New GM/Cubs Future News Articles

[Backtobanks]

Here's a far more promising "article" from Cubs Insider (I know, I know) posted a few hours ago: http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-insider/2011/09/theo-epstein-to-cubs-is-more-real-than-you-think/

 

I agree that at the end of the day, it'll be Beane or a young, up-and-coming Assistant GM somewhere. I think Epstein is smartly using the buzz about the Cubs GM position to increasing his bargaining power for an extension with the Red Sox.

 

Id love to see Epstein become the next GM or president of baseball operations for the Cubs, but I think its a little unrealistic at the moment and that he's just angling for a contract extension. Who knows though anything is possible and Theo could be looking for a new challenge. Im not sure how Id feel about Beane running the team, Im sure it would be a vast improvement but that goes without saying with any of the names that have been thrown around. Of all the names Epstein would be the dream choice, I hope somehow it happens.

 

Ending the curse would have to be the only motivation for Epstein. More money, a much better team, and a better farm system are all reasons to stay in Boston. Of course, he wouldn't have to compete with the Yankees every year.

[mookie]

I think I am the only one who doesn't want Epstein. I don't think he will find repeat success like many seem to believe he will. I am warming to Beane because of all the incredible pitching talent that comes out of Oakland. The only thing about Beane that worries me is offense. Maybe a higher draft budget will aid him in that area though?

 

In the end, I still would love either Friedman or Beane, but I would also be thoroughly pleased with a young up and comer who says all the right words.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I think I am the only one who doesn't want Epstein. I don't think he will find repeat success like many seem to believe he will. I am warming to Beane because of all the incredible pitching talent that comes out of Oakland. The only thing about Beane that worries me is offense. Maybe a higher draft budget will aid him in that area though?

 

In the end, I still would love either Friedman or Beane, but I would also be thoroughly pleased with a young up and comer who says all the right words.

 

I feel the same way about Friedman and Epstein that you feel about Epstein. I'm not sure either guy would replicate their current success all that quickly here. OTOH, Beane's been dying for money ever since literally everyone else in baseball started copying what he and the A's were doing out in Oakland. In a sense he was robbed of the ultimate success simply because those early 2000's A's never pulled the whole deed off, and those were legitimately elite teams with top of the line pitching and offense.

 

Friedman bothers me because he's one of two big names in the TB FO, and he's the far less experienced one. Epstein because he's got a really great thing going for him in Boston, which has quickly become the model franchise in the sport for any non-Yankee team willing to spend. He has no real incentive to leave as he's already down the "I broke a fake curse" thing.

 

Honestly I don't think there's a single GM in the sport who's done more to earn such a huge job than Beane. He's done the GM thing as long as anyone currently doing the job, and I'm sure the GM who is/should be the face of the sabermetric era thinks he has more to accomplish with his job than have Brad Pitt play him in a movie.

[Dallas Green]

Here's a far more promising "article" from Cubs Insider (I know, I know) posted a few hours ago: http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-insider/2011/09/theo-epstein-to-cubs-is-more-real-than-you-think/

 

I agree that at the end of the day, it'll be Beane or a young, up-and-coming Assistant GM somewhere. I think Epstein is smartly using the buzz about the Cubs GM position to increasing his bargaining power for an extension with the Red Sox.

 

Hey don't apologize for posting that blog, that guy is good and has good connections :wink:

[Have a seat, Neifi]

Phil Rogers just published a piece a little over an hour ago saying that people around baseball believe Ricketts really really wants Epstein and also that according to ubiquitous and anonymous "baseball people" around the league, it may not be that farfetched a notion.

 

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/12/tom-ricketts-wants-theo-epstein/

[Little Slide Rooter]

Phil Rogers just published a piece a little over an hour ago saying that people around baseball believe Ricketts really really wants Epstein and also that according to ubiquitous and anonymous "baseball people" around the league, it may not be that farfetched a notion.

 

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/12/tom-ricketts-wants-theo-epstein/

 

I would love that. Even if we miss out on Epstein, this means Ricketts is ready to spend. I'm sure he knows that if Epstein were to jump ship, it wouldnt be to spend 4-5 years building a team, it would be to build a winner in the next year or 2. Probably similar to the '06/'07 offseason with better decisions.

 

And I wonder how much resistance that the Red Sox would even put up. They already have a team built to win now and the next several years, and if Epstein left town, they already have his heir apparent in Cherington. Even if he wasn't their guy, they'd still have their pick of the litter to replace him.

 

Damn you not so cautious optimism.

[Dallas Green]

Phil Rogers just published a piece a little over an hour ago saying that people around baseball believe Ricketts really really wants Epstein and also that according to ubiquitous and anonymous "baseball people" around the league, it may not be that farfetched a notion.

 

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/12/tom-ricketts-wants-theo-epstein/

 

I would love that. Even if we miss out on Epstein, this means Ricketts is ready to spend. I'm sure he knows that if Epstein were to jump ship, it wouldnt be to spend 4-5 years building a team, it would be to build a winner in the next year or 2. Probably similar to the '06/'07 offseason with better decisions.

 

And I wonder how much resistance that the Red Sox would even put up. They already have a team built to win now and the next several years, and if Epstein left town, they already have his heir apparent in Cherington. Even if he wasn't their guy, they'd still have their pick of the litter to replace him.

 

Damn you not so cautious optimism.

 

Good points

[UMFan83]

Phil Rogers just published a piece a little over an hour ago saying that people around baseball believe Ricketts really really wants Epstein and also that according to ubiquitous and anonymous "baseball people" around the league, it may not be that farfetched a notion.

 

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/12/tom-ricketts-wants-theo-epstein/

 

I would love that. Even if we miss out on Epstein, this means Ricketts is ready to spend. I'm sure he knows that if Epstein were to jump ship, it wouldnt be to spend 4-5 years building a team, it would be to build a winner in the next year or 2. Probably similar to the '06/'07 offseason with better decisions.

 

And I wonder how much resistance that the Red Sox would even put up. They already have a team built to win now and the next several years, and if Epstein left town, they already have his heir apparent in Cherington. Even if he wasn't their guy, they'd still have their pick of the litter to replace him.

 

Damn you not so cautious optimism.

 

Good points

 

Well some say that Epstein is leaking interest in the Cubs as leverage to get a new contract, so it will be interesting to see what happens if the Red Sox call his bluff. He may not have legitimate interest in the Cubs but if the Red Sox basically tell him they are going with Cherington, he'll have no choice.

 

Doubt it would actually go down that way, but if Epstein plays his cards the wrong way, it wouldn't shock me.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Phil Rogers just published a piece a little over an hour ago saying that people around baseball believe Ricketts really really wants Epstein and also that according to ubiquitous and anonymous "baseball people" around the league, it may not be that farfetched a notion.

 

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/12/tom-ricketts-wants-theo-epstein/

 

I would love that. Even if we miss out on Epstein, this means Ricketts is ready to spend. I'm sure he knows that if Epstein were to jump ship, it wouldnt be to spend 4-5 years building a team, it would be to build a winner in the next year or 2. Probably similar to the '06/'07 offseason with better decisions.

 

And I wonder how much resistance that the Red Sox would even put up. They already have a team built to win now and the next several years, and if Epstein left town, they already have his heir apparent in Cherington. Even if he wasn't their guy, they'd still have their pick of the litter to replace him.

 

Damn you not so cautious optimism.

 

Good points

 

Well some say that Epstein is leaking interest in the Cubs as leverage to get a new contract, so it will be interesting to see what happens if the Red Sox call his bluff. He may not have legitimate interest in the Cubs but if the Red Sox basically tell him they are going with Cherington, he'll have no choice.

 

Doubt it would actually go down that way, but if Epstein plays his cards the wrong way, it wouldn't shock me.

 

I'd have to think that Epstein is at the point where the glory of ending 2 of baseballs 3 biggest title droughts(Kenny Williams already ended #2) would be more important than the money, especially if the amounts are similar.

[UMFan83]

Phil Rogers just published a piece a little over an hour ago saying that people around baseball believe Ricketts really really wants Epstein and also that according to ubiquitous and anonymous "baseball people" around the league, it may not be that farfetched a notion.

 

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/12/tom-ricketts-wants-theo-epstein/

 

I would love that. Even if we miss out on Epstein, this means Ricketts is ready to spend. I'm sure he knows that if Epstein were to jump ship, it wouldnt be to spend 4-5 years building a team, it would be to build a winner in the next year or 2. Probably similar to the '06/'07 offseason with better decisions.

 

And I wonder how much resistance that the Red Sox would even put up. They already have a team built to win now and the next several years, and if Epstein left town, they already have his heir apparent in Cherington. Even if he wasn't their guy, they'd still have their pick of the litter to replace him.

 

Damn you not so cautious optimism.

 

Good points

 

Well some say that Epstein is leaking interest in the Cubs as leverage to get a new contract, so it will be interesting to see what happens if the Red Sox call his bluff. He may not have legitimate interest in the Cubs but if the Red Sox basically tell him they are going with Cherington, he'll have no choice.

 

Doubt it would actually go down that way, but if Epstein plays his cards the wrong way, it wouldn't shock me.

 

I'd have to think that Epstein is at the point where the glory of ending 2 of baseballs 3 biggest title droughts(Kenny Williams already ended #2) would be more important than the money, especially if the amounts are similar.

 

We absolutely don't know that for sure though. Don't forget that Theo is from NE and grew up dreaming of working for the Red Sox. He's also only 37 years old, so he isn't necessarily thinking of his legacy at this point. No one really knows his true intentions at this point. While it is likely that he would be intregued by the opportunity to get the Cubs a World Series ring, it almost might not be his priority at the moment.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If we're playing "What motivates some guy we don't know," you could just as easily say he has nothing to gain by trying with another team. If he stays with the Red Sox, he'll always have a perfect record of winning championships for teams he GMs.

[Little Slide Rooter]

With the Rays surging and 3 gamed behind the Red Sox for the WC, it's possible that the Red Sox miss out on the post season this year. I wonder if this would have any effect on how the Red Sox proceed when it comes to Epsteins future. Obviously, they wouldn't fire him, but with their pay role and expectations, 2 consecutive missed post seasons might be enough to let him consider other options and give Cherington a shot. It certainly wouldn't be a good time to discuss massive extension with them. All other motivations aside, replacing the the Yankees, Rays, and Jays with the Cardinals, Brewers, and Reds could be a factor for him.

[Elrhino]

Yeah, there is quite a bit of grumbling in Boston about the Red Sox, and that grumbling will turn into full fledged anger if they choke away a spot at the playoffs. I have family in the Boston area who are Red Sox diehards. Lots of resentment about the Crawford and Lackey contracts. I don't think they're going to fire him, but he certainly doesn't carry the same admiration in Boston as he used to. Like I've said, that's the one thing that separates the Cubs from other big market/big money organizations ... low expectations and an extremely tolerant fan base.

[UMFan83]

Yeah, there is quite a bit of grumbling in Boston about the Red Sox, and that grumbling will turn into full fledged anger if they choke away a spot at the playoffs. I have family in the Boston area who are Red Sox diehards. Lots of resentment about the Crawford and Lackey contracts. I don't think they're going to fire him, but he certainly doesn't carry the same admiration in Boston as he used to. Like I've said, that's the one thing that separates the Cubs from other big market/big money organizations ... low expectations and an extremely tolerant fan base.

 

Have you been watching the last 7-8 years?

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah, there is quite a bit of grumbling in Boston about the Red Sox, and that grumbling will turn into full fledged anger if they choke away a spot at the playoffs. I have family in the Boston area who are Red Sox diehards. Lots of resentment about the Crawford and Lackey contracts. I don't think they're going to fire him, but he certainly doesn't carry the same admiration in Boston as he used to. Like I've said, that's the one thing that separates the Cubs from other big market/big money organizations ... low expectations and an extremely tolerant fan base.

 

Have you been watching the last 7-8 years?

 

Even the increase in expectations the last few years leaves the Cubs with extremely low expectations for a big market big money team. There were lots of people who didn't think Hendry should go after all this time.

[UMFan83]

Yeah, there is quite a bit of grumbling in Boston about the Red Sox, and that grumbling will turn into full fledged anger if they choke away a spot at the playoffs. I have family in the Boston area who are Red Sox diehards. Lots of resentment about the Crawford and Lackey contracts. I don't think they're going to fire him, but he certainly doesn't carry the same admiration in Boston as he used to. Like I've said, that's the one thing that separates the Cubs from other big market/big money organizations ... low expectations and an extremely tolerant fan base.

 

Have you been watching the last 7-8 years?

 

Even the increase in expectations the last few years leaves the Cubs with extremely low expectations for a big market big money team. There were lots of people who didn't think Hendry should go after all this time.

 

Meh, after seeing FA acquisitions being Boo'd in April after a slow start, I relalized the expectations were pretty high. Maybe not as high as the Red Sox or Yankees, because ultimately winning brings the highest expectations IMO, but considerably more than probably 25-26 of the 29 other teams.

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah, there is quite a bit of grumbling in Boston about the Red Sox, and that grumbling will turn into full fledged anger if they choke away a spot at the playoffs. I have family in the Boston area who are Red Sox diehards. Lots of resentment about the Crawford and Lackey contracts. I don't think they're going to fire him, but he certainly doesn't carry the same admiration in Boston as he used to. Like I've said, that's the one thing that separates the Cubs from other big market/big money organizations ... low expectations and an extremely tolerant fan base.

 

Have you been watching the last 7-8 years?

 

Even the increase in expectations the last few years leaves the Cubs with extremely low expectations for a big market big money team. There were lots of people who didn't think Hendry should go after all this time.

 

Meh, after seeing FA acquisitions being Boo'd in April after a slow start, I relalized the expectations were pretty high. Maybe not as high as the Red Sox or Yankees, because ultimately winning brings the highest expectations IMO, but considerably more than probably 25-26 of the 29 other teams.

 

Yankees fans boo their FA when they do well. I've heard Phillies fans bitch about Halladay taking a step back.

 

Cubs fans are nowhere near as critical of their team as other big market teams. Booing an expensive free agent who is hitting .050 in April isn't really unique to the Cubs.

[Wilson A2000]

You guys will probably have a lot more info on this I only heard this on the B/B show), but didn't the Cubs just hire a new public relations director for things not pertaining to baseball? He has close ties with the political higher ups in Chicago with the hopes of trying to break in and forge a new deal with the city on Wrigley Field. And he is an African American. I can't remember another African American having a high position with the Cubs before.

[doschi]

Interesting...

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/7645317-419/walt-jocketty-as-cubs-gm-could-start-whirlwind-that-brings-pujols.html

[Guest]

Interesting...

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/7645317-419/walt-jocketty-as-cubs-gm-could-start-whirlwind-that-brings-pujols.html

 

I definitely do not like the middle part of that scenario.

[Backtobanks]

Interesting...

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/7645317-419/walt-jocketty-as-cubs-gm-could-start-whirlwind-that-brings-pujols.html

 

I have trouble believing that one,

[apete6]

Interesting...

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/7645317-419/walt-jocketty-as-cubs-gm-could-start-whirlwind-that-brings-pujols.html

 

I definitely do not like the middle part of that scenario.

 

Yeah, overpaying for Pujols, having to root for LaRussa, and banking on a guy who relied on guys magically having career years and winning the WS with an 83 win team is not #1 on my wish list.

[Soul]

I'm surprised he said so much about the Cubs. You can tell he's thought about it. I also have difficulty believing it would actually happen.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Interesting...

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/7645317-419/walt-jocketty-as-cubs-gm-could-start-whirlwind-that-brings-pujols.html

 

I definitely do not like the middle part of that scenario.

 

Yeah, overpaying for Pujols, having to root for LaRussa, and banking on a guy who relied on guys magically having career years and winning the WS with an 83 win team is not #1 on my wish list.

 

Maybe he can bring Dave Duncan and the magic pixie dust.

[bcl412]

I don't really want anything to do with LaRussa as Cub's manager at all. He might be my least favorite person in sports.