Theo Epstein on Cubs’ core: ‘We’re at a period of real transition’

Javy Baez, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber are all scheduled to reach free agency at the end of the 2021 season.

SHARE Theo Epstein on Cubs’ core: ‘We’re at a period of real transition’
“I don’t think we’re in a position to definitively state that this is an end,” Cubs president Thoe Epstein said. “At the same time ... we can’t continue to run the exact same offense, the exact same group of guys out there and expect better results.”

“I don’t think we’re in a position to definitively state that this is an end,” Cubs president Thoe Epstein said. “At the same time ... we can’t continue to run the exact same offense, the exact same group of guys out there and expect better results.”

Morry Gash/AP

Four years ago, the Cubs were on top of the baseball world. And after winning the 2016 World Series with several core players still early in their careers, it seemed like a good bet it would be the first of many chances they would have.

But things rarely go exactly how you plan them, and their core is under scrutiny now after the Cubs’ disappointing finishes the last three seasons.

The Cubs’ sputtering offense and lack of production, especially late in the season, have become a trend during that time. It continued in 2020, and things came to a head after they scored a combined one run in two games and were eliminated by the Marlins in the National League wild-card round last week.

It has become apparent the time for change has come, and Cubs seem to understand that, too.

‘‘I don’t think we’re in a position to definitively state that this is an end,’’ president Theo Epstein said during his season-ending news conference Monday. ‘‘At the same time, I talked about being accountable and owning it. We can’t continue to run the exact same offense, the exact same group of guys out there, and expect better results. So I think the best way to approach this is acknowledging that we’re at a period of a real transition.’’

Despite winning early in their window, the Cubs haven’t lived up to expectations in recent years, and some of their offensive weaknesses have been exposed. Epstein pointed to their inability to do damage against fastballs as one of those weaknesses.

Part of the Cubs’ transition likely will include moving on from a piece or two of their core and deciding what to do with their soon-to-be free agents. Javy Baez, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber are all scheduled to hit free agency after next season. It’s still possible the Cubs could agree to extensions with them this offseason, but they will prepare for all scenarios, including trades.

‘‘Embracing some change, even significant change, is warranted,’’ Epstein said. ‘‘Is it possible to thread the needle and improve in 2021, while also setting ourselves up for the long-term future? I think it is.’’

Every offseason is unpredictable, but the coronavirus’ effect on team revenues and the Cubs’ apprehension to spend adds another layer. How team revenues affect the trade and free-agent markets likely will become more evident as the offseason unfolds.

Epstein said the Cubs will be proactive in augmenting the team, despite not having all the information they would normally.

‘‘Our job isn’t just to sit there and shrug our shoulders and say, ‘Well, there’s uncertainty, we can’t do anything,’ ’’ he said. ‘‘It’s to be really systematic about asking the right questions, getting to the right answers, using each day as an opportunity to try to properly forecast the different range of possible outcomes, then being really strategic about our plan moving forward, acknowledging the uncertainty along the way.’’

The Cubs must decide who will be part of their long-term future and who won’t, and that likely will include some players who helped reshape the franchise. And while the core’s time together is expected to come to an end, Epstein doesn’t expect the window on the players’ careers to close anytime soon.

‘‘These players have a lot of great baseball left and are clear assets,’’ Epstein said. ‘‘For many of them, I look forward to seeing them write some more history for the Chicago Cubs. Others ultimately will end up having productive years elsewhere. It’s just part of change. Is it an end? No. Is it a bit of a crossroads and clearly a period of transition? Yes.’’

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