Cubs making changes in waves

Theo Epstein recently suggested the Cubs need "waves and waves" of pitching in the organization.

Since becoming the Cubs president in October, Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer have gone to great lengths to fill that void.

While the results of the rebuilding project can't be fairly judged for years, the blueprint of the foundation for sustained success has been implemented.

There have been three waves of the Epstein-Hoyer era so far. Here are the primary transactions and how they look:

First waveNovember-February

Arrivals: Ian Stewart, Travis Wood, David DeJesus, Anthony Rizzo, Paul Maholm, Manny Corpas, Reed Johnson, Kerry Wood, Joe Mather, Lendy Castillo. Plus minor leaguers Dave Sappelt, Ronald Torreyes, Alfredo Amezaga, Adrian Cardenas and Zach Cates.

Departures: Tyler Colvin, Sean Marshall, Andrew Cashner, DJ LeMahieu, Carlos Zambrano, Chris Carpenter.

Limbo: Blake DeWitt, Randy Wells, Chris Volstad.

Assessment: Rizzo is the best and the brightest acquisition the new regime has made. He has more than lived up to the hype, while Cashner once again is injured with the Padres.

Returning veteran Kerry Wood never got on track after the team's marketing department turned his re-signing into a sideshow at the Cubs Convention. He had arm problems in spring training and retired in May.

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Cubs making changes in waves