Cubs hire Padres scouting director Jaron Madison

[javy knows my name]

I know he got an extension/promotion, but it still wouldn't surprise me if he's out the door eventually. IIRC, Wilken was semi-promoted in Tampa as well when a new regime came in (Friedman), and he opted to leave eventually because he wanted to find a place that was a better fit. And Friedman's regime is run probably (obviously not certain) in a similar way to Epstein/Hoyer.

 

Wouldn't surprise me if he pursued an aGM gig. IIRC, rumors have been around for awhile that he'd like to move up eventually, and I'm not sure he'll find an aGM opening here.

 

Well being an assistant the the premier GM in the game would certainly open up a few doors down the road then, would it not?

 

Right. This particular promotion seems well in line with what Toonster believes are his long-term goals. Who cares if it leads to an AGM position in this organization?

[toonsterwu]

I don't disagree with any of that. I think being Epstein's Special Asst. could probably get him some opportunities, particularly if Epstein gives a positive review. I just don't know if I buy Wilken being in the organization that much longer. But that's me, and that's a hunch.

 

Anyhow, my initial point is that I'm taking a wait and see on how the scouting department under McLeod/Madison because I haven't been too intrigued with their work in their previous stops (granted, limited sample for Madison, and it looks intriguing enough, but chances are high that you aren't going to have too many years with 5 top 70 picks). My secondary point was that I think that while Wilken's regime as Scouting Director looks mediocre in retrospect (although the two years he could spend more, 2010 and 2011, are showing promise right now), I'm still a bit surprised at how much bashing his tenure has gotten. It hasn't been great, but I just don't think it's been ... terrible. It seems like a decent run for a SD.