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  • Theo's First Mistake

    It’s still really early in the Era of the Super Friends, so the opportunities for Theo and the Wonder Twins to screw up have been minimal so far. Maybe you disagreed with the firing of Quade (you should open your mouth a little wider when you speak). You weren’t alone if you wished Ryne Sandberg would have gotten another shot at prolonged rejection (thanks for picking us up, Cardinals). Maybe you think his biggest mistake was accepting the job in the first place (thank God for lapses in judgment). But all that aside, I’m wondering what his first mistake is likely to be. As usual, I came up with nonsense.

    Clone Zambrano. It’s a typical mistake of smart people. He’ll work so hard to see if he could do it, he won’t stop to think if he should.

    Cancel the 7th Inning Stretch guest conductor. Yeah, it sounds like an easy way to get rid of Jim Belushi and random American Idol castoffs, but the next thing you know we’ll all be singing Neil Diamond.

    Physical contact with Ronnie Woo Woo Wickers Okay, I guess we should retitle this post “Theo’s Second Mistake.”

    Stage a military offensive across Eastern Russia. Let’s not repeat Dallas Green’s undoing.

    Bring back Koyie Hill. The Cubs used to win every game Koyie Hill played. Apparently it’s no longer funny enough to incapacitate the other team with laughter, so it’s probably time to find a new gimmick.

    Compare anyone to Hitler. Seriously, no matter how funny you think it’s going to be, this never works out.

    Establish a closer by committee. It’s not that this can’t work, it’s just that it makes it very difficult to focus our game-ending outrage. Fan angst is all about memes these days, and if it’s a different guy blowing the 9th-inning lead the Cubs manage to get every few days, the consistency of our rants will be way off. I can see this one happening though, for sure.

    Hit Reply All. There are a lot of Super Friends. They don’t all want to hear everyone’s availability for the holiday party.

    Keep playing “Go Cubs Go” after every win. Maybe Theo’s a bit of a traditionalist, but isn’t it time we switched to something a little more current like “Men in Blue”?

    Wander into the left field bleachers. Whatever Ricketts tells you the surprise is, don’t buy it. It’s a trap. (This one’s probably inevitable.)

    Make eye contact across the center trough. Rookie mistake. Might not happen first, but it’ll happen. And then, for some fan, the Theo era will be incurably awkward.

    Flip him for Ricky Nalasco. Doesn’t matter who “him” is. Don’t. Just . . . don’t.

    Do a musical episode. And while we’re at it, no clip shows either. 

    Try to rank the seasons of The Jack Benny Show. That list is set in stone.

    Leave his wing man. It’s not your flying. It’s your attitude.

    8 years, $136 million. . . . yeah.


    AndCounting

    AndCounting

    AndCounting

    Latest posts by AndCounting (see all)

    AndCounting

    122 Responses to “Theo's First Mistake”

    1. 1 Rice Cube says:

      Wander into the left field bleachers. Whatever Ricketts tells you the surprise is, don’t buy it. It’s a trap.

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    2. 2 Rice Cube says:

      Try to rank the seasons of The Jack Benny Show. That list is set in stone.

      This post, and the Jack Benny post, were articles I recently enjoyed.

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    3. 3 Aisle424 says:

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    4. 4 mb21 says:

      These are funny. Loved the Jack Benny link. SK is famous. (dying laughing)

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    5. 5 mb21 says:

      (dying laughing) AC. well done

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    6. 6 Suburban kid 22 says:

      [quote name=mb21]These are funny. Loved the Jack Benny link. SK is famous. (dying laughing)[/quote]I love the link IN the Jack Benny post. How did the Money Supermarket spambot the content of the post? (see the fourth paragraph )

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    7. 7 Suburban kid 22 says:

      It totally improves the post, but still.

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    8. 8 Suburban kid 22 says:

      Make eye contact across the center trough. Rookie mistake.

      (dying laughing)

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    9. 9 Rice Cube says:

      AAAAAAAH….

      http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/11/type-b-compensation-likely-to-be-eliminated-this-offseason.html?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

      I’m having a reading comprehension fail but I think the Cubs just lost out on compensation for Ramirez and possibly Pena.

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    10. 10 binky says:

      Hilarious post. I love the “Reply All” quip. Why is that so hard for people to figure out? It’s even better when people reply all’s to the reply all to tell people to stop replying all.

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    11. 12 binky says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]AAAAAAAH….

      http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/11/type-b-compensation-likely-to-be-eliminated-this-offseason.html?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

      I’m having a reading comprehension fail but I think the Cubs just lost out on compensation for Ramirez and possibly Pena.[/quote]Assuming the rumor is true, then yes.

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    12. 13 binky says:

      [quote name=josh]Assuming the rumor is true, then yes.[/quote]Did they ever offer Pena arbitration? I still don’t see that they lost anything with Rami. By offering to pick up the extension so he declined it, they saved $2M. In fact, it seems like a lot of teams have been in holding patterns in terms of arbitration so far. So this may have been expected.

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    13. 14 binky says:

      [quote name=ACT]http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7236368/theo-epstein-give-carlos-zambrano-chance-earn-way-back-chicago-cubs[/quote]Basically the same thing MLBTR reported, then.

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    14. 15 mb21 says:

      Bloguin must have sold the ad.

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    15. 16 Aisle424 says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]AAAAAAAH….

      http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/11/type-b-compensation-likely-to-be-eliminated-this-offseason.html?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

      I’m having a reading comprehension fail but I think the Cubs just lost out on compensation for Ramirez and possibly Pena.[/quote]That seems odd. I would think that would damage the small market teams’ strategies more than it would large market teams. That and the attempt to hard slot the draft really seems to take a bite out of small-market teams’ ability to find intelligent uses for their money to compete.

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    16. 17 binky says:

      [quote name=Aisle424]That seems odd. I would think that would damage the small market teams’ strategies more than it would large market teams. That and the attempt to hard slot the draft really seems to take a bite out of small-market teams’ ability to find intelligent uses for their money to compete.[/quote]Maybe this is only half the story. Could be more restructuring, or some revenue sharing or something.

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    17. 18 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=josh]Did they ever offer Pena arbitration? I still don’t see that they lost anything with Rami. By offering to pick up the extension so he declined it, they saved $2M. In fact, it seems like a lot of teams have been in holding patterns in terms of arbitration so far. So this may have been expected.[/quote]They’re probably waiting because arbitration can be offered up until 11/23. It sounds like the CBA will be resolved before then (who the hell knows) before determining whether they need to do it or not.

      They didn’t pay anything for Ramirez, he just kind of left and if he’s not signed by 11/23 then the Cubs would have had to offer arbitration under the old CBA, but if Type B compensation is gone then I guess they just walk. That sucks. I really wanted two extra draft picks.

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    18. 19 AndCounting says:

      [quote name=Aisle424]That seems odd. I would think that would damage the small market teams’ strategies more than it would large market teams. That and the attempt to hard slot the draft really seems to take a bite out of small-market teams’ ability to find intelligent uses for their money to compete.[/quote]Agreed. For the Cubs, it could be a wash if they plan on signing any type B free agents. But for small market teams, especially those who have already started dealing, it’s a bit more of a problem.

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    19. 20 mb21 says:

      Sounds to me like it’s part of the negotiating. Owners wanted something and the players wanted to get rid of type B (type A also) free agents because it creates a system in which a player is paid less money than he otherwise would be. If a team is going to give up their first round pick, that’s factored into the contract they offer the guy.

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    20. 21 Rice Cube says:

      My readings suggest that they aren’t going to force hard-slotting but they might impose draft penalty taxes for spending too much over slot.

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    21. 22 Suburban kid 22 says:

      One would have to assume the executive washroom at Wrigley Field has gold plated troughs. That would be awesome.

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    22. 23 Suburban kid 22 says:

      Sooooooo sick of Crane Kenney’s face down there.

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    23. 24 mb21 says:

      What I read yesterday was that the owners want hard slotting in the first 10 rounds of the draft and the players wanted to get rid of type A free agents.

      A few years ago they got rid of type C free agents. There won’t be any free agent compensation within a few years. Maybe not even this offseason.

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    24. 25 uncle dave says:

      Stage a military offensive across Eastern Russia. Let’s not repeat Dallas Green’s undoing.

      (dying laughing)

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    25. 26 mb21 says:

      I remember after the Cubs spending spree in 2006 they had lost their 2nd round pick (1st round was 3rd overall and was protect), 3rd round pick and 4th round pick because of compensation.

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    26. 27 binky says:

      [quote name=mb21]I remember after the Cubs spending spree in 2006 they had lost their 2nd round pick (1st round was 3rd overall and was protect), 3rd round pick and 4th round pick because of compensation.[/quote]It’s bad for players too, since being Type A should be a good thing, because you’re a good player, but if you’re not Pujols A, but rather Saito A, then teams are reluctant to sign you.

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    27. 28 binky says:

      I like the NFL strategy of being able to trade draft picks. It seems less obtuse than this Type A/Type B system.

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    28. 29 AndCounting says:

      Seems odd that they’re negotiating this late for the offseason they’re currently in. If Bud Selig were the commissioner of my keeper fantasy league and stuff like this went down, I’d be pissed.

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    29. 30 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=AndCounting]Seems odd that they’re negotiating this late for the offseason they’re currently in. If Bud Selig were the commissioner of my keeper fantasy league and stuff like this went down, I’d be pissed.[/quote]I wonder if the clubs will insist that the old compensation rules be grandfathered in since the current CBA has not yet expired.

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    30. 31 mb21 says:

      [quote name=AndCounting]Seems odd that they’re negotiating this late for the offseason they’re currently in. If Bud Selig were the commissioner of my keeper fantasy league and stuff like this went down, I’d be pissed.[/quote]They’re negotiating because the CBA expires next month. Most teams were well aware entering the offseason that there would likely be changes made to type A/B status. I remember Hendry even talking about it and i think Theo even mentioned it early on.

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    31. 32 Suburban kid 22 says:

      MLB.com gets a lot of page views. And users all seem to switch from their PCs to their wireless devices around 9 o’clock.

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    32. 33 mb21 says:

      I’m on a wireless network at home. Only one of the desktops is wired while the others are wireless. The laptops are obviously wireless. I assume that’s included in wireless. I’d be more interested to see the figures of people using phones.

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    33. 34 Berselius says:

      [quote name=Suburban kid 22]MLB.com gets a lot of page views. And users all seem to switch from their PCs to their wireless devices around 9 o’clock.

      [/quote]
      I’m guessing WAP is other smartphone-like tracking?

      I wonder how everyone else follows games online. I only ever go to mlb’s site if I’m using mlb.tv or their online radio. Even then I still usually use some other site (usually yahoo) to track the game because I don’t want the 50000 bells and whistles of their gameday style app.

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    34. 35 Berselius says:

      [quote name=mb21]I’m on a wireless network at home. Only one of the desktops is wired while the others are wireless. The laptops are obviously wireless. I assume that’s included in wireless. I’d be more interested to see the figures of people using phones.[/quote]
      I’m pretty sure it’s different. If it’s going through your wireless router into your wired connection, the server can’t tell. I think it’s a different protocol when coming through a phone, similar to accessing a mobile site.

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    35. 36 binky says:

      [quote name=mb21]I’m on a wireless network at home. Only one of the desktops is wired while the others are wireless. The laptops are obviously wireless. I assume that’s included in wireless. I’d be more interested to see the figures of people using phones.[/quote]Wireless has got to mean phones and ipads and the like in the case, doesn’t it? Unless it’s a straight survey, how would they measure who’s using wifi versus cables?

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    36. 37 WaLi says:

      [quote name=mb21]I’m on a wireless network at home. Only one of the desktops is wired while the others are wireless. The laptops are obviously wireless. I assume that’s included in wireless. I’d be more interested to see the figures of people using phones.[/quote]Wouldn’t that be counted as wired? I think WAP is the mobile wireless browsing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_Application_Protocol

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    37. 38 binky says:

      [quote name=Berselius]I’m guessing WAP is other smartphone-like tracking?

      I wonder how everyone else follows games online. I only ever go to mlb’s site if I’m using mlb.tv or their online radio. Even then I still usually use some other site (usually yahoo) to track the game because I don’t want the 50000 bells and whistles of their gameday style app.[/quote]Gameday audio, using the popup thing that’s just a black screen rather than that super elaborate gameday app online. That or radio, for me, since I can get a pretty good AM signal from 720, especially in my car. I rarely get to watch baseball on TV.

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    38. 39 GBTS says:

      [quote name=ACT]http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7236368/theo-epstein-give-carlos-zambrano-chance-earn-way-back-chicago-cubs[/quote]

      Epstein said that Zambrano seemed sincere and contrite in the meeting, but he’s taking a wait-and-see approach.

      (dying laughing)

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    39. 40 Berselius says:

      [quote name=WaLi]Wouldn’t that be counted as wired? I think WAP is the mobile wireless browsing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_Application_Protocol/quote
      If it’s app-specific, I’m shocked it’s that high. Maybe because I’m too cheap to buy basically any apps (dying laughing). You can track games in plenty of places for free.

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    40. 41 WaLi says:

      [quote name=Berselius]If it’s app-specific, I’m shocked it’s that high. Maybe because I’m too cheap to buy basically any apps (dying laughing). You can track games in plenty of places for free.[/quote]Sorry those were supposed to be two separate statements. WAP would be if you go to mlb.com on your phone I think. MLB At Bat 11 is the App, so if you access it from your phone or iPad whether or not it is on your WiFi or 3G, right?

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    41. 42 Berselius says:

      [quote name=WaLi]Sorry those were supposed to be two separate statements. WAP would be if you go to mlb.com on your phone I think. MLB At Bat 11 is the App, so if you access it from your phone or iPad whether or not it is on your WiFi or 3G, right?[/quote]
      Yeah. The name “wireless Application protocol” makes me think it’s more than just going to the site in a browser. Though I guess Safari (or whatever) on a phone is an app too.

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    42. 43 Suburban kid 22 says:

      It says right there in the graphic that wireless means access through the At Bat app for phones and tablets, and WAP, which is plain old mobile web on any wireless phone (not just smartphones).

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    43. 44 Suburban kid 22 says:

      WAP is about 10 years old at this point. Before “Apps” were invented. (dying laughing)

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    44. 46 8volumesthick says:

      [quote name=Mish]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/15/ryne-sandberg-likely-to-stay-with-phillies-as-triple-a-manager/[/quote]
      He’s gonna get that Phillies job just in time for it all to go to shit.

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    45. 47 Aisle424 says:

      [quote name=8volumesthick]He’s gonna get that Phillies job just in time for it all to go to shit.[/quote]
      Probably. But there are few opportunities for a first-time manager to walk into a good situation. Usually, the manager is gone for a reason.

      Matheny this year is the only instance I can think of where a rookie manager has a pretty good situation waiting for him.

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    46. 48 26.2cubsfan says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube][/quote]
      http://instanttrap.com/

      Verlander =======> Cy Young

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    47. 49 binky says:

      [quote name=26.2cubsfan]http://instanttrap.com/

      Verlander =======> Cy Young[/quote]Shocking.

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    48. 50 Rice Cube says:

      Bruce Levine and others are suggesting that the Cubs will consider a bid on Yu Darvish.

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    49. 51 Smokestack Lightning says:

      Some quick hits from Bruce Levine’s chat today:

      - He expects the Superfriends to go after Darvish and Cespedes

      - He thinks Francona is still the frontrunner despite all evidence to the contrary because “Theo continues to have conversations with him.”

      - Despite yesterday’s lunch, Big Z will be pitching for someone else come Opening Day.

      - No clue on Fielder/Pujols, but Levine thinks the former should be pursued over the latter.

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    50. 52 Aisle424 says:

      - He expects the Superfriends to go after Darvish and Cespedes

      Fantastic.

      - He thinks Francona is still the frontrunner despite all evidence to the contrary because “Theo continues to have conversations with him.”

      Whatever. I’m fine with just about any of their candidates. Alomar probably least appealing.

      - Despite yesterday’s lunch, Big Z will be pitching for someone else come Opening Day.

      There is nothing here but hunch. Z has been almost universally unwavering on his desire to stay with the Cubs. Short of off-handedly saying to a trainer or two thathe would retire, I’ve never heard him say anything close to resembling a desire to leave the Cubs. And he has a no-trade clause so if that’s what he wants, that’s what he gets.

      - No clue on Fielder/Pujols, but Levine thinks the former should be pursued over the latter.

      That is just stupid. If they post and win the rights for both Darvish and Cespedes, there is no money left for either of those guys. Plus, every word that has come out of Theo’s mouth has been softening the ground for the Cubs to not go after either of them.

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    51. 53 binky says:

      [quote name=Aisle424]There is nothing here but hunch. Z has been almost universally unwavering on his desire to stay with the Cubs. Short of off-handedly saying to a trainer or two thathe would retire, I’ve never heard him say anything close to resembling a desire to leave the Cubs. And he has a no-trade clause so if that’s what he wants, that’s what he gets.[/quote]It’s been an interesting move, because it does allow for Z’s return, but it’s also a way to demonstrate that Z is the kind of guy you can work with, in the case of a trade or something. One way or another, Z has to show the Cubs and anyone else with money that he will work with them. Personally, I’m over THE INCIDENT and fine with him coming back. It’s a new era, now.

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    52. 54 Aisle424 says:

      [quote name=josh]It’s been an interesting move, because it does allow for Z’s return, but it’s also a way to demonstrate that Z is the kind of guy you can work with, in the case of a trade or something. One way or another, Z has to show the Cubs and anyone else with money that he will work with them. Personally, I’m over THE INCIDENT and fine with him coming back. It’s a new era, now.[/quote]
      Someone on BCB actually had a good comparison when he said this was like Theo talking up the features of the used car he wanted to sell, while Hendry would have set it on fire and THEN put the For Sale sign on it.

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    53. 55 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Aisle424]Someone on BCB actually had a good comparison when he said this was like Theo talking up the features of the used car he wanted to sell, while Hendry would have set it on fire and THEN put the For Sale sign on it.[/quote][quote name=Aisle424]Someone on BCB actually had a good comparison when he said this was like Theo talking up the features of the used car he wanted to sell, while Hendry would have set it on fire and THEN put the For Sale sign on it.[/quote]Well, it’s more like Theo is trying to repaint the car Hendry already burned.

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    54. 56 Aisle424 says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Well, it’s more like Theo is trying to repaint the car Hendry already burned.[/quote]Sure, but still pretty close to accurate.

      And he also has to prepare for the fact that Z isn’t going anywhere, so they might as well start on the right foot.

      Of course, Spring Training will be fun. The media will get out the Milton Bradley poking sticks and never shut up about it until Z murders one of them.

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    55. 57 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Aisle424]Sure, but still pretty close to accurate.

      And he also has to prepare for the fact that Z isn’t going anywhere, so they might as well start on the right foot.

      Of course, Spring Training will be fun. The media will get out the Milton Bradley poking sticks and never shut up about it until Z murders one of them.[/quote]Yeah, if Z is around this ST, it’s not going to be fun for Z or any Cub fan not willing to be led around by the nose by that bunch.

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    56. 58 Smokestack Lightning says:

      That is just stupid. If they post and win the rights for both Darvish and Cespedes, there is no money left for either of those guys. Plus, every word that has come out of Theo’s mouth has been softening the ground for the Cubs to not go after either of them.

      Agreed, but there seems to be a decent shot that Darvish won’t even be posted, and then, even if he is, who knows if the Cubs win the bid? What then?

      For my part, I’ve thrown up my hands trying to figure out what the Superfriends are going to do, outside of picking a manager…someday.

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    57. 59 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=Aisle424]Sure, but still pretty close to accurate.

      And he also has to prepare for the fact that Z isn’t going anywhere, so they might as well start on the right foot.

      Of course, Spring Training will be fun. The media will get out the Milton Bradley poking sticks and never shut up about it until Z murders one of them.[/quote]
      While I would be sad to see Z end up in jail, I can see where this could work to our advantage as victims of the Chicago-area media.

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    58. 60 binky says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]While I would be sad to see Z end up in jail, I can see where this could work to our advantage as victims of the Chicago-area media.[/quote]It would be fun to wear FREE BIG Z shirts as well.

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    59. 61 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=josh]It would be fun to wear FREE BIG Z shirts as well.[/quote]Not that I condone murder, of course.

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    60. 62 Aisle424 says:

      [quote name=Smokestack Lightning]Agreed, but there seems to be a decent shot that Darvish won’t even be posted, and then, even if he is, who knows if the Cubs win the bid? What then?

      For my part, I’ve thrown up my hands trying to figure out what the Superfriends are going to do, outside of picking a manager…someday.[/quote]
      Yeah – it has been hard reading them. I used to be able to predict with a pretty high degree of accuracy what was coming next based on being able to read the code that the Cubs used, but the Superfriends have a new code and I don’t have the decoder ring.

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    61. 63 Aisle424 says:

      It doesn’t help that the media is still using the Hendry decoder ring and making assumptions based on the old way things were done, so there is a ton of misinformation out there muddying the issue.

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    62. 64 Aisle424 says:

      And I’m assuming that is exactly how Ricketts and company like it.

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    63. 65 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=Aisle424]Yeah – it has been hard reading them. I used to be able to predict with a pretty high degree of accuracy what was coming next based on being able to read the code that the Cubs used, but the Superfriends have a new code and I don’t have the decoder ring.[/quote]Be sure to drink your Ovaltine.

      http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-could-white-sox-cubs-lose-picks-20111115,0,3035080.story

      I am surprised that Buehrle is Type B, I thought he was Type A for sure. Phil Rogers seems to think that the Type B compensation will be completely wiped out as well.

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    64. 66 mb21 says:

      I know nobody asked, but I don’t believe in the whole gm fucked the value of this player or that player thing. I once did, but I’ve seen too many of them traded for about what they were worth to give it much thought these days. Whether it’s Hendry or Theo or another GM, they determine what is acceptable when trading a player. As silly as trading Sosa was at the time, the Cubs ended up turning that into a really good deal. It wasn’t a bad deal at the time and Sosa was one of those guys nobody would want. Milton Bradley was like the anti-christ and Hendry still got a good deal out of that.

      I guess I don’t care what they tell us as long as they aren’t taking to GM Joe and saying we’ll give you him for absolutely nothing. (dying laughing)

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    65. 67 mb21 says:

      However, if you have a chance to make it seem like so and so is more valuable to you than he really is, why not? It probably has no affect on what return you’d get, but it can’t have a negative impact. May as well do it.

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    66. 68 binky says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]Be sure to drink your Ovaltine.

      http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-could-white-sox-cubs-lose-picks-20111115,0,3035080.story

      I am surprised that Buehrle is Type B, I thought he was Type A for sure. Phil Rogers seems to think that the Type B compensation will be completely wiped out as well.[/quote]According to that article, it’s because they look at the last two years.

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    67. 69 binky says:

      [quote name=mb21]I know nobody asked, but I don’t believe in the whole gm fucked the value of this player or that player thing. I once did, but I’ve seen too many of them traded for about what they were worth to give it much thought these days. Whether it’s Hendry or Theo or another GM, they determine what is acceptable when trading a player. As silly as trading Sosa was at the time, the Cubs ended up turning that into a really good deal. It wasn’t a bad deal at the time and Sosa was one of those guys nobody would want. Milton Bradley was like the anti-christ and Hendry still got a good deal out of that.

      I guess I don’t care what they tell us as long as they aren’t taking to GM Joe and saying we’ll give you him for absolutely nothing. (dying laughing)[/quote]Probably true. I think in an negotiation, though, you don’t want to start from a place of weakness. Even if it has no bearing on the end result, on average, I think you’d still prefer to go in anticipating the questions and the challenges, from a pride perspective if nothing else.

      It’s funny that half a year of Carlos Silva in his old form was worth more than a year and a half out of Milton Bradley.

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    68. 70 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=josh]According to that article, it’s because they look at the last two years.[/quote]Yeah, I recall that’s how Elias works and maybe I didn’t pay as much attention but I didn’t think Buehrle sucked that bad (dying laughing)

      http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buehrma01.shtml

      Guess he was barely average in 2010 and better in 2011. I’d have to look up their formula to figure out what’s included but not having enough wins probably docked his ranking a bit.

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    69. 71 Suburban kid 22 says:

      If a trade was proposed to a team he likes, and is a contender, I bet Z would accept it, either now or at the trade deadline. Isn’t it a contract year? Wouldn’t he want to play for his next contract on a contender if possible, and away from the media/fans that dislike him so?

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    70. 72 mb21 says:

      I agree, Josh. It’s better to start out with another team thinking your content to keep him than it is to know you need to get rid of him. I’m not sure any team ever thinks that another team has to get rid of a guy though.

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    71. 73 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Suburban kid 22]If a trade was proposed to a team he likes, and is a contender, I bet Z would accept it, either now or at the trade deadline. Isn’t it a contract year? Wouldn’t he want to play for his next contract on a contender if possible, and away from the media/fans that dislike him so?[/quote]I think he’ll accept a trade to most any team right now. He’s said that he wants to return, but that he won’t say not to a trade like others have. That pissed me off when he said that. It’s a year after Derrek Lee was traded. Leave it alone, Z. Besides, Lee ended up accepting a trade anyway.

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    72. 74 Suburban kid 22 says:

      I remember Z saying he would accept a trade if the Cubs didn’t want him. I don’t remember him taking a shot at Lee.

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    73. 75 mb21 says:

      “Nothing would be given to him, but he could earn his way back through very hard work this winter, through rebuilding relationships man-to-man with all of his teammates and through some other steps.” — Epstein on Zambrano

      I’d say that will be tough to do.

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    74. 76 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Suburban kid 22]I remember Z saying he would accept a trade if the Cubs didn’t want him. I don’t remember him taking a shot at Lee.[/quote]He said he wouldn’t be one of those guys who didn’t accept a trade. It was said right after Ramirez said he would not accept a trade so the shot was at Ramirez and not Lee.

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    75. 77 srbutch5 says:

      [quote name=Suburban kid 22]If a trade was proposed to a team he likes, and is a contender, I bet Z would accept it, either now or at the trade deadline. Isn’t it a contract year? Wouldn’t he want to play for his next contract on a contender if possible, and away from the media/fans that dislike him so?[/quote]I think I read that he has an auto-option if he finishes 4th or better in the CY Young…I think it’s safe to say that option won’t be achieved

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    76. 78 binky says:

      [quote name=srbutch5]I think I read that he has an auto-option if he finishes 4th or better in the CY Young…I think it’s safe to say that option won’t be achieved[/quote]It would take a pretty disastrous series of plane crashes.

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    77. 79 binky says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]Not that I condone murder, of course.[/quote]Total frame job, obviously.

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    78. 80 WenningtonsGorillaCock says:

      New O’s logo:

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    79. 81 Berselius says:

      [quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Old O’s logo:
      [/quote]
      Technically correct, the best kind of correct

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    80. 82 Berselius says:

      Also, I love the change. I love that old logo. I wish the Brewers would go back to their glove logo too.

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    81. 83 Mish says:

      [quote name=Berselius]Also, I love the change. I love that old logo. I wish the Brewers would go back to their glove logo too.[/quote]Agreed on both.

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    82. 84 binky says:

      [quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]New O’s logo:
      [/quote]Racist.

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    83. 85 binky says:

      [quote name=josh]Racist.[/quote]Just kidding, though if you squint hard enough…..

      I always thought the old Brewers logo looked weird because the ball was going to be caught by the dude’s palm. I never realized until today that it was an mb.

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    84. 87 WenningtonsGorillaCock says:

      [quote name=Berselius]Technically correct, the best kind of correct[/quote]Sorta new sorta old.

      “The new bird takes elements from both the 1970 and ’83 versions and replaces the ornithologically-correct bird that was previously on the team’s road and home caps. The look marks the first time since 1988 that the cartoon bird symbol will be part of the team’s official uniform. Joining the new caps will be the orange jerseys, which were last worn during the inaugural season of Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 1992.”

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    85. 88 WenningtonsGorillaCock says:

      [quote name=Berselius]Also, I love the change. I love that old logo. I wish the Brewers would go back to their glove logo too.[/quote]
      I wish the Natinals would go back to their old logo:

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    86. 89 binky says:

      [quote name=Berselius]Via Colin Wyers, the most useless pie chart ever.

      http://www.theatlanticcities.com/arts-and-lifestyle/2011/09/2011-mlb-regular-season-attendance-team/218//quotePie charts don’t really express subtle differences well.

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    87. 90 binky says:

      [quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]I wish the Natinals would go back to their old logo:
      [/quote]When I was a kid, I never understood what “Jb” was supposed to mean.

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    88. 91 WenningtonsGorillaCock says:

      I nominate this for the new Marlins logo:

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    89. 92 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=josh]When I was a kid, I never understood what “Jb” was supposed to mean.[/quote]Was that a J? I thought it was “E L B” like “Expos League Baseball” or some backwards French adjective thing.

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    90. 93 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Sorta new sorta old.

      “The new bird takes elements from both the 1970 and ’83 versions and replaces the ornithologically-correct bird that was previously on the team’s road and home caps. The look marks the first time since 1988 that the cartoon bird symbol will be part of the team’s official uniform. Joining the new caps will be the orange jerseys, which were last worn during the inaugural season of Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 1992.”

      [/quote]What’s wrong with the new bird? Is it more of a finch than an oriole or something?

      /not an ornithologist’d

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    91. 94 binky says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]Was that a J? I thought it was “E L B” like “Expos League Baseball” or some backwards French adjective thing.[/quote]Wikipedia thinks it’s ‘e’ for Expos, and ‘b’ for baseball. It doesn’t comment on what the ‘l’ means, so you’re probably right on. It always looked like Jb to me.

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    92. 95 binky says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]What’s wrong with the new bird? Is it more of a finch than an oriole or something?

      /not an ornithologist’d[/quote]No, last year’s logo was a picture of the bird instead of a cartoon character. The old new logo before the new/old logo.

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    93. 96 Rice Cube says:

      http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?73103-What-did-quot-ELB-quot-stand-for

      I googled it. Apparently it’s not a “L” or a “J” but rather part of a stylized M. Therefore the logo stood for “Expos Montreal Baseball”…

      I never saw an “M” to be honest. Always thought it was an “L”.

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    94. 97 Smokestack Lightning says:

      Per Gordo, Superfriends to interview Sveum again:

      http://twitter.com/#!/cst_cubs

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    95. 98 WenningtonsGorillaCock says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?73103-What-did-quot-ELB-quot-stand-for

      I googled it. Apparently it’s not a “L” or a “J” but rather part of a stylized M. Therefore the logo stood for “Expos Montreal Baseball”…

      I never saw an “M” to be honest. Always thought it was an “L”.[/quote]The whole thing is an M. You can see it more if you look at it monochromatic. It’s just a fat M with round parts at the ends. The lower case “e” and the “b” are for expos and baseball.

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    96. 99 binky says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?73103-What-did-quot-ELB-quot-stand-for

      I googled it. Apparently it’s not a “L” or a “J” but rather part of a stylized M. Therefore the logo stood for “Expos Montreal Baseball”…

      I never saw an “M” to be honest. Always thought it was an “L”.[/quote]Overall it’s an M, but the contrasting colors remind me more of a Jb. and the red part is supposed to be an e, with the tail being a b. Or maybe it’s not and it’s just an M and nothing else. Point is, I always found it to be a visually confusing logo.

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    97. 100 binky says:

      [quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]I nominate this for the new Marlins logo:
      [/quote]Baseball definitely needs to do more to attract the mescaline-user crowd.

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    98. 101 ACT says:

      http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/MLB-executives-split-on-changes-to-amateur-draft-111511

      In theory, the restrictions should benefit the low-revenue clubs, preventing high-revenue clubs from splurging on amateur talent by exceeding the commissioner’s slot recommendations in the lower rounds.

      The Pirates, however, are an example of a club that has invested heavily on the draft in an effort to hasten their rebuilding process. The team spent $17 million on its 2011 draft, according to Baseball America — a major-league record.

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    99. 102 binky says:

      [quote name=josh]Baseball definitely needs to do more to attract the mescaline-user crowd.[/quote]I just realized this is NOT an animated gif. WHOA.

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    100. 103 WenningtonsGorillaCock says:

      [quote name=josh]No, last year’s logo was a picture of the bird instead of a cartoon character. The old new logo before the new/old logo.[/quote]
      (dying laughing)

      The new logo is a combination of the old old logo and an older old logo, but both before the old new logo, which is now the old logo.

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    101. 104 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]The whole thing is an M. You can see it more if you look at it monochromatic. It’s just a fat M with round parts at the ends. The lower case “e” and the “b” are for expos and baseball.[/quote]

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    102. 105 binky says:

      [quote name=josh]I just realized this is NOT an animated gif. WHOA.[/quote]DUDE IT’S 4:20 LIKE RIGHT NOW!

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    103. 106 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock](dying laughing)

      The new logo is a combination of the old old logo and an older old logo, but both before the old new logo, which is now the old logo.[/quote]Between that and the proposed Marlins logo I think I’m totally tripping out right now.

      /shroom’d

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    104. 107 Aisle424 says:

      [quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock](dying laughing)

      The new logo is a combination of the old old logo and an older old logo, but both before the old new logo, which is now the old logo.[/quote]

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    105. 108 binky says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]Between that and the proposed Marlins logo I think I’m totally tripping out right now.

      /shroom’d[/quote]This pie chart should clear up the logo changes over the years:

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    106. 109 WenningtonsGorillaCock says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]Between that and the proposed Marlins logo I think I’m totally tripping out right now.

      /shroom’d[/quote]
      It’s not much different than the actual Marlins’ stadium:

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    107. 110 WenningtonsGorillaCock says:

      [quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]It’s not much different than the actual Marlins’ stadium:
      [/quote]
      That’s also not an animated .gif (dying laughing)

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    108. 111 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]It’s not much different than the actual Marlins’ stadium:
      [/quote]Free epilepsy with every ticket purchased!

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    109. 112 binky says:

      The Cubs announced their new logo as well:

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    110. 113 Berselius says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?73103-What-did-quot-ELB-quot-stand-for

      I googled it. Apparently it’s not a “L” or a “J” but rather part of a stylized M. Therefore the logo stood for “Expos Montreal Baseball”…

      I never saw an “M” to be honest. Always thought it was an “L”.[/quote]
      I always saw that as an M, but I never saw the MB in the Brewers glove logo (dying laughing)

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    111. 114 Rice Cube says:

      http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/After-16-year-old-hockey-player-dies-safety-deb?urn=nhl-wp17481

      Ouch. Luckily I’ve always taken the puck off the shinpads and never higher.

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    112. 115 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=Berselius]I always saw that as an M, but I never saw the MB in the Brewers glove logo (dying laughing)[/quote]That’s funny. The Milwaukee MB logo was always really obvious to me.

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    113. 116 mb21 says:

      This should be the Cubs new logo.

      For real.

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    114. 117 mb21 says:

      Just replace the text below with Chicago Cubs and I’m on board.

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    115. 118 mb21 says:

      Cubs new uniforms

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    116. 119 mb21 says:

      Some kickass Cubs shoes

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    117. 120 mb21 says:

      My new Cubs uniform would be awesome. Wrigley could start selling bongs and LSD.

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    118. 122 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=Berselius]I’m guessing WAP is other smartphone-like tracking?

      I wonder how everyone else follows games online. I only ever go to mlb’s site if I’m using mlb.tv or their online radio. Even then I still usually use some other site (usually yahoo) to track the game because I don’t want the 50000 bells and whistles of their gameday style app.[/quote]I use mlbviewer, which kicks so much ass that I forget how much ass it kicks until I try to use mlb.com’s shitty, bloated, processor-crashing official interface. Not sure if it’ll run except on Linux, but it’s so superior to the in-browser interfaces that if I’m ever on Windows I’d probably try to get it working anyway.

      http://mlbviewer.sourceforge.net/
      The dev is very responsive at http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/fedora-35/mlb-tv-in-linux-432479/page230.html , and tweaks the thing every year to respond to the random new bugs that MLBAM introduces every year.

      Who the fuck knows where that shows up in mlb.com’s stats…

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