Yankees Sign Masahiro Tanaka

[CubsWin]

They still are not a healthy franchise. The progress is not measurable unless you want to use ordinal measures based on subjective evaluations of minor league players. I think the word you are looking for is potential. They are potentially a better franchise then they were when Theo took over, which is exciting and great (and I mean that). Whether the potential is realized remains to be seen.

 

Also, the process is not an either/or situation. It's possible to build a system and make the major league team better at the same time. Theo and the Ricketts family have chosen not to do that. I'm not going to put a judgment on if that is a bad thing or a good thing. I really think it needs to be mentioned though.

That's correct, they are not a healthy franchise yet. Never said they were. But it is incorrect that they haven't taken measurable steps in becoming one.

[Sammy Sofa]

Farm system rankings are about the only "measurable" aspect; until they actually start bringing these players up and they pan out or they trade some for some impact players then the main measurables are still just a lot of hoping and wishing right now.

[CubsWin]

They may have spent money on the draft for the most part(not as much as they could have, but acceptable) but they winged it from a player development standpoint at all times, prior to Theo. Extremely small scouting departments, unorganized paths for improvement, pitiful tracking systems for development, bad facilities....Just not a set up to maximize your success in under any circumstances and the results helped prove it out.

 

That's more or less true, but it's not like that money was being diverted to the major league product very often. The Cubs underinvested in all aspects of the organization, top and bottom, for most of the 20th century. Then in the 21st they've kind of bounced back and forth between a few different plans. There was barely any time at all where the reason scouting/development was underdeveloped was the MLB product hogging resources.

Totally agree. I really like that they are now heavily investing in the scouting and development side as well as the technology side for the first time ever. That's exciting.

 

I didn't mind the quip about Cubs fans forgetting that other teams want good players on their rosters and want to win lots of games. I thought it was a sarcastic & funny joke, and my response was meant in the same vein, but it seems some people are really upset that the Cubs haven't won a lot of games since Theo took over. That I don't get.

[CubsWin]

Farm system rankings are about the only "measurable" aspect; until they actually start bringing these players up and they pan out or they trade some for some impact players then the main measurables are still just a lot of hoping and wishing right now.

I don't know about that. The number of widely agreed upon impact prospects is a measurable thing. The number of top 100 prospects across several different rankings is a measurable thing. The numbers those prospects are producing at certain levels and ages are measurable, too. What they've accomplished is real and quantifiable. Many of the Cubs minor league assets were not here two years ago and are an important part of building a healthy franchise.

 

Beyond that, (and to an earlier point, sorry) the number of scouts and developmental staff, the cameras in every minor league stadium and the staff to compile the video, the technological & sabermetric teams, the improved facilities in Mesa and the Dominican, the money spent on IFAs are all measurable things that either weren't in place two years ago or have improved since.

 

These things haven't amounted to one more win at the major league level since Theo took over. But they are certainly quantifiable, and I'm glad the Cubs have them now.

[Sammy Sofa]

I thought it was a sarcastic & funny joke, and my response was meant in the same vein, but it seems some people are really upset that the Cubs haven't won a lot of games since Theo took over. That I don't get.

 

Why not?

 

It's not just the FO; it's also (mainly) the owners. The hope/expectations was that you'd have new money taking over a major market franchise and they'd be able to act like a big market franchise while rebuilding the farm.

[CubsWin]

It seems to me that spending money on getting the best possible players at the major league level at the expense of the rest of the franchise is what the Cubs had been doing for much of my lifetime.

 

There was like *one* time in all of Cubs history that they simultaneously spent money to get the best possible players in the majors and sort-of shortchanged the rest of the franchise (although not as much as some want to believe), and it was a blip. Barely even a year or two.

You're right. The wording I used in the above quote was poorly chosen. What I should have said was, "It seems to me that spending the money they had to spend on getting the best possible players at the major league level while ignoring the rest of the franchise is what the Cubs had been doing for much of my lifetime."

[CubsWin]

I thought it was a sarcastic & funny joke, and my response was meant in the same vein, but it seems some people are really upset that the Cubs haven't won a lot of games since Theo took over. That I don't get.

 

Why not?

 

It's not just the FO; it's also (mainly) the owners. The hope/expectations was that you'd have new money taking over a major market franchise and they'd be able to act like a big market franchise while rebuilding the farm.

Agree totally. The deal the Ricketts took from Zell certainly seems to have handcuffed them and that is quite disappointing. My comments were about those of us who are blaming Theo & Co. for not being able to put winning teams on the field the past two seasons. If there are any, that is, I may have misunderstood people's comments all along...

 

BTW, what's the gif in your sig from?

[Sammy Sofa]

I thought it was a sarcastic & funny joke, and my response was meant in the same vein, but it seems some people are really upset that the Cubs haven't won a lot of games since Theo took over. That I don't get.

 

Why not?

 

It's not just the FO; it's also (mainly) the owners. The hope/expectations was that you'd have new money taking over a major market franchise and they'd be able to act like a big market franchise while rebuilding the farm.

Agree totally. The deal the Ricketts took from Zell certainly seems to have handcuffed them and that is quite disappointing. My comments were about those of us who are blaming Theo & Co. for not being able to put winning teams on the field the past two seasons. If there are any, that is, I may have misunderstood people's comments all along...

 

BTW, what's the gif in your sig from?

 

Comedy Bang! Bang!:

 

http://www.ifc.com/shows/comedy-bang-bang

 

And yeah, personally, my frustration is much more at the owners than the FO; the FO is far from infallible, but I simply don't believe that they're willfully handcuffing themselves from using money that's actually available to them.

[CubsWin]

I thought it was a sarcastic & funny joke, and my response was meant in the same vein, but it seems some people are really upset that the Cubs haven't won a lot of games since Theo took over. That I don't get.

 

Why not?

 

It's not just the FO; it's also (mainly) the owners. The hope/expectations was that you'd have new money taking over a major market franchise and they'd be able to act like a big market franchise while rebuilding the farm.

Agree totally. The deal the Ricketts took from Zell certainly seems to have handcuffed them and that is quite disappointing. My comments were about those of us who are blaming Theo & Co. for not being able to put winning teams on the field the past two seasons. If there are any, that is, I may have misunderstood people's comments all along...

 

And yeah, personally, my frustration is much more at the owners than the FO; the FO is far from infallible, but I simply don't believe that they're willfully handcuffing themselves from using money that's actually available to them.

Completely agree that the FO has made their mistakes. Of course, I never expected perfection either.

 

But I think they are choosing not to spend money that is available to them. Don't have a ton of evidence, though. If Tanaka is posted and they're all in on him, but chose not to go after Ellsbury or Choo, I think that would denote they have the funds but are being selective. Obviously, that hasn't happened yet...

[seanimal]

The Cubs aren't not spending because that's Theo's strategy. The Cubs are not spending because of their owners.

I don't know about that. I think it's mostly Theo's strategy and the owners are going along with it.

 

Why would any FO willfully cut themselves off like that? That makes absolutely no sense.

 

He's been saying for a while that Theo is baseball moguling it as an ego thing

Listen to what Theo has said and done repeatedly since he left Boston. He said they got burned in Boston chasing big money guys and paying a premium for past performance. He said you have to think like a small market team. He said you are never one player away. He talked about emulating the Rays. Every single thing that has come out of his mouth and all of his actions, including hiring his staff screams it.

 

I think the Ricketts family are smart enough to know they don't know how to build a baseball franchise. They hired Theo because he sold them a business model that they believe will maximize returns.

 

I guess it's ok to make the family out to be the bad guys if you want. I think Theo and his guys are doing it their way with little meddling by ownership. It's an ego thing but also I think they think it's the best strategy for long term success. I have no doubt that the Cubs are flush with cash but are choosing to invest in more cost effective things and are waiting to see what happens with the renovations.

 

Edit: they always seem to find the money when they have a target in sight. The just haven't always closed the deal. If they get Tanaka it will be fantastic and expensive.

 

http://museofodin.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/groundhogday6.jpeg

[Boris]

Post of the off season right there^

[CubsWin]

No official announcement, but Dylan Hernandez has tweeted that a Japanese publication has reported that Tanaka has been posted.

 

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2013/12/24/5242726/masahiro-tanaka-reportedly-posted-by-rakuten-eagles

[davell]

A second paper says same thing. Kaplan says we won't be outbid, but execs question if he'll pass up Yanks, Dodgers......

[davell]

Conflicting reports, as we 've come to expect. Press conference in 45 minutes though.

[UMFan83]

Conflicting reports, as we 've come to expect. Press conference in 45 minutes though.

 

On Christmas Day (in Japan)? Weird.

[davell]

No word yet. CJ Nitkowski was who mentioned the presser. Who knows?

[bukie]

ESPN reporting Tanaka has been posted, and there will be no bid process. All teams can negotiate with him, and whoever signs him will pay $20M to his Japanese team.

[CubsWin]

Jim Allen ‏@JballAllen 37s

Source says Rakuten president Tachibana will soon hold a press conference announcing Masahiro @t_masahiro18 will be allowed to go to majors.

 

It's official. Merry Christmas, Cubs fans! Now go get him, Theo!!!

 

EDIT: Multiple sources now confirming, not just Jim Allen.

Edited December 25, 2013 by CubsWin

[davell]

Official now. Go get him, fellas.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Official now. Go get him, fellas.

 

It sucks that we're in position where this one player makes the difference between a productive and non-productive offseason, but he would make that difference if we could sell him on Chicago and come up with the money.

[CubsWin]

Dear Santa,

 

It's Christmas Eve and I know you're very busy so I'll keep this short. I've been a very good boy this year. I was frugal. I spent money wisely. I was industrious. I worked long hours. I was diligent. I asked all the right questions, didn't take short cuts and trusted in the process. I was faithful. I held to my principles no matter what my doubters were saying.

 

Please, if you could see to it that Masahiro Tanaka signs with my team, I sure would appreciate it.

 

But don't just do this for me. There are millions of people out there who have been hoping for a miracle since 1908. They still believe in miracles, and Christmas is a time for miracles.

 

I'll put out a couple extra cookies this year for you, Santa.

 

Signed,

 

Theo

[davell]

Dear Santa,

 

My owner needs 20 million dollars to give to a baseball team in Japan. He also needs 150 million dollars to give to a baseball player. If there is any money left from that, I'll make sure he gives it back to you, although, I'm very transparent and it may take a while, as he may use it on batting cages, an LED board, or paying off Beth Murphy. But I'll make sure he eventually gives it back. Unless it gets gobbled up in the debt structure.

 

In fact, if you don't give my owner some money, can you please help me come up with a story that turns it into a positive when he signs with the Yanks or Dodgers? I'm smart as all [expletive], but I think I'll need help on this one.....

 

Theodore Epstein Esq.

[CubsWin]

Dear Santa,

 

My owner needs 20 million dollars to give to a baseball team in Japan. He also needs 150 million dollars to give to a baseball player. If there is any money left from that, I'll make sure he gives it back to you, although, I'm very transparent and it may take a while, as he may use it on batting cages, an LED board, or paying off Beth Murphy. But I'll make sure he eventually gives it back. Unless it gets gobbled up in the debt structure.

 

In fact, if you don't give my owner some money, can you please help me come up with a story that turns it into a positive when he signs with the Yanks or Dodgers? I'm smart as all [expletive], but I think I'll need help on this one.....

 

Theodore Epstein Esq.

Yeah, no [expletive]. He better get that too!

 

Merry Christmas.

[A New Era]

I believe the stories that say the Cubs will pay. So the only other thing I could pray for is to make Tanaka want to come to the Cubs. But God doesn't do the free will thing so. I'll just close might eyes tightly, clasp my hands tightly, clench down real hard, and then fart because of all the clenching.

[CubsWin]

I believe the stories that say the Cubs will pay. So the only other thing I could pray for is to make Tanaka want to come to the Cubs. But God doesn't do the free will thing so. I'll just close might eyes tightly, clasp my hands tightly, clench down real hard, and then fart because of all the clenching.

What a lovely Christmas sentiment. Merry Tanaka Day, New Era.