Re: New GM/Cubs Future News Articles

[toonsterwu]

Just saw the Gammons clip that I'm sure was discussed a dozen or so pages back but too lazy to check for. Interesting that he seems to think it's just A ball prospects. Considering how weak in premium talent Daytona and Peoria were this year, if it's A ball talent or lower, I am concerned that we're going to give up two high ceiling kids. That said, still worth it, but depending on who is given up, I'm not so sure I wouldn't rather give up McNutt in stead.

 

With the depth of upside we have in the lower levels, the relative weakness at the top, and Ricketts' commitment to spending on the draft and international signings, I'd rather give up the kids further away than McNutt. If I were unsure of how much Ricketts was going to spend on the draft, I might agree with you, but it's harder to get a highly talented near sure thing in the minors than a couple of high upside kids in low A when you spend like Ricketts is.

 

For the most part, I agree. There is one guy, though, that I would rather hold instead of McNutt, even though he is still raw and needs a lot of development, and that is Marco Hernandez. High impact shortstops are hard to find. He may not develop, but that's a gamble I'd make over McNutt, but that's me.

[toonsterwu]

In this video posted earlier today, Gammons says the Theo compensation negotiations are now centered around 2 unnamed A-ball prospects:

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=19925153&c_id=mlb

 

(apologies if this is a repost)

 

This is far too interesring a tidbit to be buried in nonsense. Assuming they mean A Ball and not Rookie League, and Szczur and any '11 picks are off the table, some candidates are:

 

Beeler

Kurcz

Antigua

DelValle

Batista

Loosen

Peralta

Liria

Rosscup

Kirk

Rhee

Serrano

Lopez

Silva

Alcantara

Watkins

 

Less likely possibilities

LaPage

Burgess

Crawford

Cerda

Hicks

Bour

Jones

 

As a side note, shortseason is often considered A-, so that could be considered A ball, and in that case, guys like Wells/Golden would top the list of intriguing names. There isn't a single name above that I would be too troubled with losing. Obviously, losing guys that are intriguing hurts, but none of them will make me too upset. I'd rather not give up Rhee/Antigua, guys who will be in the AA rotation next year and are close, and the upside of Liria/Peralta is enticing (although Peralta's control seems to be a big issue) so I'd like to keep them, but no, I wouldn't be too upset about losing any of those guys. Rhee would be the closest to getting me annoyed, but even then, gotta give up something.

[toonsterwu]

I'm a huge fan of Kurcz. I'd almost put him in the Jackson, McNutt, Szczur category. If they wouldn't have tried him out as a starter (which I wasn't totally against or anything) he would have definitely made it to AA last year. I think he could easily make it to the major league team next year and be our closer by 2013.

 

I might be too high on him though, I just love him for some reason. (The reason is obviously because he's awesome, but you know)

 

I like Kurcz quite a bit. You missed the mini-debate we had on Kurcz in the minor league section I guess. I still think he can be a late inning arm and believe he is the best pen prospect in the system (might not have the highest upside, but I think he's the best combination of stuff, control, polish right now). That said, he's a pen arm, and he might not have elite closing stuff, so while I like him, wouldn't be too hurt if we lost him.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

In this video posted earlier today, Gammons says the Theo compensation negotiations are now centered around 2 unnamed A-ball prospects:

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=19925153&c_id=mlb

 

(apologies if this is a repost)

 

This is far too interesring a tidbit to be buried in nonsense. Assuming they mean A Ball and not Rookie League, and Szczur and any '11 picks are off the table, some candidates are:

 

Beeler

Kurcz

Antigua

DelValle

Batista

Loosen

Peralta

Liria

Rosscup

Kirk

Rhee

Serrano

Lopez

Silva

Alcantara

Watkins

 

Less likely possibilities

LaPage

Burgess

Crawford

Cerda

Hicks

Bour

Jones

 

^^ This is what somewhat appealling minor league depth is for.

[Scotti]

Let me also mention that Ricketts' approach from day one has been consistent--he/they are in this for the long haul. He waited an entire season (2009) dealing exclusively with Sam Zell until Zell took about $50 million off the agreed price (Zell signed ten-year WGN friendly TV and radio deals while he still owned the Cubs but after the original price was agreed to in early '09). Anyone that can stand up to Sam Zell and squeeze $50 million out of him is a patient negotiator.

 

Ricketts is paying a very fair price (the $3.5 million) to bring in Theo. A couple guys who the Cubs have ranked 5-15 would be more than fair. If Boston thought so highly of Theo then they should have treated him like they thought highly of him (more freedom to work, etc.). As Kaplan said in the radio spot that Laura posted, there are no other teams that are in the hunt for Theo. Boston is only dealing with the Cubs--they can't trade him without his consent (as you could a player).

[Guest]

Rogers apparently has made his way out to Boston (actually, Brookline) to write a big piece on Epstein

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1021-epstein-theo-rogers-cubs-chicago--20111021,0,7461247.story

 

BROOKLINE, Mass. — Nine years ago, after the Boston Red Sox made little-known assistant Theo Epstein the youngest general manager in baseball history, a steady stream of reporters visited this peaceful hamlet, just beyond the shadows of the Prudential Center and Fenway Park in bustling Boston.

 

Leslie and Ilene Epstein, Theo's parents, pulled out photo albums and told stories about their daughter, Anya, and the twins, Theo and Paul. They talked of the night in 1986 when the ground ball went through Bill Buckner's legs. They told the so-called "spanking'' stories, about the times when the children misbehaved. Theo blushed, and everyone else laughed.

 

It was an innocent time, a sweet grace period for a city that can be hard on its sports teams.

 

But the Epsteins haven't been as welcoming this month, not with the heightened attention swirling around his potential move to Chicago. The Red Sox and Cubs are trying to agree on the athletic value of a GM who brought Boston World Series championships in 2004 and '07. The Cubs reportedly are offering a package that is worth almost $20 million over five years and apparently comes with an unprecedented ability to spend money in an effort to bring the Cubs their first championship since 1908.

 

 

much more at link

[mookie]

That was a nice read.

[CubmanPi]

Amazing read. I particularly enjoyed the part of the story about the Nomar trade.

 

Henry, in better days, praised Epstein for respecting players without losing perspective.

 

"The thing I love about Theo is that as much as he cares about the players, he's not afraid of them,'' he said. "He's not afraid to be ruthless.''

 

Epstein never was more bold, if not ruthless, than on July 31, 2004. He traded shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, a career .323 hitter who had won back-to-back batting titles, because he had become a defensive liability and was showing signs of unhappiness after Epstein declined to write a new contract based on past performances.

 

According to someone involved in the process, the Red Sox had offered Garciaparra $15 million per year for four years in the spring of 2003. It was $2 million a year less than he wanted, and he turned it down. When talks resumed a year later, with Garciaparra thinking he held the upper hand over his young GM, Epstein cut his offer to $12 million a year for four years. "Once that happened,'' said the source, "Nomar was something of a goner.''

[Guest]

Day 9: Theo Held Hostage

[Laura]

Selig also kinda-sorta commented on the Red Sox boozing stories:

 

On Sirius XM’s Mad Dog Radio show, commissioner Bud Selig did not sound thrilled with what has happened with the Red Sox.

 

“Well, the only thing I’ll say, you know that I’m very concerned about our image,’’ said Selig. “I do believe our players are role models. So when stories like that emerge you must understand I’m not very happy.”

 

Asked if he had spoken to the Sox about it, Selig said, “No, I’m going to wait until all this other stuff is done and it’ll be up to the general manager and the new manager to solve that immediately.”

[Sammy Sofa]

The Cubs reportedly are offering a package that is worth almost $20 million over five years and apparently comes with an unprecedented ability to spend money in an effort to bring the Cubs their first championship since 1908.

 

 

http://m.blog.hu/ek/ektoplazmaklub/image/RandyMarshJizz.jpg

 

[C.C.]

Whatever it takes. I wonder what the payroll is going to be?

[Cubs Fan Dan]

:shock:

 

fielder, Wilson come on down!

 

Rickets makes my nipples hard.

[A New Era]

Whatever it takes. I wonder what the payroll is going to be?

 

1 million more than the yankees. Whatever the yankees payroll is each year, we'll up it by one million. Even if we have to hire a bad free agent to do so. ;)

[Guest]

Amazing read. I particularly enjoyed the part of the story about the Nomar trade.

 

Henry, in better days, praised Epstein for respecting players without losing perspective.

 

"The thing I love about Theo is that as much as he cares about the players, he's not afraid of them,'' he said. "He's not afraid to be ruthless.''

 

Epstein never was more bold, if not ruthless, than on July 31, 2004. He traded shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, a career .323 hitter who had won back-to-back batting titles, because he had become a defensive liability and was showing signs of unhappiness after Epstein declined to write a new contract based on past performances.

 

According to someone involved in the process, the Red Sox had offered Garciaparra $15 million per year for four years in the spring of 2003. It was $2 million a year less than he wanted, and he turned it down. When talks resumed a year later, with Garciaparra thinking he held the upper hand over his young GM, Epstein cut his offer to $12 million a year for four years. "Once that happened,'' said the source, "Nomar was something of a goner.''

 

 

My thing with the Nomar trade is I still think we won it.

[Guest]

:shock:

 

fielder, Wilson come on down!

 

Rickets makes my nipples hard.

 

Pujols, please.

 

I know it's somewhat irrational, but the idea of Fielder going the way of Mo Vaughn or Cecil while making close to $20M/year scares the hell out of me.

 

And the fact that Pujols has been a much better hitter consistently and is a better fielder.

 

I know Albert is older, but he just feels like a safer bet.

[Sammy Sofa]

:shock:

 

fielder, Wilson come on down!

 

Rickets makes my nipples hard.

 

Pujols, please.

 

I know it's somewhat irrational, but the idea of Fielder going the way of Mo Vaughn or Cecil while making close to $20M/year scares the hell out of me.

 

And the fact that Pujols has been a much better hitter consistently and is a better fielder.

 

I know Albert is older, but he just feels like a safer bet.

 

Yeah, I keep going back and forth, but I think I'd prefer Pujols, too. Fielder's swing is just so damn violent, I keep waiting for him to wrench his back out one of these days.

[Little Slide Rooter]

:shock:

 

fielder, Wilson come on down!

 

Rickets makes my nipples hard.

 

Pujols, please.

 

I know it's somewhat irrational, but the idea of Fielder going the way of Mo Vaughn or Cecil while making close to $20M/year scares the hell out of me.

 

And the fact that Pujols has been a much better hitter consistently and is a better fielder.

 

I know Albert is older, but he just feels like a safer bet.

 

Pujols seems to legitamtely love the Cardinals and their fans, and I'm not saying he'd take some massive discount to stay with them, but unless an offer was made that really blew everyone else out of the water I can't see him going to their chief rival.

[Sammy Sofa]

Pujols seems to legitamtely love the Cardinals and their fans, and I'm not saying he'd take some massive discount to stay with them, but unless an offer was made that really blew everyone else out of the water I can't see him going to their chief rival.

 

If he's leaving he's leaving.

[Guest]

Pujols seems to legitamtely love the Cardinals and their fans, and I'm not saying he'd take some massive discount to stay with them, but unless an offer was made that really blew everyone else out of the water I can't see him going to their chief rival.

 

 

Maybe I'm naive, but I don't think players care about [expletive] like that.

 

And he already opted to go on the market...if him leaving were that out of the question, why didn't he sign the offer he got before this year? Will the Cardinals be able to pay him much more than the amount they originally wouldn't go over? He took a risk by playing out a season without taking that extension. I don't think he took it for nothing.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Amazing read. I particularly enjoyed the part of the story about the Nomar trade.

 

Henry, in better days, praised Epstein for respecting players without losing perspective.

 

"The thing I love about Theo is that as much as he cares about the players, he's not afraid of them,'' he said. "He's not afraid to be ruthless.''

 

Epstein never was more bold, if not ruthless, than on July 31, 2004. He traded shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, a career .323 hitter who had won back-to-back batting titles, because he had become a defensive liability and was showing signs of unhappiness after Epstein declined to write a new contract based on past performances.

 

According to someone involved in the process, the Red Sox had offered Garciaparra $15 million per year for four years in the spring of 2003. It was $2 million a year less than he wanted, and he turned it down. When talks resumed a year later, with Garciaparra thinking he held the upper hand over his young GM, Epstein cut his offer to $12 million a year for four years. "Once that happened,'' said the source, "Nomar was something of a goner.''

 

 

My thing with the Nomar trade is I still think we won it.

 

We didn't get as much as we would have liked out of Nomar, but The Red Sox and Expos got even less out what we gave them. Of course Orlando Cabrera was a huge part of Red Sox 2004 ALCS. But does anyone really regret giving up Alex Gonzalez, Francis Beltran, Justin Jones, or Brendan Harris? We also got Murton out of that deal, who was a young, somewhat regarded prospect at the time who later helped net us Rich Harden who was huge for us in 2008.

[dew1679666265]

Maybe I'm naive, but I don't think players care about [expletive] like that.

 

And he already opted to go on the market...if him leaving were that out of the question, why didn't he sign the offer he got before this year? Will the Cardinals be able to pay him much more than the amount they originally wouldn't go over? He took a risk by playing out a season without taking that extension. I don't think he took it for nothing.

 

This is kind of my thinking. It's hard to imagine Pujols actually leaving the Cardinals, but if he were willing to take a major paycut to stay in St. Louis, why didn't he take the offer before the year? The Cards are going to have to really up their offer to have a shot at keeping him, I think.

[Guest]

Maybe I'm naive, but I don't think players care about [expletive] like that.

 

And he already opted to go on the market...if him leaving were that out of the question, why didn't he sign the offer he got before this year? Will the Cardinals be able to pay him much more than the amount they originally wouldn't go over? He took a risk by playing out a season without taking that extension. I don't think he took it for nothing.

 

This is kind of my thinking. It's hard to imagine Pujols actually leaving the Cardinals, but if he were willing to take a major paycut to stay in St. Louis, why didn't he take the offer before the year? The Cards are going to have to really up their offer to have a shot at keeping him, I think.

 

And, IIRC, from the last time we all were discussing this a lot back in February, they didn't have much flexibility to give him much more (largely thanks to the Holliday deal) right?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

And, IIRC, from the last time we all were discussing this a lot back in February, they didn't have much flexibility to give him much more (largely thanks to the Holliday deal) right?

 

Their only hope was to somehow sneak an extra 7-9 highly profitable home games onto the end of their schedule.

 

 

 

 

Crap.

[shnsajax]

I love the turn around Ricketts has pulled on everyone from a year ago or even a couple of months ago. I feel like we have a top 3-5 owner in the game now. The dude has a massive set and is not afraid to slap you around with them.