Levine: Cubs' Theo Epstein Weighs Options In Trade Market
By Bruce Levine--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- To trade or not to trade? That is the question.
Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein must decide how far to go in the process of pushing the win-now mode. Could trading youth too early possibly derail a consistent winner from developing for the next decade at Clark and Addison?
With a minor league system of quality prospects on the way to join the young nucleus of Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro, Kris Bryant and Addison Russell, other teams will want to steal top players away before the trading deadline. This was the method used by this Cubs front office to augment the draft and international additions they have made since taking over the reins of the baseball department in 2011.
Epstein was transparent as usual in explaining his intent for now and the future.
"You just must balance it the best you can," Epstein said. "You can't take any opportunity to win for granted. You have to seize the moment. At the same time, we are aware that one of the primary reasons we have a team in contention is because of a healthy organization that has been built."
The Cubs would love to add starting and relief pitching. At what cost and how far they can come will be determined by the development of the young players in the lineup and the deals Epstein and Co. make.
"You want to maintain that," Epstein said. "That is certainly one of the things that has made us good this year. I think it will make us good for years to come. That will be true if we keep maintaining a healthy organization. The people we have need to keep pulling all in the same direction. The talent is the other part of it. We wouldn't sacrifice those things lightly. We wouldn't trade prospects we believe in lightly. At the same time, there is a time and a reason to do it when the right deal presents itself."
That right deal could be for pitchers such as Scott Kazmir, Johnny Cueto , Aroldis Chapman, Jonathan Papelbon or Jeff Samardzija. All of these difference-makers will most likely be available in the right deal over the next five weeks. Rumors of the Cubs' interest in some or all of the above doesn't impact the work Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer must do in the coming weeks.
Epstein emphasized he's not afraid to trade with anyone, including division rivals.
The Cubs are watching their young players in the big leagues grow every day. This internal improvement area may cause the brass to pause before trading for a possible duplication at a position or on the pitching staff.
"Any time you can improve from within, that is the best way and most efficient way of getting better," Epstein said. "You just can't always count on that. We know we have a manager and coaching staff that help our players relax and play their best. That way, we can continue developing players in the big leagues. That does not mean you stop considering (help) from the outside to help you improve."
Cub fans, fasten your seat belts for a high ride that may have some interesting twist and turns before the trading deadline expires July 31.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
