2004 - NSBB at the Convention

[craig]

Did Fleita and Stockstill have a "State-of-the-Farm" session this year? Was anybody able to go?

 

In past that was often one I was most interested in getting feedback from. Now that we actually have an hoonest contender, it doesn't seem quite as relative big as it used to...

[mlpeel]

Did Fleita and Stockstill have a "State-of-the-Farm" session this year? Was anybody able to go?

 

In past that was often one I was most interested in getting feedback from. Now that we actually have an hoonest contender, it doesn't seem quite as relative big as it used to...

 

Patience, craig: I just got home. I'll start writing my wrapup shortly...

[Vinestal]

Mark,

 

Where can we get more info about your newsletter? Im currious, I know nothing other than that you write one. What are the topics covered ect... How would one go about recieving it?

[Mushimus]

How about a catcher, eh 1908?

I hope so, Tim, I hope so.

 

Tim and 1908 is 05 the year that Kenji Johjima will become a free agent???

[Tim]

How about a catcher, eh 1908?

I hope so, Tim, I hope so.

 

Tim and 1908 is 05 the year that Kenji Johjima will become a free agent???

I don't think he'll be a free agent until 2006 or 2007. However, there's a decent chance he may get posted next offseason.

[1908]

Tim and 1908 is 05 the year that Kenji Johjima will become a free agent???

I don't think he'll be a free agent until 2006 or 2007. However, there's a decent chance he may get posted next offseason.

Kenji will qualify for free agency during the 2005 season, allowing him to join an MLB team by 2006 if he's so inclined.

Edited January 19, 2004 by 1908

[Tim]

Tim and 1908 is 05 the year that Kenji Johjima will become a free agent???

I don't think he'll be a free agent until 2006 or 2007. However, there's a decent chance he may get posted next offseason.

Kenji will qualify for free agency during the 2005 season, allowing him to join an MLB team by 2006 if he's so inclined.

Thanks. So then his team will face the question of whether to post him next offseason to get something in return, or risk losing him for nothing the following offseason.

[1908]

So then his team will face the question of whether to post him next offseason to get something in return, or risk losing him for nothing the following offseason.

Correct. When faced with a similiar situation, both the Giants (Hideki Matsui) and the Lions (Kazuo Matsui) elected to hang on to their superstars rather than post them.

[mlpeel]

I quite forgot a Kerry Wood comment worth mentioning: he discounted the Cardinals in the division race, saying they haven't done much in the offseason and don't have anything in the minors. He said it was a Cubs-Astros race. Nothing like fanning the flames of that rivalry before spring training has even begun...

 

Rich Smiley passed along a few items from "New Cubs" and "The Skipper and His Crew":

 

Asked where he would play on the team, Michael Barrett said he very much hoped it wouldn't be any position other than catcher; evidently he didn't like shuffling to the infield periodically. The two Todds (Hollandsworth and Walker) said they'd be happy to line up wherever Bakers asked them to go on a given day.

 

Asked how he would adapt to the NL after pitching in the AL, LaTroy Hawkins described it as a new challenge; he quipped he'll be glad to face the White Sox, a lineup he already knows.

 

Derrek Lee said his father Leon regarded Hee Seop Choi (his first big sign in Korea) like a grandson -- so Leon felt he was watching his grandson get traded for his son.

 

The players assembled agreed that the most important thing a manager brings to a team is energy and the ability to get maximum performance from his players. Hmm, those happen to be Baker's strong points...

 

Baker remarked that keeping Rothschild rather than replacing him with his own guy (something the Cubs insisted on) was the best move he could have made: the pitchers trust Rothschild.

 

Wendell Kim (subjected to some boos at the opening ceremony but the recipient of more polite treatment here) was asked how tall he is. "Tall enough!" he quipped immediately. Kim prepares for a series by checking the scouting reports on the arms of the different members of the other team, and for a game by reviewing the health status of every Cubs player with the trainer. He said his goal is a 98% success rate -- an admirable goal, but it doesn't even sound possible, and I daresay he fell a bit shy of it last year...

 

The Sarge will work with Alex Gonzalez to cut strikeouts and bring his average up to a .265-.280 range. He stressed the need for Alex to get off to a good start -- though since Gonzo's a hot starter anyway, that shouldn't be too hard...

 

Dick Pole said the things he's learned from Baker are the importance of patience with your players, straightforwardness, and candor.

 

Although every major league clubhouse features an impressive spread of food, Baker periodically goes to the supermarket and buys food for the players and coaches. He tends to bring in foods that reflect the cultural diversity of his players: he'll bring in Southern food, Dominican food, etc., and have everyone eat. He believes it helps make his players a tighter group.

 

While I had an almost Ronnie Woo-Woo-free Convention (I passed him in the hall once, quickly hustling out of earshot when he started up), Smiley was not so lucky: Ronnie was present in force at "The Skipper and His Crew". Apparently his act got a little out of hand: per Rich, WGN Radio's Steve Cochrane, emceeing the session, eventually had to quiet Ronnie down to proceed with the session.

[Jon]

Thanks for the great recaps so far, guys. Once again, my schedule didn't quite work out how I had hoped, but had a great time nonetheless. The only session I was able to attend was with the new Cubs, although you didn't miss much. Most of the questions were rather repetitive and lacked substance so I only stayed for the first 30 minutes. It was nice to see Hawkins, Lee, Hollandsworth, Barrett, and Walker, even though I saw them (minus Hawkins) on SportsCentral Friday night.

 

There were a few things that prevented me from doing more. One, my dad and I really wanted to meet Santo so we went to his line (he was signing third in that line) when the doors open just to take a look at the situation. Well, it was chaos in that line and it's a darn good thing we got there right away. Actually, we would have been about 5 people short when Santo's time expired, but he decided to stay for an additional 5 minutes. Not only that, but Patterson, who was after Santo, joined him and we got both of their autographs (although I got Patterson's autograph last year in a similar situation when I was a bit short of getting Prior's autograph). In addition, my younger brother and my dad switched around noon and it took a while for us to get a hold of him and them meet him. It was great to just be there, though. Some nice purchases (spend less money than last year!) but I had to get back because of homework.

 

I did go this afternoon with my dad for the Santo film, though, and I was very pleased. I'd definitely recommend it for those in Chicago and Arizona when it comes out in March. The Grand Ballroom was completely packed and the capacity audience loved it. It can be a bit depressing at moments, especially if you haven't heard some of the stories multiple times, but as with Santo's public life, he'll always make you laugh right afterwards.

[shnsajax]

I quite forgot a Kerry Wood comment worth mentioning: he discounted the Cardinals in the division race, saying they haven't done much in the offseason and don't have anything in the minors. He said it was a Cubs-Astros race. Nothing like fanning the flames of that rivalry before spring training has even begun...

 

This might confuse Matt Morris and his abilty to understand what a rivalry is.

[Jon]

I quite forgot a Kerry Wood comment worth mentioning: he discounted the Cardinals in the division race, saying they haven't done much in the offseason and don't have anything in the minors. He said it was a Cubs-Astros race. Nothing like fanning the flames of that rivalry before spring training has even begun...

 

Nice. I remember that Kaplan was trying to egg Wood and Prior on during SportsCentral by asking him what they would say to Kline, but they didn't really take the bait.

 

Asked where he would play on the team, Michael Barrett said he very much hoped it wouldn't be any position other than catcher; evidently he didn't like shuffling to the infield periodically. The two Todds (Hollandsworth and Walker) said they'd be happy to line up wherever Bakers asked them to go on a given day.

 

Barrett also said that he would like to stay away from the infield not only for his sake, but for the fans' sake.

 

Derrek Lee said his father Leon regarded Hee Seop Choi (his first big sign in Korea) like a grandson -- so Leon felt he was watching his grandson get traded for his son.

 

Very interesting. Thanks for mentioning that.

 

The players assembled agreed that the most important thing a manager brings to a team is energy and the ability to get maximum performance from his players. Hmm, those happen to be Baker's strong points...

 

I may be going out on a limb here but it was nothing but Dusty-love the whole time.

 

While I had an almost Ronnie Woo-Woo-free Convention (I passed him in the hall once, quickly hustling out of earshot when he started up), Smiley was not so lucky: Ronnie was present in force at "The Skipper and His Crew". Apparently his act got a little out of hand: per Rich, WGN Radio's Steve Cochrane, emceeing the session, eventually had to quiet Ronnie down to proceed with the session.

 

Glad I missed that, although I had a few other encounters with Ronnie. You're a lucky man, my friend.

[abuck1220]

There were a few things that prevented me from doing more. One, my dad and I really wanted to meet Santo so we went to his line (he was signing third in that line) when the doors open just to take a look at the situation. Well, it was chaos in that line and it's a darn good thing we got there right away. Actually, we would have been about 5 people short when Santo's time expired, but he decided to stay for an additional 5 minutes. Not only that, but Patterson, who was after Santo, joined him and we got both of their autographs (although I got Patterson's autograph last year in a similar situation when I was a bit short of getting Prior's autograph). In addition, my younger brother and my dad switched around noon and it took a while for us to get a hold of him and them meet him.

 

the infamous stage B...wow, was that a scene. i got in line at about 9:15 thinking i'd get either santo, patterson or billy williams. i ended up getting williams at 12:41 -- four minutes before his time was up. boy, would i have been mad if i had waited 3 1/2 to get jody davis' autograph (he was up next after williams)!

 

all in all, it was certainly an interesting experience. it was fun, but i dont' know if i'd go again.

 

but if you like extended periods of standing, extended periods of sitting, waiting in line, having things start late, crowds, having players cancel appearances at the last minute and overpriced bad food, then the conventions for you!

[Vinestal]

LOL abuck1220 thats not exactly a stamp of approval. I had thought about maybe trying to go next year but the way you describe it doesnt sound like it would be worth the trip. I would really love to get out to spring training someday, Ive always wanted to do that.

[Mushimus]

The Sarge will work with Alex Gonzalez to cut strikeouts and bring his average up to a .265-.280 range. He stressed the need for Alex to get off to a good start -- though since Gonzo's a hot starter anyway, that shouldn't be too hard...

 

That’s quite a goal for Sarge, if Gonzo can hit anywhere between .250-.260 it would be quite of an accomplishment.

[mlpeel]

Mark,

 

Where can we get more info about your newsletter? Im currious, I know nothing other than that you write one. What are the topics covered ect... How would one go about recieving it?

 

Go to the NSBB main page and click on System News: you'll find an archive of almost all of last year's newsletters and a link to subscribe if you're interested.

[abuck1220]

about the down on the farm segment...it was ok. a couple things i remember...

 

-they set minor league pitch counts at 80-100. that varies depending on things like weather conditions and pitchers' age (high school guys have lower pitch counts than college guys).

 

-they said they thought harris could play ss.

 

-guzman should be about a month late coming out of spring training.

 

-they had to call to the dominican league to tell them to stop playing pie since he had played for so long w/o break. he had a lot of success there.

 

-most of brownlie's arm "problems" came from overuse. he continued to pitch after being drafted (during the period of time between when he was drafted and when he signed), meaning that he pitched w/o a break for a longer than desirable amount of time. he should be good to go by spring.

 

that's all i can remember off the top of my head. i'm sure others will be able to give a more detailed account. there were more good questions from informed people than there were stupid questions from uninformed people, which was a pleasant surprise.

[shnsajax]

The Sarge will work with Alex Gonzalez to cut strikeouts and bring his average up to a .265-.280 range. He stressed the need for Alex to get off to a good start -- though since Gonzo's a hot starter anyway, that shouldn't be too hard...

 

That’s quite a goal for Sarge, if Gonzo can hit anywhere between .250-.260 it would be quite of an accomplishment.

 

In batting practice they need to put up a brick wall right on the 3rd base side of the plate forcing Alex to hit to the opposite field. Or make him do it like Willie Mays Hays every time he pulls the ball.

[abuck1220]

LOL abuck1220 thats not exactly a stamp of approval. I had thought about maybe trying to go next year but the way you describe it doesnt sound like it would be worth the trip. I would really love to get out to spring training someday, Ive always wanted to do that.

 

yeah, i sounded pretty negative. it was fun...it was also very exhausting and often times frustrating. i got more autographs than i thought i would (billy williams, jenkins, banks, clement, vance law, hawkins, hendry, welly, mitre) but it took a lot of standing in line to get them. the information that you got in the sit downs was hardly earth-shattering, but it was cool to see the players in a somewhat relaxed atmosphere.

 

spring training is much more fun (in my opinion) if you're debating between the two.

[SCCubbieFAN]

I didn't make it back for the last day. Commuting 1 hr. from my brother's house in Joliet was just too much, and I wasn't real pleased with having to pay the Hilton $23.00 each day for parking. All in all I had a great time, especially since I got to do it with my dad who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. I'm not sure I would do it again but you never know. Ironically, we spent the day downtown anyway. We took my 4 1/2 yr. old daughter to the Sears tower and Navy Pier and she had a great time. This was her first trip to Chicago and she got to take her first el and her first cab ride. We also ran into Mickey Morandini (sp) at the Billy Goat in Navy Pier and I got to talk to him. He and his wife were very friendly but I didn't have a pen so I didn't ask for an autograph. Back to SC tomorrow afternoon. A special thank you and a big hug to my wife back in SC who went through the trouble of getting us the passes on e-bay. I can't wait to get home to thank her in person.

[mlpeel]

Okay, onto Day 3.

 

Though I knew I wouldn't need to get in as early for Sunday's sessions (both, as always, in the Boulevard Room opposite the Grand Ballroom), I was expecting some missteps in my travel itinerary on Sunday; so I left only half an hour later than Saturday. Naturally, my car-to-train-to-train travel hit on all cylinders, so I trimmed 15 minutes off Saturday's time on the day I expected to take longer. I arrived for the 9 AM session at 7:45, first one in the room (though somebody did walk in immediately after me). So I got my seat for the important day, anyway.

 

 

"Meet Cubs Business Management" was the first order of the day. The highlights:

 

Ticket sales are, of course, booming -- almost to an inconvenient extent. The Cubs plan an early cut-off sales of weekend/night game group packages to help meet other demands.

 

Sales of tickets for the Convention may follow a different pattern next year: the Convention was actually a little *too* popular this year.

 

VP of Business Operations Mark McGuire said the Cubs turned a small profit, but *only* because of the playoffs. He painted a picture of the business side essentially trying to maintain the team as a break-even operation, trying to hold down ticket prices to a level commensurable with the budget. That amounts to admission that the Tribune must profit from the Cubs elsewhere if its still wants to own a non-producing asset.

 

In response to Rich Smiley's question, VP of Marketing John McDonough said the Cubs have a number of initiatives designed to draw kids into the ballpark: they are aware that kids cannot just drop by the park on game day to watch the game as in years past (which played a big role in developing the current fan base), so they use school discounts and giveaways to draw in the fan of the future.

 

If they ever resolve the dispute with the city over ownership of the player parking lot (still in flux, as are the night games and the expansion -- but at least the park hasn't been landmarked yet), the Cubs will put up a statue (probably of Ernie Banks) in the new concourse that replaces the lot. The players' parking lot will move underground beneath the new multipurpose building replacing the car wash, but the Cubs will try to keep some of the current intimacy (fans wait by the lot for autographs) while improving the safety.

 

The Cubs will consider: a) retiring Sandberg's number even before he goes into the Hall of Fame; b) having a moment of silence for the late Claude Passeau; c) having more tours.

 

 

I didn't have to change venues for "Down on the Farm", starting half an hour later. The questions from the audience weren't bad this year, though kind of old stuff for most of the posters on this board. Some highlights:

 

Ben Christensen had a setback last fall, but got back to 100% in the last month or so. He'll got a fair chance next spring to get his career restarted.

 

The June amateur draft produces, on the average, about 100 big leaguers per year -- less than 3.5 per team.

 

At this session 2 years ago, Oneri Fleita first started talking up Felix Pie; obviously, his enthusiasm isn't dimmed at all by what Pie has accomplished in the interim. The Cubs were pleased with his Lansing season and thrilled by the way he performed in the Dominican Winter League (except in terms of the amount of playing time he was getting: they called up to have him benched, they didn't want him to burn out). Despite his strong showing, they plan to move him a bit more cautiously than they did Corey Patterson: they expect he'll start at Daytona, though with a definite chance to move up if circumstances warrant it. Pie's current studying English in a university in San Pedro de Macoris.

 

John Stockstill believes about 15 teams base their draft on signability -- which benefits teams like the Cubs that take the best player regardless.

 

Oneri Fleita talked a bit about some of the catchers: he blames himself for Geovany Soto's second half fade at Daytona; he called Lukas McKnight a great kid and hopes to find more playing time for him next season; Yoon-Min Kweon is finally back to 100% after his shoulder surgery; Casey Kopitzke is a tough guy who has played his way into the picture and has been invited to spring training.

 

On local players: RHP Matt Hines has been released; Carmen Pignatiello ("a tough kid") has done well but will simply have to prove himself every step of the way; Brandon Sing, recovered from mononucleosis, is already in spring training, working to regain his strength and still having a Richie Sexson upside; Billy Petrick is also in Mesa doing some kind of training (it sounded as though the Cubs were trying to head off some kind of problem before it happened).

 

 

Todd Wellemeyer was an unannounced guest at "Down on the Farm": he looked distinctly ill at ease. I changed my question on the fly to something about Wellemeyer: with nothing to do, he was just sitting there jittering. "Todd, I've followed your career since you were drafted. Now, I've always heard you have good fastball and a terrific change -- but you seem to have a different breaking ball every year, one year a slider, the next a curve. When you had your big breakthrough at West Tennessee, I heard you'd really gotten command of your curve -- so when you showed up in the majors the next year, you were throwing the slider again. I was wondering if you plan to stick to just one of them in the future, or if you hope to master both." Wellemeyer smiled as he replied, "I'm working on a slurve."

 

 

Ernie59 was at these sessions; he brought Mark Kanges along. When the session ended, Ernie beat me to Wellemeyer by a step and asked how Todd's grandfather, a lifelong Cubs fan, was doing -- exactly the same question I was going to pose. Todd, now much more at ease, talked with us freely for some 5-10 minutes -- and then talked to Mark Kanges for another 5 minutes or so. I know some friends of Welleyemer's, but I'd never met him before; I really liked him. Wellemeyer mentioned he was 5'4", 130 lbs. as a freshman in high school; he listed at 6'3", 205 lbs. last year. *That's* a growth spurt...

[mlpeel]

Just for you, Tim:

 

Oneri Fleita said he believes Brendan Harris can play shortstop.

 

Jose Martinez had elbow surgery, but should be ready on about the same schedule as Guzman (i.e., 5/1).

 

Jonathan Ramos had shoulder surgery; the Cubs gave him extra time just to make certain he'd recover fully. He's throwing off a mound, pretty much good to go.

[mlpeel]

And you, Craig:

 

Matt Clanton has a clean bill of health; he'll give it another go this spring.

 

Fleita identified 3B Elvin Puello and a catcher named Perez (Rafael Perez?) as guys to watch in the Latin program.

[Tim]

Just for you, Tim:

 

Oneri Fleita said he believes Brendan Harris can play shortstop.

 

Jose Martinez had elbow surgery, but should be ready on about the same schedule as Guzman (i.e., 5/1).

 

Jonathan Ramos had shoulder surgery; the Cubs gave him extra time just to make certain he'd recover fully. He's throwing off a mound, pretty much good to go.

Thanks, Mark. You know I've been puzzling over those for ages!

[rawaction]

 

Todd Wellemeyer was an unannounced guest at "Down on the Farm": he looked distinctly ill at ease. I changed my question on the fly to something about Wellemeyer: with nothing to do, he was just sitting there jittering. "Todd, I've followed your career since you were drafted. Now, I've always heard you have good fastball and a terrific change -- but you seem to have a different breaking ball every year, one year a slider, the next a curve. When you had your big breakthrough at West Tennessee, I heard you'd really gotten command of your curve -- so when you showed up in the majors the next year, you were throwing the slider again. I was wondering if you plan to stick to just one of them in the future, or if you hope to master both." Wellemeyer smiled as he replied, "I'm working on a slurve."

 

 

Ernie59 was at these sessions; he brought Mark Kanges along. When the session ended, Ernie beat me to Wellemeyer by a step and asked how Todd's grandfather, a lifelong Cubs fan, was doing -- exactly the same question I was going to pose. Todd, now much more at ease, talked with us freely for some 5-10 minutes -- and then talked to Mark Kanges for another 5 minutes or so. I know some friends of Welleyemer's, but I'd never met him before; I really liked him. Wellemeyer mentioned he was 5'4", 130 lbs. as a freshman in high school; he listed at 6'3", 205 lbs. last year. *That's* a growth spurt...

'

 

I talked to Wellemeyer (and Bobby Hill) a bit after a game last year on the Red Line. Welly did seem really shy and in awe that I actually knew who he was. I didn't talk to him all that much, because I didn't know what to say after he had given up 2 HRs in a 4-run 10th inning against Milwaukee just an hour or so before hand.