Front Office Strategy

[Benchwarmer]

The Cubs' didn't have a problem of singing too many FA to long, expensive contracts.

 

And the team likely isn't going to be very good come mid-season. Building for the future is great, but let's not act like the next great or good Cubs team is even remotely close to constructed right now.

 

Bradley, Soriano, Fukudome, Hawkins..etc.... you might remember them.

 

I don't know whether the Cubs will be good or entertaining, but they appear to have a plan and I'm willing to give them time to see how it takes shape.

[SouthSideRyan]

lolHawkins

[Sammy Sofa]

The Cubs' didn't have a problem of singing too many FA to long, expensive contracts.

 

And the team likely isn't going to be very good come mid-season. Building for the future is great, but let's not act like the next great or good Cubs team is even remotely close to constructed right now.

 

Bradley, Soriano, Fukudome, Hawkins..etc.... you might remember them.

 

I don't know whether the Cubs will be good or entertaining, but they appear to have a plan and I'm willing to give them time to see how it takes shape.

 

Only one of those players received a "long, expensive contract." You seem to be conflating spending poorly or unwisely with giving out monster deals a la Soriano's contract. Soriano's contract was not par for the course for the Cubs under Hendry in terms of how much money/how many years the player got.

 

And you're going to be disappointed if you think the Cubs not spending big now means they won't do it again in the future.

[Sammy Sofa]

yeah not even to get into the content of it. things very likely wouldn't have been different if theo were here because just about nobody in baseball thought hamilton would do what he did.

 

If only Theo had been running a baseball team during the Josh Hamilton saga.

[Backtobanks]

The Cubs' didn't have a problem of singing too many FA to long, expensive contracts.

 

And the team likely isn't going to be very good come mid-season. Building for the future is great, but let's not act like the next great or good Cubs team is even remotely close to constructed right now.

 

Bradley, Soriano, Fukudome, Hawkins..etc.... you might remember them.

 

I don't know whether the Cubs will be good or entertaining, but they appear to have a plan and I'm willing to give them time to see how it takes shape.

 

I admit being less patient than most posters on NSBB, but I wonder how much time we give them before fans start to get upset. My first expectations were a decent team in 2012 and a contender in 2013. I've accepted the new strategy of rebuilding, but I think it should only push back expectations 1 year. If we aren't serious contenders with a solid roster in 2014 and every year thereafter, then Theo is not doing his job. All of this 4-5 year talk is BS.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The Cubs' didn't have a problem of singing too many FA to long, expensive contracts.

 

And the team likely isn't going to be very good come mid-season. Building for the future is great, but let's not act like the next great or good Cubs team is even remotely close to constructed right now.

 

Bradley, Soriano, Fukudome, Hawkins..etc.... you might remember them.

 

I don't know whether the Cubs will be good or entertaining, but they appear to have a plan and I'm willing to give them time to see how it takes shape.

 

I admit being less patient than most posters on NSBB, but I wonder how much time we give them before fans start to get upset. My first expectations were a decent team in 2012 and a contender in 2013. I've accepted the new strategy of rebuilding, but I think it should only push back expectations 1 year. If we aren't serious contenders with a solid roster in 2014 and every year thereafter, then Theo is not doing his job. All of this 4-5 year talk is BS.

 

2012 won't be fun to watch but it will about giving guys like Stewart, Volstad, and Wood an opportunity to audition for jobs before they decide where the free agent dollars will be spent. They have money to spend but if they really don't see what they want there's no reason to spend it on something they don't because it's burning a hole in their pocket. To many of us, Fielder seemed like a perfect fit but if those in charge don't agree that's what matters.

[A New Era]

I honestly don't think Theo expects, or plans to have it take 4-5 years. I think he expects this years team will be his groundwork, young core. I don't think he can add all of his core at once. I think next year he'll add another young high ceiling guy wherever he sees a hole. And continue to build around that.

 

You've just got to give Rizzo, Castro, Jackson, and whoever else might come in, a couple of years starting in 2012 to atleast approach the cusp of their prime years. At that point, Theo will target either big trades for superstars small market teams can't afford, or a big signing possibly. Put it this way, if they can keep getting the value they are in future trades as they have been, they'll have a whole hell of a lot of valuable pieces to trade FOR that emerging superstar.

 

They are in asset aqquiring mode right now, and I think they are doing a damn good job at it, imo.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

That's been my concern all along. Young players/prospects are great, but again there is no guarantee that they will reach their potential.

 

I think this statement misunderstands some of the players we've acquired.

 

A guy in A-ball is not guaranteed to reach his potential, of course. But a young guy with solid AAA MLEs is just as safe of a bet as a regular MLB player.

[Little Slide Rooter]

That's been my concern all along. Young players/prospects are great, but again there is no guarantee that they will reach their potential.

 

I think this statement misunderstands some of the players we've acquired.

 

A guy in A-ball is not guaranteed to reach his potential, of course. But a young guy with solid AAA MLEs is just as safe of a bet as a regular MLB player.

 

We can live with some of the prospects. not panning out, an advantage we have over a small market team. With the A's or Pirates, they trade their worthwhile players for prospects, and their future hinges primarily on those prospects with some

cheap free agents mixed in. If not enough of those prospects pan out, they end up having to trade those that do and start over again. With us operating that way at first, we acquire these young players, and those that don't pan out can be replaced with top free agents.

[Sammy Sofa]

Hold on, I'm not too clear on how that works.

[TruffleShuffle]

We can live with some of the prospects. not panning out, an advantage we have over a small market team.

 

n&g, it appears he took your comments about run-on sentences to heart.

[Backtobanks]

I honestly don't think Theo expects, or plans to have it take 4-5 years. I think he expects this years team will be his groundwork, young core. I don't think he can add all of his core at once. I think next year he'll add another young high ceiling guy wherever he sees a hole. And continue to build around that.

 

You've just got to give Rizzo, Castro, Jackson, and whoever else might come in, a couple of years starting in 2012 to atleast approach the cusp of their prime years. At that point, Theo will target either big trades for superstars small market teams can't afford, or a big signing possibly. Put it this way, if they can keep getting the value they are in future trades as they have been, they'll have a whole hell of a lot of valuable pieces to trade FOR that emerging superstar.

 

They are in asset aqquiring mode right now, and I think they are doing a damn good job at it, imo.

 

I don't see very much that we have acquired that would be valuable pieces for an emerging superstar. I think Travis Wood and Rizzo have solid futures, but everybody else seems to be roster depth at the ML level or ml level.

[Guest]

I honestly don't think Theo expects, or plans to have it take 4-5 years. I think he expects this years team will be his groundwork, young core. I don't think he can add all of his core at once. I think next year he'll add another young high ceiling guy wherever he sees a hole. And continue to build around that.

 

You've just got to give Rizzo, Castro, Jackson, and whoever else might come in, a couple of years starting in 2012 to atleast approach the cusp of their prime years. At that point, Theo will target either big trades for superstars small market teams can't afford, or a big signing possibly. Put it this way, if they can keep getting the value they are in future trades as they have been, they'll have a whole hell of a lot of valuable pieces to trade FOR that emerging superstar.

 

They are in asset aqquiring mode right now, and I think they are doing a damn good job at it, imo.

 

I don't see very much that we have acquired that would be valuable pieces for an emerging superstar. I think Travis Wood and Rizzo have solid futures, but everybody else seems to be roster depth at the ML level or ml level.

 

Torreyes is a potential future asset as well.

[KingCubsFan]

I honestly don't think Theo expects, or plans to have it take 4-5 years. I think he expects this years team will be his groundwork, young core. I don't think he can add all of his core at once. I think next year he'll add another young high ceiling guy wherever he sees a hole. And continue to build around that.

 

You've just got to give Rizzo, Castro, Jackson, and whoever else might come in, a couple of years starting in 2012 to atleast approach the cusp of their prime years. At that point, Theo will target either big trades for superstars small market teams can't afford, or a big signing possibly. Put it this way, if they can keep getting the value they are in future trades as they have been, they'll have a whole hell of a lot of valuable pieces to trade FOR that emerging superstar.

 

They are in asset aqquiring mode right now, and I think they are doing a damn good job at it, imo.

 

I don't see very much that we have acquired that would be valuable pieces for an emerging superstar. I think Travis Wood and Rizzo have solid futures, but everybody else seems to be roster depth at the ML level or ml level.

 

Torreyes is a potential future asset as well.

And the extra draft picks we've acquired + our top pick next year.

[A New Era]

I honestly don't think Theo expects, or plans to have it take 4-5 years. I think he expects this years team will be his groundwork, young core. I don't think he can add all of his core at once. I think next year he'll add another young high ceiling guy wherever he sees a hole. And continue to build around that.

 

You've just got to give Rizzo, Castro, Jackson, and whoever else might come in, a couple of years starting in 2012 to atleast approach the cusp of their prime years. At that point, Theo will target either big trades for superstars small market teams can't afford, or a big signing possibly. Put it this way, if they can keep getting the value they are in future trades as they have been, they'll have a whole hell of a lot of valuable pieces to trade FOR that emerging superstar.

 

They are in asset aqquiring mode right now, and I think they are doing a damn good job at it, imo.

 

I don't see very much that we have acquired that would be valuable pieces for an emerging superstar. I think Travis Wood and Rizzo have solid futures, but everybody else seems to be roster depth at the ML level or ml level.

 

Torreyes is a potential future asset as well.

And the extra draft picks we've acquired + our top pick next year.

 

That's what I'm eluding to. A potential #3 for OUR roster, and a potential guy who could be in MLB's top 10 2B prospects in 2 years, all for one year of a reliever. And they've only been at it for a couple months. I imagine our potential high level trade chips in 2 years, will look pretty good.

[biittner77]

It seems like a lot of people assume that the Cubs will be so bad next year that they can count on a top 10 draft pick. I'm not so sure that the team, as constructed can't do at least as well as last year's team.

 

The rotation of Gazra, Dempster, Wood, Wells, Volstad, if they stay healthy, should be better than last year's version that forfeited any chance of winning 2 games out of 5. A better rotation should help the pen a lot by not exposing the middle relief as much. No doubt they'll miss Marshall in the late innings but they have options there.

 

The offense will miss Ramirez and it's unlikely his replacement can hope to match his production. Everywhere else the Cubs can do as good if not better. A bounce back season from Soto offsets whatever dropoff from Pena to Lahair/ Rizzo at first.

 

Within the division they should be at least threatening to finish 3rd behind the Reds and whichever of the Cards/ Brewers gets over losing their best hitter.

 

This team, with no other help now moves should finish with about 70 wins.

[Guest]

It seems like a lot of people assume that the Cubs will be so bad next year that they can count on a top 10 draft pick. I'm not so sure that the team, as constructed can't do at least as well as last year's team.

 

The rotation of Gazra, Dempster, Wood, Wells, Volstad, if they stay healthy, should be better than last year's version that forfeited any chance of winning 2 games out of 5. A better rotation should help the pen a lot by not exposing the middle relief as much. No doubt they'll miss Marshall in the late innings but they have options there.

 

The offense will miss Ramirez and it's unlikely his replacement can hope to match his production. Everywhere else the Cubs can do as good if not better. A bounce back season from Soto offsets whatever dropoff from Pena to Lahair/ Rizzo at first.

 

Within the division they should be at least threatening to finish 3rd behind the Reds and whichever of the Cards/ Brewers gets over losing their best hitter.

 

This team, with no other help now moves should finish with about 70 wins.

 

71 got us a #6 this year

[JeffH]

It seems like a lot of people assume that the Cubs will be so bad next year that they can count on a top 10 draft pick. I'm not so sure that the team, as constructed can't do at least as well as last year's team.

 

The rotation of Gazra, Dempster, Wood, Wells, Volstad, if they stay healthy, should be better than last year's version that forfeited any chance of winning 2 games out of 5. A better rotation should help the pen a lot by not exposing the middle relief as much. No doubt they'll miss Marshall in the late innings but they have options there.

 

The offense will miss Ramirez and it's unlikely his replacement can hope to match his production. Everywhere else the Cubs can do as good if not better. A bounce back season from Soto offsets whatever dropoff from Pena to Lahair/ Rizzo at first.

 

Within the division they should be at least threatening to finish 3rd behind the Reds and whichever of the Cards/ Brewers gets over losing their best hitter.

 

This team, with no other help now moves should finish with about 70 wins.

 

Which would get them a top 10 draft pick.

 

This was a very peculiar post. Almost as if it were written by two people who disagreed with one another.

[jersey cubs fan]

It seems like a lot of people assume that the Cubs will be so bad next year that they can count on a top 10 draft pick. I'm not so sure that the team, as constructed can't do at least as well as last year's team.

 

The rotation of Gazra, Dempster, Wood, Wells, Volstad, if they stay healthy, should be better than last year's version that forfeited any chance of winning 2 games out of 5. A better rotation should help the pen a lot by not exposing the middle relief as much. No doubt they'll miss Marshall in the late innings but they have options there.

 

The offense will miss Ramirez and it's unlikely his replacement can hope to match his production. Everywhere else the Cubs can do as good if not better. A bounce back season from Soto offsets whatever dropoff from Pena to Lahair/ Rizzo at first.

 

Within the division they should be at least threatening to finish 3rd behind the Reds and whichever of the Cards/ Brewers gets over losing their best hitter.

 

This team, with no other help now moves should finish with about 70 wins.

 

Which would get them a top 10 draft pick.

 

This was a very peculiar post. Almost as if it were written by two people who disagreed with one another.

 

Yeah, unless you confused the Cubs with the Astros last year I'm not sure where the motivation is for that post.

[biittner77]

It seems like a lot of people assume that the Cubs will be so bad next year that they can count on a top 10 draft pick. I'm not so sure that the team, as constructed can't do at least as well as last year's team.

 

The rotation of Gazra, Dempster, Wood, Wells, Volstad, if they stay healthy, should be better than last year's version that forfeited any chance of winning 2 games out of 5. A better rotation should help the pen a lot by not exposing the middle relief as much. No doubt they'll miss Marshall in the late innings but they have options there.

 

The offense will miss Ramirez and it's unlikely his replacement can hope to match his production. Everywhere else the Cubs can do as good if not better. A bounce back season from Soto offsets whatever dropoff from Pena to Lahair/ Rizzo at first.

 

Within the division they should be at least threatening to finish 3rd behind the Reds and whichever of the Cards/ Brewers gets over losing their best hitter.

 

This team, with no other help now moves should finish with about 70 wins.

 

71 got us a #6 this year

 

I stopped paying attention in August. I didn't realize just how close the fecal standings were. I should have looked that up first. Nevertheless, If they had won 2 more games that would have put them around 10th.

 

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that the Cubs pick outside the top 10 if they hit on any of the low cost lottery tickets they currently have. To get another top 5 ish pick, they'll have to trade everyone or have everyone completely suck. It seems to me that the difference between picking around 5th and picking around 10th is pretty big.

[Beer Kaese]

OK, if we are rebuilding, would it be wise to trade Soto?

What about Marmol?

Dempster at the deadline?

Byrd is as good as gone (final year of contract...I see him going at the deadline for a couple of mid-level prospects). Some team will be looking for a utility outfielder or short term replacement for an injury. If I remember right it is a very tradeable contract.

 

Trade them all at max value as quick as possible. Turn it and fill the holes with cash. We are a big market team.

[Beer Kaese]

OK, if we are rebuilding, would it be wise to trade Soto?

What about Marmol?

Dempster at the deadline?

Byrd is as good as gone (final year of contract...I see him going at the deadline for a couple of mid-level prospects). Some team will be looking for a utility outfielder or short term replacement for an injury. If I remember right it is a very tradeable contract.

 

Trade them all at max value as quick as possible. Turn it and fill the holes with cash. We are a big market team.

 

Soto lost a lot of trade value last year but hopefully we make that up with Garza. At this point Soto is a bit above average and on the verge of expensive. It he starts hot we could get some real value in return.

 

Marmol is due 7 and then 10 million. If he has a good first half someone will pay but if not it's just another escalating Hendry blunder.

 

Dempster can be be turned (if he pitches well) but you are not going to get high potential in return unless a team is desperate.

 

A gone Byrd is a given.

[biittner77]

It seems like a lot of people assume that the Cubs will be so bad next year that they can count on a top 10 draft pick. I'm not so sure that the team, as constructed can't do at least as well as last year's team.

 

The rotation of Gazra, Dempster, Wood, Wells, Volstad, if they stay healthy, should be better than last year's version that forfeited any chance of winning 2 games out of 5. A better rotation should help the pen a lot by not exposing the middle relief as much. No doubt they'll miss Marshall in the late innings but they have options there.

 

The offense will miss Ramirez and it's unlikely his replacement can hope to match his production. Everywhere else the Cubs can do as good if not better. A bounce back season from Soto offsets whatever dropoff from Pena to Lahair/ Rizzo at first.

 

Within the division they should be at least threatening to finish 3rd behind the Reds and whichever of the Cards/ Brewers gets over losing their best hitter.

 

This team, with no other help now moves should finish with about 70 wins.

 

Which would get them a top 10 draft pick.

 

This was a very peculiar post. Almost as if it were written by two people who disagreed with one another.

 

Yeah, unless you confused the Cubs with the Astros last year I'm not sure where the motivation is for that post.

 

I think a lot of people are confusing the 2012 Cubs with the 2011 Astros. That was supposed to be the point. In restrospect, I would have been better off taking a nap.