Levine: Jon Lester Signing Brought Cubs Credibility, Confidence
By Bruce Levine--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- For the Cubs to be on the verge of making it to the playoffs in this 2015 season, their fourth year of a total reconstruction of its baseball department, seems relatively quick.
The five-year baseball plan is an approach that has become cliched in baseball jargon over the past four decades. Many failed teams and franchises have used that time variable as the the bookmark for turning a bad system into something more palatable and functional.
When Theo Epstein was hired as president of baseball operation by the Cubs in October 2011, the "Cubs Way" of doing business began with a new mantra from the former Red Sox executive. Epstein knew what it would take to have sustained success in a big market. First and without exception came a dedication to lower the payroll and build through the minor leagues, while trades and international signings had to be a priority as well.
Epstein, general manager Jed Hoyer and amateur scouting director Jason McLeod had worked together for some time and brainstormed many times over the years about building a franchise from the ground up in the right way. With the help of Cubs owner Tom Ricketts and president of business operations Crane Kenny, that opportunity presented itself with in Chicago.
Moving forward wasn't easy. Mistakes were made in hiring and player evaluation as well. The good moves outweighed the bad for the Cubs, though, and the turning point came last December when left-hander Jon Lester decided to take a risk and join a promising team that had nonetheless lost an average of 95 games the previous three seasons.
The credibility the franchise gained with that one decision was enormous. Finally, the Cubs were adding a big contract, instead of dumping salary. They had tried to add prime starting pitching the two previous seasons, only to be rebuffed by Masahiro Tanaka (to the Yankees for $155 million) and Anibal Sanchez (to the Tigers for $80 million).
Lester has brought a lot to the party, despite a 10-11 record that would indicate a down season for him. The advanced numbers reflect much better on him, and he's been a rock in taking the ball consistently and giving the Cubs a chance to win. He gave the Cubs more credibility in the eyes of others around the game as well.
The other guy walking in last offseason was new manager Joe Maddon, who saw a sleeping giant of an organization that was ready to establish itself in the National League. Maddon boldly predicted success from his first day with the club, and the Cubs entered Friday afternoon's contest against the Pirates with a magic number of one to clinch a playoff berth.
"I was sitting across the street (at my introductory press conference at the Cubby Bear) and you guys know me well enough now to know I believed it," Maddon said Friday, referencing being a playoff team from the beginning. "I don't know how you approach a season any other way. Like I said before, there were so many key items in place already that I was so fortunate to walk in on. Leadership up top, the players on the field, the minor league system, scouting. All of that was in place. I was just fortunate. The signing of Lester and the ascension of (Jake) Arrieta made it all the more possible."
The soft-spoken Lester has been a quality teammate and quiet leader, as everyone expected him to be.
"His particular signing indicated to us and the fan base this is definitely possible," Maddon said. "You need that kind of a presence, especially with the pitching staff, to get to this particular moment. Jon has elevated us this season."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
