More on compensation for Theo

In News And Rumors by berseliusLeave a Comment

We’ve talked a bit about compensation for Theo Epstein here and it’s been discussed a lot all over the internet. I thought it would be interesting to compare what the Marlins gave up for Ozzie Guillen to what the Cubs might have to give up. The Marlins sent the White Sox as compensation for hiring Guillen Jhan Marinez and Osvaldo Martinez. Marinez, a RHP, was the 4th ranked prospect in the Marlins organization according to Baseball America.

Marinez turned 23 years old in August and is a hard throwing late inning reliever who sits 92-95 and tops out at 98. Baseball America said that he has been resistant to coaching in previous years, but that changed in 2011. He had a solid season at AA this year and pitched 2.2 innings at the big league level in 2010. He walks a lot and strikes a lot of guys out. He probably fell a bit this year, but probably not by much.

Osvaldo Martinez turned 23 in May. He’s had big league action in each of 2010 and 2011 and owns a career .258/.300/.348 line in only 71 plate appearances. He hit very poorly in his first taste of AAA this season and undoubtedly fell quite a lot. Probably even out of the top 10.

Both players fell a bit in their rankings and were top 5 prospects entering the season. Josh Vitters was ranked 5th overall and fell a lot too. He should be out of the top 10, probably should have been entering the season. He’s very comparable to Martinez though Vitters has much more potential.

Unfortunately for the Cubs, they don’t really have anyone that matches Marinez. Chris Carpenter would be the closest, but he probably fell out of the top 10.

So I think Brett Jackson or Trey McNutt are out of reach. Matt Szczur was the 7th ranked prospect and he had a pretty good season overall. Depending on how crazy Baseball America gets with recent draft picks, Szczur could find himself in a similar spot next year. Szczur and Jackson were the only Cubs in a full season league ranked in the top 20. I’m going to assume neither will be traded.

I think Josh Vitters and Chris Carpenter make a lot of sense if we’re using the Guillen trade as an example.


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  1. cdw

    Also of the 2010 class can we not trade Szczur? I liked that Jay Jackson idea. Honestly, as long as the guy is not Jackson or McNutt I’ll be happy. Even if’s one of those two I’m just glad we’ll get Theo and a few of his guys from the Sox. Hopefully, that young Dominacan isn’t on the Sox list. Jemier or something?

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  2. Berselius

    [quote name=GW]are you also a coors light guy?[/quote]
    I love how the train in their ads looks like a giant penis. Makes me thirsty for beer.

    [quote name=cdw]I prefer miller light but coors light > Sierra Nevada Torpedo[/quote]
    MO’s and hundreds of other hopfags heads just exploded

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  3. cdw

    I love how the train in their ads looks like a giant penis. Makes me thirsty for beer.

    (dying laughing)
    [quote name=Berselius]MO’s and hundreds of other hopfags heads just exploded[/quote]Torpedo is my swill of the evening. Much better than bunts.

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  4. GW

    i’m just impressed that you were able to find those two guys on the interwebs. The marinez/martinez, jan/jhan, oswaldo/osvaldo inversions make me wonder whether this was another case of kenny williams and mistaken prospect identities.

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  5. GW

    Yeah, but Vogelbach can’t be traded yet. After being drafted all draft picks have a no-trade clause for 1 calendar year.

    yeah, and i’ve taken a shine to the fat bastard.

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  6. bubblesdachimp

    TheCCO ChicagoCubsOnline
    (@thekapman) Just spoke to a GREAT source on Theo compensation talks. Sox are asking for an insane package of players. Cubs saying no way.

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  7. GW

    coors light > Sierra Nevada Torpedo

    haven’t had this one, but I would probably agree, unfortunately. i’ve yet to find an ipa that i can get behind.

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  8. Rice Cube

    [quote name=bubblesdachimp]TheCCO ChicagoCubsOnline
    (@thekapman) Just spoke to a GREAT source on Theo compensation talks. Sox are asking for an insane package of players. Cubs saying no way.[/quote]Purple shirt guy strikes again?

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  9. Berselius

    [quote name=GW]yeah, and i’ve taken a shine to the fat bastard.[/quote]
    They got a fresh pic of him down in the AZL

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  10. tc

    I lurk here usually, so I’m pretty sure this is both my first post and that it will be roundly ignored, but I’ve read in a bunch of places that the main reason the White Sox were so well compensated was to avoid tampering charges. If that’s the case, and I highly suspect it is, I don’t really think this is a fair comparison

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  11. GW

    [quote name=tc]I lurk here usually, so I’m pretty sure this is both my first post and that it will be roundly ignored, but I’ve read in a bunch of places that the main reason the White Sox were so well compensated was to avoid tampering charges. If that’s the case, and I highly suspect it is, I don’t really think this is a fair comparison[/quote]
    interesting

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  12. Berselius

    [quote name=GW]haven’t had this one, but I would probably agree, unfortunately. i’ve yet to find an ipa that i can get behind.[/quote]

    Though if you can get that, you might as well skip it and buy

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  13. GW

    [quote name=Berselius]
    Though if you can get that, you might as well skip it and buy
    [/quote]
    i wonder if they have those at that former gas station at duvall and 45th. i’ll have to check it out.

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  14. cwolf

    [quote name=cdw]If I’m the Sox I’m hoping for better compensation for Theo than the Marlins gave for Ozzie.[/quote]I have to believe getting an elite GM is worth way more than getting a manager even considering tc’s tampering considerations. Even if it’s BJax, I’d be OK with it. I want to see what TEpst can do running the Cubs.

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  15. Berselius

    [quote name=GW]i wonder if they have those at that former gas station at duvall and 45th. i’ll have to check it out.[/quote]
    They have them at Spec’s, and IIRC Whole Paycheck too.

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  16. Rice Cube

    [quote name=tc]I lurk here usually, so I’m pretty sure this is both my first post and that it will be roundly ignored, but I’ve read in a bunch of places that the main reason the White Sox were so well compensated was to avoid tampering charges. If that’s the case, and I highly suspect it is, I don’t really think this is a fair comparison[/quote]That’s a good point, but I don’t think it’s a fair comparison anyway as cwolf said…there’s a sizable difference between a one-time World Series winning manager who might make you laugh on Twitter versus one of the best GMs of this generation.

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  17. Berselius

    [quote name=GW]i wonder if they have those at that former gas station at duvall and 45th. i’ll have to check it out.[/quote]
    Also, if you’re a Costco member, from time to time they have sampler cases from Ommegang.

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  18. cwolf

    [quote name=Berselius]They have them at Spec’s, and IIRC Whole Paycheck too.[/quote]Both of those beers look mighty tasty.

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  19. Berselius

    [quote name=Rice Cube]That’s a good point, but I don’t think it’s a fair comparison anyway as cwolf said…there’s a sizable difference between a one-time World Series winning manager who might make you laugh on Twitter versus one of the best GMs of this generation.[/quote]
    yes, this. Though I still think that Theo is being overvalued, but whatever (dying laughing). It’s a market of one as far as Ricketts is concerned.

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  20. GW

    [quote name=Berselius]Also, if you’re a Costco member, from time to time they have sampler cases from Ommegang.[/quote]
    you don’t actually have to be a member to buy alcohol there, i believe. its right down the road from me.

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  21. GW

    [quote name=Rice Cube]That’s a good point, but I don’t think it’s a fair comparison anyway as cwolf said…there’s a sizable difference between a one-time World Series winning manager who might make you laugh on Twitter versus one of the best GMs of this generation.[/quote]
    this shouldn’t make any difference if they are both being paid what they are worth. add that to the fact that theo is actually being promoted, and i still expect the compensation to be less than what the sox received.

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  22. Berselius

    [quote name=GW]you don’t actually have to be a member to buy alcohol there, i believe. its right down the road from me.[/quote]
    I’m not sure if they sell the same stuff in the liquor store vs the warehouse.

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  23. cwolf

    [quote name=GW]this shouldn’t make any difference if they are both being paid what they are worth. add that to the fact that theo is actually being promoted, and i still expect the compensation to be less than what the sox received.[/quote]Wouldn’t the fact that the Cubs want Theo to to be in a higher position make the compensation higher?

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  24. Rodrigo Ramirez

    I honestly don’t see how to Sox can ask for a ridiculous package. Seems to me the Cubs have the leverage here. Unless they sense some desperation from Tommy boy

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  25. GW

    [quote name=cwolf]Wouldn’t the fact that the Cubs want Theo to to be in a higher position make the compensation higher?[/quote]
    not at all. mlb doesn’t want to be seen as an organization that impedes the progression of front office members.

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  26. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]I honestly don’t see how to Sox can ask for a ridiculous package. Seems to me the Cubs have the leverage here. Unless they sense some desperation from Tommy boy[/quote]Well, y’know…the Tribune did make them pay $845B for the franchise…

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  27. Berselius

    [quote name=GW]i can’t remember, do you typically go for ipas?[/quote]
    Not a huge IPA fan. I like Belgian style beers and/or wheat beers.

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  28. GW

    [quote name=Berselius]Not a huge IPA fan. I like Belgian style beers and/or wheat beers.[/quote]
    hmm… this will make me persona non grata around here, but i generally don’t care for any of these.

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  29. Rodrigo Ramirez

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Well, y’know…the Tribune did make them pay $845B for the franchise…[/quote]
    They sell out every game win or lose, Duh!

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  30. Berselius

    [quote name=GW]hmm… this will make me persona non grata around here, but i generally don’t care for any of these.[/quote]
    Don’t you like anything?

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  31. cwolf

    [quote name=GW]not at all. mlb doesn’t want to be seen as an organization that impedes the progression of front office members.[/quote]Very true. I think the NFL has an actual policy for this at least as far as coaches moving. I just don’t remember any situation like this with a senior management guy still under contract moves and what the comp precedents would be.

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  32. cdw

    [quote name=GW]haven’t had this one, but I would probably agree, unfortunately. i’ve yet to find an ipa that i can get behind.[/quote]Not sure if you’re a fan of darker beers but you might try Clown Shoes Hoppy Feet or Hoppy Feet 1.5 to find an IPA you like. Those are really nice and unique versions of IPAs.

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  33. Berselius

    [quote name=cdw]Not sure if you’re a fan of darker beers but you might try Clown Shoes Hoppy Feet or Hoppy Feet 1.5 to find an IPA you like. Those are really nice and unique versions of IPAs.[/quote]
    Is Carlos Marmol the spokesman for this brewery?

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  34. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]They sell out every game win or lose, Duh![/quote]Correct…and now I am going to go without dinner.

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  35. cdw

    [quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]I honestly don’t see how to Sox can ask for a ridiculous package. Seems to me the Cubs have the leverage here. Unless they sense some desperation from Tommy boy[/quote]They’re just starting negotiations from the extremes rather than the center.

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  36. GW

    [quote name=Berselius]Don’t you like anything?[/quote]
    (dying laughing) i suppose in general my preferences are something like:

    germany, mainland britain, netherlands > belgium, france, exports to the colonies

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  37. Recalcitrant Blogger Nate

    @Buster_ESPN
    Buster Olney
    Rival GM: “Cubs should just keep saying no (on compensation for Theo). What are the Red Sox going to do — bring Theo back? No way.”
    1 hour ago via web

    Compensation constipation.

    Is is true that Boston owes Epstein 7M if he doesn’t GM their team next year? The Cubs are already picking up part of that anyway, right? I’d consider that compensation.

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  38. GW

    [quote name=cdw]Not sure if you’re a fan of darker beers but you might try Clown Shoes Hoppy Feet or Hoppy Feet 1.5 to find an IPA you like. Those are really nice and unique versions of IPAs.[/quote]
    cool. i’ll check them out

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  39. Rodrigo Ramirez

    [quote name=cdw]They’re just starting negotiations from the extremes rather than the center.[/quote]
    True. I know it’s early and both teams are going to start from polar opposite sides ie money vs. prospects but I’m getting anxious here.

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  40. cdw

    [quote name=GW](dying laughing) i suppose in general my preferences are something like:

    germany, mainland britain, netherlands > belgium, france, exports to the colonies[/quote]Do you like dunkels then?

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  41. cdw

    [quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]True. I know it’s early and both teams are going to start from polar opposite sides ie money vs. prospects but I’m getting anxious here.[/quote]Yeah, the risk averse side of me just wants this to be officially official, no matter the prospect.

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  42. GBTS

    [quote name=bubblesdachimp]TheCCO ChicagoCubsOnline
    (@thekapman) Just spoke to a GREAT source on Theo compensation talks. Sox are asking for an insane package of players. Cubs saying no way.[/quote]Great source < GREAT source

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  43. cdw

    Just starting to listen to the Henry radio interview. I’d love it if the host actually referred to the “Globe” story in more detail. Not sure which one they are referring too. Also, please define “that”.

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  44. cwolf

    [quote name=cdw]Yeah, the risk averse side of me just wants this to be officially official, no matter the prospect.[/quote]That’s where I’m at too, cdw. I’m almost positive that Theo is going to be running the Cubs baseball ops and if they end up giving up Jackson, so be it. Then I hope he ends being a sold MLB player and not a star player. I’m pretty sure I’d be pathetically bad at negotiating this whole deal. (dying laughing)

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  45. cdw

    [quote name=Berselius]Just another day at Obstructed View. Arguments about orange juice and academic publishing (dying laughing)[/quote]Looks like I missed out on the more interesting of the two. Go back and read comments < aw, fuck it

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  46. GW

    http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2011/10/superhuman.html

    …I don’t know exactly how long they celebrated Kotsay’s ground ball, but I would estimate it was roughly 493 minutes. If you were just trying to learn baseball, you would honestly believe that games are won and lost by making outs to the right side of the infield. And I think that’s because there are many people who desperately want that to be true, who desperately want to believe that you do win baseball games — not by scoring and preventing runs — but by sacrificing yourself for the greater good, by playing your small role that no one will notice, by doing things that don’t show up in the box score.

    Trouble is: That’s really not baseball. No. The best performances in baseball, alas, almost without exception do show up in the box score. Three outs, productive or not, end innings. If you want a sport where many of the best players sacrifice themselves for the greater good and do so without being noticed, yeah, you might want to turn to football. It’s really true there.

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  47. Recalcitrant Blogger Nate

    http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/article/sabre_office/

    I like the idea of bringing on MGL or Tango. I know Tango comments in here from time to time. Be interesting to see if either would be interested if offered a job.

    My father-in-law had a great advice for me, when he was offered this great deal. He was presented with an offer, and he didn’t think too much about it, so he declined it almost immediately. As the days went by, and he thought about it more, he realized he made a mistake. So he went back to his business partner and told him that he changed his mind. The business partner said it was too late, but if he paid a premium, he’d let him get a cut of the action.

    So, his advice to me was pretty simple: never say no right away. You can always say no later. It’s a good philosophy to have. Time is a resource, so there’s no sense in simply rejecting, or outright not considering, an offer out of hand.

    yea, go ahead and get that offer out please

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  48. 10 Million Paddies

    [quote name=GW]mainland britain/quote]
    Redundant redundacy is ignorant, unless you really don’t like beers from Guernsey and Jersey.

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  49. GW

    [quote name=10 Million Paddies][quote name=GW]mainland britain/quote]
    Redundant redundacy is ignorant, unless you really don’t like beers from Guernsey and Jersey.[/quote]
    yes, thank you. i hope you will forgive my grievous error.

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  50. Berselius

    [quote name=10 Million Paddies]
    Redundant redundacy is ignorant, unless you really don’t like beers from Guernsey and Jersey.[/quote]
    Gotta say, I thought Guinness was shit until I went to Ireland. It’s insanely delicious over there.

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  51. 10 Million Paddies

    [quote name=GW]yes, thank you. i hope you will forgive my grievous error.[/quote]Ah sure, only a stepmother would blame you. No one can memorize and/or agree on this shit.

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  52. mb21

    [quote name=cdw]If I’m the Sox I’m hoping for better compensation for Theo than the Marlins gave for Ozzie.[/quote]I agree. Ozzie isn’t nearly as important to the Marlins as Theo will be to the Cubs. If I’m Henry, I want quite a bit more than the Marlins just gave up.

    Regarding your question about Szczur, yes, he can be traded. He was drafted in 2010 so he could have been traded without his permission this past june.

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  53. mb21

    [quote name=tc]I lurk here usually, so I’m pretty sure this is both my first post and that it will be roundly ignored, but I’ve read in a bunch of places that the main reason the White Sox were so well compensated was to avoid tampering charges. If that’s the case, and I highly suspect it is, I don’t really think this is a fair comparison[/quote]I read that or I think MO mentioned that here. It’s a good point if it’s anything other than speculation.

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  54. mb21

    [quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]I honestly don’t see how to Sox can ask for a ridiculous package. Seems to me the Cubs have the leverage here. Unless they sense some desperation from Tommy boy[/quote]The leverage here is hard to figure out at the team level. Theo has none. That’s all I really know. There are good points to be made about the Red Sox having leverage and probably stronger points overall. The leverage I can find for the Cubs is that they can stick the Red Sox with $7 million left to pay Theo. They obviously wouldn’t like that, but they’re not the Royals so it’s not a big deal when you consider it’s spread over 2 years. On the other hand, the Cubs desperately want Theo and the Red Sox have control of him. The Cubs fan base is already hanging World Series Championship banners in their rooms and have finally had something to be excited about. Ricketts can’t turn back and face the backlash from the media and fans.

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  55. mb21

    [quote name=cdw]They’re just starting negotiations from the extremes rather than the center.[/quote]Yeah, that’s what’s going on here. Sox are asking for Starlin Castro, Brett Jackson, Trey McNutt and a 49% share in Cubs profits for the next 87 years. The Cubs are offering $1 in shiny new nickels and Chris Robinson. Neither offer is realistic.

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  56. mb21

    [quote name=Rice Cube]I’m thinking I want STL to win the World Series. Now inviting negative faget points.[/quote]I’m hoping for Cardinals and Rangers. Then I’ll be somewhat pleased regardless of who wins.

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  57. GW

    http://www.csnchicago.com/baseball-chicago-cubs/news/Red-Sox-playing-hardball-with-Cubs?blockID=577760&feedID=661

    [quote name=source of the orange one]Larry Lucchino is one of the most unreasonable people I have ever dealt with and because of his frayed relationship with Theo Epstein he is looking to make a point at the expense of Theo’s happiness and his desire to go to Chicago. I didn’t believe that ownership group for one second when they said that they wouldn’t stand in Theo’s way if he wanted out of Boston. They are furious that he wants out and they are trying to make a point. Theo helped bring them two World Series titles and they have no loyalty to him and his happiness. They messed with Terry Francona and that was just an incredibly pathetic move and now they are trying to make life very tough for Theo.[/quote].

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  58. mb21

    What pisses me off is that Lucchino took most of his guys with him from Baltimore to San Diego and then to Boston. Not one or two guys. Most of them.

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  59. fang2415

    [quote name=Kaplan’s source]”The Red Sox hold the cards here because they have their new GM in Ben Cherington and they control Theo for the next 12 months. If they want they can force Theo to stay in Boston or on the sidelines for the next year. Can the Cubs go without a GM for the next 12 months? That would be an incredibly gutsy move but also a very risky one.”[/quote]That’s not the worst-case scenario for the Cubs. Worst case is they let Theo walk and hire Friedman while the Sox pay Theo $7M to sit around for a year.

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  60. mb21

    If Friedman is available and one would have to assume he and the Rays are far along in discussing a contract. Same with Cashman. I really do think the Cubs are in a situation where they have to get him or you’re going to be handing the GM job to whats-his-face that is currently interim GM.

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  61. fang2415

    Boy, nothing like your team hiring an all-star GM to make you stop caring about a bunch of other teams in the postseason.

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  62. fang2415

    [quote name=mb21]If Friedman is available and one would have to assume he and the Rays are far along in discussing a contract. Same with Cashman. I really do think the Cubs are in a situation where they have to get him or you’re going to be handing the GM job to whats-his-face that is currently interim GM.[/quote]Well, maybe not Friedman then, but I think you could get Hahn over Bush. Point is that if the deal blows up, the Cubs won’t have to just sit around for 12 months while the Red Sox laugh. It would be serious egg on the face of both teams if it went bad at this point.

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  63. fang2415

    Not to mention that the Sox are already catching truckloads of shit from their fans/press for mistreating their personnel (e.g. smearing Tito on the way out, whether it’s true or not). If Theo walks and gets screwed, the Cubs fans might have slightly greater reason for disappointment, but we’re used to it. The knives are really out in Boston, to the point where fans might seriously turn against the team (for a while at least) if they thought Lucchino et al are acting in bad faith.

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  64. fang2415

    [quote name=mb21]I agree, fang. There’s little doubt this won’t get done.[/quote]The key is what the teams have to threaten, though. This is like a cold war negotiation over Mutually Assured Destruction. You know it’d kill both sides if they don’t make a deal, but each side has to pretend it’s more willing to walk away in order to get the best deal.

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  65. mb21

    Berselius, is there not a THT annual this year? Usually they have an image of it on the sidebar and when it will be released this time of year.

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