UK1679666180

Drop: Ka'aihue Add: Hosmer

Tampa has replaced Oakland in the eyes of many. I think Tampa does some very smart things. I also think that these has been an attitude emerge of "If Tampa did this then it must be right". Similar to how people used to look at Oakland's moves. These drafts are supremely hard to judge at this point in time. What looks like a good draft now could turn out to be the exact opposite in a few years. Tampa doesn't do anything unique, RJ Harrison is a traditional scouting director. They have very good scouts throughout, the only things they do differently is they lean more on the tools side and HS kids as well as being the most patient organization in regards to development.

32 walks to 3 strikeouts. I know high school numbers dont mean much and so there's some mixed reports on his plate discipline, but I think its best we withhold judgment on that until we've seen him play some games professionally. I have to wonder how plate discipline and swinging and missing are issues of his if scouts haven't seen him do it. I'm not trying to be facetious either, there's got to be a reason these are being reported about him. Anyone that's into high school scouting that can explain? Maybe just off summer games vs. better competition? Scouts were at each of his games. I never seen him, but if I was to guess. Best hitter on the team, mediocre to bad control pitching even in FL, ability to make contact on pitches out of the zone espec behind or with two strikes

They're in their respective draft rooms.

Agreed, one year of evaluation wouldve been rushing it. No GM or manager could have turned them into a contender. I disagree with the thought of trying to win based on career years while blocking guys in the process, luckily it might only be Colvin and maybe Samardzija that applies to. Although, Davis and Lopez are frustrating as I'm sure there are younger arms whether FA or out of options avail than two guys over the hill.

86-89 FB, solid breaking ball. Good size. Likely won't be drafted high enough to be signed away from Northwestern,

This is a non-story given the sale of the team. I am glad that they are in it for the long-term rather than a house flip like Zell. I understand and pleased they are patient and willing to pyramid the baseball operations, I just want to see changes in the structure and hope the evaluation process is close to concluding.

Heh, no thought of Roast. The ushers have been better in recent years.

I can't imagine the next GM or even Hendry wanting someone to tell them that they need to hire Sandberg. If Hendry is fired, I could see the GM retaining Quade for one year. The structure of this team is flawed from Ricketts to the ushers. Wilken, a few scouts, a few instructors are the only ones worth retaining.

Life happens. Less posters, less different discussions, less differing opinions, less worthwhile debates. There are some here who would rather puff their chests than discuss baseball.

I shouldve mentioned that Thompson should be drafted and rated higher. 6'3 lefty sitting 88-91 and committed to a JUCO.

Tilson and Burdi will go to school. Grundy will sign. Farrell is the sleeper of the group. Perricone, I liked more than tilson and burdi but has fallen off. Bad year for IL

That's a terrible reason. Realizing where the player is likely going to be in conjunction with the team's progression isn't a terrible reason. If you're convinced that Pujols is on a serious decline, fine, but to pass on a player of his ideal impact simply because the team isn't better is usually a terrible idea given how many wins he ideally brings if he's signed. The Cubs would have to be REALLY bad to justify that. I do think he will decline quickly to where that contract is hurting the team more than will provide. Given the roster, there's no doubt they need a strength anywhere on the team. They do nothing well. I question Pujols' health for the long-term, he's got a bad elbow, heel problems, and hamstring issues. Just wonder with him, if it right to pay for his past without getting that in the present. The fact the Cubs are a bad team right now doesn't help that window.

That's a terrible reason. Realizing where the player is likely going to be in conjunction with the team's progression isn't a terrible reason.

I would like to change my stance, given the fact that Pujols might be aging quicker in baseball years than actual years as well as the cubs likely not being good enough to make a consistent run during his remaining peak years.

Hit and runs blow. It's just a way for managers to show they are trying to make things happen, and if it fails it's the players fault. Like a SB attempt the value can be questioned, but while watching the game, it is more exciting than stationary baserunner.

Like CCP, I'd rather see runs scored via balls put in play and everything that surrounds it. I still hate sacrifice out but I would rather see him hit and runs, extra bases, more aggressive offense rather than waiting for a 3 run home run twice a game. Banedon, you're right that more prefer the long ball.

He has a career filled with injuries and despite being in early 30s, has had an extensive career. I do fear all his injuries, advancing age could very well slow his bat speed to where he declines quicker rather gradual.

They already him in their system and they traded him. Sam Fuld is not worth 1st rd. Money.

It sucks with Davis and Heyward being out and already used one move, I have to sit and wait and ride it out.

ugh...Yes, anyone who thinks Hendry should be replaced because they are not satisfied with the results under his regime is BLINDED BY HATE! Very helpful. But at least you appreciate Tim's rational approach. It's perfectly rational to be of the opinion that the Cubs are better off entering next off-season, one in which they potentially have a large amount of money to spend, with a different GM. Tim, CCP, TT and others have given perfectly reasonable arguments against booting Hendry, but disagreeing with them doesn't make one blinded by hatred. I already stated I'd like to see him replaced, but I fully acknowledge I don't have an available, sure-fire improvement in mind. Again, it's not an "anybody but Hendry" situation, but as far as I can tell, nobody in this thread is saying it is. I don't understand why people are suggesting otherwise. Of course there are perfectly rational reasons for wanting to move on at GM. The results haven't been there for the money that has been invested. I can certainly appreciate the perspective of someone saying that they want someone else to try to take the Cubs to the next level. What I've seen from Hendry over the past 10 years is someone who was initially dominated by his big name managers (and corporate overlords). Based on a number of reasons, I believe that Hendry has changed paths and is now doing things in a more rational manner. However, that IS conjecture on my part and is by no means certain. There are people in this thread saying they want "anyone but Hendry". Tarver is one of them. While I can agree with the emotion behind that position and feel the same frustration with the results, I cannot agree that Hendry is a bottom five GM in the game and that we'd be better off blindly firing him and taking whomever in his place. I'll throw out the challenge again to those who disagree again: name some candidates that are better for certain than Hendry who are likely to be available this offseason. Insert Logan White's name here.

The move proven the GM, the less they need a middle man. Without the middle man, there is an increased chance of the owners playing fantasy baseball.

His role is the one I'm speaking of. If you're going to be the middle man between the GM and ownership, I would prefer that position be occupied by someone who understands the operation functions of the game. Have Ricketts hire some sort of committee to hire a team president, have the president hopefully been involved in the game in a FO role, hire a GM, when Quade's contract expires determine whether he will be retained, same with the scouting director and trickle down from there.

The Cubs are the victim of not having a baseball guy be the middle man between Hendry and ownership. This is obviously exaggerated since the Cubs were spending with borrowed money (basically bad and backloaded contracts) and no one to put any restrictions on Hendry with any knowledge of the game. As much as I think Hendry has been proven to be unsuccessful, they need a Kasten/Alderson first and foremost hiring a GM and creating a more structured pyramid.

Look at the old ESPN clique at the top.