New GM/Cubs Future News Articles

[mookie]

Besides Friedman, I would prefer taking a shot at an "unknown" like Hahn or Cherington before Epstein. Another poster just said he likes Epstein because he's proven what he can do, but my worries about Epstein are because we've seen what he's done. I'd consider him at the bottom of the "awesome" pile, or next-to-the-bottom above Beane.

 

My concern with one of the unknowns is the very real chance we end up with a Dayton Moore - a much hyped, well liked guy on this board who came up in a successful organization and turned out to be a horrid GM. I wouldn't complain at all if we got a Cherington, Hahn, or Coppolela, but there's more of an unknown with every one of them as to whether they can build a successful organization under them and whether they properly implement what they've learned or not. With Epstein, Friedman, or Beane we know they have the knowledge of how to build a successful organization and we know they'll implement an optimal organizational philosophy. I think you're looking for the perfect GM, and that person doesn't exist.

 

I believe this is true, and I am also guilty of wanting this ultimate dream.

[Guest]

Besides Friedman, I would prefer taking a shot at an "unknown" like Hahn or Cherington before Epstein. Another poster just said he likes Epstein because he's proven what he can do, but my worries about Epstein are because we've seen what he's done. I'd consider him at the bottom of the "awesome" pile, or next-to-the-bottom above Beane.

 

My concern with one of the unknowns is the very real chance we end up with a Dayton Moore - a much hyped, well liked guy on this board who came up in a successful organization and turned out to be a horrid GM. I wouldn't complain at all if we got a Cherington, Hahn, or Coppolela, but there's more of an unknown with every one of them as to whether they can build a successful organization under them and whether they properly implement what they've learned or not. With Epstein, Friedman, or Beane we know they have the knowledge of how to build a successful organization and we know they'll implement an optimal organizational philosophy. I think you're looking for the perfect GM, and that person doesn't exist.

In about three years you may not be down on Moore.

 

Just sayin'

[Magnetic Curses]

kyle's going to be arguing for larry himes in a second.

[mookie]

Besides Friedman, I would prefer taking a shot at an "unknown" like Hahn or Cherington before Epstein. Another poster just said he likes Epstein because he's proven what he can do, but my worries about Epstein are because we've seen what he's done. I'd consider him at the bottom of the "awesome" pile, or next-to-the-bottom above Beane.

 

My concern with one of the unknowns is the very real chance we end up with a Dayton Moore - a much hyped, well liked guy on this board who came up in a successful organization and turned out to be a horrid GM. I wouldn't complain at all if we got a Cherington, Hahn, or Coppolela, but there's more of an unknown with every one of them as to whether they can build a successful organization under them and whether they properly implement what they've learned or not. With Epstein, Friedman, or Beane we know they have the knowledge of how to build a successful organization and we know they'll implement an optimal organizational philosophy. I think you're looking for the perfect GM, and that person doesn't exist.

In about three years you may not be down on Moore.

 

Just sayin'

 

The hardest part of Moore's job is just beginning though. I hope he utilizes his glut of young assets. Mr. Moore is going to be fun to watch this off season. I hope he swings solid deals.

[dew1679666265]

In about three years you may not be down on Moore.

 

Just sayin'

 

You may be right if he doesn't do everything he can to screw up the glut of minor leaguers like he tried with Alex Gordon. Stuff like trading for Yuniesky Betancourt, signing Scott Podsednik, trading Alberto Callaspo, acquiring Rick Ankiel, trading Leo Nunez for Mike Jacobs, etc.

 

He can build up a farm system to be sure, though it's taken him 5 years to do it. The part that bothers me is the apparent love affair with gritty (really bad) veterans like Podsednik, Jacobs, Ankiel, Betancourt, and others. The recent Greinke trade is kind of in the same vein as well, good value overall but not a lot of upside or really good players.

[UMFan83]

The one thing to be happy about is that the names we are discussing all represent a positive step for the Cubs franchise. I no longer feel as negative and without hope as I've felt in recent years. But maybe I should shut my mouth until we actually make a hire.

[Guest]

Here's a new wrinkle we hadn't heard...

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1005-gm-cubs-chicago--20111005,0,1969311.story

 

 

If he were to come to Chicago, it's likely he would bring former Red Sox manager Terry Francona with him.

 

We've heard it speculated before but we haven't really heard that it's likely.

[davell]

I thought Epstein and Francona had issues with each other? Oh well, it's pretty hard not to get excited about all this. It's cool as hell how big Ricketts is thinking on this. In the end, I'm not going to be disappointed if we miss out on the big names either, because it's definitely looking like we're heading in the right direction at least.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

kyle's going to be arguing for larry himes in a second.

 

I already compared Epstein to a MacPhail/Hendry hybrid. I'm contrarying as hard as I can, what more do you want from me?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I thought Epstein and Francona had issues with each other? Oh well, it's pretty hard not to get excited about all this. It's cool as hell how big Ricketts is thinking on this. In the end, I'm not going to be disappointed if we miss out on the big names either, because it's definitely looking like we're heading in the right direction at least.

 

 

+1 million.

 

Whether Epstein belongs at the top or the bottom of the "awesome possibilities" list, we are at least picking from that list, and not from the Randy Bush or Ned Colleti pile.

[erik316wttn]

If we have our choice I'd much rather have a proven commodity like Theo rather than an unknown who "might" turn out to be very good.

[Guest]

I thought Epstein and Francona had issues with each other? Oh well, it's pretty hard not to get excited about all this. It's cool as hell how big Ricketts is thinking on this. In the end, I'm not going to be disappointed if we miss out on the big names either, because it's definitely looking like we're heading in the right direction at least.

No, I think both Epstein and Tito were upset at something that happened with the players. I also think Tito was upset with upper management.

 

Epstein and Francona are pretty much on the same page. If the Cubs got both of them it would be out of this world.

 

_________________

 

Edit: The Cubs are in really bad shape and it's going to take some time to turn it around. I hope whoever gets the job is given time to flush the system.

[UMFan83]

Has this ESPN article been posted yet? A couple of seemingly new tidbits in this one:

 

A Red Sox official, asked about the likelihood of Epstein leaving, told ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes: "All I can tell you is (Epstein) is working with the same vigor and passion to make the Red Sox better. I realize that sounds like a company line, but it is the truth.''

 

Another chance for the Red Sox front office to issue a denial and it doesnt happen. I think it's obvious they are considering letting him go to the Cubs.

 

A source close to Epstein told ESPN MLB analyst Jim Bowden that Epstein was open to the possibility of taking over the Angels or Cubs if "president" were added to his GM title.

 

Wonder if the Cubs would be willing to do this.

[Cubswin11]

While I don't think a title will or should be the deciding factor in getting Epstein, the Ricketts seem to be pretty happy with Kenney both personally and professionally as president in everything I have read or seen. So they will have to go against how they feel about Kenney or make another position for him if Theo wants the president title also. Edited October 5, 2011 by Cubswin11

[Joe_Cub]

ricketts is not going to let crane kenney or his title stand in the way of hiring a theo epstein.

[Four and Twenty]

"Theo Epstein, President of Baseball Operations and General Manager. Crane Kenney, President of Business Operations."

 

Done and done. It's as easy as that.

[SouthSideRyan]

The Cubs are neither in "really bad shape," nor will it "take some time" to turn it around.

[Joe_Cub]

talk about boston demanding compensation just for granting permission to talk to theo.

 

Channel 5's Mike Lynch reported that the focus of the ownership group discussions yesterday centered around whether the Red Sox should ask the Cubs for compensation merely to ask permission to speak to Epstein, who is under contract until 2012.

 

According to our MLB source, there was nothing wrong with the Red Sox asking, but that to his knowledge this type of request had never been made.

 

Asking for permission to speak to a candidate is normally tied in with compensation the team granting the interview would receive if the party decided to sign on with the new team.

 

Major League Baseball has to approve all of it.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2011/10/on_the_cubs_and.html

[Omar]

Do people here seriously expect a perfect GM with a perfect track record?

 

 

Rk    Year              Tm      Lg   G   W   L Ties W-L%    Finish      Playoffs   
1     2011    BostonRedSox AL East 162  90  72    0 .556                3rd of 5  
2     2010    BostonRedSox AL East 162  89  73    0 .549                3rd of 5
3     2009    BostonRedSox AL East 162  95  67    0 .586  2nd of 5 
4     2008    BostonRedSox AL East 162  95  67    0 .586  2nd of 5
5     2007    BostonRedSox AL East 162  96  66    0 .593  1st of 5        WonWS
6     2006    BostonRedSox AL East 162  86  76    0 .531              
7     2005    BostonRedSox AL East 162  95  67    0 .586  2nd of 5  LostLDS(3-0) 
8     2004    BostonRedSox AL East 162  98  64    0 .605  2nd of 5    WonWS(4-0) 
9     2003    BostonRedSox AL East 162  95  67    0 .586  2nd of 5 LostALCS(4-3)

 

 

Thats a pretty damn good record for an AL East team.

Plus, anybody who works with Bill James on a daily basis is pretty damn good in my book.

 

Now imagine the same guy with a team trying to compete in the NL and this pretty susceptible Central division.

[CubsWin]

I know all the buzz is on Epstein right now with all the press reports out there at the moment, but the Rays losing in the first round of the playoffs again and the serious and seemingly unchangeable budget constraints in Tampa might make Friedman feel like he hit his ceiling with the Rays. He got to the WS in '08 and was decisively beaten by a big payroll team. Might Friedman be suffering from the Billy Beane Blues? Beane was very, very very close to taking the job in Boston when it was offered due to exactly the same kind of frustration. I think Friedman would strongly consider a strong offer to come to Chicago.

[Rob]

Besides Friedman, I would prefer taking a shot at an "unknown" like Hahn or Cherington before Epstein. Another poster just said he likes Epstein because he's proven what he can do, but my worries about Epstein are because we've seen what he's done. I'd consider him at the bottom of the "awesome" pile, or next-to-the-bottom above Beane.

 

My concern with one of the unknowns is the very real chance we end up with a Dayton Moore - a much hyped, well liked guy on this board who came up in a successful organization and turned out to be a horrid GM. I wouldn't complain at all if we got a Cherington, Hahn, or Coppolela, but there's more of an unknown with every one of them as to whether they can build a successful organization under them and whether they properly implement what they've learned or not. With Epstein, Friedman, or Beane we know they have the knowledge of how to build a successful organization and we know they'll implement an optimal organizational philosophy. I think you're looking for the perfect GM, and that person doesn't exist.

 

Don't look now, but Dayton Moore may be putting together a team that's going to be able to compete. There's a whole lot of cheap young talent coming through KC the next couple years... His FA signings haven't been the greatest, but they haven't been awful either. We all may have written him off a bit too soon.

[Joe_Cub]

my bet would be ricketts has friedman in his sights. boston is full of drama queens and the organization leaks like a sieve when everyone tries to backstab each other through the media, so we'll be hearing a lot more spec and news out of boston.

[UMFan83]

Do people here seriously expect a perfect GM with a perfect track record?

 

 

Rk    Year              Tm      Lg   G   W   L Ties W-L%    Finish      Playoffs   
1     2011    BostonRedSox AL East 162  90  72    0 .556                3rd of 5  
2     2010    BostonRedSox AL East 162  89  73    0 .549                3rd of 5
3     2009    BostonRedSox AL East 162  95  67    0 .586  2nd of 5 
4     2008    BostonRedSox AL East 162  95  67    0 .586  2nd of 5
5     2007    BostonRedSox AL East 162  96  66    0 .593  1st of 5        WonWS
6     2006    BostonRedSox AL East 162  86  76    0 .531              
7     2005    BostonRedSox AL East 162  95  67    0 .586  2nd of 5  LostLDS(3-0) 
8     2004    BostonRedSox AL East 162  98  64    0 .605  2nd of 5    WonWS(4-0) 
9     2003    BostonRedSox AL East 162  95  67    0 .586  2nd of 5 LostALCS(4-3)

 

 

Thats a pretty damn good record for an AL East team.

Plus, anybody who works with Bill James on a daily basis is pretty damn good in my book.

 

Now imagine the same guy with a team trying to compete in the NL and this pretty susceptible Central division.

 

Thats basically what I said 5 days ago. Yes they 'collapsed' this year. Yes some of their FA signings turned into busts. But we're talking about a consistent 86+ win ballclub every year for the better part of a decade. Cubs fans would kill for a consistently good team like that.

[XZero771679666304]

I would be thrilled with Theo Epstein, but would be ecstatic with Friedman. Theo has done very, very well, but with an enormous payroll. I prefer a guy who has consistently maximized on the performance/resources front.

 

My wish list (Among rumored candidates) in order of preference is:

 

1.Friedman

2.Epstein

3.Cherington

4.Hahn

[Hollandsworths mug]

One of the posters on SOSH was listening to Lynch and this is what he heard. I bolded the part by the SOSH poster and underlined the most telling part.

 

Wow! Theo Epstein might be running the show here with just about complete and full power of the Cubs. :yahoo:

 

 

Lynch just said something like, "if Theo feels he is being pushed out the door by any of the owners, he won't take the interview."

 

Was kind of confusing, but he made it seem like Theo wouldn't screw the Cubs out of something good if all the Red Sox care about is getting the best asset back for Epstein.

 

Edit: He clarified and said that is the case. He also said if the Sox grant permission, they want Theo to leave.