Levine chat - lots of tidbits re: Fielder, Darvish, Cespedes

[David]

Things have slowed down a bit here lately so I figure we're all glad to take whatever we can get in terms of hot stove talk. Lots of stuff in here, didn't want to bury it in any one thread, especially when he's commenting on stuff all over the place.

 

Just going to post some of the interesting answers.

 

Jamaal (Lansing, Michigan)

 

 

Bruce, have you heard anything else about the Cubs and Yu Darvish and the cuban outfielder?

Bruce Levine

(1:07 PM)

 

 

The Cubs execs were looking at Cespedes during a private workout this week. There are at least six teams involved. The guess is that he'll get $30-40 million. The Cubs are definitely in play. For Darvish, too, actually. They just have to deal with the posting process, which Epstein went through in Boston. They had to put up $50 million just to talk to Matsuzaka. There's another issue with the new CBA where teams will have to pay a tax on international players, making these signings more prohibitive. Details coming soon as they are announcing the new deal now.

 

 

Dale (KY)

 

 

I don't see a half way commitment. Do the Cubs go full scale rebuild, or add significant pieces like Fielder?

Bruce Levine

(1:08 PM)

 

 

I've said all along that their idea of competing is by getting the best young players in the game. So if that means going to the international market, or signing Fielder, that's all a part of their philosophy. I expect the Cubs to be big players for Fielder.

 

At least Levine seems to grasp this concept that the rest of our local journalists don't.

 

dan w (illinois)

 

 

will the cubs pursue c.j. wilson or mark buerhle to help their pitching staff

Bruce Levine

(1:15 PM)

 

 

I'll think they've kicked the tires on both. They did talk to Wilson's agent at the GM meetings, but they are one of 10-12 teams that conversed with him. As for Buehrle, he might be the exception to their rule about young pitchers because of his durability.

 

Dustin (Chicago)

 

 

Who do you see the cubs hiring as Pitching coach/Bench coach?

Bruce Levine

(1:16 PM)

 

 

Chris Boscio and Ed Sedar are possibilities. Boscio is the former pitching coach in Seattle and Sedar is a major league coach with the Brewers.

 

Andrew (Joliet)

 

 

What is the cubs position on their catcher Soto? I have heard great things about wellington castillo. Soto is average at best behind the plate and his offense is decent enough to bring in maybe some prospects what your thought?

Bruce Levine

(1:20 PM)

 

 

The first thing Theo and company did was asked the remaining front office staff what trades were on the table at the trade deadline that weren't made. Soto was one of those deals -- the Pirates were very interested. There's some question about Castillo's pitch selection when he's behind the plate. He has a great arm and a good bat, but I'm not sure they're ready to commit to him as their everyday starter.

 

Sagar (Chicago)

 

 

How do you view Marmol's trade value currently?

Bruce Levine

(1:22 PM)

 

 

I think he has a lot of value. Most MLB execs look at Marmol as being overused. 75 appearances for a closer is a ridiculous amounnt. Also the way he was used in the bullpen -- getting up and down numerous times -- had an impact on his season. Marmol had 27 back-to-back appearances, the most in baseball. He has a lot of value.

 

Todd (Kansas city)

 

 

What Minor league prospects do you see making an apperance next year for the Cubs? I like getting the Cuban prospect much more than Darvish - given the high cost. Thoughts?

Bruce Levine

(1:31 PM)

 

Again, the Cubs will go after the best young talent available, weither via trade or international -- they won't be afraid to spend money. The wallet is open and Theo has been given the go-ahead to spend as he sees fit. There are lots of ways to get good young talent and they will check all those avenues.

[davell]

This is posted in one of these threads, but I agree, it's probably worth it's own thread. I have my doubts any of the beat writers are getting anything out of the braintrust, but this chat certainly had some good news in it. I wouldn't think anything less though, Theo didn't come here to run a small market team. He came here to build a perennial contender and he has all the resources he needs to do it, or else he wouldn't be here.

[A New Era]

I like it if true. Good young talent. That's something I can get behind. In the possibility of Pojuls vs. Fielder if they DID go hard after one of them. Does this hint that Pojuls is not even a target?

[MWV]

Jamaal (Lansing, Michigan)

 

 

Bruce, have you heard anything else about the Cubs and Yu Darvish and the cuban outfielder?

Bruce Levine

(1:07 PM)

 

 

The Cubs execs were looking at Cespedes during a private workout this week. There are at least six teams involved. The guess is that he'll get $30-40 million. The Cubs are definitely in play. For Darvish, too, actually. They just have to deal with the posting process, which Epstein went through in Boston. They had to put up $50 million just to talk to Matsuzaka. There's another issue with the new CBA where teams will have to pay a tax on international players, making these signings more prohibitive. Details coming soon as they are announcing the new deal now.

I realize the abominable new CBA limits spending on IFAs ($2.9 million for 2012, I believe). Do posted players from NPB fall under the purview of the CBA's new IFA regulations? I don't think that is the case. They are not signing minor league contracts, after all.

[davell]

Players that are posted from the Pac Rim or Cubans 23 or older with 3 years of professional experience are excluded from the IFA budgets from teams.

[MWV]

Thanks. I thought as much. Levine is a bit off there.

[davell]

Yeah, was chatting while all the details were being released. I guess we're lucky Bud didn't include them in the IFA budget as well, since he thinks baseball is doing so great and all.

[Theo]

Remember last week when Levine said Francona was the front runner? He doesn't have any insight, just throws crappy at the wall to see what sticks

[Guest]

Remember last week when Levine said Francona was the front runner? He doesn't have any insight, just throws crappy at the wall to see what sticks

 

That was his opinion and he said it was based on nothing but just his own speculation.

 

 

Completely different from reporting rumors or facts.

[RynoRules]

Levine is a tool and a hack. IIRC, he was responsible for lighting the Dunn fire a few years ago, insisting he would be here within 24 hours. I agree with Theo - he has a long history of throwing stuff against the wall, just like Kurkijan, Stark, and Olney.

 

I miss Hoops.

[Guest]

Levine is a tool and a hack. IIRC, he was responsible for lighting the Dunn fire a few years ago, insisting he would be here within 24 hours. I agree with Theo - he has a long history of throwing stuff against the wall, just like Kurkijan, Stark, and Olney.

 

I miss Hoops.

 

You mean like anybody who reports rumors? A lot of rumors don't come true. That doesn't mean they weren't based on some actual real information. It's the nature of the business.

 

lol Levine has a higher hit rate than one hit wonder Hoops.

Edited November 23, 2011 by David

[RynoRules]

Levine is a tool and a hack. IIRC, he was responsible for lighting the Dunn fire a few years ago, insisting he would be here within 24 hours. I agree with Theo - he has a long history of throwing stuff against the wall, just like Kurkijan, Stark, and Olney.

 

I miss Hoops.

 

lol Levine has a higher hit rate than Hoops.

 

Yeah, he was good at getting the lead on Prior's towel-throw count.

[Guest]

Levine is a tool and a hack. IIRC, he was responsible for lighting the Dunn fire a few years ago, insisting he would be here within 24 hours. I agree with Theo - he has a long history of throwing stuff against the wall, just like Kurkijan, Stark, and Olney.

 

I miss Hoops.

 

lol Levine has a higher hit rate than Hoops.

 

Yeah, he was good at getting the lead on Prior's towel-throw count.

 

Name one reporter whose rumors you think are reliable.

[RynoRules]

Levine is a tool and a hack. IIRC, he was responsible for lighting the Dunn fire a few years ago, insisting he would be here within 24 hours. I agree with Theo - he has a long history of throwing stuff against the wall, just like Kurkijan, Stark, and Olney.

 

I miss Hoops.

 

lol Levine has a higher hit rate than Hoops.

 

Yeah, he was good at getting the lead on Prior's towel-throw count.

 

Name one reporter whose rumors you think are reliable.

 

Bethany Hamilton

[Sammy Sofa]

Levin Black.

[ctcf]

lol Hoops.

[RynoRules]

lol Hoops.

 

Haters gonna hate :wink:

[Guest]

Hoops was great - he just took the opinion of the media guys a bit too seriously.

[Guest]

Levine is a tool and a hack. IIRC, he was responsible for lighting the Dunn fire a few years ago, insisting he would be here within 24 hours. I agree with Theo - he has a long history of throwing stuff against the wall, just like Kurkijan, Stark, and Olney.

 

I miss Hoops.

 

lol Levine has a higher hit rate than Hoops.

 

Yeah, he was good at getting the lead on Prior's towel-throw count.

 

Name one reporter whose rumors you think are reliable.

Bruce Miles.

 

And this is as good a time as any to announce he's going to come by for a chat next week. :good:

[RynoRules]

Levine is a tool and a hack. IIRC, he was responsible for lighting the Dunn fire a few years ago, insisting he would be here within 24 hours. I agree with Theo - he has a long history of throwing stuff against the wall, just like Kurkijan, Stark, and Olney.

 

I miss Hoops.

 

lol Levine has a higher hit rate than Hoops.

 

Yeah, he was good at getting the lead on Prior's towel-throw count.

 

Name one reporter whose rumors you think are reliable.

Bruce Miles.

 

And this is as good a time as any to announce he's going to come by for a chat next week. :good:

 

=D>

[Guest]

That's awesome, Tim.

 

 

Anyway, AceCubbie has been talking like he has some kind of Cubs source lately (as everyone saw with the Angels rumors), so I'll go ahead and post this from his latest entry...

 

Levine was blunt when asked about the prospect of the Cubs pursuing Prince Fielder: “I expect the Cubs to be big players for Fielder.” To Bruce’s credit, he’s been banging the Fielder drum since early in the offseason, when most others (me included) didn’t think Fielder would be a target. I’ve since changed my tune, due in part to some chatter I’ve heard, and in part to the CBA changes, which will necessarily force teams like the Cubs to spend more of their organizational dollars on Major League payroll. The question, of course, remains: do the Cubs believe Fielder can stick at first base long-term, into his 30s? A related question, I suppose: is Fielder the next Mo Vaughn – a studly, beefy hitter who fell apart in his early 30s?

 

http://www.bleachernation.com/2011/11/23/lukewarm-stove-fielder-garza-cespedes-darvish-crawford-soto-marmol/

Edited November 23, 2011 by David

[UK1679666180]

That's awesome, Tim.

 

 

Anyway, AceCubbie has been talking like he has some kind of Cubs source lately (as everyone saw with the Angels rumors), so I'll go ahead and post this from his latest entry...

 

Levine was blunt when asked about the prospect of the Cubs pursuing Prince Fielder: “I expect the Cubs to be big players for Fielder.” To Bruce’s credit, he’s been banging the Fielder drum since early in the offseason, when most others (me included) didn’t think Fielder would be a target. I’ve since changed my tune, due in part to some chatter I’ve heard, and in part to the CBA changes, which will necessarily force teams like the Cubs to spend more of their organizational dollars on Major League payroll. The question, of course, remains: do the Cubs believe Fielder can stick at first base long-term, into his 30s? A related question, I suppose: is Fielder the next Mo Vaughn – a studly, beefy hitter who fell apart in his early 30s?

 

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=58762&start=2471

 

Hmmm.

[Guest]

Yea, I've heard the Mo and Cecil comparisons before.

 

I wonder how much of Mo's dropoff was leaving-Fenway related.

[SouthSideRyan]

That's awesome, Tim.

 

 

Anyway, AceCubbie has been talking like he has some kind of Cubs source lately (as everyone saw with the Angels rumors), so I'll go ahead and post this from his latest entry...

 

Levine was blunt when asked about the prospect of the Cubs pursuing Prince Fielder: “I expect the Cubs to be big players for Fielder.” To Bruce’s credit, he’s been banging the Fielder drum since early in the offseason, when most others (me included) didn’t think Fielder would be a target. I’ve since changed my tune, due in part to some chatter I’ve heard, and in part to the CBA changes, which will necessarily force teams like the Cubs to spend more of their organizational dollars on Major League payroll. The question, of course, remains: do the Cubs believe Fielder can stick at first base long-term, into his 30s? A related question, I suppose: is Fielder the next Mo Vaughn – a studly, beefy hitter who fell apart in his early 30s?

 

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=58762&start=2471

 

Hmmm.

 

And you just stole that bit from Steve Allen.

[Guest]

Yea, I've heard the Mo and Cecil comparisons before.

 

I wonder how much of Mo's dropoff was leaving-Fenway related.

His bat slowed down and he couldn't get around on pitches, so leaving Boston might be a factor. But the biggest factor was his arm injury. Unless we think Prince is going to get a terrible injury like Vaughn I don't think the comp fits. Also Prince will be 28 next year. I'd say even if he does fall off it won't be for at least five years. I don't know what sort of length he's looking for in a contract, but a six year deal with a mutual option year or two and I think he's a good bet to live up to his contract. I have much more worry that Pujols won't make it through his contract. He's got serious elbow and shoulder problems that may slow his bat considerably.