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The last time the Chicago Cubs rebuilt from the ground up, back in 2012, it took four years — and in the end, it won them a World Series. This time, the front office has promised Cubs fans a much quicker process. They took the first step in fulfilling that commitment Wednesday, signing free agent pitcher Marcus Stroman to a three-year, $71 million contract.
Stroman, 30, was one of the better pitchers available this year. In Chicago, he’ll join Cubs mainstay Kyle Hendricks and newcomer Wade Miley in a revamped 2022 rotation. They still don’t have an ace, in the truest sense of the word, but the rotation is better today than it was yesterday.
And just as telling for the Cubs’ expectations of their place in the larger baseball landscape: The deal includes an opt-out after two seasons, a fact that will lead Cubs fans to believe a contender is around the corner. Why spend that much in the short-term if you’re not trying to win?
President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer claims he wants be nimble and calculated as he builds “the next great Cubs team.” In that way, Stroman is a clear fit for Hoyer’s plan. He’ll make a high annual salary but it’s not a really long commitment, especially if he were to opt out. Stroman earned a very similar yearly salary to free agents Robbie Ray and Kevin Gausman — but they both signed five-year deals. Stroman’s shorter deal keeps the Cubs flexible as they move through their mini-rebuild — or “retool,” as Hoyer has preferred to call it since he ripped the band-aid off the group that won him and the organization a World Series in 2016.
With stars Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez, Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber all gone, Hoyer has a clean slate to work with. He still has plenty of holes to fill but has committed to doing it methodically. In other words, the Cubs aren’t going to buy themselves a championship. This is going to be one piece at a time. And Stroman is a very good place to start.
If Hoyer hits on some other moves, or a couple of…
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Source : espn
