Quote:The Cubs are loaded with young talent. 

 

Any young pitchers to take note of for next year?

 

Their farm system has/was loaded with young offensive talent.  Kris Bryant intrigues me the most of them all but understandably he won't be up until next spring (allowing them to push off his FA one more season) but I can't wait to see him at the next level.  As far as pitching the system is pretty bare compared to the bats.  I get the impression they plan on spending money this offseason (and maybe the next) to add pitching to the offense.  The Cubs pitching has been better than people think this year, in my opinion, but the roster has been so weak they don't score enough runs to pull off the win. The pitching staff will need several big additions to be a playoff level staff but the cupboard isn't completely bare there.  I think they could fill out the bottom of a rotation well enough but the top 1/2/3 probably aren't on the roster at this point.

 

I know plenty that have been hard on Epstein for the losing that has taken place but the farm system appears absolutely loaded with bats.  Time will tell if these prospects (I know they all will not) live up to their billing but there is some interesting baseball ahead for Cub's fans.  That's something I haven't been able to say with a straight face for YEARS.

 

I love the thought of being able to follow YOUNG talent in their transition with the Cubs.  We've already seen guys like Rizzo and Castro fair pretty well. Add in guys like Soler, Bryant,  and Baez and I'm trying to curb my enthusiasm.  On top of those, you have others like Addison Russell, Albert Almora, and Alcantara.

 

I could see a trade or two of some of these young prospects to try and get an arm next year.  

 

The current roster payroll is somewhere in the range of $73 million from what I find.  That's near the bottom of the league if I'm seeing it right.  The Cubs have plenty of money to spend but the plan looks to be to spend that on pitching.  There was no need for that yet at this point when not enough of the positional prospects were ready.  I fully expect the Cubs to be active this offseason.

 

The changes Theo and crew have made have been numerous and it reminds me a bit of Caldwell and the Jaguars.   Theo has shed large contracts and propped up the farm system with young promising players.  Guys like Alfonso Soriano and his massive contract are long gone.  Brighter days are ahead.  I expect the Cubs to be largely improved next season and serious contenders in 2016 if the plan continues to fall into place.

 

I hope either Max Scherzer or Jon Lester can end up a Cub this offseason.

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