New GM/Cubs Future News Articles

[Clem Fandango]

I'm curious to see what Beane could do if given a $100+ million budget. He's done some great things in Oakland, but never really replicated the success of the 2000-2003 era A's teams

[UMFan83]

Ned Colletti might be the only candidate to make me prefer that we kept Hendry instead.

 

That said, whoever said they are going to ignore the media reports until the new GM's introductory press conference is a smart man. The media is getting less and less reputable by the day and the line between fact based rumor and complete speculation is blurred to the point where you can't tell the difference anymore. Thanks Twitter.

[Clem Fandango]

08:14 AM ET 08.25 | Theo Epstein may be offered the chance to end yet another epic championship drought. Red Sox owner John Henry checked in via e-mail on the rumors and speculation that [Epstein] could become a target of the Chicago Cubs, who just fired longtime GM Jim Hendry, particularly if they offer Epstein a promotion overseeing the entire baseball operations. "This kind of speculation happens from time to time to successful GMs and managers," Henry wrote. "The Cubs have one of the best presidents in baseball. I think this shows how highly regarded Theo is by the media and baseball in general." ESPN reported yesterday that the Cubs could go after Epstein in a bid to end a World Series drought that dates back to 1908.

 

NO THEY DONT HES TEH WORTS!!!11

[javy knows my name]

Hiring Theo to head up baseball operations would be the smartest thing the franchise has ever done.

[UK1679666180]

It's too early to have any idea, I'm curious as to whom the "baseball veterans" are that are assisting Ricketts in his search.

 

My questions would be... If the GM comes in and does poorly, what would be the expected window of his tenure?

 

Hendry was around for 3 different ownership groups and 4 managers (I don't think Baylor managed a game) and most MLB teams have changed GMs since '02.

 

I just wonder how MLB views the Cubs current scouting and development as well as Ricketts' long-term vision as it plays a major role in whether or not how attractive the job is. Given his desire to build from within should a long ways to sell the Cubs as an attractive position as well as a GM's ego.

 

STL while being one of the more productive teams over the last decade, is not viewed highly upon MLB as far as their methodology and method of operations among those inside. As poorly as teams like KC, Balt., etc. annually do, their method isn't questioned as much as their judgement, which can't be said for STL who scouts players different than any other team. I think their recent drop-off in talent is their lack of talent development and evaluation as it is taking an impact.

[CubmanPi]

whoever said they are going to ignore the media reports until the new GM's introductory press conference is a smart man. The media is getting less and less reputable by the day and the line between fact based rumor and complete speculation is blurred to the point where you can't tell the difference anymore. Thanks Twitter.

Yea, I'm on board too. Len made pretty good points in his blog post (linked on his Twitter, ftr). He references the incessant media speculation removing all credibility, but he also focuses on the fact that the Ricketts family wasn't very widely discussed at all in the Cubs sale process until they emerged as the winning buyers. That combined with the point made earlier about how the media was completely out of the loop for nearly a full month about Hendry makes it pretty clear that no one is going to have inside information on this process until Ricketts is the one making it public.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's too early to have any idea, I'm curious as to whom the "baseball veterans" are that are assisting Ricketts in his search.

 

My questions would be... If the GM comes in and does poorly, what would be the expected window of his tenure?

 

I guess it depends on what you mean by poorly. 2012 will be a grace period where almost any result would be accepted by Ricketts. But if they aren't winning 85 games by 2014, I'm guessing the new guy will start to have pressure. If they go out and win 81 games every year, that would be a poor job, but he'd probably keep it for a long time.

[UK1679666180]

It's too early to have any idea, I'm curious as to whom the "baseball veterans" are that are assisting Ricketts in his search.

 

My questions would be... If the GM comes in and does poorly, what would be the expected window of his tenure?

 

I guess it depends on what you mean by poorly. 2012 will be a grace period where almost any result would be accepted by Ricketts. But if they aren't winning 85 games by 2014, I'm guessing the new guy will start to have pressure. If they go out and win 81 games every year, that would be a poor job, but he'd probably keep it for a long time.

 

I think that would be what separates Ricketts from the Tribune and Zell (they won more under Zell's tenure and his intentions were clear) with long-term expectations, although I think the Tribune gets a bad rap for this as they wanted to win & just operated it as a subsidiary.

 

Obviously going 66-96 for the next 5 years will end a tenure sooner rather than later but, what if they have a mixed bag without the grand prize similar to Hendry? Would Epstein, Beane, Friedman, or Cashman get the same leash as Hendry? If so, can't a franchise direction be gauged at a similar rate with someone like Cashman as someone without any GM experience?

[davearm2]

08:14 AM ET 08.25 | Theo Epstein may be offered the chance to end yet another epic championship drought. Red Sox owner John Henry checked in via e-mail on the rumors and speculation that [Epstein] could become a target of the Chicago Cubs, who just fired longtime GM Jim Hendry, particularly if they offer Epstein a promotion overseeing the entire baseball operations. "This kind of speculation happens from time to time to successful GMs and managers," Henry wrote. "The Cubs have one of the best presidents in baseball. I think this shows how highly regarded Theo is by the media and baseball in general." ESPN reported yesterday that the Cubs could go after Epstein in a bid to end a World Series drought that dates back to 1908.

 

NO THEY DONT HES TEH WORTS!!!11

Haha I read that and thought, the Kenney bashers are gonna go bonkers.

[UMFan83]

Source

Although Tom Ricketts mentioned in last week's press conference that the club was only considering external candidates for the vacant Cubs GM position, sources indicate that one internal candidate is now being considered. Several sources from inside the Cubs front office indicate that Cubs President Crane Kenney has lobbied for and received a chance to interview for the position.

[C.C.]

08:14 AM ET 08.25 | Theo Epstein may be offered the chance to end yet another epic championship drought. Red Sox owner John Henry checked in via e-mail on the rumors and speculation that [Epstein] could become a target of the Chicago Cubs, who just fired longtime GM Jim Hendry, particularly if they offer Epstein a promotion overseeing the entire baseball operations. "This kind of speculation happens from time to time to successful GMs and managers," Henry wrote. "The Cubs have one of the best presidents in baseball. I think this shows how highly regarded Theo is by the media and baseball in general." ESPN reported yesterday that the Cubs could go after Epstein in a bid to end a World Series drought that dates back to 1908.

 

Boston Herald

 

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1361232

 

Man, this would be huge.

[Backtobanks]

Breaking News:

 

According to media sources any person who has been a GM, worked for a GM, dreamt of being a GM, or knows what the letters GM stand for is being considered for the Cubs' GM position. There has been no comment from anyone about anything. Stay tuned for updates. :lol:

[UMFan83]

CST_Cubs: Sources: Cubs contacted "Wild" Bill Holden about interviewing for Cubs GM job. Holden started walking from AZ yesterday and will interview sometime in Mid-Sept. 12 minutes ago

[Brett]

Breaking News:

 

According to media sources any person who has been a GM, worked for a GM, dreamt of being a GM, or knows what the letters GM stand for is being considered for the Cubs' GM position. There has been no comment from anyone about anything. Stay tuned for updates. :lol:

 

General Motors?

 

....aw. Damn.

[javy knows my name]

Source

Although Tom Ricketts mentioned in last week's press conference that the club was only considering external candidates for the vacant Cubs GM position, sources indicate that one internal candidate is now being considered. Several sources from inside the Cubs front office indicate that Cubs President Crane Kenney has lobbied for and received a chance to interview for the position.

 

No, I just moused over it

[Fro]

It's too early to have any idea, I'm curious as to whom the "baseball veterans" are that are assisting Ricketts in his search.

 

My questions would be... If the GM comes in and does poorly, what would be the expected window of his tenure?

 

I guess it depends on what you mean by poorly. 2012 will be a grace period where almost any result would be accepted by Ricketts. But if they aren't winning 85 games by 2014, I'm guessing the new guy will start to have pressure. If they go out and win 81 games every year, that would be a poor job, but he'd probably keep it for a long time.

 

The GM's going to be judged more on the decisions they make in the short to medium term versus wins and losses. The manager will get the heat unless the new GM makes a bunch of dumb moves.

 

Obviously if the team is sub-.500 for several years the GM would get canned but that doesn't seem likely with the amount of $$$ the Cubs have to play with.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's too early to have any idea, I'm curious as to whom the "baseball veterans" are that are assisting Ricketts in his search.

 

My questions would be... If the GM comes in and does poorly, what would be the expected window of his tenure?

 

I guess it depends on what you mean by poorly. 2012 will be a grace period where almost any result would be accepted by Ricketts. But if they aren't winning 85 games by 2014, I'm guessing the new guy will start to have pressure. If they go out and win 81 games every year, that would be a poor job, but he'd probably keep it for a long time.

 

The GM's going to be judged more on the decisions they make in the short to medium term versus wins and losses. The manager will get the heat unless the new GM makes a bunch of dumb moves.

 

Obviously if the team is sub-.500 for several years the GM would get canned but that doesn't seem likely with the amount of $$$ the Cubs have to play with.

 

In the very short-term, sure. But the GM is going to hire that manager. And judging deals is subjective. If the team loses for 3 straight years, he should get a lot of blame. This isn't rebuilding Pittsburgh.

[WilcoFan]

Isn't any decent GM going to "source" float his name in relation to the Cubs job either to express an interest to Ricketts without violating his contract or to get a pay raise/extension from his current team? I would expect to read about basically every GM being considered for the job until the day they hire someone.

[davell]

At this point, with the names being mentioned, I'm going to be completely fine with anyone not named Coletti or Byrnes. And even Byrnes COULD wind up OK, I guess.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Has there been any timetables for a hiring leaked?

[Guest]

Before the organizational meetings in the fall.

[Four and Twenty]

I'm not going to believe anything I hear from the media. They had no clue Hendry was going to be gone. Ricketts plays things close to the vest it appears. I'll wait until the press conference.

 

This. You people freaking out over the media nonsense need to calm yourselves.

[idakepps]

Some good talk on the Baseball Prospectus "Up and In" podcast about the situation. Kevin Goldstein says it might be the most coveted position in all of sports. He also talks down the Friedman hype a little and says he thinks Hahn will end up with the job.

 

BP Podcast

Episode 63: Here's The Tamale Guy!

[RammyFanny]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/26/SPQQ1KRV9N.DTL

The Cubs' GM job is open with Jim Hendry's firing, and The Chronicle report suggested Beane might consider an offer if the Cubs called. His A's contract runs through 2014, but Wolff said Thursday he wouldn't stand in the way if Beane desires another challenge in another market.

"I would never inhibit anybody from bettering themselves because of a contract," said Wolff, who had lunch with Beane on Wednesday and said no team has called regarding his GM. "Billy is fantastic and, to me, indispensable. My hope is he will be here a long time. I did promise Billy and all the guys we would have a venue so they would be able to further execute their abilities, and I think that will happen."

Beane made a legendary comment after the A's lost to Boston in the 2003 Division Series - "Give me $50 million" for a promise of more postseason success. He'd get that extra $50 million with the Cubs and a chance to bring Chicago's North Side a championship after 103 years without one, which would crown him Emperor of the Midwest.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I'm turning around on Beane. I forgot about the "give me 50 million" quote, and therefore forgot that he's kind of a badass as GM's go. Plus he'd get to play with the big boys financially, and he's often said that with every team pretty much looking to do the same thing the big difference becomes money.