Chicago Cubs: Top 3 ways Tom Ricketts is looking to save his budget

Chicago Cubs: Time for the draft to get logical

2. Draft better

I’m not the first person to say that the Chicago Cubs have been all over the block on draft picks. For years before 2017, the Cubs mainly drafted outfielders.  The thought process was, the team needed golden glove capable outfielders to support the pitching staff. Batting was not the emphasis when picking these players, as the focus was on gloves and batting was expected to be developed later. Hence the 2010 -2015 fifth place run the Cubs put up during those years.

Another reason the Chicago Cubs need to watch their spending is that beginning in 2018  an additional penalty was  added to the Collective Bargaining Agreement’s second threshold for big spending teams.

A team that spent above the former $237 million threshold would also have its top draft pick lowered by ten spots, unless that pick was in the top six, in which case the team’s second pick would then be lowered by ten spots.

Over-spending could cost valuable draft picks that the Cubs so desperately need.

It seems that the Cubs have finally found common ground on drafting bats for the Cubs after the dismal performances on offense the last two seasons. It’s almost a checklist item for new prospects no matter what position they are signing on for (although pitchers are still given leeway for batting).

It goes without saying that Cubs are always looking for pitchers in the draft but with possible moves in the near future of Cubs shortstop Javier Baez, Catcher Willson Contreras and third baseman Kris Bryant, Epstein might be looking for some slugging infielders as well this year. Either way, Ricketts will have to do better to compensate for the losses he may have when selecting players for the draft. Again, another opportunity to make money and help the overall budget just by drafting better or wiser – you choose.

What is the number one way Ricketts will help his budget next season?