New GM/Cubs Future News Articles

[SouthSideRyan]

What's so bad ably Fleita? The position player prospects right now are the best theyve had in forever, and remain the strength of the system. He's someone you look to keep.

 

Fleita is part of the middle ages thinking that's permeated this system over the past decade.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

What's so bad ably Fleita? The position player prospects right now are the best theyve had in forever, and remain the strength of the system. He's someone you look to keep.

 

Fleita is part of the middle ages thinking that's permeated this system over the past decade.

 

This I assume is based on walks in the system? I can't really say I agree, particularly when the bat prospects in the system are a strength rather than a weakness. I'd say our scouting and farm system are also the organizations main strength right now. Theres no real need to weaken that.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'd say our scouting and farm system are also the organizations main strength right now. Theres no real need to weaken that.

 

What makes you say that?

[KingCubsFan]

What's so bad ably Fleita? The position player prospects right now are the best theyve had in forever, and remain the strength of the system. He's someone you look to keep.

 

Fleita is part of the middle ages thinking that's permeated this system over the past decade.

 

This I assume is based on walks in the system? I can't really say I agree, particularly when the bat prospects in the system are a strength rather than a weakness. I'd say our scouting and farm system are also the organizations main strength right now. Theres no real need to weaken that.

There our "strength" because this organization is weak all-around. Our hitting prospects overall aren't great, they only look like that because our pitching is so bad. Our farm system is middle of the pack, at best, even when factoring in this recent draft (which will never look better than it does right now). Other than maybe Tim Wilken, there's really nothing that needs to be salvaged from the last regime.

[CyHawk_Cub]

What's so bad ably Fleita? The position player prospects right now are the best theyve had in forever, and remain the strength of the system. He's someone you look to keep.

 

Fleita is part of the middle ages thinking that's permeated this system over the past decade.

 

This I assume is based on walks in the system? I can't really say I agree, particularly when the bat prospects in the system are a strength rather than a weakness. I'd say our scouting and farm system are also the organizations main strength right now. Theres no real need to weaken that.

There our "strength" because this organization is weak all-around. Our hitting prospects overall aren't great, they only look like that because our pitching is so bad. Our farm system is middle of the pack, at best, even when factoring in this recent draft (which will never look better than it does right now). Other than maybe Tim Wilken, there's really nothing that needs to be salvaged from the last regime.

 

^^^

Fleita is not someone "you look to keep." Maybe he's more innocuous than some here feel, but he doesn't seem to be any kind of asset either. Keep Wilken & his chosen scouts; ditch the rest for all I care.

[Guest]

What's so bad ably Fleita? The position player prospects right now are the best theyve had in forever, and remain the strength of the system. He's someone you look to keep.

 

Fleita is part of the middle ages thinking that's permeated this system over the past decade.

 

This I assume is based on walks in the system? I can't really say I agree, particularly when the bat prospects in the system are a strength rather than a weakness. I'd say our scouting and farm system are also the organizations main strength right now. Theres no real need to weaken that.

 

Really? This is all on Fleita:

 

The Cub Reporter[/url]"]Hunsicker did the majority of the "minors" stuff.... he sure took Hendry to the wood shed last January, though. This is the first time the Cubs made a splash in the draft since the Prior signing. Was it just the ownership's lack of committing resources to signing bonuses that's been the system's problem, or were Fieta and/or Wilkens the problem? It would be interesting to know what Ricketts thinks about that.

 

==============================================

 

TRN: One thing I have noticed about the Cubs Player Development Dept that does not reflect favorably on Oneri Fleita is the apparent disinterest in using technology to help assess player development.

 

For example, most every other team out here has a qualified tech-geek in charge of video-recording the pitchers and the hitters at Minor League Camp, Extended Spring Training, AZL, and Instructs, but the Cubs only do it occasionally (they were video-recording Hayden Simpson a couple of weeks ago), and when they do employ video, it's usually done by one of the minor league pitchers equipped with a camera phone.

 

A coach from one of the other teams thought that was a real hoot.

 

Also, several teams out here use a system where the pitcher "charting" the game from behind home plate inputs the pitch-by-pitch information (type of pitch, velocity, outcome) directly into a lap-top using software that is specifically designed to analyze the pitcher's outing, and the Player Development staff can immediately access the info from anywhere in the world.

 

The Cubs pitchers keep pitching charts by hand (pencil & paper).

[Vanilla Ice]

We're also not really sure how old Pujols is

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I'd say our scouting and farm system are also the organizations main strength right now. Theres no real need to weaken that.

 

What makes you say that?

 

Because it's true. The scouting/farm system might produce a starter at all 4 up the middle positions for us as soon as next season. They've been literally the whole bullpen minus Grabow through the farm as well, and then were able to land Garza for spare parts and Lee/Archer.

 

Fleita just doesnt strike me as someone I think theyd be happy to lose.

[Sammy Sofa]

In all seriousness, I wonder what everyone who thinks Pujols is older than he claims also thinks that he did to somehow escape the post-9/11 scrutiny that busted several foreign-born players (Soriano was the exception because of the multi-entrance visa he received coming from Japan) who were lying about their ages?

[jersey cubs fan]

In all seriousness, I wonder what everyone who thinks Pujols is older than he claims also thinks that he did to somehow escape the post-9/11 scrutiny that busted several foreign-born players (Soriano was the exception because of the multi-entrance visa he received coming from Japan) who were lying about their ages?

 

He moved to the US with his family as a kid in the 90's and got himself set-up in high school then college. I'm pretty sure all the other guys who got busted with visa issues came in with a much different route.

 

Although if the Cubs sign him I'd happily join the group who thinks it's ridiculous to question his age.

[SouthSideRyan]

Is there any evidence that Pujols is older other than "JUST LOOK AT HIM!!!"

 

It's not like he was an out of this world dominant force in high school befitting somebody far older than his competition. He didn't become ALBERT PUJOLS until he became a professional.

[bukie]

I guess I kind of get Keri's point (after a couple tweets). Fielder compares too well to Mo Vaughn and Cecil Fielder (both of which were basically Carlos Pena-productive by 31). Assuming Pujols is the age he says he is, you're basically looking at a 50/50 gamble that he stays as productive as he is now (which is his worst season, but still better than any Cub recently) for 5-6 years before falling off.

 

If you're the Cubs, do you take that gamble now and bank on the division staying weak for a while until the rest of the franchise is in order the way it should be, or do you wait a couple years and bank on a player coming into his prime years being available through trade or FA when the team is more prepared to contend on an extended basis?

[jersey cubs fan]

or do you wait a couple years and bank on a player coming into his prime years being available through trade or FA when the team is more prepared to contend on an extended basis?

 

You never bank of an elite player becoming available in his prime a couple years down the road.

[SouthSideRyan]

I guess I kind of get Keri's point (after a couple tweets). Fielder compares too well to Mo Vaughn and Cecil Fielder (both of which were basically Carlos Pena-productive by 31). Assuming Pujols is the age he says he is, you're basically looking at a 50/50 gamble that he stays as productive as he is now (which is his worst season, but still better than any Cub recently) for 5-6 years before falling off.

 

If you're the Cubs, do you take that gamble now and bank on the division staying weak for a while until the rest of the franchise is in order the way it should be, or do you wait a couple years and bank on a player coming into his prime years being available through trade or FA when the team is more prepared to contend on an extended basis?

 

There won't be flaws on this player in his prime in 2 years? It's unacceptable to have the highest payroll in the division (even writing off Soriano and Z's contracts, we're still right around the Cardinals) and punt 2 seasons. The Cubs have a gaping crater at 1st base at the major league level and in the farm system. There is not a more perfect scenario for Fielder and Pujols to enter the market, and people want to pass on them because we can't guarantee we'd win the division the next 2 years?? These are 2 of the best players in baseball right now, and people are so worried because a contract everyone hated at the time wound up being a contract everyone hated. What the hell is wrong with everyone?

[Sammy Sofa]

In all seriousness, I wonder what everyone who thinks Pujols is older than he claims also thinks that he did to somehow escape the post-9/11 scrutiny that busted several foreign-born players (Soriano was the exception because of the multi-entrance visa he received coming from Japan) who were lying about their ages?

 

He moved to the US with his family as a kid in the 90's and got himself set-up in high school then college. I'm pretty sure all the other guys who got busted with visa issues came in with a much different route.

 

Although if the Cubs sign him I'd happily join the group who thinks it's ridiculous to question his age.

 

Personally, I think in the wake of the post-9/11 visa crackdown and given that it's Albert Pujols, that nobody has come up with any evidence beyond "he's Dominican and he's always looked older than he says he is" is the most damning argument against his stated age being incorrect.

[bukie]

I guess I kind of get Keri's point (after a couple tweets). Fielder compares too well to Mo Vaughn and Cecil Fielder (both of which were basically Carlos Pena-productive by 31). Assuming Pujols is the age he says he is, you're basically looking at a 50/50 gamble that he stays as productive as he is now (which is his worst season, but still better than any Cub recently) for 5-6 years before falling off.

 

If you're the Cubs, do you take that gamble now and bank on the division staying weak for a while until the rest of the franchise is in order the way it should be, or do you wait a couple years and bank on a player coming into his prime years being available through trade or FA when the team is more prepared to contend on an extended basis?

 

There won't be flaws on this player in his prime in 2 years? It's unacceptable to have the highest payroll in the division (even writing off Soriano and Z's contracts, we're still right around the Cardinals) and punt 2 seasons. The Cubs have a gaping crater at 1st base at the major league level and in the farm system. There is not a more perfect scenario for Fielder and Pujols to enter the market, and people want to pass on them because we can't guarantee we'd win the division the next 2 years?? These are 2 of the best players in baseball right now, and people are so worried because a contract everyone hated at the time wound up being a contract everyone hated. What the hell is wrong with everyone?

 

No, I'd still want to sign Pujols. Rather get him for, say, 7 years than 9, but I think it's an investment well worth it for three reasons:

 

1 - The Cubs have nothing at first base. No slugging offensive players that will be ready at any time in the next 4-5 years unless they somehow luck into a huge draft boon next year.

 

2 - The division is winnable right away with a little pitching rotation depth and a star offensive player added. The Cubs are a .500 team now if Coleman, Davis and Russell didn't have to start.

 

3 - Even if a Fielder-like player is available 3 years down the road, players like Pujols don't come along every 3 years. And if they do, teams keep them. And if they're somehow available, sign them too. This isn't the Rays.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

There won't be flaws on this player in his prime in 2 years? It's unacceptable to have the highest payroll in the division (even writing off Soriano and Z's contracts, we're still right around the Cardinals) and punt 2 seasons. The Cubs have a gaping crater at 1st base at the major league level and in the farm system. There is not a more perfect scenario for Fielder and Pujols to enter the market, and people want to pass on them because we can't guarantee we'd win the division the next 2 years?? These are 2 of the best players in baseball right now, and people are so worried because a contract everyone hated at the time wound up being a contract everyone hated. What the hell is wrong with everyone?

 

Fear is a hell of a drug. Soriano and Z have put fear into Cubs fans over contracts.

[SouthSideRyan]

Wasting Castro's cheap years is completely unacceptable. Assuming health, in 2 years Castro (while still a huge deal) will start costing actual money. Then you're saying well why sign Votto to a long-term deal, when we're going to have to start paying Castro 8 figures in a couple years!!

 

Albert [expletive] Pujols, no thanks. Holy [expletive].

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Wasting Castro's cheap years is completely unacceptable. Assuming health, in 2 years Castro (while still a huge deal) will start costing actual money. Then you're saying well why sign Votto to a long-term deal, when we're going to have to start paying Castro 8 figures in a couple years!!

 

Albert [expletive] Pujols, no thanks. Holy [expletive].

 

Castro is a nice piece, but he is nowhere near the kind of player you worry about "wasting" his cheap years.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Wasting Castro's cheap years is completely unacceptable. Assuming health, in 2 years Castro (while still a huge deal) will start costing actual money. Then you're saying well why sign Votto to a long-term deal, when we're going to have to start paying Castro 8 figures in a couple years!!

 

Albert [expletive] Pujols, no thanks. Holy [expletive].

 

Castro is a nice piece, but he is nowhere near the kind of player you worry about "wasting" his cheap years.

 

He's 21 years old and leads the NL in hits, and is just starting to develop his power. I'd say he could very well be the kind of player you worry about "wasting" his cheap years.

[UMFan83]

There won't be flaws on this player in his prime in 2 years? It's unacceptable to have the highest payroll in the division (even writing off Soriano and Z's contracts, we're still right around the Cardinals) and punt 2 seasons. The Cubs have a gaping crater at 1st base at the major league level and in the farm system. There is not a more perfect scenario for Fielder and Pujols to enter the market, and people want to pass on them because we can't guarantee we'd win the division the next 2 years?? These are 2 of the best players in baseball right now, and people are so worried because a contract everyone hated at the time wound up being a contract everyone hated. What the hell is wrong with everyone?

 

Fear is a hell of a drug. Soriano and Z have put fear into Cubs fans over contracts.

 

Which is stupid because no one should have expected Soriano to perform like an $18 million a year player to begin with, and certainly not in year 5 of the contract. As far as Z, if you thought that it was risk free to pay Zambrano that much for that long at that stage of his careers, then that's just silly.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

I guess I kind of get Keri's point (after a couple tweets). Fielder compares too well to Mo Vaughn and Cecil Fielder (both of which were basically Carlos Pena-productive by 31). Assuming Pujols is the age he says he is, you're basically looking at a 50/50 gamble that he stays as productive as he is now (which is his worst season, but still better than any Cub recently) for 5-6 years before falling off.

 

If you're the Cubs, do you take that gamble now and bank on the division staying weak for a while until the rest of the franchise is in order the way it should be, or do you wait a couple years and bank on a player coming into his prime years being available through trade or FA when the team is more prepared to contend on an extended basis?

 

There won't be flaws on this player in his prime in 2 years? It's unacceptable to have the highest payroll in the division (even writing off Soriano and Z's contracts, we're still right around the Cardinals) and punt 2 seasons. The Cubs have a gaping crater at 1st base at the major league level and in the farm system. There is not a more perfect scenario for Fielder and Pujols to enter the market, and people want to pass on them because we can't guarantee we'd win the division the next 2 years?? These are 2 of the best players in baseball right now, and people are so worried because a contract everyone hated at the time wound up being a contract everyone hated. What the hell is wrong with everyone?

Couldn't have said it better myself. This division sucks, the Cubs have more money than any other franchise in said division, and signing either Pujols or Fielder not only improves the Cubs at a position of massive need, but simultaneously cripples one of the 2 best teams in said division (and thus, 1 of our 2 main competitors). There's really no reason not to make a run at one or both of them, as long as finances so allow.

 

Also, as others have stated, elite players just don't make it to free agency that much anymore. The Longorias, Brauns, Weavers, etc. are choosing to sign big but not exorbitant contracts with their current teams before entering FA rather than waiting to hit the open market. The chances that an elite position player will be available in 2013 or 2014 when the Cubs are "ready to compete" or whatever is just pure blind hope.

[UMFan83]

Wasting Castro's cheap years is completely unacceptable. Assuming health, in 2 years Castro (while still a huge deal) will start costing actual money. Then you're saying well why sign Votto to a long-term deal, when we're going to have to start paying Castro 8 figures in a couple years!!

 

Albert [expletive] Pujols, no thanks. Holy [expletive].

 

Castro is a nice piece, but he is nowhere near the kind of player you worry about "wasting" his cheap years.

 

Why not? He's already about a 4 win offensive player right now at age 21 and should only increase his power in the next couple years (and already has taken a step up from last year). I'm not saying he's for sure going to be a superstar, but given what he's done so far, it would be stupid to say he is nowhere near that kind of player.

[SouthSideRyan]

Cubs fans who don't appreciate Starlin Castro shouldn't get to be Cubs fans.

[jersey cubs fan]

Wasting Castro's cheap years is completely unacceptable. Assuming health, in 2 years Castro (while still a huge deal) will start costing actual money. Then you're saying well why sign Votto to a long-term deal, when we're going to have to start paying Castro 8 figures in a couple years!!

 

Albert [expletive] Pujols, no thanks. Holy [expletive].

 

Castro is a nice piece, but he is nowhere near the kind of player you worry about "wasting" his cheap years.

 

That is such an incredibly stupid comment to make. He's exactly the kind of player you worry about wasting his cheap years. Not only is he already far ahead of what anybody could reasonably expect, once he does become expensive, he's going to stay expensive for a long time. He'll be a free agent before he's peaked. That doesn't happen.