last calendar year.

In a similar vein, fans have grown increasingly frustrated with continued playing time given to Addison Russell, as his latest mental blunders and generally unabashed cluelessness have done very little to distract from his character issues.

But while Maddon was, to the dismay of many fans, supportive of Russell during his suspension for violating the MLB’s domestic violence policy, he has since been uncharacteristically open with the media about Russell’s need to improve immediately.

Meanwhile, it was Epstein and the front office’s decision to stick by Russell during Spring Training, saying the organization should share in some of the responsibility for his actions. Since he returned from his suspension he has had a permanent spot in the big-league clubhouse until Wednesday, when he was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

With Russell scuffling, Maddon turned to Robel Garcia on Tuesday for a start against Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner. The results: hitless in four at-bats, with three strikeouts.

Chicago’s other option at second? That would be another Epstein addition, Daniel Descalso, who has been lauded for his leadership but has seen all of seven plate appearances this month and is hitting .181 on the season.

As for the outfield situation, what else is Maddon supposed to do? No, Almora should not be hitting anywhere near the top of the lineup. He probably should not be in the lineup at all.

But as long as the front office abstains from calling up Ian Happ or acquiring an outfielder, there are no real winning options. If Maddon reshuffles by moving Kris Bryant to the outfield, then David Bote starts at third, and Bote is hitting just .213 since the start of June (as of Wednesday).

Remind me again how this is all Maddon’s fault?