The Theo era has begun!

The Theo era has officially begun. This morning the Cubs made the first official move under the new regime. David DeJesus was given a 2-year deal with an option for a third for a reported $4 Mil a year. While I do not totally mind this signing, it is a small glimpse into the future of the organization. 

The Cubs are not going to win the World Series next year, and probably won’t win it for a long time. The organization is in complete shambles. Jim Hendry, the previous GM, left so much of a mess behind him that it is reminiscent of rubble after a giant earthquake. It will take at least a couple of years before the team can truly compete. DeJesus is a placeholder. Someone to play right field for two years until someone else comes along. I like the option too. In case DeJesus over performs they still have him, if he is a dud, he is gone

Theo Epstein has continued to use the phrase “The Cubs way” when talking about his new leadership with the team.  It needs to apply to the fans as well. Fans are already bashing this move on the comments sections on blogs everywhere. “Why give him 4 mil?” “He only hit .240”. “What about Colvin?” It is a new day Cubs fans, and you either need to jump on board or find some other train to hitch your wagon too. Gone are the days of giving “Fan Favorites” unlimited chances. Gone are the days of the 5-year deal with a full no trade clause. Gone are the days of looking at one stat line and forming an opinion. Dejesus has a career .356 OBP. Do you know what other Cubs have that high of an OBP? No one. I think I see what Theo is doing.

The Cubs Blogosphere* (*I hate this word and I am sorry for using it) also was a buzz yesterday because it was reported that they reached out to Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols. Now, those two are most certainly great players and I would want either of them on the Cubs but I would have wanted them on the Cubs 5 years ago. Both of them will be insisting on long long deals of the 8 or 9-year variety and paydays in the hundreds of millions. So that would mean that you would be paying aging superstars in their late 30’s the bulk of the money. Sound familiar? Ask Alfonso Soriano about that.

While Prince is younger than Pujols* (*probably by 10 years), he is not what you would call physically fit. Not as if that means much really, he was the only major leaguer to play all 162 games.  He just makes me remember Mo Vaughn. Remember Mo Vaughn? He was a big 250lbs+,  left hand hitting 1^st baseman for the Boston Red Sox in the 90’s?  He could hit for power and average and was a force in the middle of the lineup. He got a big deal with the Angels and broke his foot catching a pop up. Then in the 3^rd year of this 80 mil/6 year deal was out for the season and was traded for an aging Kevin Appier. That is what to beware of Fielder. Fielder will get the payday and just relax more than the fit of his size 60 pants.

I really doubt that Theo will go after Fielder anyways. If he were signed it would mean that he would most likely have his best years on the Cubs while they are rebuilding. That just doesn’t make sense. I see more signings of the DeJesus variety. I wouldn’t be surprised if a Michael Cuddyer and/or Wilson Betemit were signed to two-year deals as well. Just as people to play positions everyday and bat in the lineup until Theo and the gang are done clearing all the rubble.