Re: New GM/Cubs Future News Articles

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Some of you already heard this, but Theo on Starlin from the ESPN radio interview...

 

I think he does a lot of different things well," Epstein said. "You have to put it in context: This kid is 21 years old. Most 21-year-olds are maybe getting into high-A ball ... When (Yankees shortstop) Derek Jeter was just about the same age, he made 56 errors in the low minor leagues. So there is, with defense especially, there's a maturation that comes only with time and experience. Offensively, the things he's done at the big-league level at his age are the things that guys who go on to be 10-time All-Stars, guys who actually go on to be Hall of Famers do. ... His ceiling is immense."

 

Can this guy get any sexier?!?! Damn, he's awesome!

 

I love the guy but all he did state the obvious.

[Guancous]

I was listening to highlight of Theos session with Mulley and Hanley earlier, and wow, I knew that kind of thinking existed in baseball, and I've heard that kind of talk, but I never though that I would in respect to The Cubs. Almost like an out of body experience.

 

It will be nice not being the control group.

[C.C.]

Right, but we aren't used to the obvious are we?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltisg23Xow1qce9s5o1_400.gif

Why the hell is this making me laugh so hard?

[davearm2]

Should we not be alarmed that Epstein just used Derek Jeter as an example?

 

I thought the CW is that Jeter sucks at short.

[CubmanPi]

I love the guy but all he did state the obvious.

Strikeouts. Lack of focus. Flash in the pan. Sell high. Doesn't catch the ball. Needs to be more left-handed.

 

Some of these things could easily fall within the realm of "stating the obvious." Theo did not mention these things. Please stop undermining how sexy his brain is.

Edited October 26, 2011 by CubmanPi

[treebird]

Should we not be alarmed that Epstein just used Derek Jeter as an example?

 

I thought the CW is that Jeter sucks at short.

 

i don't think epstein is going to tell starlin to look good but play poorly in the field in order to more closely resemble jeter

[Guest]

Should we not be alarmed that Epstein just used Derek Jeter as an example?

 

I thought the CW is that Jeter sucks at short.

 

Jeter isn't stone-handed, he just never had a lot of range/arm. His point is that Jeter made a boatload of errors when he was a young guy and that worked out as he matured. His dates aren't exact, as Jeter was 19-20 that season while Castro was 21 this year, but matching the ages exactly wasn't essential to the idea that players as young as Starlin are typically working out their issues in A-Ball, and you can expect fundamental improvement with maturity.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The fact that these things are mostly obvious is what makes it so criminal that we've had to wait so long for management that understands them.

 

But Epstein seems to love to play things close to the vest. Anything he's saying to the press is something he considers so obvious as to be essentially meaningless.

[Fast Freddie Bynum]

Aramis happy about Theo, open to return.

 

CHICAGO -- With Theo Epstein in place as president of baseball operations, third baseman Aramis Ramirez said he is open to returning to the Chicago Cubs next season.

 

"I'm really happy the Cubs have brought in Theo Epstein to run the team," Ramirez told ESPNChicago by phone from his home in the Dominican Republic. "Now that the Cubs have a new leader with a new outlook, I'd certainly listen to them about remaining with the team."

 

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7152458/aramis-ramirez-says-open-return-chicago-cubs

[UMFan83]

Awesome!! I wonder if there is any chance he will pick up his option instead of negotiating a new deal, but I am assuming that he won't pick it up because waiting another year to go on the open market is going to hurt the length and amount of his next contract.

[UMFan83]

I bet Kaplan sees this news and thinking "dammit I gotta step up the smear campaign in a hurry"

[Hairyducked Idiot]

He was never going to shut down a potential avenue for a multi-year deal. The fact that he'd consider the Cubs isn't really news.

[Sammy Sofa]

Should we not be alarmed that Epstein just used Derek Jeter as an example?

 

I thought the CW is that Jeter sucks at short.

 

No. There's a difference between saying that he sucks (which he does as an old man) and pointing out how he was so hugely overrated defensively in his prime years. That's why it was such a meme with sites like FJM.com, because you had so many meatballs practically knocking each over to slobber over Jeter like he was amazing at all aspects of the game. Jeter was a solid defensive SS as he matured, but some spoke about him like he was this defensive whiz.

[UMFan83]

He was never going to shut down a potential avenue for a multi-year deal. The fact that he'd consider the Cubs isn't really news.

 

The quotes from the article by Ramirez and his agent use terms like "this changes everything" "can't wait to talk to Theo", "the cubs are my number one option" and "I want to be in Chicago". He's said the last 2 as recently as last season but it's a big change from his most recent comments about being unsure if he wants to remain on a Hendry less cubs and about how he's too old to go through more rebuilding years.

[Ballgame64]

Hmmm Here's what he said regarding Soriano

 

"From afar, he still brings a lot to the table from an offensive standpoint ... he had 26 bombs, he's still a threat offensively," Epstein said. "There are other areas of the game where he hasn't quite performed up to expectations the last few years.

 

"I think it's a sign of a good organization to look at every player and ask, 'How can we get the most out of this guy?' I think with Alfonso, there's more in there. There's a real chance for improvement. Obviously, we know what his ceiling is. His ceiling is he's a very dynamic player, he contributes in all phases of the game and who is a legitimate, legitimate middle-of-the-order threat. That hasn't necessarily been the case, the all-around game hasn't been there in recent years.

 

"I think the question is, how do we unlock that? I'm looking forward to sitting down with people who have seen him play every day and worked with him behind the scenes and try to find a way to make that happen.

When I heard this, my thought was "Wow, a GM that doesn't destroy the value of a player he may want to trade. What a concept." =D>

[North Iowa Cub]

Good night sweet thread....

 

I know you and your 6900+ messages are here when I am feeling down. I will come back and peruse you occasionally.

 

Sleep well.

 

I love you, Theo.

[Banedon]

Good night sweet thread....

 

I know you and your 6900+ messages are here when I am feeling down. I will come back and peruse you occasionally.

 

Sleep well.

 

I love you, Theo.

 

At 6:20 in the morning?

[Laura]

It's been a long night

[Banedon]

Not sure which interview this is from, but it's at the end of Sullivan's article this morning...

 

Epstein said the GM would "evolve into helping to run the major league team, day-to-day, and I'll still ultimately run the baseball operations department. But it will ultimately free me up to more big picture (decisions), free me up to get in the trenches, doing the work in scouting and player development to build that foundation for sustained success that we talked about."

[Bull]

Post counts.........

 

2nd half 2011 Game Threads       4,269
6 Theo Epstein threads           9,069
Total 2011 Game Thread posts    17,865

 

 

 

 

Go Theo !!!!

 

 

 

 

 

p.s. Only 113 days 'til pitchers and catchers report !!!

It is becoming clear that every thread is a Theo Epstein thread. please adjust these numbers accordingly.

[BeerHere]

I read that Selig set an 11/1 deadline to settle the compensation issue with the RSox but i haven't heard anything else. Tuesday is the deadline and if I had to guess I'd be willing to be that it does go the commish to settle this issue. Has anyone heard anything?

[Guest]

"If we bring in someone as a general manager it will be because there is someone I think is one of the best and one of the brightest in the game," Epstein said Tuesday after he was introduced in Chicago. "Somebody who can make a real impact for the Cubs. We have a ton of work to do. It's going to be a lot of hard work. We're ready for it. ... I think it was important to develop a structure that allowed for the hiring of the GM, if we got the right person."

 

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/baseball/mlb/10/26/cubs-padres-general-managers.ap/index.html#ixzz1c0yJNPzq

 

 

Hadn't seen this quote before. Looks like all the confusion with the titles basically was gymnastics to be able to bring Hoyer in.

[Hollandsworths mug]

Steve Rosenbloom for GM! Seriously, his columns are getting worse and that is saying something. As if Theo needs YOUR advice, DBag.

 

"From honeymoon to hypocrisy for Epstein?"

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/rosenblog/chi-zambrano-issue-affects-epsteins-credibility-20111027,0,1485081.column

[Guest]

If Theo makes a bad business decision he loses street cred.

 

Thanks, Stevie