New GM/Cubs Future News Articles

[Hairyducked Idiot]

One thing about Beane is that he would not be gun-shy. I bet he'd be attracted to a big, audacious move like Fielder or Pujols.

 

That said, I bet that attitude costs him points with Ricketts.

[UMFan83]

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!

 

Makes me wonder why the Cubs GM position right here and right now is the most coveted position in sports. Now I definitely did not as closely follow the Cubs as much as I do now the last time the Cubs had an open GM position, which was before MacPhail took over (as we all know, he gave the position to Hendry).

 

 

Here are a couple of obvious reasons:

1. The Cubs historical World Series drought is now the only such long time streak in sports by close to 45 years. As such it is at the forefront of sports streaks. Before the Red Sox won it, I would argue their streak was a lot more talked about than ours.

 

2. This is the first time the Cubs GM position has been open in the era where a Wrigley Field sellout is not very tough to get. Meaning revenue from Wrigley Field is significantly more than even 10 years ago.

 

3. The Cubs are not owned by a faceless corporation that has been known for short changing the team and doing what it takes to win (aka the 1990's). This owner is publically stating his desire to operate his team like the Red Sox, probably the model franchise in how to offer a big market club" where he will likely promise a top 5 payroll, significant investments in scouting and in the draft, a desire to build from within and filling holes in FA, investing in the historic ballpark, keeping its charm and what makes it special but being creative in maximizing revenue from it.

 

We might look back at 2 weeks ago as the week Cubs baseball changed forever with the draft signings that were made, the firing of Hendry, and the baseball philosophy of Ricketts being outlined. That concept of the Cubs front office as a bunch of bumbling idiots stuck in the stone age might have been erased forever overnight.

[RammyFanny]

Someone said that they are worried about Beane because everyone caught up and realized that OBP is undervalued, which is true. But what does that matter if he comes here with our payroll? Regardless of cost, when he can get his hands on his guys he targets (high OBP, etc.), it's a recipe for wins. Even though it's tougher for him to afford his kind of guys in Oakland now, it's a moot point here because he can afford them. For years we have been clamoring for our team to value his kind of players. Just because they aren't undervalued anymore doesn't mean they don't still hold tremendous value to winning.

 

I'd say my list is:

 

1) Epstein

2) Friedman

2A) Beane

3) Cashman

 

Admittedly, with nothing but my manlove for Beane being a reason as to why he's on the same level as Friedman.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I think it's so coveted because of the relative payroll differences and the chance for glory.

 

The Yankees have to contend with the Red Sox, the Mets have the Braves. The Cubs just have the Cardinals, and after that it's all small market.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

To be fair, though, has Ricketts really said anything that Andy MacPhail didn't say when he took over? Other than give a little more respect to statheadedness.

[Guest]

I had forgotten how long Oakland's run was. They didn't win less than 87 games for 8 years! I still have to wonder why they haven't been able to break .500 in the last 5 years though. You do have to wonder how much of his success was due to a pretty unrepeatable and really, lucky circumstance, that being Hudson, Zito, Mulder all becoming great all at once for their cheap years.

[jersey cubs fan]

To be fair, though, has Ricketts really said anything that Andy MacPhail didn't say when he took over? Other than give a little more respect to statheadedness.

 

Andy MacPhail talked about emulating the Braves, which probably wasn't a good idea considering they relied so heavily on having 4 aces and finding 4 aces ain't easy. He talked of drafting and developing pitchers and then acquiring hitters later, which is fairly inefficient. He also talked of "contending within the division" as his primary goal. MacPhail had his sights on the commissioner position and was more about keeping steady. Ricketts has much more power in terms of the direction of this franchise, and much more of a reason to worry only about this franchise. They had very different roles, and I think they had different views on what needed to be done.

[jersey cubs fan]

I had forgotten how long Oakland's run was. They didn't win less than 87 games for 8 years! I still have to wonder why they haven't been able to break .500 in the last 5 years though. You do have to wonder how much of his success was due to a pretty unrepeatable and really, lucky circumstance, that being Hudson, Zito, Mulder all becoming great all at once for their cheap years.

 

I think it's hard to maintain success as a small market team and even harder to regain it once you've had it. Their rivals are all spending more than them as they all have money making situations Oakland can only dream of. They are in the AL, which essentially means the wild card isn't an option. It's a really tough position.

[Elrhino]

I think it's so coveted because of the relative payroll differences and the chance for glory.

 

The Yankees have to contend with the Red Sox, the Mets have the Braves. The Cubs just have the Cardinals, and after that it's all small market.

 

Plus very low pressure/expectations by "historic sports franchise with faithful fanbase in a major metropolitan city" standards. You get a clean slate to build a franchise with an inordinate amount of tools/resources/money to work with a fanbase that isn't going to run you out of town if you're not contending for a World Series by Year 2.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think it's so coveted because of the relative payroll differences and the chance for glory.

 

The Yankees have to contend with the Red Sox, the Mets have the Braves. The Cubs just have the Cardinals, and after that it's all small market.

 

Plus very low pressure/expectations by "historic sports franchise with faithful fanbase in a major metropolitan city" standards. You get a clean slate to build a franchise with a lot tools/resources to work with and a fanbase that isn't going to run you out of town if you're not contending for a World Series by Year 2.

 

That is something that can't be stressed enough. The Cubs were a .500 team under Hendry. They lost an insane amount of games far too often. Other big market fan bases would flip out at that. By and large Cubs fan have thought Hendry was a god for giving them 3 playoff appearances.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Gordo is making the case for former LA GM Dan Evans.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/7281004-419/dan-evans-the-perfect-fit-for-cubs-gm-job.html

[Clem Fandango]

Gordo is making the case for former LA GM Dan Evans.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/7281004-419/dan-evans-the-perfect-fit-for-cubs-gm-job.html

 

Who the [expletive] is Dan Evans?

 

Someone said that they are worried about Beane because everyone caught up and realized that OBP is undervalued, which is true.

 

Except the Cubs, so if he brought the very basic and simple minded approach to having a better team OBP they can be a much better team. Remember when we had a really good OBP in 2008? And we were [expletive] awesome? Remember when we stopped doing that with practically the same players and we sucked?

 

Yeah. I'm not sure why the Cubs have missed that over the last couple of years and not hammered this into the players' mindset.

[Magnetic Curses]

i now am wanting beane or epstein. if we get friedman, i'd also be ok. anything less would be a disappointment.

[bukie]

i now am wanting beane or epstein. if we get friedman, i'd also be ok. anything less would be a disappointment.

It's the summer of LeBron all over again. Which means the Marlins are about to land a windfall of talent, with Beane as team president, Epstein as GM and Friedman as assistant GM.

[SpongeWorthy]

Coletti is Boozer then?

[Guest]

Coletti is Boozer then?

 

Joe Johnson

[gocubs2118]

Coletti would be Jannero Pargo.

[bukie]

Coletti is Boozer then?

 

Joe Johnson

 

Josh Byrnes would be Boozer, the guy who's nobody's first choice but is easy to talk yourself into after the a-listers are out of the picture.

 

Rick Hahn = David Lee

Brian Cashman = Amar'e Stoudemire

[17 Seconds]

Coletti is Boozer then?

 

Joe Johnson

 

Despite his bad year for the Hawks, it would been awesome if we had gotten Joe Johnson for boozer money. Johnson is exactly what the bulls need. Colleti is straight garbage,

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Props to Goldstein for not bowing down for the Friedman hype. He's good, but he's basically a pup in the GM game. If I'm going after a successful GM who's done it with analysis and player development then it's Beane way in front of everyone else. He's someone who truly deserves a job this big.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

To be fair, though, has Ricketts really said anything that Andy MacPhail didn't say when he took over? Other than give a little more respect to statheadedness.

 

Andy MacPhail talked about emulating the Braves, which probably wasn't a good idea considering they relied so heavily on having 4 aces and finding 4 aces ain't easy. He talked of drafting and developing pitchers and then acquiring hitters later, which is fairly inefficient. He also talked of "contending within the division" as his primary goal. MacPhail had his sights on the commissioner position and was more about keeping steady. Ricketts has much more power in terms of the direction of this franchise, and much more of a reason to worry only about this franchise. They had very different roles, and I think they had different views on what needed to be done.

 

That's all a reasonable way of looking at it. I was just thinking about lots of talk about emulating the most successful team at the time and lots of focus on the farm system.

[Banedon]

Jon Heyman article...

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jon_heyman/08/26/cubs.general.manager/index.html

 

The open Cubs' general manager job is highly coveted, and it's no surprise that a lot of big-name executives have already been mentioned as possibilities. However, it should be noted that big-time GMs very rarely jump from one major job to another (it is hard to think of many instances where it's happened), and it is quite possible the Cubs will end up with a slightly less experienced but still excellent person in the role.

 

The Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times have suggested that new owner Tom Ricketts will aim high, and considering all the Cubs have to offer, it's possible he may yet buck history and land a big fish currently employed by another team with a large payroll. However, existing contracts, strong allegiances and geography could all conspire to scuttle any plans along those lines, as they usually do.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Jon Heyman article...

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jon_heyman/08/26/cubs.general.manager/index.html

 

The open Cubs' general manager job is highly coveted, and it's no surprise that a lot of big-name executives have already been mentioned as possibilities. However, it should be noted that big-time GMs very rarely jump from one major job to another (it is hard to think of many instances where it's happened), and it is quite possible the Cubs will end up with a slightly less experienced but still excellent person in the role.

 

The Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times have suggested that new owner Tom Ricketts will aim high, and considering all the Cubs have to offer, it's possible he may yet buck history and land a big fish currently employed by another team with a large payroll. However, existing contracts, strong allegiances and geography could all conspire to scuttle any plans along those lines, as they usually do.

 

Sandy Alderson is the Mets GM right now.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Coletti is Boozer then?

 

Joe Johnson

 

Despite his bad year for the Hawks, it would been awesome if we had gotten Joe Johnson for boozer money. Johnson is exactly what the bulls need. Colleti is straight garbage,

 

Colleti is Tracy McGrady. He's broken down and really of no use, but if he were interested in taking on a lesser role for cheap, you might be interested, but even then you may as well take a pass.

[illiniguy]

Coletti is Boozer then?

 

Joe Johnson

 

Despite his bad year for the Hawks, it would been awesome if we had gotten Joe Johnson for boozer money. Johnson is exactly what the bulls need. Colleti is straight garbage,

 

Colleti is Tracy McGrady. He's broken down and really of no use, but if he were interested in taking on a lesser role for cheap, you might be interested, but even then you may as well take a pass.

Wouldn't Billy Beane be TMac? 5 years ago everyone wanted him, now we aren't sure if he can still go.