Chicago Cubs Are 25-1 to Win the World Series? You Bet!

The Cubs have opened at 25-1 odds to win the 2012 World Series at the MGM Resorts sportsbooks in Las Vegas. It seems to me that the Theo Epstein love has gotten a bit to crazy.

Those odds certainly seem optimistic to me, even with the promise that this new Cubs front office brings.

So, if you are a Cubs fan and have some extra cash, look my way. Don't give it to the gambling parlors in Vegas—give it to me.

Because if you bet on the Cubs to win the World Series, that's exactly what you are doing—throwing your money away.

Oh, sure, the Cubs will win again someday. But to think that the arrival of Theo Epstein guarantees a title next season is foolish.

I'll admit that I am just as giddy as the next Cubs fan that Tom Ricketts has finally done something right and has made a terrific hire.

But if you think that that makes the Cubs the favorites to win the World Series in 2012, then you are missing the point.

The main reason he was brought on board is to starting building a team that can compete consistently—and over time, that consistency will lead to a title.

But to think they are going to go out and spend like drunken sailors on Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols seems to run counter to the plans that Ricketts and Epstein have laid out for the Cubs.

Now, if the Cubs were only one or two players away from a title, like the Red Sox were when Epstein inherited the 93-win team back in 2002, that might make sense. 

But this is a Cubs team with serious shortcomings in many areas.

Epstein wants to build a farm system and that takes time. So I'm sure he will not want to lose 100 games per season while waiting for that homegrown talent to develop.

For all the talk of a Cubs youth movement (other than Starlin Castro and a few other pieces), they really do not have anything to build on yet.

Most of the Cubs' talent is at the lower levels of the system, and even guys like Andrew Cashner are no sure thing.

Cashner missed most of the season injured, so he will need time. Darwin Barney is not an everyday second baseman, mark my words.

Last year around this time, I recall when Cubs fans were critical of me because I told you that Tyler Colvin wasn't an everyday player. Well, how has that turned out?

So Epstein and Jed Hoyer will need to supplement with trades and free agent signings. But to go all-in  for 2012 seems unlikely.

Plus, there is that 1,000 pound elephant in the room—they haven't win in 102 years. To bet on them to win the World Series seems crazy to me, yet it happens much more often than you think.

In fact, next to the Yankees, the Cubs get the most action every year at MGM Resorts. Now, I wouldn't blame people if the odds were better..

But not at 25-1. After so many years of futility, the odds would have to be at least 1,000-1 to entice me to lay my money down.

Jay Rood, The MGM Resorts' Vice President of Race and Sports, said that, “The Cubs usually represent about 10-12% of the money wagered in the Future pool.” 

Which reminds me of an old adage: "A fool and his money is soon parted company."  

Cubs fans must understand that Epstein wasn't brought here to deliver a quick fix.  But then again, Cubs fans have been eternally hopeful.

Vegas can't be happy about the Cubs hiring Epstein—for they may actually be forced to pay off on those wages someday.