Small-market teams in the MLB have to navigate their roster moves with caution to improve their franchise.
However, for the Chicago Cubs, they aren’t in a small market, as they have an enormous fan base.
But now an ESPN insider for MLB is comparing the Cubs to two small-market teams.
With his comparison, fans are wondering what the Cubs have in common with small-market teams.
ESPN Analyst Compares Cubs To The Rays And Guardians
Buster Olney believes the way the Cubs are building their team is the same way smaller-market teams handle their team.
With his tweet on Thursday, he compares them to the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians.
The Rays and Guardians have long demonstrated that the quickest way to competitive relevance is through enhanced pitching and defense. And this seems to be the route the Cubs are trying to take. If they land Swanson, their backbone defense at SS, 2B, CF would be excellent.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 15, 2022
However, the comparison with the smaller-market teams comes from them needing defense and pitching.
He feels if the Cubs land shortstop Dansby Swanson, their defense will be excellent.
If they get Swanson, the defense for the Cubs will have three solid players.
With the team signing a couple of pitchers during the free agency period, everything is pointing towards a more defensive-driven Cubs team.
While the team still lacks an All-Star ace pitcher, they are making improvements.
But until they officially sign Swanson, these improvements aren’t complete.
However, even without Swanson, the team is still making moves to fix issues with their roster.
While smaller-market teams like the Rays and Guardians use their farm system to get their players, the Cubs are using the free agency market.
With each move the Cubs make, they are taking one more step to having a better season next year.
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