The Cubs have announced that all players in the system will be required to begin an aggressive course of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). By the start of the 2015 season, anyone who does not test positive for steroids, human growth hormones, and elevated testosterone will be allowed on the 25-man roster.
General manager and CEO Theo Epstein was joined by Jason McLeod, Senior Vice President for Player Development, in making the announcement today.
“We have come to the realization that the league’s approach to banned substances was all backwards,” Epstein told reporters. “The problem was not the ‘rogue abuser’ but the ‘goody two-shoes’ holdouts who refused to dope. PEDs are a powerful tool, and they are going to power us all the way to the World Series.”
With the signing of Manny Ramirez as a Triple A player-coach, the Cubs are sending a clear signal that they will no longer tolerate a “culture of mediocrity” in the farm system.
“Manny is going to mentor our young talent, show them how skilled ballplayers can go well beyond their God-given ability and lead their team to championships, just like he did with Boston,” said McLeod. “This is no PR stunt. This is the entirety of our plan for victory. This, and a stadium with better plumbing.”
