Rick Renteria Named New Cubs Manager

[Guest]

What the hell does synergy have to do with anything? What is the decision that goes hand in hand? In what way shape or form is it helpful to have ownership influence the decision to hire a manager?

 

There are decisions that have to be made with both baseball and business interests in mind to operate a successful major league franchise.

 

From a baseball standpoint, if you're willing to punt 5-6 years at the major league level and pretend nothing happened so that you can maximize your ability to get elite prospects out of your top scouting/player development team, I'm pretty sure that's actually your best bet at putting together a monster team that can dominate for a bunch of years (which is a pretty big long shot in itself) and hopefully get a world series out of it.

 

But winning and winning world series titles isn't all that matters to these organizations and punting 5-6 years at the major league level is awful from a fan's perspective and from a business perspective. There are teams that would suffer really badly from that whole process and might to the point that revenues are harmed in such a way as to take away from the success on the baseball field. The Cubs are pretty lucky that they are one of the teams that would probably suffer the least from something like that.

Edited October 1, 2013 by David

[Guest]

Personally, my own opinion is that there's almost no amount of losing that could happen that will castrate this team's following to the point that they won't be back immediately once there is a hint of success.

 

It probably will hurt the TV contract in a significant way to keep losing like this, though.

 

So then ownership tells management to put more emphasis on winning at the major league level. They don't say, hey, go hire that guy to manage the team. They give them the resources to get better sooner, and the mandate to win games.

 

I agree.

 

The only way I see the Girardi -> more revenue connection is if Girardi -> better chance at free agents -> more wins -> more revenue

 

But I'm not sure I really buy the A-> B there. I think you can better spend the money on Girardi on a player if the goal is more ROI in terms of revenue.

Edited October 1, 2013 by David

[Banedon]

Wittenmyer was on Mully and Hanley and basically said that when they were having their discussions as to how to cover this story, the question came up as to whether or not to do profiles on different candidates...and ultimately, they were like well, there's really only one candidate.

 

The local media seems to be really sure about this, FWIW. I don't know if that's based on information they have or just connecting dots. But there's really quite a bit of smoke at this point.

 

Ugh Mully and Hanley were throwing out some terrible names this morning, including Ozzie Guillen, Don Cooper and Bob Brenly.

 

The White Sox pitching coach appeared on "The Mully and Hanley Show" on WSCR-AM 670 and was asked if he planned to throw his hat into the ring for the Cubs' opening, which was created by Monday's firing of manager Dale Sveum.

 

"You know what ... listen, they can do a lot worse," Cooper said.

[Pushfrog98]

This could probably go under rants as well, but I posted a "serious" question about who people think might be getting looked at for the open position. I suggested Girardi, Ausmus, maybe Dave Martinez.

 

Sure enough, the Cardinal fans comment with crap like:

- What about Bartman?

- Maybe you should take a former catcher with no big league managing experience and do nothing but kick ass... oh wait, we've already done that.

- Jose Oquendo after he gets another ring

- Doesn't matter, they'll always suck

- Who cares. Cubs suck.

- I'll do it. It would be nice to not have to work after July each year.

 

TBFIB.

 

I did get some funny responses (from Cubs fans), like "Bring back Don Zimmer, but he has to wear his helmet." and "Andre Dawson. Or is he still stuck in the ivy?" My favorite response was "Thank God the Phillies gave Sandberg an extension so we don't have to worry about that."

[Guest]

This could probably go under rants as well, but I posted a "serious" question about who people think might be getting looked at for the open position. I suggested Girardi, Ausmus, maybe Dave Martinez.

 

Sure enough, the Cardinal fans comment with crap like:

- What about Bartman?

- Maybe you should take a former catcher with no big league managing experience and do nothing but kick ass... oh wait, we've already done that.

- Jose Oquendo after he gets another ring

- Doesn't matter, they'll always suck

- Who cares. Cubs suck.

- I'll do it. It would be nice to not have to work after July each year.

 

TBFIB.

 

I did get some funny responses (from Cubs fans), like "Bring back Don Zimmer, but he has to wear his helmet." and "Andre Dawson. Or is he still stuck in the ivy?" My favorite response was "Thank God the Phillies gave Sandberg an extension so we don't have to worry about that."

 

Where did you post this?

[Pushfrog98]

This could probably go under rants as well, but I posted a "serious" question about who people think might be getting looked at for the open position. I suggested Girardi, Ausmus, maybe Dave Martinez.

 

Sure enough, the Cardinal fans comment with crap like:

- What about Bartman?

- Maybe you should take a former catcher with no big league managing experience and do nothing but kick ass... oh wait, we've already done that.

- Jose Oquendo after he gets another ring

- Doesn't matter, they'll always suck

- Who cares. Cubs suck.

- I'll do it. It would be nice to not have to work after July each year.

 

TBFIB.

 

I did get some funny responses (from Cubs fans), like "Bring back Don Zimmer, but he has to wear his helmet." and "Andre Dawson. Or is he still stuck in the ivy?" My favorite response was "Thank God the Phillies gave Sandberg an extension so we don't have to worry about that."

 

Where did you post this?

Sorry, Facebook. Which is my fault.

[Guest]

This could probably go under rants as well, but I posted a "serious" question about who people think might be getting looked at for the open position. I suggested Girardi, Ausmus, maybe Dave Martinez.

 

Sure enough, the Cardinal fans comment with crap like:

- What about Bartman?

- Maybe you should take a former catcher with no big league managing experience and do nothing but kick ass... oh wait, we've already done that.

- Jose Oquendo after he gets another ring

- Doesn't matter, they'll always suck

- Who cares. Cubs suck.

- I'll do it. It would be nice to not have to work after July each year.

 

TBFIB.

 

I did get some funny responses (from Cubs fans), like "Bring back Don Zimmer, but he has to wear his helmet." and "Andre Dawson. Or is he still stuck in the ivy?" My favorite response was "Thank God the Phillies gave Sandberg an extension so we don't have to worry about that."

 

Where did you post this?

Sorry, Facebook. Which is my fault.

 

Oh, yeah. Then yes, it is.

[Guest]

Has there been anything on that Yankees announcement/PC today yet?

[Guest]

Has there been anything on that Yankees announcement/PC today yet?

 

The guy who originally tweeted about it followed up yesterday that typically Cashman has a year-end wrap-up PC that could easily be today. So likely it's not big news, but we might hear more if they ask him about Girardi.

[jersey cubs fan]

Cashman is on YES Network right now.

 

He sounds like he's talking about Girardi right now, talking about how well he has done since Day one.

 

"The talent that he had to work with this year was significantly less than other years but he stayed the same."

[jersey cubs fan]

Thumbs up he did a great job.

 

(when asked if he is going to return)

 

I think he likes it here. I can't speak for other opportunities. We are going to give him a lot of reason to stay. We hired a good one. We benefited from having him, would like to keep him, you will have to stay tuned in to see how it turns out.

 

Most important thing is he knows we want him to stay. He'll have decisions about what's best for him and his family. I can't predict.

[jersey cubs fan]

and now he's on to challenges of roster makeup.

[Guest]

Thanks, goony.

 

Well, I wonder if we'll hear anything soon about an official request for permission from the Cubs. Theo said they would "begin" their search today.

[Guest]

Arguello is saying ownership isn't pushing Theo on this.

 

 

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/10/ricketts-supporting-theo-in-managerial-search-and-rebuild-process-not-influencing-him/

 

Yesterday, I desperately hoped that the Cubs were making the Sveum decision for the right reasons. Theo Epstein's statement yesterday allayed many of my concerns but today Gordon Wittenmeyer wrote this,

 

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts and business president Crane Kenney are said to have pushed strongly for Girardi.

 

But despite my fears yesterday, I have heard enough both on and off the record from multiple sources to suggest that this is not true at all -- at least not in the manner in which it's implied. For one, we know that Epstein left the Red Sox in large part because of ownership interference and Ricketts would not risk eventually losing him by making the same mistake. He is supporting Theo Epstein in every way in this managerial search (including financially) -- but he is not influencing his decisions.

 

What I can believe is that Ricketts, like many people, is quite fond of Joe Girardi and perhaps he has made his preference known, but the decision is 100% on Epstein and Hoyer.

 

As it should be.

[jersey cubs fan]

will the cubs ask permission to talk to Joe?

 

"I wouldn't count on it."

 

It's hard for me to answer that, it will depend on my conversations with Joe (and a bunch of NYY front office names). That will pick up tomorrow, I will talk to his representative tomorrow. It will pick up steam then.

[Guest]

will the cubs ask permission to talk to Joe?

"I wouldn't count on it."

 

It's hard for me to answer that, it will depend on my conversations with Joe (and a bunch of NYY front office names). That will pick up tomorrow, I will talk to his representative tomorrow. It will pick up steam then.

OK, that's weird, albeit not exactly a committal response either way.

[jersey cubs fan]

will the cubs ask permission to talk to Joe?

"I wouldn't count on it."

 

It's hard for me to answer that, it will depend on my conversations with Joe (and a bunch of NYY front office names). That will pick up tomorrow, I will talk to his representative tomorrow. It will pick up steam then.

OK, that's weird, albeit not exactly a committal response either way.

 

Reading between the lines I am guessing, completely guessing, they are prepared to move on and let Joe go after some conversations with everybody tomorrow. They are about to start a new era.

 

 

On Cano:

We'd love to have Robby back. He'll have something significant to consider.

[jersey cubs fan]

On a side note, these ridiculous media members call him "Cash" when asking him a question.

[jersey cubs fan]

will the cubs ask permission to talk to Joe?

"I wouldn't count on it."

 

It's hard for me to answer that, it will depend on my conversations with Joe (and a bunch of NYY front office names). That will pick up tomorrow, I will talk to his representative tomorrow. It will pick up steam then.

OK, that's weird, albeit not exactly a committal response either way.

 

Others have picked up the quote as, "I wouldn't comment on that". That would make more sense. I have another TV feed audio and may have missed it.

[Guest]

will the cubs ask permission to talk to Joe?

"I wouldn't count on it."

 

It's hard for me to answer that, it will depend on my conversations with Joe (and a bunch of NYY front office names). That will pick up tomorrow, I will talk to his representative tomorrow. It will pick up steam then.

OK, that's weird, albeit not exactly a committal response either way.

 

Others have picked up the quote as, "I wouldn't comment on that". That would make more sense. I have another TV feed audio and may have missed it.

 

OK, yeah. All of it makes more sense now. I kind of agree with your interpretation of it at this point. Kind of like a "the ball is in his court...we're going to offer the money but if we have to move on we will" type of thing

[davell]

Joel Sherman's plan to contend is basically drop Granderson, get Beltran at 2/26, pray A-Rod stays off the books, add Haren, and keep everyone else that's a FA of theirs. Oh, and then go big into FA in 2015. Sorry Joel, that avenue has basically shut. Edited October 1, 2013 by davell

[Guest]

@BryanHoch: Brian Cashman said Yankees have started negotiations with Joe Girardi.

[Guest]

Torey Lovullo

The Boston Globe reported earlier this month that Boston’s bench coach has "elevated himself" in the chase for a potential opening. Lovullo has interviewed previously for head jobs with the Red Sox and Indians and has seen his stock rise while working in a high-visibility position in Boston.

 

Mike Maddux

Maddux has been praised for his work as pitching coach of the Texas Rangers. He was in the mix for the Cubs’ job a few years ago before the job went to Sveum. And if the Rangers have a long playoff run, the Cubs might not be willing to wait on him.

 

Brad Ausmus

Reports over the weekend claimed Ausmus, the former catcher and current special assistant to baseball operations for the San Diego Padres, is on the Cubs’ radar. Ausmus has interviewed for several jobs and made a strong impression on the Red Sox last season before that job went to John Farrell.

 

Tony Pena

Currently a bench coach for the Yankees under Girardi, Pena was the AL Manager of the Year for the Royals in 2003. He may be ready for a second chance.

 

Matt Williams

Williams has earned positive reviews for his work as the Diamondbacks' third base coach and has been linked to the managerial opening in Washington. But there's no reason Epstein couldn't place a call as well.

[Post Count Padder]

Torey Lovullo

The Boston Globe reported earlier this month that Boston’s bench coach has "elevated himself" in the chase for a potential opening. Lovullo has interviewed previously for head jobs with the Red Sox and Indians and has seen his stock rise while working in a high-visibility position in Boston.

 

Mike Maddux

Maddux has been praised for his work as pitching coach of the Texas Rangers. He was in the mix for the Cubs’ job a few years ago before the job went to Sveum. And if the Rangers have a long playoff run, the Cubs might not be willing to wait on him.

 

Brad Ausmus

Reports over the weekend claimed Ausmus, the former catcher and current special assistant to baseball operations for the San Diego Padres, is on the Cubs’ radar. Ausmus has interviewed for several jobs and made a strong impression on the Red Sox last season before that job went to John Farrell.

 

Tony Pena

Currently a bench coach for the Yankees under Girardi, Pena was the AL Manager of the Year for the Royals in 2003. He may be ready for a second chance.

 

Matt Williams

Williams has earned positive reviews for his work as the Diamondbacks' third base coach and has been linked to the managerial opening in Washington. But there's no reason Epstein couldn't place a call as well.

And bring his brother back as pitching coach? Weren't we interested in this option a couple years ago?

[Clem Fandango]

Mike Maddux

Maddux has been praised for his work as pitching coach of the Texas Rangers. He was in the mix for the Cubs’ job a few years ago before the job went to Sveum. And if the Rangers have a long playoff run, the Cubs might not be willing to wait on him.

 

And bring his brother back as pitching coach? Weren't we interested in this option a couple years ago?

 

I was VERY interested in that possibility. And I've been wondering if he might be one of the better targets again. I think the job went to Sveum mostly because Mike Maddux turned it down and Sveum was the 2nd choice, was that not the case? Turned it down because of something to do with his children and not wanting to be away from them before they went off to college or something?