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CHICAGO -- The firing of Dale Sveum had very little to do with what the former Chicago Cubs manager did wrong.

Sveum and his bosses knew when he was hired that the team would be varying degrees of bad for three or four seasons. The player development plan in the mid-to-lower minor leagues seems to be moving along nicely. A group of projected impact players might be making its way to Wrigley Field by the end of the 2014 season.

What president of baseball operations Theo Epstein desires in a manager is a stronger presence, a persona that will push his office and owner Tom Ricketts toward a championship mentality in a shorter period time than was initially planned. Epstein and Co. are held captive by a depleted baseball revenue stream. Money for the baseball operation will be limited for another three years due to a covenant agreement in the sale language of the team to the Ricketts family.

Simply put, Cubs ownership will need to be more creative in finding revenue within the business. That will be the only way they will convince a manager like Joe Girardi to come on board.

Epstein has watched with interest as his former manager with the Boston Red Sox, Terry Francona, pushes a morbidly drab Cleveland Indians organization to new heights in 2013. By insisting on some offensive help if he decided to take the job, Francona used the clout of his well-heeled résumé to leverage a commitment to win now.

Epstein knows that the plan to renovate Wrigley Field and add important revenue streams for his baseball program have fallen hopelessly behind for now. That knowledge pushes his creative and competitive nature to find a quicker route to success. What would be a smarter avenue to that goal than hiring Girardi?

This Girardi plan will also get the full endorsement of the business office, led by president Crane Kenney. Kenney is the mastermind of the renovation of Wrigley. He needs a bit more time to set his revenue plan into high gear. With the WGN TV and radio rights coming up for renewal after 2014, the team does not yet see the windfall billions coming its way until after 2018. The Cubs have lost close to 700,000 tickets sold per season since 2008. At this point, they need to stop the decline of season-ticket sales. The "Girardi factor" directs a way for season-ticket holders to see a direct path to championship baseball coming back to the north side of Chicago.

Girardi fits into all the criteria that Epstein is looking for in a manager. "The job will require someone who is dynamic," Epstein said on Monday. "It will require tremendous creativity to tackle the issues. I think we will find that in the next manager. It requires tremendous energy, and part of the reason we are here today is that we decided the job requires some change."

Girardi fits the bill in all of those areas. He would bring a world championship aura back to Chicago after winning as a player and as a manager in New York. Epstein went as far as to say that the future manager of the Cubs must at least understand the culture of "Cub Nation" before being considered for the gig. “Candidates who have the Cub experience in their background will have the built-in advantage of knowing the marketplace and the franchise," Epstein said. "[That candidate] might be better equipped in that one area to deal with that gauntlet that, at times, can be managing the Cubs. Yes, I think it helps [to have a Cubs background], [but] is it a prerequisite or does it mean it can‘t be repaired if you haven’t been through here? No.

"There is a bit more of an adjustment period when you have not been through here, as I have discovered when you come from the outside.”

CHICAGO -- The Cubs ended their home season on a positive note, putting a crimp into Pittsburgh’s quest for a division title. The Pirates, who clinched a playoff berth with a win Monday, are on the verge of being eliminated from the division race after losing 4-2 to the Cubs on Wednesday afternoon.

With three playoff teams in the NL Central, the Cubs know what an uphill battle they have to become one of the elite teams in baseball.

"We have a very tough division," Anthony Rizzo said after Wednesday's victory over 16-game winner Francisco Liriano. "We want to play good baseball in St. Louis and go into the winter on a high note."

Rizzo and company will be faced with the third clinching celebration against them in less than a week Friday. Any Cardinals win or Pittsburgh loss over the last three games of the season will give St. Louis the division title.

Atlanta, Pittsburgh and soon St. Louis will have clinched against the hapless also-rans, which begs the question, how long will it be until the Cubs are competing for something relevant?

"The bar is set now," Rizzo said. "Those teams are young, and they are not going anywhere for years to come. We need to step our game up all around and continue grow as a team and as people."

The harsh reality is playing the best teams in baseball 77 times a season will test the Cubs and their resolve for years to come.

"Record-wise, we have the top three teams (in our division)," manager Dale Sveum said. "They all have 90-plus wins, the pitching from these top three teams is good as there is in baseball...That is where everything starts."

The Cubs ended their home season tying for the fewest wins with the 1957 club (31). They also have the dubious distinction of having lost the most home games in franchise history (50).

CHICAGO -- Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments in 2013 and appears to have taken a step up toward the elite starters in the National League.

While his 8-12 record with a 4.33 ERA doesn’t seem impressive, a look at the entire body of his work is essential for an objective analysis.

Samardzija has gone from bullpen setup man to one of the more impressive pitchers in the National League in three seasons. Consider that the former Notre Dame football star was one of just three pitchers in the league with 200 innings pitched and 200 strikeouts going into the last five days of the 2013 campaign.

The downside of the ledger has Samardzija allowing the second-most earned runs (100 ) and giving up the second-most walks (78) in the league. A lack of trust in all of his off-speed pitches and some occasional fastball inconsistency have altered the numbers a bit for the Cubs pitcher.

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CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs have set few records over the past three seasons, but on Tuesday they broke one for home losses in a season, racking up their 50th after an 8-2 defeat to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The previous record was 49 home losses in 1971.

The perfect storm that surrounds the team's rebuilding project has both the baseball and business side of the franchise looking for a sliver of hope in the near future.

Manager Dale Sveum has been under the microscope the past two weeks of the season as a dwindling fan base looks for someone to blame for the Cubs' 192 losses over the past two years.

"To lose that many games at home is something you have to stay away from," a dejected Sveum said after Tuesday's loss. "For whatever reason, we have to score more runs at home and do more at home. This year has been tough. We seem to do more good things on the road than we do at home."

Cubs attendance has dropped every season since 2008 when the club drew a franchise-high 3.3 million fans. This season, they figure to be down about 700,000 from that figure. The Cubs' average ticket price is the fourth-most expensive in baseball.

"We have to do more things with men on base," Sveum said. "This is just a flip-flop from last year."

All things considered, the Cubs have had a decent record on the road, going 35-43 with three more road games this weekend in St. Louis. The Cubs' record for fewest home victories in a full season is 31 in 1957, though that was with a 154-game schedule. With 30 home wins heading into Wednesday's home finale, the Cubs can set a new mark for futility in what has been another forgettable season on Chicago's North Side.

ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine takes your Cubs and White Sox questions during a live chat at noon CT Tuesday. Click here to submit your questions.

CHICAGO -- The best laid plans of pennant-bound teams must defer to certain detours along the way.

The Atlanta Braves with a magic number of one, were unable to hold on to a late lead, losing 3-1 to the Cubs. First baseman Anthony Rizzo drove in the go-ahead run in Chicago's three-run eighth inning.

"That is a great team and [Braves starter Kris] Medlen shut us down." Rizzo said. "To come back against a team that has a really good bullpen is impressive."

Atlanta, with a comfortable lead in the National League East, is more concerned about earning home-field advantage than when it clinches. For the Cubs, it was all about playing the spoiler role.

"That was nice to keep them [waiting] one more day," Cubs' manager Dale Sveum said. "It was nice not having to see [the clinching] in person."

The Braves were held to one run and five hits by three Chicago pitchers. Travis Wood gave up the one run on an Evan Gattis RBI single in the fourth inning. The Cubs' top pitcher threw his 24th quality start getting a no-decision in his seven-plus innings of work.

"I don't think any team looks forward to that happening," Wood said in reference to the Braves potentially clinching at Wrigley Field. "You know it is always exciting when someone does clinch. One day hopefully it will be us and we can move on from there."

The Cubs also were able to envision their closer of the future. Pedro Strop was sensational in his first save opportunity. The powerful right-hander struck out the side in the ninth to put the Braves' championship celebration on hold.

"He pitched efficiently, threw quality strikes, he had the whole gamut working," Sveum said. Usual closer Kevin Gregg had thrown 37 pitches on Friday. "It was nice to see him do it at home in front of a nice crowd. He did a great job."

Strop, who was traded to the Cubs by the Orioles in early July, converted his first save since May 18, 2012 against Washington.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs scored three late runs to overtake the Atlanta Braves for a 3-1 victory Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field.

How it happened: The Braves were on the cusp of winning the National League East division. Their magic number was one as RHP Kris Medlen went to the mound against the Cubs and LHP Travis Wood. The Cubs' pitcher was looking for a team-high 10th victory. Braves rookie Evan Gattis drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single, which scored Freddie Freeman in the fourth inning. Anthony Rizzo tied the game with a double in the eighth inning off reliever Scott Downs. Catcher Dioner Navarro’s clutch RBI single gave the Cubs the lead. A sacrifice RBI by Nate Schierholtz added the third run.

What it means: The Braves' magic number remains at one. Pedro Strop recorded his first save as a Cub, striking out the side. The division championship is on hold for Atlanta. Manager Fredi Gonzalez awaits his second straight playoff appearance as the Braves skipper (the Braves were the NL wild card in 2012). No Cubs pitcher has won more than 10 games since Ryan Dempster picked up 15 wins in 2010. Wood has 24 quality starts in 2013. He allowed one run in seven-plus innings of work.

Outside the box: Closer Kevin Gregg was accepted back in the good graces of management after blasting them for how his closer role was to be handled the last week of the season. President Theo Epstein forgave Gregg after he apologized late Friday evening … Minor league pitcher of the year Kyle Hendricks and player of the year Javier Baez were honored before Saturday's game. Baez was second in the minor leagues with 37 home runs combined between Class A Daytona and Double-A Tennessee … Baez will not play in the Arizona Fall League as he originally planned to do. The Cubs will bring him to Mesa, Ariz., for a few special instruction clinics in the fall and winter … Hendricks will finish his senior year at Dartmouth in the fall. He is an economics major … The Cubs have put together a special logo for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Wrigley field in 2014. A contest held by the organization received 1,200 submissions … Brandon Ort of New Bremen, Ohio, had the winning design.

Up next: RHP Edwin Jackson (8-16, 4.75 ERA) opposes the Braves and RHP Julio Teheran (12-8, 3.14) in the series finale.

CHICAGO -- What the Chicago Cubs front office, led By Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, is doing with Dale Sveum and the coaching staff is not out of the ordinary. Epstein and Co. are interested in hiring the best baseball players and instructors to attain their future goals. Just as they look to sign or acquire the top young players, so will they pursue the best free agent managers and coaches.

Epstein and Hoyer like most of what Sveum and his staff have done in his two years on the job. Despite their warm and fuzzy feelings for Sveum and his coaches, it’s wise to investigate accomplished free-agent managers like Joe Girardi.

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ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine takes your Cubs and White Sox questions during a live chat at noon CT Tuesday. Click here to submit your questions.

ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine takes your Cubs and White Sox questions during a live chat at noon CT Tuesday. Click here to submit your questions.

The Chicago Cubs will build a short-term mock-up sign that will go up in right field to simulate what rooftop owners will look through when the renovation of Wrigley Field is completed in 2018.

The Cubs are hoping to work with their rooftop partners and Alderman Tom Tunney in hopes of avoiding long litigation that could hold up the start of the five-year project. A Cubs source confirmed that the team's ownership will not begin the laborious task of renovating the 100-year old park without a clear legal path to the finish line of work.

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Motivation for bad ball clubs in September is a challenge for every coaching staff. Most baseball lifers will tell you never to evaluate numbers or look for true talent in the last month of the baseball season.

"You can throw all of those September numbers in the garbage," said one longtime American League scout. "Young guys come up from the minors and change the whole dynamic of the game. Teams in contention are OK to look at if they are playing other clubs that are still trying to win. For the most part, it is a variation of spring training for the out of the loop teams."

The Cubs have had little trouble motivating their young players the last two seasons under the guidance of Dale Sveum.

"I have been around the game long enough that you definitely see it," Sveum said. "You don’t see it (loafing) from whole teams; it usually is some individuals here and there. There still is pride involved on 95 percent of those teams.

"There are certain days where you might see a certain lack of planning going on. Everybody deals with those type of problems and can use it as an excuse. What you watch is that guys put the work in and the effort is there every day."

The National League may have a motivation problem, with 10 teams hopelessly out of contention with three weeks remaining in the season. In reality, all 10 clubs out of the playoff loop may finish under .500 in the senior circuit. (Washington and Arizona were just two games above break-even entering play on Saturday.)

Both the Cubs and Milwaukee are playing for either an escape from the National League Central cellar or personal pride.

"I think, selfishly, guys are still playing for contracts and are still playing for numbers," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Saturday. "Some are still trying to stay in the big leagues. Some guys are trying to get in the big leagues. In our case, we have a chance to play the spoiler. We have a great chance to do that with all of the (contending) teams in our division we play."

Owners and GMs look to managers and coaching staffs to keep their high-salaried ball players interested in playing hard. Perception can become reality for a coaching staff that has lost control of its club's energy level. Many a manager or coach have been dumped due to an angry owner or GM who sees any lack of focus from a bad team.

"There are a lot of things to play for," said Roenicke. "Hopefully, from my part, they are playing to win. There are still may other things to motivate them that I don’t have to make too many speeches."

Sveum and Roenicke may have an advantage over teams that have overpaid veterans with long-term contracts this time of year.

"When you have the right people and guys who care about getting better every day through preparation and care about their performance, it makes a big difference," Sveum said.

As the Chicago Cubs develop their rotation for the future, certain road bumps will occur for the young pitchers trying to claim a starting spot for 2014 and beyond.

Left-hander Chris Rusin, who had been impressive in most of his previous nine major league starts this season, didn't have his command on Friday. Rusin, who has thrown his hat into the ring for a starting job next season, could not survive the fourth inning against Milwaukee despite having a five-run lead to work with.

"Sometimes you have to let your pitcher have some time to see what will work," catcher Welington Castillo said. "Today it didn’t work for him. In most of these situations, you must continue to pitch and try to compete."

Rusin has made tremendous strides as far as the perception of his future in the organization is concerned. The 26-year-old surpassed his career high in innings pitched Friday (174 between the majors and minors). As for any fatigue setting in, the Michigan native looks past that barrier.

"You just go every five days and don’t think about the innings you had the season before that," Rusin said. "It is good that I have passed that innings total from last year, and now I am just trying to build on that. The one thing I have learned is I can be consistent for however many innings I pitched this year."

The value of having a second left-handed starter to pair Travis Wood can make a big difference in the Cubs' rebuilding plan. Rusin came into his start with a 2.74 ERA.

"He got his pitch count up, and I think he would tell you he didn’t have his best stuff," said manager Dale Sveum, who took his starter out with two on and two out in the fourth inning despite a big lead. "We had the game in hand, and I did not want anything to happen there. (Jonathan) Lucroy’s record against left-handers, let alone he is having a heck of a season, and what he has done against us the last two years (forced the move)."

Rusin will most likely get four more starts, which could push his innings pitched over 200.

"I want to be more consistent, as I said, and not be in a slump to long," Rusin said. "I think I have been able to do that."

ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine takes your Cubs and White Sox questions during a live chat at noon CT Tuesday. Click here to submit your questions.

CHICAGO -- Although two-time All-Star Starlin Castro has appeared lost at the plate for most of the season, the Chicago Cubs' shortstop says he feels his salvation may come in September.

Castro hit what proved to be the winning home run in the sixth inning in Saturday's 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The coaching staff and Castro are in agreement on his offensive approach from this point on as he tries to emerge from a season-long slump.

"Whys, what ifs, he saw more pitches and struggled with it throwing away at-bats," manager Dale Sveum said on ESPNChicago radio 1000 before Saturday's game. "Everybody tried to help him by telling him this and that. Now we want him to have a clean slate."

That is exactly what Castro is looking forward to as he starts the last 30 days of the 2013 season.

"Be me, that is what I want to be," Castro said. "If I strike out on a bad pitch, so what. I will get it done in the next at-bat. That is the feeling I need. [Before], if I missed getting it done in the first at-bat I was [done] in the next three. Now I think if I miss in the first at-bat I know I have three left."

Castro has led the team in pitches per at-bat (3.94) most of the season. Contrary to most hitters' approach as they get deep in counts, Castro expands his strike zone, falling prey to unhittable sliders and fastballs right down the middle of the plate.

"Today that was one of the hardest-hit balls I have had," Castro said of his solo home run off Zach Miner. "It was especially hard hit because it was a fastball in the middle."

For now, the 23-year-old shortstop says he hopes to use Saturday's success as a springboard back to being the player that made him a .290 hitter in his first three major league seasons.

"I need to be an aggressive hitter," Castro said. "If I strike out, so what. In the next at-bat I can make an adjustment. I have been looking at too many pitches in one at-bat. Now, I am looking early for fastballs, if they hang a slider or a curveball I will be ready to hit it. I will be looking for fastball in the at-bat."

Castro says he believes he has learned a lot from his season-long hitting struggles.

"I think it has been all mental," he said. "I know to go to home plate and hit, don't think too much. That is what good hitters do."

Castro's game deciding home run was his first long ball since July 31 against Milwaukee. His last four hits have been for extra bases -- three doubles and a home run.