Re: New GM/Cubs Future News Articles

[Sammy Sofa]

first baseman right now is bryan lahair. "pretty excited" to give him the opportunity to play. hitters hit wherever they are. he's 28 but can have a great major league career. doesn't believe in 4a players. thinks it just means that a guy did well in aaa but didn't get real shot in majors. 4a guys are just guys who need a real shot. aaa is easier than mlb, but mlb has advantages too (advanced scouting, travel, whatever). lahair has hit everywhere he has been, that shouldn't change.

 

Jesus what the [expletive]

 

To be fair, what's he supposed to say? "Bryan is the only 1B on our roster, and we really need to replace him because he sucks."

 

You talk up the guys you have whether you mean it or not.

 

There are a myriad of ways to discuss the Cubs' 1B situation much more diplomatically without basically waxing Kaplan's dome.

[Guest]

I don't really have an issue with him talking up LaHair, he should do that for several reasons. The intellectual dishonesty of "LaHair has always hit" irks me a little bit, but at least it's on a concept that the media needs more education on.

[Butterscup1679666578]

THE HONEYMOON IS OVER

[XZero771679666304]

first baseman right now is bryan lahair. "pretty excited" to give him the opportunity to play. hitters hit wherever they are. he's 28 but can have a great major league career. doesn't believe in 4a players. thinks it just means that a guy did well in aaa but didn't get real shot in majors. 4a guys are just guys who need a real shot. aaa is easier than mlb, but mlb has advantages too (advanced scouting, travel, whatever). lahair has hit everywhere he has been, that shouldn't change.

 

Jesus what the [expletive]

 

To be fair, what's he supposed to say? "Bryan is the only 1B on our roster, and we really need to replace him because he sucks."

 

You talk up the guys you have whether you mean it or not.

 

There are a myriad of ways to discuss the Cubs' 1B situation much more diplomatically without basically waxing Kaplan's dome.

 

I don't think Theo is at all obligated to assuage our fear of Bryan LaHair at 1B next year by being "diplomatic". That's not his job.

 

Let's say Theo is actually negotiating with Boras and Fielder (for the sake of argument), then what stands to be gained by openly admitting it is a dire need? That just gives leverage to the other side. Talking up Lahair and indicating he's prepared to go with him may be a bluff. Or he may be serious.

 

But either way just admitting it is a need you're desperate to fill isn't at all prudent, even if it makes us feel better.

Edited January 4, 2012 by XZero77

[b_wiggy_66]

I will be thoroughly shocked if LaHair isn't our starting 1B on opening day, and I'm ok with that. Give him a shot - this isn't going to be a contending year most likely anyway. Save the money for pitching in 2012 or for Soler and Cespedes.

[Little Slide Rooter]

 

doesn't believe in 4a players. thinks it just means that a guy did well in aaa but didn't get real shot in majors. 4a guys are just guys who need a real shot. aaa is easier than mlb, but mlb has advantages too (advanced scouting, travel, whatever). lahair has hit everywhere he has been, that shouldn't change.

 

 

Hey, it worked for Jake Fox, Micah Hoffpauir, Kila Kawhatsit, Dallas McPherson, Scott McLain, Bobby Scales...

[rocket]

and, in a great change of pace from the hendry regime, it was wonderful hearing theo say that you shouldn't give up on a player who has hit in the minors if they struggle their 1st 100 or so major league at bats.

[Little Slide Rooter]

first baseman right now is bryan lahair. "pretty excited" to give him the opportunity to play. hitters hit wherever they are. he's 28 but can have a great major league career. doesn't believe in 4a players. thinks it just means that a guy did well in aaa but didn't get real shot in majors. 4a guys are just guys who need a real shot. aaa is easier than mlb, but mlb has advantages too (advanced scouting, travel, whatever). lahair has hit everywhere he has been, that shouldn't change.

 

Jesus what the [expletive]

 

To be fair, what's he supposed to say? "Bryan is the only 1B on our roster, and we really need to replace him because he sucks."

 

You talk up the guys you have whether you mean it or not.

 

There are a myriad of ways to discuss the Cubs' 1B situation much more diplomatically without basically waxing Kaplan's dome.

 

I don't think Theo is at all obligated to assuage our fear of Bryan LaHair at 1B next year by being "diplomatic". That's not his job.

 

Let's say Theo is actually negotiating with Boras and Fielder (for the sake of argument), then what stands to be gained by openly admitting it is a dire need? That just gives leverage to the other side. Talking up Lahair and indicating he's prepared to go with him may be a bluff. Or he may be serious.

But either way just admitting it is a need you're desperate to fill isn't at all prudent, even it it makes us feel better.

 

If Theo convinces Boras to lower Fielders price because we already have Brian LaHair, then he's even better than I thought.

 

I think Theos weighing his options right now. My guess is that they'll wait to see what other teams are offering for Fielder. If it's not too much, they'll jump in the bidding. If it is more than he wants to ay, I think he'll start shopping around for someone like Lars Anderson, Anthony Rizzo, Daric barton, etc. for an audition. The best thing that LaHair can do is play winter ball and log in as many outfield innings as he can because I'd have no problem with him as the 25th guy on the roster.

[SouthSideRyan]

THE HONEYMOON IS OVER

 

WE'VE MADE A TERRIBLE MISTAKE

[SouthSideRyan]

 

doesn't believe in 4a players. thinks it just means that a guy did well in aaa but didn't get real shot in majors. 4a guys are just guys who need a real shot. aaa is easier than mlb, but mlb has advantages too (advanced scouting, travel, whatever). lahair has hit everywhere he has been, that shouldn't change.

 

 

Hey, it worked for Jake Fox, Micah Hoffpauir, Kila Kawhatsit, Dallas McPherson, Scott McLain, Bobby Scales...

 

I'm drowning in this.

[davearm2]

Thanks for the Cliff Notes, Treymon!

[Little Slide Rooter]

 

doesn't believe in 4a players. thinks it just means that a guy did well in aaa but didn't get real shot in majors. 4a guys are just guys who need a real shot. aaa is easier than mlb, but mlb has advantages too (advanced scouting, travel, whatever). lahair has hit everywhere he has been, that shouldn't change.

 

 

Hey, it worked for Jake Fox, Micah Hoffpauir, Kila Kawhatsit, Dallas McPherson, Scott McLain, Bobby Scales...

 

I'm drowning in this.

 

If you're referring to the fact that I used to clamor for these guys to come up, I've learned my lesson.

[davell]

Theo has intentionally set the bar so low, an elephant with gout and a torn ACL could jump over it. It's better to underpromose and overdeliver than the opposite.

[Sammy Sofa]

Let's say Theo is actually negotiating with Boras and Fielder (for the sake of argument), then what stands to be gained by openly admitting it is a dire need? That just gives leverage to the other side. Talking up Lahair and indicating he's prepared to go with him may be a bluff. Or he may be serious.

But either way just admitting it is a need you're desperate to fill isn't at all prudent, even it it makes us feel better.

 

If Theo convinces Boras to lower Fielders price because we already have Brian LaHair, then he's even better than I thought.

 

No kidding. "Whoa, those guys are going with LAHAIR. We better bring down the asking price!"

[SouthSideRyan]

Theo has intentionally set the bar so low, an elephant with gout and a torn ACL could jump over it. It's better to underpromose and overdeliver than the opposite.

 

Coincidentally, an elephant with gout and a torn ACL could match LaHair's production.

[davell]

Theo has intentionally set the bar so low, an elephant with gout and a torn ACL could jump over it. It's better to underpromose and overdeliver than the opposite.

 

Coincidentally, an elephant with gout and a torn ACL could match LaHair's production.

Touche.

[XZero771679666304]

Let's say Theo is actually negotiating with Boras and Fielder (for the sake of argument), then what stands to be gained by openly admitting it is a dire need? That just gives leverage to the other side. Talking up Lahair and indicating he's prepared to go with him may be a bluff. Or he may be serious.

But either way just admitting it is a need you're desperate to fill isn't at all prudent, even it it makes us feel better.

 

If Theo convinces Boras to lower Fielders price because we already have Brian LaHair, then he's even better than I thought.

 

No kidding. "Whoa, those guys are going with LAHAIR. We better bring down the asking price!"

 

Whether it would work isn't what I was arguing. It's the principle.

 

Bagging on your own assets is stupid, as is openly bemoaning your needs.

 

 

Frankly I'm surprised at how alarmist people are acting over what are obviously fluff/throwaway comments.

 

Again, what would you have preferred he say? And what would be gained from saying something "diplomatic" like "We like LaHair, but we're still weighing our options"? It would make N&G feel better?

[davearm2]

Theo has intentionally set the bar so low, an elephant with gout and a torn ACL could jump over it. It's better to underpromose and overdeliver than the opposite.

Theo hasn't "intentionally set the bar low".

 

What he's done is he's committed to following what he believes is the proper path to building a perennial powerhouse.

[davearm2]

No kidding. "Whoa, those guys are going with LAHAIR. We better bring down the asking price!"

 

Whether it would work isn't what I was arguing. It's the principle.

 

Bagging on your own assets is stupid, as is openly bemoaning your needs.

What's more, these were constant criticisms of Hendry.

 

The new guy does the opposite, and apparently that's not right either.

[SouthSideRyan]

Yeah, people were pissed because Hendry ran down Kevin Orie.

[Sammy Sofa]

Let's say Theo is actually negotiating with Boras and Fielder (for the sake of argument), then what stands to be gained by openly admitting it is a dire need? That just gives leverage to the other side. Talking up Lahair and indicating he's prepared to go with him may be a bluff. Or he may be serious.

But either way just admitting it is a need you're desperate to fill isn't at all prudent, even it it makes us feel better.

 

If Theo convinces Boras to lower Fielders price because we already have Brian LaHair, then he's even better than I thought.

 

No kidding. "Whoa, those guys are going with LAHAIR. We better bring down the asking price!"

 

Whether it would work isn't what I was arguing. It's the principle.

 

Bagging on your own assets is stupid, as is openly bemoaning your needs.

 

I didn't expect him to do either, hence why I said "diplomatically." There's plenty of ways to talk about 1B. The only options aren't propping up LaHair, trashing LaHair or crying that they don't have any solutions.

 

Frankly I'm surprised at how alarmist people are acting over what are obviously fluff/throwaway comments.

 

Again, what would you have preferred he say? And what would be gained from saying something "diplomatic" like "We like LaHair, but we're still weighing our options"? It would make N&G feel better?

 

Frankly I'm surprised at anyone who isn't grossed out by the idea of LaHair as the starting 1B for the Cubs.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I wonder if Theo would have left Boston if he knew the details of the new CBA beforehand.

 

He's still have to deal with the same issues in Boston, and he'd have a much better financed primary rival, another very rich rival, and a very smart rival. He doesn't have those issues in Chicago and it was pretty clear he was going to leave there eventually.

 

When Theo came to Chicago and brought his posse with him, while the ultimate goal was a championship, he knew what he had to work with and it was going to be a challenge. The challenge was a big part of what brought him here, and in not so many words he wasted little time saying that he was going to go young and the championship would eventually come. It's not Theo's fault that a lot of people thought that going young meant salary dumping Soriano and Zambrano and signing Prince Fielder and maybe Yu Darvish. A lot of what brought him and Hoyer to Chicago was the challenge. The lucrative five year contracts which there respective teams never would have given them didn't hurt either.

[Sammy Sofa]

Yeah, people were pissed because Hendry ran down Kevin Orie.

 

Yeah, if Jim Hendry was known for anything it was how he shredded the reps of the Cliff Floyds and Jake Foxes of the world.

 

Oh, right; davearm2 is no doubt talking about Zambrano. Yup, that sure was a "constant criticism" about Hendry across the board.

[Little Slide Rooter]

THE HONEYMOON IS OVER

 

WE'VE MADE A TERRIBLE MISTAKE

 

 

So far, Theos only crime is not signing any of the guys that people assumed that he would though he never indicated that that was the way he was going to go. What he has done mght not be exciting, but nothing that will hurt us in the future

 

-David DeJesus at 4.5 mil/year. Considering that he's likely to give us at least the production that Fukudome gave us for 10-11 mil and that Coco Crisp just signed for 7 mil/year, with anther team with no playoff hopes it looks like a damn good deal.

 

-Tyler Colvin whose ceiling is Ryan Spillborghs ad DJ LeMahieu whose ceiling is somewhere between Aaron Miles and Mark Teahen for a 26 year old who has at least a glimmer of hope to be a superstar and a reliever with back end stuff but hardcore control issues.

 

-Manny Corpas and Andy Sonnenstine for roughly half of what we were paying John Grabow. Like Stewart and Weathers, Corpas and Sonnenstine at least have a chance to be quality players, and if they flop, goodbye to them .

 

-I'm still baffled by bringing back Reed Johnson, but if Byrd or Soriano are traded in the next few weeks, then all of the sudden, it makes sense. If not, then we have a gritty 5th or 6th outfielder who likes to run into walls and shave his head and grow facial hair that makes him look like he can hit 40 home runs a year.

<-----click here for a patented West Side Rooter somewhat out of nowhere rant.

[XZero771679666304]

 

Frankly I'm surprised at anyone who isn't grossed out by the idea of LaHair as the starting 1B for the Cubs.

 

Make no mistake, I am. Thoroughly.

 

But I'm not going to get apoplectic over fluff comments. If the Cubs enter camp with LaHair as the 1B, I'll not be so forgiving.