After Saturday’s loss to the Washington Nationals, the Chicago Cubs have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. The Cubs were favored to win the division in 2024. Instead, that title went to the Milwaukee Brewers. For the fourth consecutive season, the Cubs will be watching the playoffs from their offseason couches, which is not okay with veteran starter Jameson Taillon.
Speaking of the Brewers, that’s who the Cubs seemingly stole their new manager from to take control of the division. Craig Counsell came to Chicago to take the reigns of a team in the third-largest market and take the next step in his career. That won’t happen in his first year on the North Side.
Counsell told the media earlier this week how he feels things should be around here. He said this organization should be competing for 90 wins each season and be a shoo-in for the playoffs in October. From the outside looking in, that’s probably what he thought he was signing up for. But with his former team still firing on all cylinders, it’s clear that he left the better organization.
Now, the Cubs face an offseason that will include decisions that could shape the franchise’s trajectory. If they are wrong, it could possibly cost some executives their jobs.
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One thing we do know is Jameson Taillon will be here in 2025. Taillon has served as an anchor for this rotation. His veteran presence gives him a deserving voice in the clubhouse. This weekend, he wasn’t shy about how he felt playing against the Cubs should mean.
Jameson Taillon Is The Latest To Send A Message To The Cubs Front Office
After Craig Counsell shared his thoughts with the media about how the Chicago Cubs should be a winning organization, Jameson Taillon echoed him. Taillon also said the Cubs should be a 90-win team every year. But he didn’t stop there.
Taillon went on to say that teams are currently excited to be coming to Wrigley Field. It’s considered a fun road trip because of the ora and history the Friendly Confines bring. However, Taillon said teams and players should not come to Wrigley looking for fun. He wants teams to come to the North Side of Chicago feeling like they’re “going to get worked” for three or four days.
What Counsell and Taillon have said these last couple of days is different than what we’ve heard in seasons of the past. The narrative fans and media alike have been given before is a sermon of patience and waiting for the timing to be perfect.
It feels like there is growing frustration from leadership inside the clubhouse that is disconnected from the narrative being pushed by the front office. When the season comes to an end, tough questions are going to have to be answered. Significant moves are going to have to be made. Accountability is going to have to be taken.
Jameson Taillon and Craig Counsell are merely the two who spoke up. There could be more Cubs who feel the way they do. The pressure and temperature in President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer’s seat are rising by the day.
