Chicago Cubs: Next year’s team will be ready to win, but look different

Chicago Cubs: It’s time for the next chapter at Wrigley Field

Epstein spoke for well over an hour on Monday during his annual end-of-year presser. He touched on an array of topics – including potential deals with some Cubs stars and what the winter may look like. One thing was perfectly clear, though – he has no intentions of tearing it down to the studs and starting over.

"“We’re very disappointed that we weren’t able to deliver October baseball,” Epstein said. “It’s something I feel the fans deserve year in, year out. That feeling of letting our fans down should motivate all of us, every single one of us in this organization — I know it does for me — to put the work in necessary to build the next Cubs championship team.”"

Epstein admitted that maybe he put too much faith in certain aspects of the team because of their history together. This group won 90 or more games in four consecutive seasons, reached three-straight NLCS and won a World Series. Even last year, which was considered a disappointment at the time, ended with 95 regular season wins and a Wild Card berth.

The 2019 season, really put things in perspective – for both Epstein and those who follow the team. An 84-win record has everyone on high alert and it cost Joe Maddon his job as Cubs manager. Replacing him is a tall task – and one that Epstein will undoubtedly focus on in the coming days and weeks.

"“But, for this group, by definition, I feel like change is important,” he said. “So, there’s just certain things that a new voice can accomplish that the same voice — no matter how talented, even a Hall of Fame manager — can’t quite accomplish the same, and especially with our group.”"