Each decision can make sense individually.
Theo Epstein wouldn’t sign a third contract with the Cubs, and Major League Baseball needs his expertise and gravitas, if only as a consultant.
Jed Hoyer, the new president of baseball operations at Wrigley Field, wouldn’t be doing his job if he wasn’t considering trading scenarios involving Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras.
The Cubs attack has been underperforming for three years in a row with Kyle Schwarber in the middle of the lineup.
Swapping Yu Darvish to reboot the farm system – and free up $ 59 million in salary – could infuse the organization with plenty of young talent.
Taken together, all these moves suggest that the Cubs will remain in cost-effective mode for the rest of this winter and write off the 2021 season.
That’s the backdrop for Jon Lester reaching a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals, a development that was first reported …