The Cubs signed Scott Baker, formerly of the Minnesota Twins, to a cheap one year contract today. I can't say anything bad about the move, and it seems consistent with the strategy of the new regime to look for short-term bargains with a relatively high upside. Baker was a pretty good middle of the rotation guy before he hurt his elbow. He missed all of last year to Tommy John surgery.
The only gripe I have so far is the Cubs continue to miss out on the genuine impact guys who become available. I'd have to argue there are no real major league impact guys going in free agency this year. Greinke and Hamilton have obvious flaws. Last year there were, I think, only two, Fielder and Pujols, neither of whom the Cubs pursued, for obvious reasons.
The foreign market is now where the genuine impact players are lurking, and, so far, the Cubs have not cashed in there either. Last year they missed out on Cespedes and Darvish, though they did obtain Soler, who is a much longer term prospect. This year they have struck out on the Korean pitcher Ryu, although the two Japanese high school prospects, much longer term prospects, are still potentially available.
I'd like to see this team start acting a little more like a major market entity and less like a bottom feeder Pirates/Royals type franchise. Patience among the fans is starting to wear a little thin. We all know that Epstein and Hoyer are great talent arbitragers, but I'd like to see them concentrate on building a major league team.
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