The Chicago Cubs Need Less Jim Hendry (And more Ari Kaplan?)

[idakepps]

People see this post on Fangraphs? I don't think it's anything all that different to what some people say on here, but there were a few bits that really caught my interest.

 

Jim Hendry’s regime has been notorious for its anti-statistical bent. At present, they have one man running advanced statistical analysis for the organization, Ari Kaplan. Many have speculated Kaplan may be member of Ricketts’ new regime, but that new wave cannot come soon enough. With the Cubs’ advanced resources and lackluster division, a progressive, intelligent, and capable front office could quickly make the Cubs into long-term, consistent contenders.

 

It links to a couple of blog posts, one of which is from Bleacher Report, which I'm always a little skeptical on...the title is The Future of the Chicago Cubs’ Front Office – Pat Gillick, Rick Hahn, Ari Kaplan

 

But that post itself links to a Will Carroll piece for SI (getting more reputable now) that puts Kaplan at #10 of GM candidates. Any thoughts on this? I don't know anything about Kaplan other than he was hired last year.

[Guest]

Another swing and a miss from a writer on the "why won't he trade X" point. This isn't that difficult. The Cubs are not years from competing. Teams making trades in July are very unlikely to give you pieces that fill immediate needs. This is a team of role/supporting players that needs stars. Trading the role players when you almost certainly won't get future stars in return is just trading certainty for risk and bleeding talent from the MLB roster.

[SouthSideRyan]

But that post itself links to a Will Carroll piece for SI (getting more reputable now)

 

I assume you meant SI is getting less reputable.

[TruffleShuffle]

SSR saw will carroll's name, blacked out, and then when he woke up he was covered in blood with a dead hooker at his feet.

 

but seriously, ari kaplan probably isn't GM material. and i say that with someone who been wanting for years to have the cubs take more advanced statistical analysis into account. i'd be happy with ari kaplan (i'm always going to use his full name because i don't want him to ever be confused with @thekapman) getting a bigger role... considering that our GM cares about stats like batting average with runners in scoring position and two outs, ari probably doesn't have that much of a voice. but a GM does need to be personable, have a good rapport with scouts and other GMs, and maybe the media too, and it doesn't sound like ari kaplan is that guy.

[MSG T]

SSR saw will carroll's name, blacked out, and then when he woke up he was covered in blood with a dead hooker at his feet.

 

but seriously, ari kaplan probably isn't GM material. and i say that with someone who been wanting for years to have the cubs take more advanced statistical analysis into account. i'd be happy with ari kaplan (i'm always going to use his full name because i don't want him to ever be confused with @thekapman) getting a bigger role... considering that our GM cares about stats like batting average with runners in scoring position and two outs, ari probably doesn't have that much of a voice. but a GM does need to be personable, have a good rapport with scouts and other GMs, and maybe the media too, and it doesn't sound like ari kaplan is that guy.

 

 

Since her name was in the Carroll piece, what does everyone think of Kim Ng? I know I heard some good things about her in the past. I'm not sure she'd be my top choice, but I'd hope she's at least a candidate.

[TruffleShuffle]

she's very bright and capable and should be considered for GM openings. i can't say that she'd be a top choice because i don't know enough about her, but a lot of smart people think very highly of her and it would seem that she's put in her dues to at least be interviewed (as she has been for the dodgers', mariners' and padres' openings.)

[SouthSideRyan]

She's capable, but if you're going somewhere in that mold, why not just take Hahn?

[TruffleShuffle]

i will say this about kim ng, if she does get a GM job i hope she does really well at it. if she turns into dave littlefield or bill bavasi it could be a long time before another woman gets that opportunity.

[SouthSideRyan]

i will say this about kim ng, if she does get a GM job i hope she does really well at it. if she turns into dave littlefield or bill bavasi it could be a long time before another woman gets that opportunity.

 

She can be Branch Rickey, and it could still be 20 years before another woman gets a GM job.

[Little Slide Rooter]

i will say this about kim ng, if she does get a GM job i hope she does really well at it. if she turns into dave littlefield or bill bavasi it could be a long time before another woman gets that opportunity.

 

She can be Branch Rickey, and it could still be 20 years before another woman gets a GM job.

 

Next thing you know they'll want to drive, vote, and do something other than make me a sandwich.

[Sammy Sofa]

The Future of the Chicago Cubs’ Front Office – Pat Gillick, Rick Hahn, Ari Kaplan

 

Yes, please.

[MSG T]

The Future of the Chicago Cubs’ Front Office – Pat Gillick, Rick Hahn, Ari Kaplan

 

Yes, please.

 

Works for me.

[Brett]

I have to point out: Bleacher Report and Bleacher Nation are two very different things. The former is, generally speaking, a steaming pile of crap comprised of slideshows, imagined trades, and grammatical errors. The latter is a relatively popular Chicago Cubs blog.* That post above is from Bleacher Nation, not Bleacher Report.

 

 

*Admitted bias: I write Bleacher Nation.

[rawaction]

I have to point out: Bleacher Report and Bleacher Nation are two very different things. The former is, generally speaking, a steaming pile of crap comprised of slideshows, imagined trades, and grammatical errors. The latter is a relatively popular Chicago Cubs blog.* That post above is from Bleacher Nation, not Bleacher Report.

 

 

*Admitted bias: I write Bleacher Nation.

 

Bias or not....accurate portrayal of Bleacher Report.

[Brett]

I have to point out: Bleacher Report and Bleacher Nation are two very different things. The former is, generally speaking, a steaming pile of crap comprised of slideshows, imagined trades, and grammatical errors. The latter is a relatively popular Chicago Cubs blog.* That post above is from Bleacher Nation, not Bleacher Report.

 

 

*Admitted bias: I write Bleacher Nation.

 

Bias or not....accurate portrayal of Bleacher Report.

 

I rue the day three years ago that I named Bleacher Nation without being aware of the similarly-named, aforementioned steaming pile.

[idakepps]

I have to point out: Bleacher Report and Bleacher Nation are two very different things. The former is, generally speaking, a steaming pile of crap comprised of slideshows, imagined trades, and grammatical errors. The latter is a relatively popular Chicago Cubs blog.* That post above is from Bleacher Nation, not Bleacher Report.

 

 

*Admitted bias: I write Bleacher Nation.

 

I'm glad you pointed that out. Sorry about that. I wouldn't want my site confused with the other either. Thought the format looked different.

[Brett]

I have to point out: Bleacher Report and Bleacher Nation are two very different things. The former is, generally speaking, a steaming pile of crap comprised of slideshows, imagined trades, and grammatical errors. The latter is a relatively popular Chicago Cubs blog.* That post above is from Bleacher Nation, not Bleacher Report.

 

 

*Admitted bias: I write Bleacher Nation.

 

I'm glad you pointed that out. Sorry about that. I wouldn't want my site confused with the other either. Thought the format looked different.

 

No problem. If it were any site but Bleacher Report, I probably would have chuckled and moved on. Thanks for posting the link.