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As we inch closer to spring training, it’s becoming quite clear that not only are MLB experts beginning to write off the Chicago Cubs, but the odds tracked by SBD have begun to follow suit.
As of today, the Cubs are tied with the Cincinnati Reds at 30:1 odds to win the 2020 World Series. For perspective, the White Sox are 40:1. Think about that for a minute.
Initially, the Theo Epstein-led rebuild paid off in spades, with five straight winning seasons, including three straight NLCS appearances and a World Series championship. The Cubs and Wrigleyville were on top of the world.
But at the end of this decade, the Cubs came crashing back down to earth. With just 84 wins and a third-place finish in 2019, the Cubs were on the outside looking in (postseason), for the first time since 2014.
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Now, whether you blame Theo Epstein for his questionable free-agent acquisitions (post-2016), or you point the finger at Tom Ricketts and the never-ending excuses he has to not spend money, the fact of the matter is this team is still very capable of winning the pennant in 2020.
The Cubs still have an extremely talented roster with the likes of Javier Baez, Anthony Rizzo, Wilson Contreras, Kyle Schwarber, Jason Heyward and more than likely Kris Bryant.
That being said, last season, more often than not, the problem was pitching and the big question now is, will the lack of spending in 2019 be what sinks the Cubs in 2020.
The rotation will be led once again by Jon Lester, and complicated by Yu Darvish, Kyle Hendricks, and Jose Quintana, which is more than serviceable; however, the bullpen is a different story.
Now, with the loss of Pedro Strop to the division rival Cinncinati Reds, the Cubs are in season need of late-inning help. Fans are looking to the front office to add and it doesn’t appear to be on the agenda.
With the regression of other Chicago teams, such as the Bulls and Blackhawks, all eyes were on the Cubs as the lone hope for a title heading into last season. Now, in 2020, there is less faith in the team than years prior and attention is shifting to the south side as the White Sox had a tremendous offseason.
Many think firing Joe Maddon will end up being a big mistake for the team, but only time will tell if David Ross is the right man for the job.
What’s to come in 2020 should tell us a lot about how the first half of the new decade may go for the Cubs. Their future will be dictated by the actions of Epstein, as he tries to push through what’s been his second straight slow offseason. Does he start to strip it down or does he hunker down and make another run.
The question is, are you willing to back the north side in their quest for their second pennant in less than five years. If so, it could be quite profitable at the window.
