Cubswin11

I wonder if they plan on using him as a starter or reliever, if it’s as a starter that could be an indication they are out on Otani

The hell? What’s that mean? Theo obviously needs to kick off the meeting by saying by not picking us he’s personally disrespecting the Epstein and Rickett’s family for generations and will have lost the respect of one of the largest fan bases in MLB and there is no saving face.

I think KB definitely will be there, assuming some players go. He's probably got the most in common with him. I'd suspect the same guys you mentioned, possibly with Hendricks and Quintana, to meet his rotation mates. Maybe Willy, to meet his battery mate. Almora, to meet the guy playing next to him in the OF. That said, it wouldn't shock me if they brought the entire team. Just depends on what Theo knows about him from a personality standpoint. You guys really think half the team is going to come to this presentation? I’m thinking Bryzzo and that’s it if any players even come Wasn’t it the Mariners that told like the whole team to clear schedules this week? Not that, that’s the right route but seems teams are going all hands on deck. Lester being there makes a lot of sense to me along with Rizzo and I mentioned Zobrist/Heyward too just because they seem like vocal leaders and also signed as FA and can give testimony to why they chose Chicago (also part of the reason Lester I think should be there on top of talking pitching and experience with Theo/Jed).

So who do we all think will be at our meeting? Theo/Jed/McCleod and probably some other FO nerds, Maddon and Hickey I could see as only coaches, possibly Ricketts and Crane then Rizzo, Lester, Zobrist and Heyward player wise? I could see Bryant not being there as the former 4 guys seem more like the vocal leaders.

The idea of a 6 man rotation with him (or doing something like after every 6-8 starts for him his spot is skipped to let the rest of the guys stay on their normal rest and he gets use to a MLB starters schedule while still getting rest) seems to be really smart and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s part of our pitch. As was mentioned he didn’t pitch much last year so he probably won’t/shouldn’t go much past ~150 innings, it allows him to stay on his regular rest schedule from Japan and not have to switch to a different rest schedule and also allows him to maximize time to hit by making fewer starts.

Don't worry we got this now that we have confirmation we get to give our formal pitch. We have Theo/Jed who are going to give the most well prepared, reasoned and persuasive presentation, the best MLB manager to handle a multi-positional player along with just being able to handle him as a person, a pitching coach who pretty much has only had young up and coming pitchers to develop his entire career (and has quite a good track record with it), a bunch of other highly thought of young guys who can help him deal with the pressure/expectations he's going to have, a TOR/HOF pitcher in Lester to take him under his wing and also 2 other very smart and accomplished pitchers in Q and Hendricks to help him out, some of the best facilities of any MLB team (if not the best), a very good track record recently of pitchers avoiding injuries (and even when they hit they generally are minor) which can't be all luck and has to have something to do with our strength and conditioning and other programs we have for pitchers, an engaged and active (in a good way) ownership group who isn't afraid to spend money and will do whatever they can to help him out, a first class business ops that will help with the best endorsement deals, a engaged and eager fanbase, the ability to "be the man" in the rotation, if not right away, in the very near future as Lester ages/contract comes up and Q's/Hendricks contract come up right as he will be hitting his prime, the best core of young players to join for long-term competitiveness, and did I forget Theo horsefeathering Epstein.

Maybe the Braves? With everything that has gone on there. Also spare me the “do the dance” thing, it was a horsefeathering questionnaire. If anything it was a good thought/introspective/review exercise for teams to evaluate where they were organizationally in areas other FAs probably feel are important too

They can, but can still only go up to $300K on any individual signing

This is my ideal offseason pretty much. I should add, you could probably even skip on adding an outfielder in this case if you really wanted to, since Happ/Zobrist can hoover up a bunch of starts and Ohtani could maybe snag a few at bats if he hits since his SP workload would be managed more. Zagunis is also lurking in Iowa. That also solves the problem of needing to choose between Grimm and La Stella on the 25 man roster, although that's not exactly a tortuous decision either way. Probably doesn't hurt to add one though, especially if it's a 1 year deal it doesn't impact your ability to stay under the luxury tax this year or impact any 2019 FA pursuit. Yeah you wouldn’t overly need to add another OF but adding Jackson or someone (Gomez?) similar would be nice. This sequence of moves would also let them go a little higher on FA RPs if needed/wanted to get a guy or guys since there’s money saved on the SP and/or could spend more to make Avila the backup C instead of Rivera.

Other teams have to be terrified of letting Theo get in that room to pitch

This is my ideal offseason pretty much.

I’m getting irrationally excited about this. Obviously Otani in and of himself is a huge get but also, imo, getting him allows us to not have to trade any of the position players for a pitcher (which I really don’t want to have to do and if they are moved I would rather move one or two for Yellich or a impact bat like him).

Of the remaining teams are the Mariners really the only ones who can offer a few million? Everyone else is in the penalty box? Obviously money isn’t the driving factor here just interested in knowing.

gone...what was it? Just confirming that Cubs, Mariners, Giants, Padres Rangers and Dodgers have meetings from his sources. Astros, Reds (lol) and Angels haven’t been confirmed/ruled out.

https://twitter.com/ken_rosenthal/status/937526177530605570

Have the Astros been confirmed out? Only other team I can think of.

Sexellent

I mean yeah I get the West Coast is closer but we’re only talking 2.5-3.5 more hours of flying to/from Chicago vs the West Coast cities.

As was mentioned it was stupid New York “small market” talk since everyone other than them is a peasant in their head. The remaining markets so far are Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, LA, San Diego and Dallas. Those are all large markets. Do you think the Phillies got a formal rejection or did they just figure the interview the other day would suffice? I just assume he’s going to make his announcement to which non-Phillies team he picks in front of the Rocky statue

As was mentioned it was stupid New York “small market” talk since everyone other than them is a peasant in their head. The remaining markets so far are Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, LA, San Diego and Dallas. Those are all large markets.

Just get Theo in a horsefeathering room with him, that’s all I ask Hasn't Theo already been in a room with him, though? Didn't most teams schedule meetings with him in LA this weekend? I'm sure Theo and Jed met Ohtani and his agent when the Cubs did their presentation. I don’t think anyone has actually met with him or his reps. They’ve just sent in their questionnaire and maybe their presentation in PowerPoint or video form. He reviewed all those and is picking what 5 or so to go face to face meetings with now, I think.

Just get Theo in a horsefeathering room with him, that’s all I ask

Twins, A’s and Red Sox also out on him per Rosenthal.