Who will be the manager? no Ryno talk version

[Tracer Bullet]

It's not a jerk move.

[Guest]

Flying a bunch of candidates in, making them go through a bunch of hoops and tests, and then hiring Francona without an interview? That'd probably leave a bad taste in some people's mouths. It's kind of a jerk move, and I hope Epstein doesn't do it.

 

Frankly, I'd be glad to have a president who is reasonable enough and has enough common sense to realize that interviewing a guy he has worked with for the past 8 years would be a waste of everyone's time.

[SouthSideRyan]

Flying a bunch of candidates in, making them go through a bunch of hoops and tests, and then hiring Francona without an interview? That'd probably leave a bad taste in some people's mouths. It's kind of a jerk move, and I hope Epstein doesn't do it.

 

I imagine if Francona was always in the back of his mind he would have mentioned it in passing during the interview.

[Guest]

Flying a bunch of candidates in, making them go through a bunch of hoops and tests, and then hiring Francona without an interview? That'd probably leave a bad taste in some people's mouths. It's kind of a jerk move, and I hope Epstein doesn't do it.

I think people would understand that Francona is a very well known entity to Epstein & Hoyer.

[Guest]

Here is more from the conference call.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/7166/cubs-conference-call-tid-bits

 

Here’s a few key comments from the call.

 

• Epstein on the managerial search: "The manager is a very important piece of the puzzle. He's the leader of the major league club. I'd say we are moving forward with that, and we are probably in the sixth inning of the process. We have another candidate or more then we will move forward into the decision-making phase. We will eventually catch him up to our process and our plans and get his input as well as we move forward."

 

• Epstein on the attributes he’s looking for in a manager: "In the real world, it's hard to find a candidate that has everything you're looking for. What you do is you weigh your variables and make your sacrifices where you have to. Often times, if you're going to take a candidate without previous managerial experience, even at the minor league level, he has to represent real upside in other areas. In that case, you have to do even more due diligence than you normally would because you're projecting him into that role."

 

• Epstein on the level of talent in the Cubs' minor league system: “We have work to do. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I think there’s a pretty significant gap between where we are right now between impact and depth and where we want to be. That said, the system has plenty of interesting players. Particularly at some of the lower levels. But we need more impact players. We need more players we can project to everyday roles.”

 

• Hoyer on the possibility of the team eating existing contracts: “Our experience so far with the Ricketts family is they are so committed to winning the right way that if it means playing younger players to get experience, they are certainly willing to do that. They know from our track record that you have to win through the farm system. That, in order to win, you have to win through younger players. I think that’s one of the reasons they brought Theo here.”

 

• Hoyer on the challenge of winning at Wrigley Field: “Wrigley presents such a unique challenge because it plays so differently in the first two months than it does in the summer. That means we have to find a mix of players that can score runs in many different ways. You can’t [say] this is a pitchers’ park or a hitters’ park. You have to have a team that can score in both and win in both. It’s a unique challenge, but it’s one we certainly can tackle.”

 

• Epstein on the possible departures of free agents Carlos Pena and Aramis Ramirez: “We have to look at trades and we have to look internally. We also have to look at free agency. I think we will be very active participants in the free-agent process. What that means is that we will be very diligent in scouring the landscape, talking with agents and consistently monitoring the supply-and-demand dynamic at every position. I’m sure we will sign a free agent or two before it’s all said and done.”

 

• Epstein on improving the defense: “I think it’s important we improve the team defensively. If Aramis does leave and we can’t find the big bat to replace him, we will have a chance to improve defensively. We are looking for complete players and we know there is a lot of room for improvement defensively as well as offensively.”

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Flying a bunch of candidates in, making them go through a bunch of hoops and tests, and then hiring Francona without an interview? That'd probably leave a bad taste in some people's mouths. It's kind of a jerk move, and I hope Epstein doesn't do it.

I think people would understand that Francona is a very well known entity to Epstein & Hoyer.

 

Then they should know if they want to hire him before starting the process.

[jersey cubs fan]

Flying a bunch of candidates in, making them go through a bunch of hoops and tests, and then hiring Francona without an interview? That'd probably leave a bad taste in some people's mouths. It's kind of a jerk move, and I hope Epstein doesn't do it.

I think people would understand that Francona is a very well known entity to Epstein & Hoyer.

 

Then they should know if they want to hire him before starting the process.

 

Or they should look to see if there are better options before going back to the solid, yet not perfect candidate they are already aware of.

[Tracer Bullet]

Flying a bunch of candidates in, making them go through a bunch of hoops and tests, and then hiring Francona without an interview? That'd probably leave a bad taste in some people's mouths. It's kind of a jerk move, and I hope Epstein doesn't do it.

I think people would understand that Francona is a very well known entity to Epstein & Hoyer.

 

Then they should know if they want to hire him before starting the process.

That's ridiculous Kyle. He's a known quantity but you don't know what else is there until you interview candidates. Theo hasn't hired a manager in 8 years, so it's not like he's talked with several candidates recently and knows the general landscape

[Hollandsworths mug]

In reading between the lines, it sounds as if Theo and Jed have made up their minds regarding A-Ram. Unless he takes a deal in the 8 million a year for 2 years range, I think they will let him walk. They obviously feel he is a liability on defense and are ready for an upgrade defensively.

 

Time to look at the FA 3B list and see who might be on their radar.

[Springfield_CUBBY]

Flying a bunch of candidates in, making them go through a bunch of hoops and tests, and then hiring Francona without an interview? That'd probably leave a bad taste in some people's mouths. It's kind of a jerk move, and I hope Epstein doesn't do it.

I think people would understand that Francona is a very well known entity to Epstein & Hoyer.

 

Then they should know if they want to hire him before starting the process.

I don't see anything wrong with them executing a search, all the while knowing Tito is in their "back pocket" so to speak. If one of these interviews uncovers a more appealing candidate, they can go with that person. If not . . . than Tito becomes a viable option.

 

I've interview/hired dozens of people - sometimes I know a person is an option, but I go through the full process to make sure I didn't miss a better candidate that wasn't as obvious.

[Guest]

Flying a bunch of candidates in, making them go through a bunch of hoops and tests, and then hiring Francona without an interview? That'd probably leave a bad taste in some people's mouths. It's kind of a jerk move, and I hope Epstein doesn't do it.

I think people would understand that Francona is a very well known entity to Epstein & Hoyer.

 

Then they should know if they want to hire him before starting the process.

Not necessarily. Just because you know one option doesn't mean you can rank it against the options you have yet to explore fully.

 

As an example, you can either keep your job or switch to one of three other openings. Are you going to make your decision purely based on your knowledge of your current job, or are you going to explore what those three other options are like first?

[Guest]

In reading between the lines, it sounds as if Theo and Jed have made up their minds regarding A-Ram. Unless he takes a deal in the 8 million a year for 2 years range, I think they will let him walk. They obviously feel he is a liability on defense and are ready for an upgrade defensively.

 

Time to look at the FA 3B list and see who might be on their radar.

I'm guessing they end up with either a young player there or fill the spot through the trade market.

 

The FA 3B market is bleak.

[Hollandsworths mug]

Yes, the process can always change. If you know everything there is to know about Lexus but have yet to drive BMW, Audi or Mercedes, you could change your mind on the test drive.

[C.C.]

Flying a bunch of candidates in, making them go through a bunch of hoops and tests, and then hiring Francona without an interview? That'd probably leave a bad taste in some people's mouths. It's kind of a jerk move, and I hope Epstein doesn't do it.

 

Huh? Why would he have to interview Francona?

[C.C.]

In reading between the lines, it sounds as if Theo and Jed have made up their minds regarding A-Ram. Unless he takes a deal in the 8 million a year for 2 years range, I think they will let him walk. They obviously feel he is a liability on defense and are ready for an upgrade defensively.

 

Time to look at the FA 3B list and see who might be on their radar.

I'm guessing they end up with either a young player there or fill the spot through the trade market.

 

The FA 3B market is bleak.

 

Besides Ram who else is out there?

[Hollandsworths mug]

Besides Ram who else is out there?

 

 

Brandon Inge, Tigers (Age: 33, Career: .237, 136 HR, 564 RBI, 2010 salary: $6.6 million): Re-signed with Tigers (2 years, $11.5 million, with option)

 

Andy LaRoche (Age: 27, Career: .224, 24 HR, 108 RBI, 2010 salary: $451,000): Signed minor-league contract with A's

 

Felipe Lopez, Red Sox (Age: 30, Career: .266, 88 HR, 428 RBI, 123 SB, 2010 salary: $1 million): Signed minor-league contract with Rays

 

No compensation

 

Garrett Atkins, no team (Age: 31, Career: .285, 99 HR, 488 RBI, 2010 salary: $5 million): Signed minor-league deal with Pirates

 

Geoff Blum, Astros (Age: 37, Career: .251, 97 HR, 468 RBI, 2010 salary: $1.5 million): Signed with Diamondbacks (2 years, $2.7 million)

 

Miguel Cairo, Reds (Age: 36, Career: .267, 32 HR, 348 RBI, 2010 salary: $500,000): Re-signed with Reds (2 years, $2 million)

 

Jorge Cantu, Rangers (Age: 28, Career: .274, 101 HR, 460 RBI, 2010 salary: $6 million): Signed with Padres (1 year, $850,000)

 

Eric Chavez, A's (Age: 33, Career: .267, 230 HR, 787 RBI, 2010 salary: $12.5 million): Signed minor-league contract with Yankees

 

Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays (Age: 28, Career: .258, 100 HR, 337 RBI, 2010 salary: $5.1 million): Re-signed with Blue Jays (1 year, $2.5 million, with option)

 

Pedro Feliz, Cardinals (Age: 35, Career: .250, 140 HR, 598 RBI, 2010 salary: $4.5 million): Signed minor-league contract with Royals

 

Josh Fields, Royals (Age: 28, Career: .234, 34 HR, 107 RBI, 2010 salary: $422,000): Signed minor-league contract with Pirates

 

Melvin Mora, Rockies (Age: 39, Career: .278, 171 HR, 738 RBI, 2010 salary: $1.28 million): Signed with Diamondbacks (1 year, $2 million)

 

Nick Punto, Twins (Age: 33, Career: .247, 13 HR, 198 RBI, 2010 salary: $4 million): Signed with Cardinals (1 year, $750,000)

 

Chad Tracy, Marlins (Age: 30, Career: .278, 79 HR, 333 RBI, 2010 salary: $900,000): Signed with Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Japanese League

 

Omar Vizquel, White Sox (Age: 43, Career: .273, 80 HR, 936 RBI, 400 SB, 2010 salary: $1.38 million): Re-signed with White Sox ($1.75 million)

 

Third basemen with 2011 contract options

 

Aramis Ramirez, Cubs (Age: 32, Career: .282, 289 HR, 1029 RBI, 2010 salary: $16.75 million): Agreed to player option (1 year, $14.6 million)

[dew1679666265]

Besides Ram who else is out there?

 

Wilson Betemit DET

Casey Blake LAD *

Eric Chavez NYY

Mark DeRosa SF

Greg Dobbs PHI

Edwin Encarnacion TOR *

Wes Helms FLA

Melvin Mora ARI

Aramis Ramirez CHC

Miguel Tejada SF

Omar Vizquel CWS

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Okay, what I meant was I'd be disappointed because I wanted something shiny and new.

[Backtobanks]

Not saying Francona would be a bad hire, but the stories of him losing control of the clubhouse has to be something to think about.

 

hiring Francona + retaining Zambrano = TROUBLE? :-k

[C.C.]

Okay, what I meant was I'd be disappointed because I wanted something shiny and new.

 

nice save.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Besides Ram who else is out there?

 

Wilson Betemit DET

Casey Blake LAD *

Eric Chavez NYY

Mark DeRosa SF

Greg Dobbs PHI

Edwin Encarnacion TOR *

Wes Helms FLA

Melvin Mora ARI

Aramis Ramirez CHC

Miguel Tejada SF

Omar Vizquel CWS

 

I think that the Jays have already picked up the option on Encarnacion. Betemit will likely benefit from the weak market and get something like a 3/20something type deal. DeRosa might get a 1 year deal from someone. The rest are garbage. It's a good time to be Aramis Ramirez.

[dew1679666265]

I think that the Jays have already picked up the option on Encarnacion. Betemit will likely benefit from the weak market and get something like a 3/20something type deal. DeRosa might get a 1 year deal from someone. The rest are garbage. It's a good time to be Aramis Ramirez.

 

DeRosa is awful now too. You're right on Encarnacion, though - the Jays picked up his option. Cot's hasn't updated that list yet, apparently.

[Guest]

In reading between the lines, it sounds as if Theo and Jed have made up their minds regarding A-Ram. Unless he takes a deal in the 8 million a year for 2 years range, I think they will let him walk. They obviously feel he is a liability on defense and are ready for an upgrade defensively.

 

Time to look at the FA 3B list and see who might be on their radar.

 

The rest of us realized this like two weeks ago when Epstein pretty much said as much at the Hoyer PC.

[javy knows my name]

Not saying Francona would be a bad hire, but the stories of him losing control of the clubhouse has to be something to think about.

 

hiring Francona + retaining Zambrano = TROUBLE? :-k

 

B2B + posting = FAIL

[Guest]

Not saying Francona would be a bad hire, but the stories of him losing control of the clubhouse has to be something to think about.

 

hiring Francona + retaining Zambrano = TROUBLE? :-k

 

B2B + posting = FAIL

I'm not sure how many times I have to tell people to be nice, but I'm not going to be patient about it much longer.