New GM/Cubs Future News Articles

[17 Seconds]

outside of soriano, the cubs will be off the hook of every significant contract by the end of next season.

 

really the gm will be walking into a situation where he has a clean slate for how he initially wants to go after free agents and build the team in the immediate future.

[Laura]

More 'maybe he will, maybe he won't,' but this time from Gordon Eades:

 

The presumption is that Cubs owner Tom Ricketts intends to offer Epstein a job as president and general manager, much like the one held by David Dombrowski of the Detroit Tigers. That's not a lateral move, that's a promotion.

 

There is considerable speculation that Henry may be attempting to craft together a plan here that would give Epstein a bigger title, more money, and greater authority -- although with Lucchino ensconced as CEO, this will take some creativity on Henry's part. Epstein, as he has told confidants, doesn't have much interest in the business side of things, which wouldn't be an issue in Chicago, where he could have a chief operating officer worry about the price of hot dogs and satisfying sponsors.

 

Still, it's an open question whether Epstein would even be interested in an extension in Boston, having told confidants that 10 years is a long time to be in one place -- and he'll be hitting the decade mark next season. One person with indirect knowledge of the situation insisted Friday that Epstein has told the Red Sox that even if he stays, next year will be his last in Boston.

 

Henry acknowledged that Epstein might be a short-timer.

 

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/7073053/red-sox-keep-polite-secrecy-concerning-theo-epstein-future

 

Good stuff about the Billy Beane - Boston timeline in the lead-in.

[Andrew11]

Is it possible they are waiting to make any announcement because there are two game 5's tonight and they dont want it to detract from the playoffs? I could be wrong but I seem to remember when A-Rod signed his last contract, they announced it during a similar situation and they caught a lot of flak for it.

[Sammy Sofa]

There is considerable speculation that Henry may be attempting to craft together a plan here that would give Epstein a bigger title, more money, and greater authority -- although with Lucchino ensconced as CEO, this will take some creativity on Henry's part. Epstein, as he has told confidants, doesn't have much interest in the business side of things, which wouldn't be an issue in Chicago, where he could have a chief operating officer worry about the price of hot dogs and satisfying sponsors.

 

SOUNDS LIKE A JOB FOR CLOWN KENNEY!!!!!1111111!!!!111

[Guest]

outside of soriano, the cubs will be off the hook of every significant contract by the end of next season.

 

really the gm will be walking into a situation where he has a clean slate for how he initially wants to go after free agents and build the team in the immediate future.

 

i almost wouldn't be surprised if this was the plan all along and why ricketts let hendry hang around rather than bring a new GM in to a really crappy situation the first two years.

[Guest]

If Epstien told Henry this coming season is his last no matter what, they won't pick up his option and he'll be the Cubs Grand Poobah/GM/CBO/adopted Ricketts.

 

I don't think he'd do that, B/c it would be stupid and he's not stupid.

[ConstableRabbit]

Nearly 500 people as I'm typing this:

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/rosenblog/chi-cubs-poll-20111006,0,4120787.poll

 

WTF??

[WilcoFan]

Nearly 500 people as I'm typing this:

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/rosenblog/chi-cubs-poll-20111006,0,4120787.poll

 

WTF??

 

You need to warn people before you Rosenroll them. Its my goal as a Chicago sports fan to never give Rosenbloom another page view as long as I live.

[UMFan83]

Is it possible they are waiting to make any announcement because there are two game 5's tonight and they dont want it to detract from the playoffs? I could be wrong but I seem to remember when A-Rod signed his last contract, they announced it during a similar situation and they caught a lot of flak for it.

 

Ahh were at the "let goose Gossage have his day in the sun" part of the proceedings

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Is it possible they are waiting to make any announcement because there are two game 5's tonight and they dont want it to detract from the playoffs? I could be wrong but I seem to remember when A-Rod signed his last contract, they announced it during a similar situation and they caught a lot of flak for it.

 

Yeah but that was because people hate ARod. He's only in the past couple years getting respect in the NY press. Plus he was opting out of his 250+ million contract to get 300+ million instead...I don't think there'd be that kind of flak for the Cubs hiring one of the game's best GMs.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Is it possible they are waiting to make any announcement because there are two game 5's tonight and they dont want it to detract from the playoffs? I could be wrong but I seem to remember when A-Rod signed his last contract, they announced it during a similar situation and they caught a lot of flak for it.

 

Yeah but that was because people hate ARod. He's only in the past couple years getting respect in the NY press. Plus he was opting out of his 250+ million contract to get 300+ million instead...I don't think there'd be that kind of flak for the Cubs hiring one of the game's best GMs.

 

I dont remember any "flak" AROD took for signing when he signed, but I do remember people not liking him because of his playoff chokes and his huge contracts.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I dont remember any "flak" AROD took for signing when he signed, but I do remember people not liking him because of his playoff chokes and his huge contracts.

 

Oh OK then.

[minnesotacubsfan]

btw who won? I could never finish that movie.

[XZero771679666304]

Is it possible they are waiting to make any announcement because there are two game 5's tonight and they dont want it to detract from the playoffs? I could be wrong but I seem to remember when A-Rod signed his last contract, they announced it during a similar situation and they caught a lot of flak for it.

 

Yeah but that was because people hate ARod. He's only in the past couple years getting respect in the NY press. Plus he was opting out of his 250+ million contract to get 300+ million instead...I don't think there'd be that kind of flak for the Cubs hiring one of the game's best GMs.

 

I dont remember any "flak" AROD took for signing when he signed, but I do remember people not liking him because of his playoff chokes and his huge contracts.

 

No, he took some heat for announcing his new contract during the series.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I honestly dont remember that, I just remember the AROD CHOKES crap

[Shilzzz]

yeah the a-rod signing showing up the series or whatever was a big deal at the time, i distinctly remember that, too.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The Dempster and Byrd contracts aren't bad at all.

 

And, yet again, analysis that inexplicably has the Cubs "years" away from contending based on two contracts (one of which is gone after next season).

 

It's not just the contracts, it's the lack of premium talent. The 2011 Red Sox, who won 90 games and missed the playoffs, had five position players with a better fWAR than our best. The Cardinals had four. Pitching-wise, we have Garza and a few other useful arms.

 

Starlin Castro still gives up too much of his value in the field, as does Ramirez. The latter keeps getting worse with age, the former will probably get better eventually, but there's no guarantee it happens right away.

 

The Red Sox brass interview talked about this yesterday too, but it's getting harder and harder to build a team with older free agent talent. Teams are getting really savvy about maximizing their six years of team control and also trying to lock guys down when they are worth it beyond that.

 

So, yes, the Cubs might be a playoff team quickly. But that's going to have to involve having a very high success rate in pursuing high-profile free agents, not having any of them go Crawford on you, and in general having a decently lucky 2012 on the field. That's an awful lot of moving parts, and I don't think it's unreasonable for an outside observer to think that 2014+ is the most likely time frame for the next Cubs playoff appearance.

[Guest]

The analysis isn't inexplicable at all. They can compete but it will cost them lots of money and/or prospects.

[Sammy Sofa]

The analysis isn't inexplicable at all. They can compete but it will cost them lots of money and/or prospects.

 

WHAT?!?!

 

GET OUTTA TOWN.

 

YOU DON'T SAY.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

The analysis isn't inexplicable at all. They can compete but it will cost them lots of money and/or prospects.

 

Luckily, two things the Cubs have.

 

Note: I know the farm system isn't ranked high by most (everyone?). It's still got a ton of guys who IMO are likely to at least reach the majors (LeMahieu, Flaherty, Jackson, Dolis, Cabrera, Carpenter, J. Jackson, Smith, Castillo, Clevenger, etc).

[Little Slide Rooter]

The analysis isn't inexplicable at all. They can compete but it will cost them lots of money and/or prospects.

 

Luckily, two things the Cubs have.

 

Note: I know the farm system isn't ranked high by most (everyone?). It's still got a ton of guys who IMO are likely to at least reach the majors (LeMahieu, Flaherty, Jackson, Dolis, Cabrera, Carpenter, J. Jackson, Smith, Castillo, Clevenger, etc).

 

It seems like the Cubs farm system is built to produce role players, maybe a few everyday guys but no stars. Not a bad plan if you are able to go out and sign or trade for your big stars. If not, well, may as well get used to this.

[Little Slide Rooter]

After last nights suck fest, this would be a great day for some good news,or at least closure.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

 

It seems like the Cubs farm system is built to produce role players, maybe a few everyday guys but no stars. Not a bad plan if you are able to go out and sign or trade for your big stars. If not, well, may as well get used to this.

 

SEEMS like it sure, but then you remember they just pumped out a ROY/All Star C 3 years ago and a potential superstar at SS just last year. Not to mention one of the more talented bullpens in the league (minus Grabow)...

 

The guys now...all those college or close to ready guys who'll likely at least see the show...those guys helped serve as a base to build on. The 2011 draft, IFAs, and DSL players loaded with talent and upside is exciting right, but what really helps those guys not have to be THE guys in the system right now is that the system is stacked with guys like the ones I listed. They can all develop at their own pace because of the fact that the farm system is heading towards achieving some kind of balance.

 

Personally, I think the Cubs system is maybe a year or two away from being an elite one. If Vitters/McNutt/Szczur/Simpson/Baez have strong years next year...

Edited October 8, 2011 by KingKongvs.Godzilla

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Double.

[Magnetic Curses]

it doesn't seem like people are as high as they should be on jackson. i mean, the guy has had success at every level he's played at and will most likely be the starter in center next season. why the lack of excitement?