The 2016 World Series championship run by the Chicago Cubs ended the longest title drought in MLB.
However, ownership cannot be satisfied with only one World Series title.
In a city that longs for championship teams, the Cubs need to continue winning titles.
But they can’t do this without ownership making the right moves.
Without the right management and players, the team can’t make the postseason.
So why does ownership seem content with only one World Series title in Chicago?
Could Cubs’ Past Trade Deadline Moves Be Meant To Build Their Farm System?
Teams have two fundamental ways of building themselves into postseason contenders.
The first is by getting big-name stars, whether by trade or free agency.
However, the second is by using the team’s farm system.
The Cubs farm system has gotten some extra talent thanks to trades made by the front office.
But the reason for these trades is that the Cubs are at a disadvantage when trying to draft farm system players.
He also made the point that a big market team like the Cubs is at a disadvantage when it comes to building a farm system because all of the teams in their division get extra draft picks. https://t.co/EhI1Npkqev
— Destiny Lugardo (@destiny_lugardo) December 31, 2020
So this requires the team to trade one star player for several prospects for their farm system.
While these moves aren’t ideal, it’s the best way to get young talent for Chicago.
However, if these farm system players turn into busts, fans become instantly judgmental.
So what will Tom Ricketts do to help push the Cubs into contention in 2023?
Ricketts Promises Fans The Club Will Spend This Offseason
With the Cubs needing a retool of talented players, their ownership is promising to spend money in the offseason.
🎥: Tom Ricketts and the Cubs could be big players in free agency | NBC Sports Chicago https://t.co/8VE5IVvwyD
— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) September 14, 2022
However, that promise is something fans don’t believe.
After seeing Willson Contreras only get a one-year deal to avoid arbitration, fans doubt Ricketts will spend on big players.
If they can’t keep current big-name players, why should fans believe they’ll get big-name free agents?
While the promise is there, it’s currently ringing hollow to the ears of Cubs fans.
However, if Ricketts signs star players, it signals the Cubs are ready to become contenders again.
But the team needs more than players to quench the thirst of hungry fans.
Cubs Need A Better Manager Than David Ross
A simple look on Twitter will show plenty of Cubs faithful who want manager David Ross gone.
His management of games is poor, as he seems aloof when examining pitcher and batter matchups.
With errors made by Ross throughout the season, it’s time to find someone new.
It doesn’t mean Ross is a bad guy, but just a terrible manager for the Cubs.
Countless times the Cubs have surrendered big leads in games.
The Cubs are so good at blowing leads they rank at the top of the league for most blown saves.
With Ross bringing in the wrong pitchers at the wrong time, it’s upsetting Cubs fans.
Those fans want a championship team, not a team with few stars and poor management.
For the Cubs to return to the World Series, they must part ways with Ross before 2023.
Keeping him around only shows that Cubs ownership is happy with just one title.
NEXT: The Cubs Must Be Back In Contention In 2023