Podcast Interview with Bruce Miles

[Guest]

If you have any last minute questions, be sure to get them in now. The interview is in about 45 min. :D

[Guest]

Good list of questions in the thread:

 

Reporting:

• How do you view the changes to sports reporting over the last couple of decades? It seems in the past reporters had more access to players for independent reports. In the last several years, access seems much more restricted with every reporter getting the same post game interview we see on TV. Is the message much more controlled than in the past and how do you as a reporter try to get around being the standard bearer of the same message everyone else has?

• Are the Cubs better/worse/same as every other organization for access to their players and information?

• Many people here complain that we get misinformation on injuries as if it is of utmost importance to keep the fan abreast of the most critical information. How often are you privy to information that you can't share, and do you feel like there are good reasons for the request for confidentiality?

• I am a newspaper guy (a dying breed), but living in the city, I am a Trib guy. Not to talk out of school, but is Paul Sullivan really as depressing in real life as he writes?

• In retrospect, does having the Herald keep you off the road, and thus away from the train wreck, this year look like a positive? Any word if things will be different in 2010?

• Bruce, seeing as to this being a podcast interview, do you think things like we are doing here and your blog are the future of sports journalism or do you still see a place for the daily newspaper?

• On a related note, how much did not being in the clubhouse after a game on the road diminish the coverage you provided to your readers. In other words, is it really important to get the quote from player or coach after the game even if it might be a cliche?

• During a disappointing second half like this year, is it hard to separate between Bruce-the-fan and Bruce-the-reporter?

 

Health:

• Can you give us an update on Soriano's surgery and rehabilitation?

• Can you give an update/information on Aramis' shoulder injury? Is he making significant progress on it?

 

Offseason:

• Do you think the Cubs will try to move Aaron Miles, or is he going to play out his contract with the Cubs?

• Are the Cubs planning on pursuing a CF and moving Fukudome to RF, or are they instead going to keep Fukudome in CF?

• What are the odds Bradley is in this team's opening day lineup in 2010?

• Will the Cubs pursue extensions for any players during the offseason? If so, who?

• Does Bruce, personally, want to see Bradley back in a Cub uni in 2010?

• What moves do you expect the Cubs to make over the offseason?

• In recent years the Cubs seem to put an effort into maximizing fan interest by the time tickets go on sale in February, whether it's acquisitions actually made before then (Soriano/Bradley), or potential acquisitions that are talked about relatively openly (Maddux/Peavy). How do you see this year's offseason playing out in terms of what they use to get fans excited to buy tickets? A rumored big name acquisition? A guy who fits a specific need, perceived or otherwise (the Hendry special), like a leadoff guy or RBI guy. Or are we looking at a year where getting rid of Bradley and paying big for a name hitting coach prove to be the biggest moves they make?

• What are the odds that Kevin Gregg will be in the bullpen in 2010?

 

Ricketts:

• Have you had a chance to meet the new owners yet? If so, what do you think about them?

• Hendry mentioned that Ricketts gave the authority to move quickly on Jaramillo, what is the word from Ricketts on whether Hendry is going to have payroll flexibility going in to 2010 or whether Ricketts is likely to increase payroll?

• Any indication in regard to what type of philosophy the organization will have under Ricketts? Invest heavily in development? Continue to make a big splash overseas?

• How is the relationship between Hendry/Crane and the Ricketts? Do you expect Hendry to have a long leash?

• What do you think the single biggest change will be with Ricketts (compared to Tribune, Inc.)?

 

Other:

• Are there any good clubhouse stories you have from this past season in terms of pranks guys played on each other?

• If Brenly leaves the booth to manage, any chance that Stone comes back? (or has he burned all his bridges with the organization)

• If the Cubs fall out of serious contention with time left in the season do you think Lou will still finish out his contract, or might he resign (or even be fired) to give a potential replacement (such as Trammell or Sandberg) an extended audition?

• After 2010 season, let's assume Lou will not be coming back, are there any potentional managerial candidate that you like?

• Bruce, you've covered the Cubs for a bit now. Can you kinda speak to what it's like to have Cub fans be so angry and disappointed with an 83 win season? Quite a change from a decade ago.

 

Minor Leagues:

• Have you talked to the Cubs about how their prospects are looking down in the Arizona Fall League? If so, what does the team have to say about their performances so far?

[The Other One]

Ask him about the Sam Fuld interview in BP.

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9719

 

See how he interprets this section of the interview:

 

DL: Using data to improve performance is one thing. Using it to assess performance is another. Do you see value in looking at your numbers for the purpose of better understanding your own game?

 

SF: Yes, I think so, but ultimately it comes down to what the people who are employing you think. If they’re not aware of it, it may not be too beneficial for you to worry about it. If they’re more worried about the basic statistics like batting average, slugging percentage, RBIs, and runs, maybe that’s all you need to worry about as a hitter. Ultimately, they’re the ones who make the decisions, so you have to worry about what they care about, essentially.

 

DL: Do you feel the Cubs organization is at all hindered by what some people feel is a relative lack of progressive thinking on their part?

 

SF: Well, that’s a tough question. I don’t really know, personally, how much they have advanced in that area. I do think that, all in all, it’s a good thing to be progressive in that area, but there’s certainly not just one way to do things, either. Teams have had success by employing more of an old-school technique. But I can hardly even comment on that, because I don’t even know how advanced they are in the area of statistics.

 

DL: How important is on-base percentage within the organization?

 

SF: It’s certainly important. Like I said, you can’t help but have an increased awareness of the importance of on-base percentage. Over the last 10 years or so, it has certainly gotten a whole lot more attention. I certainly think it’s important. I don’t know exactly how much they weigh it in comparison to RBIs or some other statistics like that, but they’re definitely aware of it.

[Guest]

Thanks for the questions, everyone! I didn't get to all of them, but we covered quite a bit of ground. We should have the podcast up later in the week.