Feb. 23--General manager Jed Hoyer said Monday that the Cubs merely traded short-term assets for long-term assets to help create their rebuilding program over the last four seasons, and Commissioner Rob Manfred rejected any suggestion that teams would tank a season for the sake of getting a higher draft pick.
"I believe our clubs are smarter than to pursue a strategy that is inherently self-limiting, particularly if they think other clubs are doing it," Manfred said during a news conference. "I'm not convinced this is a problem that needs an answer."
Hoyer scoffed at the perception of tanking.
"That label does an injustice to what the process is about," he said. "We were trying to get younger."
No change designated: While the Cubs try to find room in the lineup for all of their young hitters, Manfred has no urge to push for the designated hitter in the National League.
"I always thought the debate about the DH was a healthy debate for the industry, in the sense that people would talk about the game," Manfred said. "When people talk about the game, I see it as a good thing.
"More important, since we got the leagues as functioning business entities, the leagues remain important competitive devices for us. You play within your league, play up to the World Series. The principal differentiator between those two leagues now is the DH.
"I would be really reluctant in the age of interleague play to give up that differentiator."
Starstruck: Manfred also tempered any speculation that the Cubs would be awarded an All-Star Game before the Wrigley Field renovations are completed in 2019 at the earliest.
"If you ask the Cubs, they would tell you they'd want an All-Star Game when the renovations stop," Manfred said. "It makes more sense."
Relief reunion: The signing of reliever Manny Parra to a minor-league contract reunites him with pitching coach Chris Bosio, who coached Parra in the Brewers organization. Parra, 33, had a 3.90 ERA in 40 appearances for the Reds last year.
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