Epstein has resources to pursue impact player

MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said the club still has money in its budget to add players if needed this season.

"In the two previous offseasons, we've spent every dollar available to us, and this is the first winter where we ended up keeping some in reserve to be used on players [that are] hopefully prime age, impact-type players down the road," Epstein said. "It gives us a bit of a leg up as we look toward next winter or an in-season move that might make the present and the future better.

"Rather than just spend the money to spend it, if we can book that and have it available to us to sign that international free agent who comes along in the summer or to acquire a player in a trade who carries a significant salary but fits for the long term, or to just start out next offseason knowing we can be a little more aggressive on the guys we really want early because the money will be availble to us, that made more sense than spending the money now just to spend it."

One thing the Cubs are focusing on is adding more pitching. Epstein said they will do so in the First-Year Player Draft, although not necessarily by picking a pitcher with their first-round selection.