Cubs front office saved the season this summer, including saving David Bote.

TomLoxas
TomLoxas
Sep 7, 2018 · 3 min read

David Bote, everyone.

The Cubs front office has made some hellified moves since July.

However, it may turn out that one of the biggest moves was the one they didn’t make.

Before the Cubs were fully aware of the extent of Kris Bryant’s shoulder issue, the word was Cubs were promoting David Bote on the trade market as a guy who just needed a chance to be an everyday player.

The Cubs supposedly had multiple interested teams in their new folk hero.

Now, I couldn’t imagine where the Cubs would be without Bote. Not only did he fill in so well for their former MVP, but he also could be a big part of their depth moving forward.

If you think about it, Bote’s walk-off grand slam vs. the Nationals also likely allowed Daniel Murphy to end up on the north side.

I still don’t know how either of that happened.

The Bryant injury was a blessing? Baseball works in mysterious ways.

Jose Quintana may not be one of the most popular moves this front office has made. Yet, what he gave the Cubs Wednesday night will play just fine.

He may not be elite, top of the rotation arm some figured the Cubs were getting in relation to the hefty price they paid.

However, Quintana has pitched pretty well in big spots.

Let’s face it, the other night in Milwaukee was a big spot.

I fully understand if you are experiencing some major anxiety over what Eloy Jiminez and Dylan Cease will become on the South Side.

However, try and consider what Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer gave up to get Cole Hamels, Murphy, and Jesse Chavez to soothe yourself a bit.

See, that helps a little, right?

One evaluator I spoke with is still amazed by just how well the Cubs did in adding on since the deadline. What if I told you in June that the Cubs would add both potentially their Game 1 starter and a lethal playoff bat/leadoff man in late July?

It is truly amazing what this outfit has done to not only reinforce the roster but survive getting so little from their top 2 big off season free agent gets in Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood.

I do, by the way, feel a bit better about their process regarding Darvish knowing what we know now.

Thank goodness for the Steve Cishek signing.

I honestly don’t think the Cubs win this division, let alone be World Series contenders without the Hamels and Murphy moves.

Hamels is giving the Cubs everything and more they hoped they would get from Darvish so far. Murphy has been a catalyst this offense needed so desperately just prior to his arrival.

It certainly doesn’t hurt to have another postseason-tested veteran in the lineup and clubhouse either.

Whether the Cubs get their closer Brandon Morrow back or not, they are going to need Carl Edwards Jr. to get his shit together. If they are to make a deep run, they are going to need a go-to arm in the pen.

Edwards has the stuff to potentially be that guy.

We see you, Justin Wilson.

TomLoxas

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TomLoxas

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