New GM/Cubs Future News Articles

[UMFan83]

If its so easy to be successful as the GM of a rich free spending team, Jim Hendry must be a buffoon.

[Omar]

So let me get this straight, if this is true:

 

If I were Theo, I'd be more concerned that my friends are telling Peter Gammons that

 

I feel like I'm trapped in an elevator;

my family has been threatened by nuts;

I have a police cruiser posted outside my residence, presumably to safeguard my family; and

I can't take my wife out to dinner in public

 

Then whats the point of this:

They stood away from all that and the way they were speaking and things they said show that he's slipping away from them and trying to making it easy on their fan base for his let go.

 

Any Red Sox fans browse this board? Is the fanbase more attached to Francona or Epstein? I'd imagine Francona because his job demanded everyday interaction with fans and the media... And they had no problem dealing with the fanbase when letting go of him.

[YearofDaCubs]

After they started taking calls one of the hosts cited one of a his infamous "baseball sources" that said the Cubs would be offering Epstein 5-6 million to come to Chicago and that was well over what the Sox were willing to pay. I can't remember if that was already discussed here but it was mentioned on the show this morning that's the reason I posted it.

That sounds believable as I fully expect the Cubs wiling to pay 5-6 million for Epstein to pry him away from the RSox.

[Hollandsworths mug]

If its so easy to be successful as the GM of a rich free spending team, Jim Hendry must be a buffoon.

 

Well, this is true.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If its so easy to be successful as the GM of a rich free spending team, Jim Hendry must be a buffoon.

 

Yes.

[Backtobanks]

If its so easy to be successful as the GM of a rich free spending team, Jim Hendry must be a buffoon.

 

Well, this is true.

 

Then what are all of these rumors about hiring 3 guys to replace him.

[jersey cubs fan]

What an idiot. He contends against a team that has consistently spent $40-80m more than his team with a fan base that absolutely demands constants influx of talent. The guy has been working with a 40% disadvantage and contended very well.

[Hollandsworths mug]

If its so easy to be successful as the GM of a rich free spending team, Jim Hendry must be a buffoon.

 

Well, this is true.

 

Then what are all of these rumors about hiring 3 guys to replace him.

 

The Cubs are structuring the team differently now. Ricketts basically observed how things were run here the first two years (obviously not impressed). He is a big believer in Sabr and he has been observing teams/owners who have proven models of success.

 

If in fact he hires three guys to run things, it has absolutely zero to do with trying to replace Hendry's brilliance.

Edited October 7, 2011 by Hollandsworth's mug

[Tracer Bullet]

If its so easy to be successful as the GM of a rich free spending team, Jim Hendry must be a buffoon.

 

Well, this is true.

 

Then what are all of these rumors about hiring 3 guys to replace him.

Really?

[MWV]

If its so easy to be successful as the GM of a rich free spending team, Jim Hendry must be a buffoon.

 

Well, this is true.

 

Then what are all of these rumors about hiring 3 guys to replace him.

There's a fat joke waiting to be made here...

[Hollandsworths mug]

Rogers speculating the Theo situation could get ugly in Boston. Not sure why he thinks it, though.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-your-morning-phil-theo-big-hurt-arod-20111007,0,1208059.story

 

The initial interpretation of that interview on the “Dennis and Callahan Show” on Boston sports radio station WEEI and NESN television only makes you wonder if the Red Sox and Epstein are at an impasse

 

He does not say, “We value Theo highly and are determined to keep him here.’’ It would have been easy enough to say that, but it sounds to me more like they are preparing Red Sox Nation for his departure, doesn’t it?

 

 

But let’s don’t get ahead of ourselves.

 

Even if the Red Sox are leaving Epstein dangling, which could infuriate him, it remains possible that he’ll stay put. To hire Epstein, Ricketts would have to work out two deals: One with the 37-year-old executive – who would get a package from the Cubs like the one he is apparently not being offered in Boston – and another with the Red Sox, who are seeking compensation to release him from his contract.

 

Everyone has a choking point somewhere. For Ricketts, that could come in compensation talks. What if the Red Sox want Starlin Castro? What if they want a package of top prospects, like Darwin Barney, Brett Jackson and Andrew Cashner? You get the idea

 

This is a very, very fluid; very, very interesting situation. By the end of the weekend, if not the day, it could also be very, very ugly.

 

[jersey cubs fan]

Given how often Ricketts has talked about the unnecessary system of having a baseball guy to oversee his baseball guy, does anybody really think Ricketts would hire Epstein as president and another guy as GM? It goes against what he has said he wants to do. While he played his cards close to his vest with firing Hendry, it's not like that move directly contradicted what he repeatedly said he wanted to do.

[UMFan83]

I think how Rogers thinks that Darwin Barney is a top prospect.

[Elrhino]

So Ricketts is opposed to bringing in a pool of intellectual talent and just wants one monolithic authoritarian "baseball guy" to command from high? Seems like Epstein's success in Boston, particularly in the first 5-6 years, was based on having a community of smart people in the front office with him. I can't imagine why he would want to stray from that.

[MWV]

I think how Rogers thinks

Couldn't resist.

[jersey cubs fan]

So Ricketts is opposed to bringing in a pool of intellectual talent and just wants one monolithic authoritarian "baseball guy" to command from high? Seems like Epstein's success in Boston, particularly in the first 5-6 years, was based on having a community of smart people in the front office with him. I can't imagine why he would want to stray from that.

 

You can easily have smart front office surrounding your GM without having an unnecessary baseball person as president presiding over your GM who makes all the baseball decisions. That type of president doesn't serve much of a role.

[minnesotacubsfan]

this is actually what I fear, that Henry is saying to Chicago, go ahead, make him President. I don't know that I want Epstein as a President, I want him as a GM. I'm also wondering if Ricketts also only wants him to be the GM.

[Guest]

So Ricketts is opposed to bringing in a pool of intellectual talent and just wants one monolithic authoritarian "baseball guy" to command from high? Seems like Epstein's success in Boston, particularly in the first 5-6 years, was based on having a community of smart people in the front office with him. I can't imagine why he would want to stray from that.

 

You can easily have smart front office surrounding your GM without having an unnecessary baseball person as president presiding over your GM who makes all the baseball decisions. That type of president doesn't serve much of a role.

 

 

Exactly.

[MWV]

Given how often Ricketts has talked about the unnecessary system of having a baseball guy to oversee his baseball guy, does anybody really think Ricketts would hire Epstein as president and another guy as GM? It goes against what he has said he wants to do. While he played his cards close to his vest with firing Hendry, it's not like that move directly contradicted what he repeatedly said he wanted to do.

 

Ricketts said he had "100 percent confidence in Jim" on June 15 before firing him (secretly no less!) on July 22. Whether we like it or not, I don't think Ricketts always means what he says publicly. He feeds pablum to reporters in order to avoid public feuds while conducting his business behind closed doors.

[Hollandsworths mug]

I have to think that Ricketts is either talking to Epstein now or already has and made him an offer. If that's the case, we are waiting on either a yes or no from Theo and if it's a yes, are the Red Sox seeking compensation.

 

I can't see Red Sox brass telling Ricketts he can't talk to Theo. My guess is they already have met and it's in Theo's hands now.

[Banedon]

this is actually what I fear, that Henry is saying to Chicago, go ahead, make him President. I don't know that I want Epstein as a President, I want him as a GM. I'm also wondering if Ricketts also only wants him to be the GM.

 

What powers do you think he'll have as President that would be a problem?

[Hollandsworths mug]

And I also filrmly believe Ricketts will make him the highest paid exec in Baseball. If not, he will be a close second.

[Guest]

this is actually what I fear, that Henry is saying to Chicago, go ahead, make him President. I don't know that I want Epstein as a President, I want him as a GM. I'm also wondering if Ricketts also only wants him to be the GM.

 

What powers do you think he'll have as President that would be a problem?

 

I think he fears that somebody else would be the guy performing GM duties.

[SouthSideRyan]

Given how often Ricketts has talked about the unnecessary system of having a baseball guy to oversee his baseball guy, does anybody really think Ricketts would hire Epstein as president and another guy as GM? It goes against what he has said he wants to do. While he played his cards close to his vest with firing Hendry, it's not like that move directly contradicted what he repeatedly said he wanted to do.

 

Ricketts said he had "100 percent confidence in Jim" on June 15 before firing him (secretly no less!) on July 22. Whether we like it or not, I don't think Ricketts always means what he says publicly. He feeds pablum to reporters in order to avoid public feuds while conducting his business behind closed doors.

 

Those situations aren't comparable at all.

[Banedon]

this is actually what I fear, that Henry is saying to Chicago, go ahead, make him President. I don't know that I want Epstein as a President, I want him as a GM. I'm also wondering if Ricketts also only wants him to be the GM.

 

What powers do you think he'll have as President that would be a problem?

 

I think he fears that somebody else would be the guy performing GM duties.

 

Oh, I gotcha. Yeah I don't think Ricketts is bringing in Theo to not make baseball decisions.