Ricketts first order of business

[NCCubFan]

You mean we can sign such player as Juan Pierre, Jason Schmidt, Andruw Jones, and Rafael Furcal to big contracts too? ALRIGHT!

 

Alfonso Soriano and Todd Hundley say hello.

 

Hundley wasn't a Hendry signing - he was, I believe, a MacPhail signing. Either MacPhail or Ed Lynch.

It was MacPhail. Lynch resigned as GM during the 2000 season. Hundley was signed after that season.

[dew1679666265]

You mean we can sign such player as Juan Pierre, Jason Schmidt, Andruw Jones, and Rafael Furcal to big contracts too? ALRIGHT!

 

Alfonso Soriano and Todd Hundley say hello.

 

Hundley wasn't a Hendry signing - he was, I believe, a MacPhail signing. Either MacPhail or Ed Lynch.

It was MacPhail. Lynch resigned as GM during the 2000 season. Hundley was signed after that season.

 

Thanks. I couldn't remember exactly when the transition from Lynch to MacPhail took place.

[AlwaysaCub]

I'm intrigued by the idea of Depodesta, but remember that he got run out of LA because of the Lo Duca trade. Columnists will have a field day with him. I'm not sure how good he would be for a big market, but who knows. Epstein worked for Boston.

[RynoRules]

I'm intrigued by the idea of Depodesta, but remember that he got run out of LA because of the Lo Duca trade. Columnists will have a field day with him. I'm not sure how good he would be for a big market, but who knows. Epstein worked for Boston.

 

That brings up another option - a younger, stat-oriented type like Epstein was when he was hired. Give him a veteran A-GM and off we go.

 

BTW, I am not advocating Lou's dismissal. He's done well, IMO.

[danonwaveland]

The most spectacular addition to the park could be a JumboTron mounted somewhere in the outfield or on an existing rooftop building.

 

. . . so that Cubs players could turn around and look towards the outfield -- at the jumbotron -- as they return to the dugout after striking out, just like players do at just about every other park. Yeah, the rooftop idea might work.

_________________________________________________

Sandberg>Mazeroski>Morgan

[Vanilla Ice]

And Coletti is a far better choice than he's getting credit for.

 

Far better choice for what?

To run the Cardinals

[KingCubsFan]

I'm intrigued by the idea of Depodesta, but remember that he got run out of LA because of the Lo Duca trade. Columnists will have a field day with him. I'm not sure how good he would be for a big market, but who knows. Epstein worked for Boston.

The only similarity between the two is that they both like numbers. Epstein showed from the beginning he was a good GM. Depodesta, not so much.

[Gingerballs Lives]

Getting Aaron Piles off the team.

 

Then, resigning Rich Harden.

 

Then, address the bullpen and second base.

[TruffleShuffle]

I'm intrigued by the idea of Depodesta, but remember that he got run out of LA because of the Lo Duca trade. Columnists will have a field day with him. I'm not sure how good he would be for a big market, but who knows. Epstein worked for Boston.

 

the loduca trade was a good trade; brad penny was a very good in a dodger uniform while loduca (despite the two subsequent all-star appearances) continued to be an average starting catcher. there are columnists in every market who will be old-timey and deride GMs like depodesta for not properly valuing "heart and soul" players like loduca, but fear that the media may not like a guy is no reason to cross a highly-qualified candidate off the list.

[RedFlash]

Getting Aaron Piles off the team.

 

If the Cubs don't do anything else this offseason but getting rid of Miles, I'll consider the offseason a success. Anythng else will be gravy.

[hardcorecubfan]

A lot of hate for Miles but he doesn't even start, he will be easy to get rid of but as mentioned Sori has to either straighten up or be shipped out. I would feel better if he just admitted he sucked this year and will work all off season on it.

 

 

Harden then bullpen and then a consistent bat in the line-up besides D. Lee. Maybe find a place for Jake or Hoff

[fromthestretch]

A lot of hate for Miles but he doesn't even start, he will be easy to get rid of but as mentioned Sori has to either straighten up or be shipped out. I would feel better if he just admitted he sucked this year and will work all off season on it.

 

Work all offseason on what? If anything, he needs to work on getting his legs healthy. And don't get your hopes up on Soriano being shipped out. I doubt any team is going to take that contract.

 

Harden then bullpen and then a consistent bat in the line-up besides D. Lee. Maybe find a place for Jake or Hoff

 

I don't think finding regular at-bats for Hoffpauir and his .702 OPS should be a priority.

[Derwood]

I'm intrigued by the idea of Depodesta, but remember that he got run out of LA because of the Lo Duca trade. Columnists will have a field day with him. I'm not sure how good he would be for a big market, but who knows. Epstein worked for Boston.

 

the loduca trade was a good trade; brad penny was a very good in a dodger uniform while loduca (despite the two subsequent all-star appearances) continued to be an average starting catcher. there are columnists in every market who will be old-timey and deride GMs like depodesta for not properly valuing "heart and soul" players like loduca, but fear that the media may not like a guy is no reason to cross a highly-qualified candidate off the list.

 

Bill Plaschke had a bizarre hatred for DePodesta if I remember correctly

[Exile on Waveland]

NED COLLETI???? Hahahaha.

 

Yeah, this post isn't constructive. But, seriously, hahahahha. Colleti. hahah.

[fromthestretch]

NED COLLETI???? Hahahaha.

 

Yeah, this post isn't constructive. But, seriously, hahahahha. Colleti. hahah.

 

To put this in perspective:

 

Hendry: Traded Nolasco, Pinto, and Mitre for one year of Pierre = Poor decision

Colletti: Gave Pierre $44 million over five years, with a limited no-trade clause and an opportunity to earn up to $5.25 million more in bonuses, despite having Matt Kemp ready to take over. All of this immediately AFTER Pierre's crappy season with the Cubs. = Mind-numbingly stupid

[C.C.]

Jumbotrons mounted on rooftops? Not a bad idea, frankly.

 

I've been behind this idea for quite some time. I don't understand what's wrong with that.

 

I'm not a big fan of anything that takes away from the attention on the field. That said, if the $30 million means having two more all-star caliber players each year, then I may have to trade in some nostalgia points for that.

 

I'm over the "keep Wrigley as it is" I want a freaking championship. If it means Jumbotron's for extra revenue to put back into the team salary to help us win a ring, bring it on.

[GhostRunner]

Isn't attendance pretty much maxxed out already? I know they're not selling out every game, but they've set attendance records the past few years. I doubt a Jumbotron will make much of a difference in drawing crowds to fill the upper deck seats.

 

If anything, it may hurt attendance by taking away the "timelessless" factor that draws non-Cubs fan tourists to the park.

[dew1679666265]

Isn't attendance pretty much maxxed out already? I know they're not selling out every game, but they've set attendance records the past few years. I doubt a Jumbotron will make much of a difference in drawing crowds to fill the upper deck seats.

 

If anything, it may hurt attendance by taking away the "timelessless" factor that draws non-Cubs fan tourists to the park.

 

I could be wrong, but I think the added revenue of a jumbotron would come from the ads that run on the jumbotron more than attracting more fans.

[GhostRunner]

Isn't attendance pretty much maxxed out already? I know they're not selling out every game, but they've set attendance records the past few years. I doubt a Jumbotron will make much of a difference in drawing crowds to fill the upper deck seats.

 

If anything, it may hurt attendance by taking away the "timelessless" factor that draws non-Cubs fan tourists to the park.

 

I could be wrong, but I think the added revenue of a jumbotron would come from the ads that run on the jumbotron more than attracting more fans.

Yeah, I didn't consider that, but I guess it would bring in some extra dough that way. Might as well plaster the whole place with signage at that point, too.

[C.C.]

Extra 20-30 million a year.

[David]

I am way too lazy/don't have time to read this whole thread, but Bernstein just mentioned that among the rumors of what Ricketts is considering doing is that one of the people he has in mind for GM is a sabermetrically-inclined disciple of Theo Epstein. Anybody hear anything about this and/or know who it is?

[David]

You mean we can sign such player as Juan Pierre, Jason Schmidt, Andruw Jones, and Rafael Furcal to big contracts too? ALRIGHT!

 

Alfonso Soriano and Todd Hundley say hello.

 

Hundley wasn't a Hendry signing - he was, I believe, a MacPhail signing. Either MacPhail or Ed Lynch.

It was MacPhail. Lynch resigned as GM during the 2000 season. Hundley was signed after that season.

 

 

Yep. In fact, one of Hendry's first moves (if not first) was dumping Hundley on the Dodgers... He was lauded for that one even though I hated that Karros and Grudz were going to take playing time away from Choi and Hill (LOL).

[TruffleShuffle]

Isn't attendance pretty much maxxed out already? I know they're not selling out every game, but they've set attendance records the past few years. I doubt a Jumbotron will make much of a difference in drawing crowds to fill the upper deck seats.

 

If anything, it may hurt attendance by taking away the "timelessless" factor that draws non-Cubs fan tourists to the park.

 

I could be wrong, but I think the added revenue of a jumbotron would come from the ads that run on the jumbotron more than attracting more fans.

Yeah, I didn't consider that, but I guess it would bring in some extra dough that way. Might as well plaster the whole place with signage at that point, too.

 

the cubs have the third-highest payroll in MLB; they really don't need to plaster wrigley with gaudy signs to compete with the rest of the league.

[SouthSideRyan]

Isn't attendance pretty much maxxed out already? I know they're not selling out every game, but they've set attendance records the past few years. I doubt a Jumbotron will make much of a difference in drawing crowds to fill the upper deck seats.

 

If anything, it may hurt attendance by taking away the "timelessless" factor that draws non-Cubs fan tourists to the park.

 

I could be wrong, but I think the added revenue of a jumbotron would come from the ads that run on the jumbotron more than attracting more fans.

Yeah, I didn't consider that, but I guess it would bring in some extra dough that way. Might as well plaster the whole place with signage at that point, too.

 

the cubs have the third-highest payroll in MLB; they really don't need to plaster wrigley with gaudy signs to compete with the rest of the league.

 

It would help.

[GhostRunner]

Isn't attendance pretty much maxxed out already? I know they're not selling out every game, but they've set attendance records the past few years. I doubt a Jumbotron will make much of a difference in drawing crowds to fill the upper deck seats.

 

If anything, it may hurt attendance by taking away the "timelessless" factor that draws non-Cubs fan tourists to the park.

 

I could be wrong, but I think the added revenue of a jumbotron would come from the ads that run on the jumbotron more than attracting more fans.

Yeah, I didn't consider that, but I guess it would bring in some extra dough that way. Might as well plaster the whole place with signage at that point, too.

 

the cubs have the third-highest payroll in MLB; they really don't need to plaster wrigley with gaudy signs to compete with the rest of the league.

I don't recall claiming that they did. I did say that if they were willing to put in a Jumbotron to pull in some extra cash, then they might as well go all out.

 

Fact is, they don't need a Jumbotron or any extra revenue to compete with the rest of the league. Earning money is not the problem, spending it wisely is.