Welcome Theo: Sometimes a Dancing GIF is Worth a Thousand Words

I’m all for penalizing teams more for the IBB: http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/double_walk_to_replace_ibb/

I really like the double walk idea. IBB results in batter getting 2nd base. I also wouldn’t mind the traditional single walk, but start the next batter at 2-0. Any other ideas?

[quote name=mb21]I’m all for penalizing teams more for the IBB: http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/double_walk_to_replace_ibb/

I really like the double walk idea. IBB results in batter getting 2nd base. I also wouldn’t mind the traditional single walk, but start the next batter at 2-0. Any other ideas?[/quote]Who would make the decision of whether or not a walk was “intentional?”

[quote name=Aisle424]How do you decide what walk is intentional, then?

You just have the catcher stay behind the plate and have the pitcher place 4 fastballs outside. Who is to say he just doesn’t have bad control?[/quote]Any 4-pitch walk or 1 pitch HBP. Using the 4-pitch walk and enforcing the penalty would unfortunately enforce a penalty when one shouldn’t be, but most of the time pitchers don’t walk guys on 4 pitches.

[quote name=mb21]Any 4-pitch walk or 1 pitch HBP. Using the 4-pitch walk and enforcing the penalty would unfortunately enforce a penalty when one shouldn’t be, but most of the time pitchers don’t walk guys on 4 pitches.[/quote]Marmol just became worthless.

[quote name=Rice Cube]What’s to prevent a crazy situation like an unintentional 4-0 walk putting a man on second, then another unintentional 4-0 walk basically driving in that run with a ground-rule double walk?

I guess I’ll answer my own question with a “Major League” quote: “Better teach that kid some control before he kills somebody.”[/quote]If a runner is on 2nd when a guy is walked, he moves to 3rd.

[quote name=mb21]If a runner is on 2nd when a guy is walked, he moves to 3rd.[/quote]Okay, so if the pitcher has really shitty control, does the next 4-0 walk result in men at 2B and 3B with a run scored, or do they just load the bases? (dying laughing)

It’s streaming for sure here http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?topic_id=6350584&c_id=chc

[quote name=mb21]I kinda like seeing Theo sitting in front of a bunch of Cubs logos. (dying laughing)[/quote]And Nuveen Investments?

RICKETTS HAS HIS EYE ON YOU MO!

If every 4 pitch walk results in 2 bases, every 3 pitch strikeout should be 2 outs. Makes just as much sense.

[quote name=mb21]I was wrong about Kenney.[/quote]Too much praise?

He said the deal couldn’t have gotten done without Kenny. Theo also mentioned him.

[quote name=WaLi]what was said? just tuned in.[/quote]Ricketts said, and I quote, “Crane is a fucking asshole who fucks up everything he touches, and is a worthless asset to this organization.”

Baseball is best of all when you win.

[quote name=mb21]Any 4-pitch walk or 1 pitch HBP. Using the 4-pitch walk and enforcing the penalty would unfortunately enforce a penalty when one shouldn’t be, but most of the time pitchers don’t walk guys on 4 pitches.[/quote]http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18035695&topic_id=&c_id=sf&tcid=vpp_copy_18035695&v=3

[quote name=Rice Cube]Baseball is best of all when you win.[/quote][quote name=WaLi]“Baseball is best of all when you win. That is why I am here today” – Theo[/quote]This should be repeated for eternity.

[quote name=work sucks]my piece of shit PC doesn’t have sound at work…anyone care to summarize important statements?[/quote]Theo kind of likes the idea of winning.

[quote name=work sucks]my piece of shit PC doesn’t have sound at work…anyone care to summarize important statements?[/quote]Theo wants to build a model for sustained success with a unified vision in player development, scouting, and a mix of objective data and subjective data along with any other competitive advantage on the MLB level.

[quote name=ACT]Theo kind of likes the idea of winning.[/quote]meh, i’m 50-50 on it

Fuck just lost feed.

Red Sox Way ————> Cubs Way

[quote name=work sucks]my piece of shit PC doesn’t have sound at work…anyone care to summarize important statements?[/quote]
theo believes in strategic repetition as an oratory technique

“Hi Theo, Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune – do you plan on removing Jim Hendry from the GM position?”

[quote name=Rice Cube]Phil Rogers!!!! With an actual good question![/quote]which was?

[quote name=work sucks]which was?[/quote]What were you thinking about the Cubs draft as it was happening?

Theo speaks very well.

I don’t like IBB’s much, but I’m also not crazy about the rules changes, either. Of the proposals I’ve heard, the option of having the batter decline is probably the best, though I’m not sure it wouldn’t do more harm than good.

Kaplan wanted to know how you change the culture. Theo all but said “Buy into my vision or there’s the door.” Sweet.

[quote name=ACT]I don’t like IBB’s much, but I’m also not crazy about the rules changes, either. Of the proposals I’ve heard, the option of having the batter decline is probably the best, though I’m not sure it wouldn’t do more harm than good.[/quote]I’m perfectly OK with doing more harm than good. As the current rule is set up, it’s quite clear it doesn’t prevent manaers from IBBing hitters. Make it more costly.

I like that idea, RC.

[quote name=mb21]I’m perfectly OK with doing more harm than good. As the current rule is set up, it’s quite clear it doesn’t prevent manaers from IBBing hitters. Make it more costly.[/quote]By “doing more harm than good” I meant “making the game less enjoyable.”

Hard to get anything concrete from this other than philosophy (which is music to me ears), but it sure sounds like the Cubs will be dropping some serious cash this offseason.

[quote name=ACT]By “doing more harm than good” I meant “making the game less enjoyable.”[/quote]I don’t know about that. You’d see less walks and fewer times teams would choose to pitch to the inferior hitter. That seems good to me.

[quote name=ACT]By “doing more harm than good” I meant “making the game less enjoyable.”[/quote]I don’t hate IBB’s because they seem to put more pressure on the pitcher, but I do hate that sequence of IBB the #8 hitter and watching the pitcher flail at some breaking balls. To me that’s one of the most boring sequences in baseball. If the DH or an IBB penalty elminates that, I’m for it. Adding an out might do that. What if the opposing manager got to choose whether the next player hit or the one after. Like if you IBB the #8, the other manager can then opt for the #9 to also be IBB’d. That still slows the game down though.

I hate teams walking the 8 hitter. In my opinion that should be solved by a guy who can pinch hit for the pitcher, but is still available to play later in the game.

[quote name=mb21]I hate teams walking the 8 hitter. In my opinion that should be solved by a guy who can pinch hit for the pitcher, but is still available to play later in the game.[/quote]The “gift out” idea would still allow the pitcher to bunt the guy over without ending the inning.

[quote name=mb21]I hate teams walking the 8 hitter. In my opinion that should be solved by a guy who can pinch hit for the pitcher, but is still available to play later in the game.[/quote]Might as well just use the DH, then.

josh beat me to it.

[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]I’m not hearing that. Theo said that there will be 2 parallel fronts: building a better foundation of minor league players and improving the major league club. However, he said for next year, there’s an ability to improve if they “hit all the right buttons” but said that teams going from bad to contention in one year is rare.That suggests that the assume next season will be lost unless they capture lightening in a bottle, but they’ll spend strategically if opportunity presents itself.[/quote]I think he’s advocating spending a lot over long term and spending more wisely, which is what we expected.

[quote name=josh]I think he’s advocating spending a lot over long term and spending more wisely, which is what we expected.[/quote]agreed

Or, instead of the DH, they could just have 8 batters.

[quote name=ACT]Or, instead of the DH, they could just have 8 batters.[/quote]8 is not divisible by 3!!!!!

/traditional’d

[quote name=ACT]Or, instead of the DH, they could just have 8 batters.[/quote]That would be ideal.

[quote name=josh]Sure it is = 2 2/3[/quote]The integers will triumph.

No questions about Jed Hoyer yet?

They probably do, RC.

[quote name=WaLi]They probably don’t, RC.[/quote](dying laughing)

That was fun!

Well, either the Trib site or my ISP or both crashed during the first half hour of that… Anybody know a link for the whole video?

[quote name=Smokestack Lightning]Agreed, and that’s what I’m looking for, not another Zell Mandated Cruller Jim Spending Binge. However, given Theo’s emphasis on getting better quickly and not wasting a single year or opportunity for success, even if he believes that 2012 is not going to be a year of contention, if 2013 is a goal, then he’ll have to spend a lot of money this offseason regardless given the state of the upper levels of the farm system, not to mention the available bats in the free agent market for 2013.[/quote]Yep. We’ve talked a bit about it on here before, but you can sign players this offseason knowing your chances of contention in 2012 are slim, but also knowing they greatly improve your chances in 2013 and after.

Theo highlighted the peak age of a player as 26-31 at least once. I think he did it twice. To me, that’s Prince Fielder. I feel better about the Cubs going after Fielder today than I did yesterday. He makes perfect sense. He helps work toward the one front he discussed and you can still divert additional funds to the second front, which let’s face it, is probably going to take a few years to pay off at the big league level. Theo isn’t throwing in the towel in any year so that means spending some money on the free agent market.

I don’t think we learned much or anything today other than it was Theo at the Starbucks. I think we all knew Red Sox Way was going to become Cubs Way. I think we all knew that Wrigley and the revenue it can generate would be an initial focus. We didn’t learn much. It was mostly a motivational event which did exactly what it was supposed to: motivate. Not only does it motivate the front office that he’ll be hiring, but the fans will be motivated to pay attention and spend money. I’m just thrilled the Cubs have someone as intelligent as Epstein running the baseball ops.

I guess we could say we learn that President of Baseball Ops is more just a title and that Theo will be doing most of the same work. Some of it he’ll designate to the guys he hires while he takes on a little more responsibility.

He’s talked with Quade twice and will meet with him in the next week. Nick Cafardo said after the press conference that he’s hearing that Theo will replace Quade, which is also what we expected. Cafardo mentioned Sandberg as a possible replacement and if I had to bet money, I’d bet on Sandberg being the next manager.

From KG’s latest BP article:

Teams have inquired about Lake in the past, wanting to convert him to the mound, and in the minds of many, this AFL showing is just delaying that opportunity.

It was mostly a motivational event which did exactly what it was supposed to: motivate

.

And it worked. Never been this excited for the Cubs future. Closest is the offseason heading into 2004.

Special times, kids.

I have no idea why you’d take a 21 year old shortstop already playing in the AFL (equivalent of AA+) and performing well and convert him to a pitcher. The guy isn’t a great offensive player, bu the has a career .716 OPS. 21 years old and already that high in the system. Maybe he has to move to 2nd, 3rd or CF, but that’s still positive value defensively. He had an .834 OPS in an extreme pitcher’s league this year in about 50 games.

He’ll never walk much, but if he can stay at an important defensive position there’s no reason he can’t be an every day player. There’s certainly no reason to move him to the mound. Personally, I think any scout that thinks that right now should probably find a new profession.

we need to keep lake at SS to replace Castro’s average speed

So did Sullivan abstain from questions out of protest for their trying to shape the questions reporters could ask beforehand? I’m sure his journalistic integrity would never let him participate in such a dog and pony show.

sn nation comment of the day

Hey guys who wear dress shirts
How do you roll up your sleeves? I have a lady friend who tells me that I should only roll it about 1/4 of the way, where it’s still below the elbows. I find this constraining and uncomfortable. I usually roll it to about there, and then scrunch it up to my python biceps. Thoughts?

Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: ‘It might have been!’ — Whittier
Twitter
by mysterui on Oct 25, 2011 1:05 PM EDT reply

[quote name=Rice Cube]That might explain why the questions sounded so intelligent for the most part.[/quote]I just meant insofar as we and others have inferred that they were not allowed to ask about the GM or, possibly, about specific players.

http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2011/10/bullpen-phones.html

This land-line phone system has worked so well that baseball has never found a more practical way to tell the bullpen coach to have a reliever start warming up or to find out if said reliever is actually ready to go into the game. Not only that, but they never even changed the phones. The phone in the Kansas City dugout, for instance, is so old that the telephone operator connects your call. The phone in the Wrigley dugout is actually a party line.

(dying laughing)

La Russa will be accusing the Rangers of purposely lowering the volume on the visitor bullpen phones any time now.

Epstein went on to talk about “up the middle” players, an area where the Cubs are fairly well stocked at the moment.

Uh,,, what?

[quote name=fang2415]Well, either the Trib site or my ISP or both crashed during the first half hour of that… Anybody know a link for the whole video?[/quote]Boston wins the media battle yet again:

http://audio.weei.com/a/47586883/theo-epstein-s-introductory-press-conference-with-the-chicago-cubs.htm

So, did anything happen today? Was Epstein hit by a meteor as he stepped up to the podium?

[quote name=Aisle424]Alvin:

Run, Theo. Run away as fast as you can. Don’t look back.[/quote]That’s the advice to give Theo when dealing with his best customers.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/25/chris-carpenter-seems-to-have-forgotten-one-of-those-unwritten-rules-he-cares-so-much-about/

[quote name=GBTS]One sentence.[/quote](dying laughing)

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…

I can’t wait for him to find the parentheses.

Can you watch Tribune Live online?

[quote name=mb21]Can you watch Tribune Live online?[/quote]
i can’t imagine that question has ever been asked before

[quote name=ACT]I love Punto’s reaction:
[/quote]It’s as if he wanted to break the bat, and then realized that he A) didn’t have the strength and B) only brought one bat to the World Series.

This is awesome. It really just hit me. How often do fans actually get what they want? We were all clamoring for Epstein or Friedman since before Hendry was fired, what we thought was best for the organization based on past successes of Sox/Rays/etc. But how easy would it have been for the Cubs to fuck this one up to? Ricketts could have fired Hendry without much of a plan and signed someone he liked or felt good about. But he went out and got the best guy for the job and someone who will really change things for the better. Can’t wait to hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.

(dying laughing) @ Theo’s Office Space reference. Win.

[quote name=Berselius]Whenever I see a player running with a bat like that I think of Cerrano from Major League[/quote]Clearly Punto did not renounce Jobu and do it himself.

[quote name=josh]I hope they turn into a bunch of hardasses. I really do. I’d like to see that hatches get battened down. If they have to drop the Lovable label, they’ll more than make up for it by being able to drop the Losers part as well.[/quote]I want this team to be as despised as the Yankees are. That would pretty much mean that they’re doing something right. Fuck lovable.

[quote name=Rice Cube]I want this team to be as despised as the Yankees are. That would pretty much mean that they’re doing something right. Fuck lovable.[/quote]
You’re not a True Fan, RC. A true fan loves watching pop flies drop between three players and watching batters ground out weakly to 3b on the first pitch.

[quote name=Berselius]You’re not a True Fan, RC. A true fan loves watching pop flies drop between three players and watching batters ground out weakly to 3b on the first pitch.[/quote]You’ve discovered my horrible secret.

So much for the Lackey + Theo deal ——> Lackey getting TJS.

[quote name=josh]So much for the Lackey + Theo deal ——> Lackey getting TJS.[/quote]Prob good news for the Bo Sox as I assume they can collect on insurance now

[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Prob good news for the Bo Sox as I assume they can collect on insurance now[/quote]
Yes, also this.

[quote name=Berselius]Well, at least now we know what was wrong with Lackey. Unless he strained his elbow lifting chicken wings.[/quote]He hurt it when Z threw out that first pitch at the softball game, and Ramirez helped by existing. That Theo trade affected at least 15 other teams in the same way.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi-big-12-approves-west-virginia-to-replace-missouri-20111025,0,3080757.story

big12 going with west virginia

Hoyer + McLeod —-> Cubs by Monday

/source’d

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7148736/jed-hoyer-jason-mcleod-set-join-chicago-cubs

TheCCO ChicagoCubsOnline
RT @SI_JonHeyman cherington said compensation from cubs was agreed to be “significant.” means pressure on from above to beat theo

Bring it on bitches. Theo vs. Cheerington

[quote name=Rice Cube][/quote]Sign me the fuck up for that. I really enjoyed listening to theo speak today

Office Space!

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/25/it-sounds-like-mike-quade-will-have-to-interview-to-keep-his-job/

[quote name=Rice Cube]Office Space!

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/25/it-sounds-like-mike-quade-will-have-to-interview-to-keep-his-job//quoteI thought Theo gave a pretty strong hint that he wasn’t going to keep Quade, but in a diplomatic way. I don’t care. I don’t care who he keeps. If he thinks the best thing for the team is to keep Z and sell Castro, I’m going to hear him out.

[quote name=mb21]Yeah, if it gets to Selig the Cubs win. I don’t see how the Sox have any leverage whatsoever here.[/quote]I get the feeling that this will become a very frequently used phrase in the future.

[quote name=GW]theo alluded to the possibility of bud getting involved in the press conference today, as well. it’s clear he has no plans to roll over.[/quote]He got more vague when that point came up, and said something about the coming weeks. My gut feeling was that the deal was already done and they just wanted to wait to announce it, but then why would Selig draw attention by saying anything? Okay, I don’t know.

Phil Rogers just asked Theo on CTL if he thinks LaHair can be his next David Ortiz. (dying laughing)

[quote name=melissa]Phil Rogers just asked Theo on CTL if he thinks LaHair can be his next David Ortiz. (dying laughing)[/quote]That’s ridiculous, but probably not as stupid as it first sounds. It’s stupid if you think you’ll ever get David Ortiz production out of LaHair, but it’s stupid to think you’ll get that out of damn near everybody. Ortiz wasn’t any good until the age of 27. He had A LOT more big league playing time than LaHair did of course, but he wasn’t very good. 2.2 rWAR of Ortiz’s 34 career rWAR came in his 6 seasons in Minnesota.

[quote name=mb21]Anyone watch Tribune Live?[/quote]
i’m watching it now but missed the first half hour. Theo said they will have to develop their own CARMINE analysis system.

We have to talk about some things that happened over the last year or so. …

I love that quote the most. I have no idea if it means what it sounds like it means.

Maybe he means Z?

Who knows.

So here’s a random question. My buddy (a Bostonian in Chi) is thinking about how he could pull off Theo for Halloween. I suggested a Jesus outfit with a Cubs hat and a “Holy CARMINE” book, but I’m sure someone has something better.

[quote name=Mish]So here’s a random question. My buddy (a Bostonian in Chi) is thinking about how he could pull off Theo for Halloween. I suggested a Jesus outfit with a Cubs hat and a “Holy CARMINE” book, but I’m sure someone has something better.[/quote]That tops anything I would have come up with.

Why isn’t this picture more circulated by the press?

[quote name=josh]That’s called “softening the blow.” It’s a way to communicate to prepare us for the decision he’s already made: Cuey is done.[/quote]If Mike Quade is manager in 2012, I’ll shave my head and eyebrows.

[quote name=mb21]Now I hope they keep him just so you have to look like a clown.[/quote]Ditto.

So…this happened:

(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)

Woo woo is gonna run Theo off with that damn rosary. Does he not know Epstein is Jewish (dying laughing)

lets try that again…

fuck, well anyway Woo Woo handed theo a rosary. and it didn’t really look like Epstein was accepting it.

[quote name=josh]So what’s to be done with young Castro?[/quote]trade him for Cain, flip him for Nolasco

[quote name=mb21]He’s in a Cubs uniform in late October. That’s priceless.[/quote]
Looking forward to the day when Ronnie isn’t the only one wearing his Cubs uni in late October. (dying laughing)