• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • NBA
  • Pro Wrestling
  • MMA
The Cubs’ Failure to Retain Nicholas Castellanos was Indefensible

The Cubs’ Failure to Retain Nicholas Castellanos was Indefensible

January 28, 2020
Why Not Eight? Tom Brady Already Focused On 2021

Why Not Eight? Tom Brady Already Focused On 2021

March 2, 2021

This Or That: Jon Feliciano Or David Andrews?

March 2, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
Could Miami Replace Stability Center Ted Karras with Green Bay’s Corey Linsley?

Could Miami Replace Stability Center Ted Karras with Green Bay’s Corey Linsley?

March 2, 2021
Former Chicago Bears cornerback Buster Skrine

Chicago Bears: Team Makes First Move To Add Salary Cap Space

March 2, 2021
How Can You Not “Love The Drake?”

How Can You Not “Love The Drake?”

March 2, 2021
Giants Free-Agency Targets: CB Ronald Darby

Giants Free-Agency Targets: CB Ronald Darby

March 2, 2021
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Opinion: Focusing on the Wrong

March 2, 2021
WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: March 1, 2021

WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: March 1, 2021

March 2, 2021
Lost Weekend Casts Doubt on Sabres Direction And Future

Lost Weekend Casts Doubt on Sabres Direction And Future

March 1, 2021
Lavonte David Could Be Possibility for Browns

Lavonte David Could Be Possibility for Browns

March 1, 2021
Kansas City Chiefs: Senior Bowl Watchlist

2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Jordan Smith

March 1, 2021
LeBron James Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is

LeBron James Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is

March 1, 2021
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • FullPressRadio.com
  • SHOP FPC
  • FullPressHockey.com
  • FullPressWrestling.com


Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Full Press Coverage
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows
No Result
View All Result
Full Press Coverage
No Result
View All Result
Home MLB National League NL Central Chicago Cubs

The Cubs’ Failure to Retain Nicholas Castellanos was Indefensible

Sam Turner by Sam Turner
January 28, 2020
in Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, MLB, MLB Featured, National League, NL Central
Reading Time: 5min read
2
The Cubs’ Failure to Retain Nicholas Castellanos was Indefensible
1.5k
SHARES
3.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Yesterday morning, the news broke that free agent outfielder Nicholas Castellanos had agreed to a four-year, $64 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds.

The former Detroit Tiger was traded to the Chicago Cubs on deadline day last season and absolutely raked. He recorded 16 homers, 21 doubles, and a 1.002 OPS in just 51 games for the Cubs in 2019. Castellanos provided a desperately needed spark for the North Siders, through both his off-the-charts offensive production and his infectious desire to win ballgames.

More FromFPC

“It’s Like Disney World” – Blue Jays Unveil Player Development Complex

“It’s Like Disney World” – Blue Jays Unveil Player Development Complex

February 27, 2021

Lindor and Conforto Should Have Different Paths to Pay Dirt

February 26, 2021

AL Notes: Gardner Insurance for Yanks, German Apologizes, Bradley Still in Limbo, Clubs Make Final Adds

February 25, 2021

Mets Add Taijuan Walker Another Cost Cutting Measure

February 20, 2021

Even though the Cubs flamed out as the season reached its end, and missed the postseason for the first time since 2014, Castellanos quickly became a beloved figure by the Cubs’ players and fans alike.

To be quite blunt, in the context of the club’s current state, it is simply inexcusable that the Cubs did not bring Castellanos back. The front office’s failure to act was even more indefensible because the Cubs permitted him to land with a much-improved division rival in the Reds. To make matters even worse, it never appeared that the Cubs even made a serious effort to bring back the stud outfielder.

The Cubs allowed Castellanos to move on despite the fact that that he so very clearly would have loved to come back to Chicago after his brief stint with the club.

In neglecting to provide at least an attempt to retain Castellanos, the Cubs have pushed their fanbase to a boiling point of anger and frustration. Members of the Ricketts family, who own the club, have turned their backs on Cubs’ faithful. Ownership has publicly stated their intentions to lower the Cubs’ payroll below the luxury tax, and have at times had the nerve to cry poor when asked to spend more on their club.

This situation has become the Cubs’ reality, even with the brand-new Marquee Network debuting this season. The new television channel will be devoted exclusively to all things related to the Cubs but will cost fans a sizable fee as a result. Further, the network has yet to reach a deal with Comcast, potentially leaving nearly half of Chicago in the dark when it comes to viewing Cubs baseball.

The fact of the matter is that the new Marquee Network will stream even more profit directly into the pockets of the Ricketts family. It’s not like they need it, either; they are said to be worth at least $4.5 billion as a group.

In the golden years of this Cubs renaissance, the Ricketts led fans to believe that they were fully committed to pouring their resources into the club to the best of their ability. After two seasons of heartbreaking disappointment, they have fully alienated their fanbase.

Following a bitter and swift conclusion to the 2018 season, team president Theo Epstein claimed that substantial changes were coming for the club.

They never did.

More than a year later, Epstein’s words have proven to have been largely empty. The Cubs have been complacent as their foundation of success has cracked and lost nearly all of its previous stability. However, there have been a few exceptions to the Cubs’ recent lack of action.

Craig Kimbrel, whom the Cubs signed to a three-year, $43 million deal in the middle of the 2019 season, was one of them. His 6.53 ERA (8.00 FIP), three blown saves, and four losses serve as evidence that this acquisition has not exactly worked out for the Cubs to this point.

The other departure from the Cubs’ self-imposed roster and salary deadlock was Castellanos. His aforementioned red-hot second half was one of the few bright spots of the agonizing final months of the 2019 season. Castellanos was the beacon of undying hope and pure joy amongst the negative energy of the club that the Cubs could simply not afford to lose.

Ownership’s failure to recognize this truth will prove to be damning in terms of permanently fracturing their relationship with their fanbase.

In reality, they could not have even justified being outbid by the Cincinnati Reds, of all teams, let alone standing pat and making no effort whatsoever to retain Castellanos.

The Ricketts family has made brutally obvious that their priority is fattening their wallets, rather than spending in order to build a winning baseball club in Chicago. They got Chicago their coveted World Series title in 2016, as promised. 

After that, they abandoned ship.

Speaking to the logistics of the luxury tax, the Cubs spent $7.6 million in penalties last season, which would increase to a 30% tax on their overages if they were to again exceed the threshold in 2020. Paying this fee would be pocket change for the Ricketts.

The Cubs seem to be dead-set on getting their payroll below the $208 million luxury tax line in 2020, which would then reset the penalties for future seasons.

It could theoretically be assumed that by doing so, the Cubs would be setting themselves up to spend a great deal in the free agency period before the 2021 season. Needless to say, Cubs fans have lost the trust and faith that would be required to possess this patient and forward-thinking mentality.

Cubs fans fear that the club’s $200 million-plus payroll, which was second-highest in baseball in 2019, will continue to decline in the years to come. They surmise that after the seasons remaining run out on the contracts of stars such as Kris Bryant, Javier Báez, Willson Contreras, and Kyle Schwarber, they will be allowed to depart the Cubs as a result of the team’s unwillingness to pay them for what they are worth.

These dread-filled assumptions are likely an exaggeration of the Cubs’ actual future, but they are certainly founded in indisputable fact. In letting Nicholas Castellanos walk, the Cubs have sent a deafening message to their dedicated fanbase. It is all-but-certain that the Cubs’ demise has only just begun. What was once promised to be a dynasty will now turn out to be a slow and painful death.

A new dark age of Cubs baseball is upon us.

Share600Tweet375
Previous Post

Opinion: Miami Should Bring Back Veteran Aqib Talib

Next Post

UConn, U.S. women’s basketball honor Kobe and Gianna Bryant

Sam Turner

Sam Turner

Next Post
UConn, U.S. women’s basketball honor Kobe and Gianna Bryant

UConn, U.S. women's basketball honor Kobe and Gianna Bryant

Super Bowl LIV: Opening Night Highlights

Super Bowl LIV: Opening Night Highlights

Comments 2

  1. Darrell Birkey says:
    1 year ago

    The luxury tax issue is much worse than you stated because there would also be a mass loss of revenue sharing money if they go over next year. Fans obsession over signing expensive free agents is silly because that has never been a successful long term plan for any team. Af the resetting, the Cubs will be in a position to extend many of their core stars, which is better than signing risky free agent contracts.
    As good as Castellanos was for a short time, his defense is lacking and moving their gold glove RF to CF weakens the whole OF. For much less money, they signed Steven Souza who has more power and plays all OF positions and they have loaded up on cheap relievers to compete for the open spots including signing Jeremy Jeffrees today.
    One fo the cubs biggest problems las year was staying healthy and when Bryant is hobbled much of the year and Baez misses September it makes all the difference.
    The Cubs will again contend for the postseason this year and after that.

    Reply
    • Samuel Turner says:
      1 year ago

      Fair points, but it’s the precedent of complacency that they are setting that is the most troubling. It’s not about spending money just to spend it; it’s about spending money in order to become a World Series contender. Which they certainly are not.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

A Twitter List by iglen31

FPC Podcasts

  • Ep.71: 2021 Preview: Week One
    by Full Press Coverage on March 3, 2021 at 9:00 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV7736742284.mp3
  • The Most Dangerous Lead in Hockey - Mar. 2, 2021
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 9:00 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/6F48GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV5459284023.mp3?updated=1614718406
  • Ep #95: A Look At Latest Comments From Brett Veach
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 6:48 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV7560364991.mp3
  • Ep 31: A Conversation With Former HOF Voter Ira Miller
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/43706342/eyetest_ep31.mp3
  • Ep. 195: The Creep, the Sheep, the Sleep
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV7267001388.mp3
  • Ep.194: Cascading Waterfall of WTF
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 7:00 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV4347396937.mp3
  • The Pick and Roll NBA Podcast W/ Jet and Sap - EP 11 - LeBron vs. Ibrahimović; Why Kobe Isn't the Right Choice for NBA Logo
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 1:59 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/43696480/pick_and_roll_3_1.mp3
  • Ep. 193: From Rocky Top to Beale Street
    by Full Press Coverage on March 1, 2021 at 6:58 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV6079720572.mp3
  • Ep. 192: A Second Try
    by Full Press Coverage on March 1, 2021 at 4:30 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV9501382331.mp3
  • 3/1 - Rodgers/Brady, This Day in History; Wilson/Watson
    by Full Press Coverage on March 1, 2021 at 3:54 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV9357618891.mp3?updated=1614626720

  • WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: March 1, 2021
    by Evan Gomes on March 2, 2021 at 4:49 am

    WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: March 1, 2021 A.K.A. The One Where Lashley Finally Did It […]

  • NXT TakeOver Draft: Who Can Build The Best All-Time TakeOver Card?
    by Evan Gomes on March 1, 2021 at 2:30 pm

    Who can create the best NXT TakeOver card? One of the most consistent events in wrestling over the […]

  • Crossbody of Work Episode 52: Jacqueline
    by Evan Gomes on February 27, 2021 at 3:05 pm

    Welcome to Crossbody of Work, a show where we break down a wrestler’s career through five of […]

  • WWE: The Latest Performance Center Class & Debuts
    by Evan Gomes on February 26, 2021 at 1:45 pm

    Who has WWE added to their talent pool? WWE has brought in it’s largest Performance Center class […]

  • AEW Signs “The Big Show” Paul Wight
    by Evan Gomes on February 24, 2021 at 4:35 pm

    Well… AEW has announced the signing of wrestling legend Paul Wight, known in WWE as The Big Show, […]

More Wrestling News

  • How Can You Not “Love The Drake?”
    by Murray Pam on March 2, 2021 at 12:46 pm

    Drake Batherson potted another two goals Monday in the Ottawa Senators 5-1 romp over the Calgary […]

  • Stockton Heat Storylines to Follow After Opening Series
    by Paige Siewert on March 2, 2021 at 4:28 am

    Better late than never is the theme of the AHL season this year. The Stockton Heat dealt with […]

  • Back At Full Strength, Flyers Are Riding High As They Head To Pittsburgh
    by Carol Schram on March 2, 2021 at 1:47 am

    Healthy once again, the Philadelphia Flyers are on a high as they head into Pittsburgh for three […]

  • Penguins’ Offense Goes Cold in Shutout Loss to Islanders
    by Luke Talotta on March 1, 2021 at 11:09 pm

    The Pittsburgh Penguins dropped the second of back-to-back meetings with the New York Islanders in […]

  • Lost Weekend Casts Doubt on Sabres Direction And Future
    by Michael Augello on March 1, 2021 at 6:51 pm

    The case could be made that the Buffalo Sabres have been the most troubled franchise in the NHL […]

More Hockey News

  • Ep 54: Boston Strong Through First Quarter; Bruins Ready For Tahoe; Trade Rumors
    by Full Press Coverage on February 19, 2021 at 1:42 pm

    Ian and Chris discuss the Bruins first quarter of the season, the upcoming […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/26944781/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-02-19%2F9842e3b3bd832cd255d0058b2a68b0b5.m4a
  • Ep 53: Bruins On a Roll; Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy; Blackey Family History
    by Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2021 at 10:40 pm

    Ian and Chris are joined by Eric Blackey to talk Bruins' hot streak, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/26174126/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-02-03%2F66793c2461c1f0eaf37253a4e481f46b.m4a
  • Ep 52: Bruins Early Season Struggles
    by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2021 at 10:51 pm

    Ian and Chris react to the first few games of the season and wonder what […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/25536904/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-01-21%2F3056b20d5e95c23e9c23b40f379c9029.m4a
  • Ep 51: Bergeron Dons The "C", Picking Up the Chara/Krug Slack; Season Expectations
    by Full Press Coverage on January 13, 2021 at 10:20 pm

    Mike Cratty of the Sal and Cratty Show and BlackNGoldHockey.com joins Ian […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/25157918/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-01-13%2F4542c465ec7a3234f146bea647ede57e.m4a
  • Ep 50: Mr. Chara Goes to Washinton
    by Full Press Coverage on December 31, 2020 at 9:14 pm

    Ian and Chris react to the Capitals signing of Bruins longtime captain, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/24623669/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-12-31%2F26d5b85c06ec2255c2f6cfc78b24cf94.m4a
  • Ep 49: Bruins New Division; Chara's Future in Boston
    by Full Press Coverage on December 23, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    Ian and Chris return to discuss the NHL's 56-game season, the Bruins new […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/24356084/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-12-23%2F5755949a0115f50df8582cc32916323a.m4a
  • Ep 48: Jake DeBrusk Signs; Reverse Retro Jerseys; Thanksgiving Food Draft
    by Full Press Coverage on November 26, 2020 at 5:54 pm

    On this Thanksgiving episode of the Big Bad Bruins Podcast, Ian and Chris […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/23142833/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-11-26%2F52d6fc857b1cd37d19b4fe24752398f6.m4a
Full Press Coverage

© 2020 Full Press Coverage

Navigate Site

  • Staff Portal
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • Have a news tip?
  • Privacy Policy
  • FPC Radio Network
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • FullPressHockey.com

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows

© 2020 Full Press Coverage