dfnowak

And do what then? Tell the GM what to do? Then he's essentially the GM with a fancier title, and you're paying for 2 GMs. At least 2. What happens when the second GM also demands a title other than GM and subsequently hires a GM to do his/her bidding? President of baseball operations-->Player Development and Acquisition Czar-->Prince of baseballery-->GM. Wow, that was really funny...

Not necessarily. Maybe these guys want a position of being able to hire their own GM, instead of being the GM?

The point of my post was wondering if it may take a promotion to lure Epstein, Cashman or Freidman away from their current teams, not about Kenney meddling in any of the baseball operations. What title, besides Team President, could be offered?

Was that intended to be serious or just a pointless crack at Crane Kenney? Serious, but sarcastic knowing that Kenney is in the way of the Cubs offering his title to someone like Epstein. Although, maybe in the end, Ricketts is willing to change Kenney's title and offer it to one of the "big fish"? It may take a promotion offer in order to hire Epstein, Cashman or Freidman. Please let me know how many times you need to be told that Kenney is not in charge of baseball operation? That way we can get this nonsense over with. Crane Kenney is Team President, is he not?

Was that intended to be serious or just a pointless crack at Crane Kenney? Serious, but sarcastic knowing that Kenney is in the way of the Cubs offering his title to someone like Epstein. Although, maybe in the end, Ricketts is willing to change Kenney's title and offer it to one of the "big fish"? It may take a promotion offer in order to hire Epstein, Cashman or Freidman. I think it's safe to say that Kenney will be kep away fromthe baseball operations. Ricketts specifically said that the GM reports to him, and if Kenney gets in the way, that's his funeral. I agree with this. I'm just saying the Cubs can't offer a Team President position b/c its currently filled. I wonder if Epstein, Cashman or Freidman would be more enticed to leave if it was a promotion rather than a lateral move? As for Cashman and Freidman, don't their contracts run out after this season?

Was that intended to be serious or just a pointless crack at Crane Kenney? Serious, but sarcastic knowing that the Cubs can't offer a Team President position unless they give Kenney a different title. Although, maybe in the end, Ricketts is willing to change Kenney's title and offer it to one of the "big fish"? It may take a promotion offer in order to hire Epstein, Cashman or Freidman.

It is all relative. He is with the Red Sox now. No its not relative. You said the Cubs are tight with spending and they have the 6th biggest payroll in baseball, 3rd last year. Sorry if the Cubs didn't shell out an extra 20 mil during a period where ownership changed and inherited an extremely flawed and overpaid team. 20 mil probably wouldn't have made this team a playoff team so theres no point in adding more high priced and potentially disasterous contracts. Rickets did the right thing and invested the money in scouting and the draft. Epstein would love smart ownership like that, possibly because it reminds him of the team he's currently with and not the bumbling band of morons that have symbolized the cubs front office for several decades. His wording was flawed, but his point stands. Epstein has no motivation to jump ship. He has a situation that is already good. Everyone credits him with making it good, and while the Cubs' payroll is high the one he has now is higher than high. why leave? His wording wasn't really flawed at all. The point is, Epstein is going to be taking a downgrade if he leaves Boston, period. Now he may wish to leave to pursue another challenge (heck he did that already once), but his next gig isn't going to have all of the advantages he enjoys in Boston. Maybe Epstein would be more enticed if the Cubs offered him the title of Team President, which would be a promotion rather than a lateral move? Oh wait, Crane Kenney already has that title...

I'll be somewhat surprised if Johnson hasn't been moved by the deadline. I think LaHair, Montanez, Castillo, and LeMahieu will also get called up, but probably wont get much playing time. I would rather see Gaub get called up over Maine. And there's no reason to waste a call-up on Berg.

Who all do you think/want to be called up in September? I gotta think Brett Jackson will be called up and I hope they find a way to play him everyday. Although I don't trust Quade to play him in favor of Johnson, Byrd or Soriano everyday. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

Agreed, if I had to pick one, that would be it.

No, but isn't that part of their job description? Making sure the players know how to do things like run downs, backing up throws, bunting, where to throw the ball from the oufield, etc.

ok, then we should focus on fundamentals then and get really good at them. in the low minor leagues with a bunch of teenagers? why the hell not? i've heard this before, cubs players don't learn fundamentals, yadda yadda yadda......cubs should hire ditka, etc. more power, please. Then what is the point of minor league instructors?

Fleita is part of the middle ages thinking that's permeated this system over the past decade. This I assume is based on walks in the system? I can't really say I agree, particularly when the bat prospects in the system are a strength rather than a weakness. I'd say our scouting and farm system are also the organizations main strength right now. Theres no real need to weaken that. No only the approach at the plate, but I think the way they are teaching fundamentals could also use a boost. Maybe the newer prospects are doing ok in this department, but the old ones seems to be sorely lacking in this department IMO. You can not say this has been a fundamentally sound organization.

Really? You regret a sign that brings in additional revene for the team?

So, do you consider Paul Sullivan a complete buffoon as well? He also had some negative comments on Kenney.

But what if he demands that Crane Kenney be fired? Well, if Freidman gets hired, then Ill be the first to eat crow. Kind of a high bar you are setting there. Friedman could decide to stay in Tampa for a lot of reasons other than Crane Kenney. Ricketts could decide he likes another option better. How about unless if the major candidates come out and say they refuse to interview with the Cubs until Kenney is fired that we assume his presence isn't having an impact? Or Cashman or any of the top candidates....

But what if he demands that Crane Kenney be fired? Well, if Freidman gets hired, then Ill be the first to eat crow.

Whats hard to understand? If you want to believe that Kenney never intervened in Hendry's business, fine. I guess the media is lying.

My concern is that if there is this much negative publicity, it could impact who we hire as the next GM. I have no reason not to believe the media members that Kenney could be issue in the hiring process. They are around the Cubs and have their sources....I obviously don't. I understand there are no specifics other than what they are writing. Why would there be this many people lying? Again, where there is smoke, there's fire. All this nonsense about Kenney making Hendry give out 8 years to Soriano, was it not proven that it was the Tribune ownership who wanted him to give that out? Yes, Kenney was apart of the Tribune, but people are acting like it was Kenney alone who did it when wasn't it the Tribune ownership as a whole who pushed it on Hendry? The Tribune was terrible ownership and yes, Crane Kenney is a leftover remnant from that terrible ownership, but if the OWNER of the team says Crane Kenney doesn't have any involvement with baseball related decisions, I'll take his word over a bunch of sports writers who, by and large, are [expletive] terrible at their jobs. Well, I hope you are right. I guess the only thing we can do is wait and see who's hired.

My concern is that if there is this much negative publicity, it could impact who we hire as the next GM. I have no reason not to believe the media members that Kenney could be issue in the hiring process. They are around the Cubs and have their sources....I obviously don't. I understand there are no specifics other than what they are writing. Why would there be this many people lying? Again, where there is smoke, there's fire. Because part of their job is to create that smoke and start the fire. But, why is there that much smoke to begin with, both locally and nationally?

So you agree with them that Aramis Ramirez is a selfish, lazy player? I do think Ram has been lazy at times, but I don't think he's selfish. I could hav e cared less that he wanted to be w/ his family instead of a 4th replacement in the All Star game

My concern is that if there is this much negative publicity, it could impact who we hire as the next GM. I have no reason not to believe the media members that Kenney could be issue in the hiring process. They are around the Cubs and have their sources....I obviously don't. I understand there are no specifics other than what they are writing. Why would there be this many people lying? Again, where there is smoke, there's fire.

If this is the case, Im fine w/ that as winning it all is all that matters.

I can't believe the support around here for Kenney...is he running this website?

I think the feeling between Hendry and Kenney was mutual. Unless you think Hendry is a liar. So because Hendry was fat and loveable, we have to side with him? I never said anyone should side w/ Hendry, but wondering why Kenney isn't part of the problem. If they want a change in culture, then why is Kenney sticking around as Team President (ill try not to puke when I mention Kenney w/ that title)?