C.C.

What Kevin Goldstein fails to understand is that while refusing to let Epstein go gives Boston the appearance of leverage, it is only real leverage if they truly want to keep him. Clearly, they don't. They let Theo interview, and they will be paying Theo 6.5 to 7 million dollars to be a lame duck GM for one more year all after effectively naming Cherington their new GM. Theo would then leave next season, and presumably take the generous offer from the Cubs, while Boston would be out the 6.5 to 7 mil. So long as Ricketts is willing to wait a year to get his man, the Sox hold none, NONE, of the cards at this poker table. PR wise, it's an easy out for the Cubs. We have to wait a year for our "savior" because the Red Sox are being f*#@wads about this. Instead of mortgaging a decent part of the Cubs future, we'll call their bluff. However, this is a PR nightmare for Boston. They are already looking like an organization in disarray after a bad September collapse, firing their manager, leaks about what was going on in the clubhouse, apparently bad mouthing of Francona and Epstein, and then keeping Epstein around for one pointless season at the expense of 6.5 to 7 million bucks. If Ricketts isn't willing to wait a year to begin rebuilding and for some reason feels the need to get this done, then he will cave, and then and only then, does Boston have any leverage. But if Ricketts is willing to call their bluff, Boston will fold like a piece of origami. Boston's choice is clear. Accept something reasonable in exchange for Theo or pay him big bucks for a very uncomfortable year and then let him walk for nothing. My only issue with this is that I don't know how comfortable I am with Ricketts hiring someone to just be a stop gap for the year. In my opinion, it just pushes back the whole "rebuilding" process (I know, we don't need to "rebuild", but you get the point). I think sweetpea post is the best I've read so far on the "What if we don't get him"

The Red Sox actually asked for him... http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/red-sox-wanted-garza-for-epstein-.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter Is this shocking? Why not ask for him. Might as well start high and work yourself down the ladder.

What Kevin Goldstein fails to understand is that while refusing to let Epstein go gives Boston the appearance of leverage, it is only real leverage if they truly want to keep him. Clearly, they don't. They let Theo interview, and they will be paying Theo 6.5 to 7 million dollars to be a lame duck GM for one more year all after effectively naming Cherington their new GM. Theo would then leave next season, and presumably take the generous offer from the Cubs, while Boston would be out the 6.5 to 7 mil. So long as Ricketts is willing to wait a year to get his man, the Sox hold none, NONE, of the cards at this poker table. PR wise, it's an easy out for the Cubs. We have to wait a year for our "savior" because the Red Sox are being f*#@wads about this. Instead of mortgaging a decent part of the Cubs future, we'll call their bluff. However, this is a PR nightmare for Boston. They are already looking like an organization in disarray after a bad September collapse, firing their manager, leaks about what was going on in the clubhouse, apparently bad mouthing of Francona and Epstein, and then keeping Epstein around for one pointless season at the expense of 6.5 to 7 million bucks. If Ricketts isn't willing to wait a year to begin rebuilding and for some reason feels the need to get this done, then he will cave, and then and only then, does Boston have any leverage. But if Ricketts is willing to call their bluff, Boston will fold like a piece of origami. Boston's choice is clear. Accept something reasonable in exchange for Theo or pay him big bucks for a very uncomfortable year and then let him walk for nothing. I could easily see Josh Byrnes being named GM this year, and next year having Theo be named President if this does happen. I wouldn't be surprised if this is what the plan is now, Theo being named President and hiring Byrnes to be "GM." I'd get behind this.

Couldn't agree more. They need to draw a line in the sand, put together things in preparation for Theo and just wait it out. Worst case scenario we get him a year from now plus whoever we want to take from the front office. Id love to see the Selig get involve and force Boston's hand but I doubt that would happen. No, we don't get him a year for now. Ricketts is just going to go on with his search. He's not going to waste a year with a lame duck GM.

someone has to take the credit for the 2005 WS win, and hell be damned if its Ozzie or Williams LOL!

No, I get that, but I see Hahn's name get mentioned and I don't get why? It's not like the farm system is bursting with talent (I'm sure he's part of the drafting). I just don't know why he's even in the discussion of our next GM.

The next-best candidate+prospects, AINEC. If you truly believe that, then you shouldn't want Epstein at all. You should want Ricketts to hire the cheapest GM available, and pump the savings into the draft to get more prospects. Wait, two weeks ago, prior to him actually being granted permission to speak with the Cubs, Theo was merely 1 of 6-8 really good choices, and not even the top choice of many on here, but now he's the only possible choice? Or at least the far most qualified choice? I'd be perfectly happy with someone like Byrnes, Hahn, Beane or someone else that wouldn't cost someone like McNutt. Want to explain how one of those guys, or someone else similar, wouldn't make an extremely good GM for the Cubs if they indeed move on. Why is Hahn considered a good choice? I don't get the hard-on for him. What has he done with the Sox to warrant this praise?

He and Marshall are the only ones who have done anything. And Marmol is not exactly setting the world on fire anymore. Maybe you can help me with my dilemma. I'm hungry but the store wants to charge me $100 for a loaf of bread. Obviousy not starving to death is worth $100, so I should do it, right? Of course.

I'd imagine he's one of the two. Ah. I didn't read his post. just the bust part.

Sean Marshall is a bust?

Carlos Marmol is a bust?

honestly, I think you have the wrong poster I think he was trying to be nice to you.

Followed a month later by McNutt to under go TJS.

Or don't come here and pretend it's locked. Nobody is forcing you to click on the thread. but its sooo hard to not watch the train wreck that is the accumulation of your posts That's actually the easiest part of ignoring this thread. Truthfully, I just have poor self-control :( Enough of your emotional problems. Lets get back on the subject of how sexy Theo is.

Or don't come here and pretend it's locked. Nobody is forcing you to click on the thread. but its sooo hard to not watch the train wreck that is the accumulation of your posts This is true and thanks.

Or don't come here and pretend it's locked. Nobody is forcing you to click on the thread.

I give up. Because I do not think the world ends if we give up McNutt? Because it's not about their relative value. It's about the fact that we have no reason to give up that much value, so we shouldn't. If you know you can buy a car for $25,000... are you going to throw them an extra $1000 just to avoid the headache of negotiating it down? Good god yes!

I give up. Hang in there. Theo will be a Cub by Wednesday.

Link? Rotoworld... Not sure what they're on about as the back-end-of-rotation material though, I too was under the impression he's got at least 2/3 potential Cool! Get this done boys!

Link?

I'd go with 50%. 75% tomorrow. Psssh, 25% at best. Stop getting your hopes up, you guys. Go away. Only positive vibes here man!

Give the mods your user name and password for your twitter account and tell them to post worthy threads. That's what I do. The news section could be all the cubs current news. Anybody can create the threads and people comment on them, and of course you tweet the [expletive] out of them. As it is most news is posted in the Cubs Discussion, so that may be a bit of overkill. I guess.

yeah, that's what I mean. I'm likely to scrap it for now until I figure out how to limit it to new topics. Tim, there's a plug in called ADDTHIS. All it is code that you add to your site and you can click on any thread and tweet it. If you want reference just check out my sites. It's really awesome and it's just a mouse click and it shorten's your URL. I'm pretty sure they make it for PHPBB. You don't want to do this automatically because it's basically spamming twitter with crap. Only tweet the threads that are interesting to people out there who search twitter. Oh, and it adds all the social sites out there. Twitter, Facebook, etc... One more suggestion. Why don't you have a Cubs news forum? You can post all the cubs news of the day and tweet that.

Urg! Let's get Theo today to wash over this crap.

I'd go with 50%. 75% tomorrow.