sweetpeteman

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."

What is this holding penalty they just called?

He could be a starter, but not one you would build a team around. Some power, not a lot of OBP, and pretty good defense. I would much rather give him up and keep Flaherty. Jackson has too many questions about his health and consistency to be overly concerned with giving him up. Szczur is also the one I feel could be most easily replaced.

Week 2 ESPN "Expert" Picks (http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks) reminds me of this: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/sweetpeteman/experts-picks.jpg

From BA:

Good inning from Cashner

But the Cubs will be losing one.

That exists. I don't have it, but I know it exists.

Did you try MLB.com, or YouTube? Oh wait, that's right, MLB doesn't actually like people being able to go back and watch past moments of their games. Want to see a highlight from anytime before a couple years ago, like say the end of the 1983 World Series? Go [Expletive] yourself! Want to see a certain NFL highlight from some random regular season game? Go to YouTube! MLB's marketing and legal people are absolute morons.

He got caught once? Did he trip or something? June 17 vs. the Yankees on a pitch-out (and he was only out because his leg was up (face first slide) and the SS (not Jeter) made a great tag reaching back across his body to get Campana on his foot).

This all actually doesn't matter, the Cubs are 6-3 in extra innings this year and in the 3 losses never led after the 9th. Also, of the nine, 4 occured on the road (The only place this matters, as leading after the 9th at home means the game is over; 5-0 at home in EI, 1-3 otr.). In the 1 win on the road, they took the lead and didn't blow it.

It amazes me how many people are begging for the day they let him go, as well as all the reports that he is as good as gone next season. If he walks, they will have to spend just as much money to get back to where they are today, let alone add another stud. Agreed. We had 1 season of decent 3B play between Santo and Aramis (Madlock) and people are ready to ship Aramis anywhere. 3B in baseball is a giant pile of crap right now. With so many other holes on this team, might as well ride Aramis as long as possible. There was more than 1 season of decent play (Madlock had 3 good seasons himself), just never consistent play from the same players. And a lot of bad seasons. That said, unless they get a really good offer for Aram, they should pick up the option.

?

Mark Riggins.

Yeah, that's not that bad. It did kind of look like Phillips missed 1st, though. (he might not have, tough angle)

Drop Alvarez, Add McCutchen Drop Posey, Add Berkman

He has the same problem that Plesac did when he was in the booth, I think, which is that he's not saying anything particularly egregious, it's just that he keeps talking and talking and talking. What exactly is a "Michael McKenry"? Hollandsworth isn't tolerable until he learns to shut up after the first sentence. He makes some okay points and brings some decent insights, but then beats them to death. After Pena bunted in the 9th, I hit mute and then unmuted when Soto walked up, a decent 20 - 30 seconds and he was still in the same sentence.

2007. And Berkman's homer wasn't the game winner, the Cubs eventually tied it before "Long-ball" Bob Howry screwed it up with a 2r homer to Adam frick'n Everett.

Now Luongo decides to make a save. HA!

What the F is this idiot talking about? His hand went into Luongo and wasn't close to hitting the puck. Stop stretching you biased morons.

I have no idea what Eddie was looking at, the puck was past them when he did that. Higgins knew exactly where he was and was trying to knock Chara out of the game.

Not that I'm disagreeing about him being injured, but all of that PFx data for 2011 is from 63 pitches in one start on April 3rd. It doesn't really tell us how he's doing now, but I would still guess that his velocity is an issue. I would not be surprised if he has a number of different minor league offers already. He's only 27 and I'm sure many teams see him as an easy reclamation, low risk/high reward type signing. Although looking at his stats for at AAA this year, in 15.1 innings he has 20 BB, 14 K, 20 hits, but no homers given up, and 6 HBP, so it may be more of a control issue then a velocity issue.

Starting Pitchers Chicago: Zambrano (5-2, 3.98 ERA) Philadelphia: Halladay (8-3, 2.56 ERA) Might actually be a pitchers duel since Z has done well against the Phillies in the past. But 3 in a row? Probably not.