So says the Boston Herald.
Two baseball sources have confirmed that Theo Epstein is on the cusp of leaving his job as general manager of the Red Sox to accept a position with the Chicago Cubs that is believed to include powers greater than he has in Boston, with an announcement expected to be made “within the next 24 to 48 hours.”
The hangup in the negotiations has been twofold. One of them is that Red Sox ownership was still hoping to have Epstein remain with the team. The other is compensation: If Epstein is to leave Boston, said one source with knowledge of the negotiations, the Red Sox are going to want “something real.”
I like it.
Comments
They can have Koyie Hill.
But I guess anything will do as long as Theo —> Cubs
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Wish I wasn’t on my phone so I could post the cookie monster gif
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]They can have Koyie Hill.
But I guess anything will do as long as Theo —> Cubs[/quote]Send them Crane and Hendry (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
http://twitter.com/#!/bsmithwtny/status/123895740442492928
ACTQuote Reply
Curious to see what compensation the Cubs will give the Sawx. Hopefully it’s not anything big.
KeithQuote Reply
I would grudgingly toss in top prospects Hayden Simpson and Josh Vitters.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Keith]Curious to see what compensation the Cubs will give the Sawx. Hopefully it’s not anything big.[/quote]I’m expecting Brett Jackson or Trey McNutt. When the Red Sox were close to hiring Billy Beane they had agreed to send the A’s Kevin Youkilis. Youk was better at getting on base, but Jackson has had more power in the minors. Overall, they’re quite similar in value.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]I would grudgingly toss in top prospects Hayden Simpson and Josh Vitters.[/quote]I’d send Simpson along even if they didn’t want him.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’d send Simpson along even if they didn’t want him.[/quote]
shipping would be cheap, given that he’s still losing weight as he battles mono.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]shipping would be cheap, given that he’s still losing weight as he battles mono.[/quote]Just wait until March and you can put him in an envelope and mail him to Florida.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’m expecting Brett Jackson or Trey McNutt. When the Red Sox were close to hiring Billy Beane they had agreed to send the A’s Kevin Youkilis. Youk was better at getting on base, but Jackson has had more power in the minors. Overall, they’re quite similar in value.[/quote]Hope it’s McNutt. Wonder who is negotiating the comp package.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Wish I wasn’t on my phone so I could post the cookie monster gif[/quote]this one?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Hope it’s McNutt. Wonder who is negotiating the comp package.[/quote]Ricketts. If Theo has agreed to come to the Cubs, wouldn’t even surprise me if he’s had some input on it.
mb21Quote Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfPg5LjGYz8
shawndgoldmanQuote Reply
it will just depend on what we give up. If its Jackson I will be pissed
dylanjQuote Reply
I think we’d have to throw in some money for them to take Simpson (dying laughing)
jtsunamiQuote Reply
CCO hears that its a mid-level spec. Hopefully Dolis, Jay Jackson type.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
shawndgoldmanQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]CCO hears that its a mid-level spec. Hopefully Dolis, Jay Jackson type.[/quote]Does Jay Jackson even qualify as a prospect at this point? Dolis would be awesome if that’s what we give up. Another mid-level guy might be someone like Szczur. With him you’re trading a guy with a lot of potential, but someone who is still at least a couple years away.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Does Jay Jackson even qualify as a prospect at this point? Dolis would be awesome if that’s what we give up. Another mid-level guy might be someone like Szczur. With him you’re trading a guy with a lot of potential, but someone who is still at least a couple years away.[/quote]My name interpretation of a mid-level spec has always been low-impact type of prospect (dying laughing) Have I been wrong this whole time? Does it mean literally middle level like AA/AAA? I feel like an idiot.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
I’ve thought of a mid-level guy as a 11-20 ranked prospect, but I suppose it’s really up to interpretation.
mb21Quote Reply
Dolis is what I’d consider a mid-level guy. Jay Jackson is more of a AAA lifer in my opinion. Maybe even someone who is better suited for AA.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’ve thought of a mid-level guy as a 11-20 ranked prospect, but I suppose it’s really up to interpretation.[/quote]Ya thats what I thought. I guess I still see Jay Jackson as having some value.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7089985/theo-epstein-cusp-taking-job-chicago-cubs-report-says
mb21Quote Reply
http://www.necn.com/10/11/11/Epstein-close-to-leaving-Sox-heading-to-/landing_sports.html?blockID=575848&feedID=3352
mb21Quote Reply
No BJax in deal please…
http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/cubs-talk/post/Jackson-has-big-day-at-World-Cup?blockID=575420&feedID=10336
Rice CubeQuote Reply
cdwQuote Reply
I don’t think I quite know how to use the happy gif meme yet…
cdwQuote Reply
WaLiQuote Reply
cdw —> so happy he could shit himself?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]http://www.necn.com/10/11/11/Epstein-close-to-leaving-Sox-heading-to-/landing_sports.html?blockID=575848&feedID=3352[/quote]So if it’s not compensation, then what is holding up the deal?
cdwQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]cdw —> so happy he could shit himself?[/quote][quote name=cdw]I don’t think I quite know how to use the happy gif meme yet…[/quote]Just a poor joke.
cdwQuote Reply
GBTSQuote Reply
GBTSQuote Reply
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7089985/theo-epstein-verge-taking-job-chicago-cubs-sources-say
mb21Quote Reply
Are the “sources” the other news outlets are citing the Boston Herald?
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=cdw]So if it’s not compensation, then what is holding up the deal?[/quote]I have no idea.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=josh]Are the “sources” the other news outlets are citing the Boston Herald?[/quote]The links I’ve posted have had different sources. May have been the same sources for all I know, but not the article itself. They’ve all mentioned the Herald though, but only that they reported it first.
mb21Quote Reply
The FOX announcers really say some asinine things. One guy just said that the reason you know Theo is going to the Cubs is that no one has denied it. That’s some tasty logic.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]The FOX announcers really say some asinine things. One guy just said that the reason you know Theo is going to the Cubs is that no one has denied it. That’s some tasty logic.[/quote]That’s just inverse Alvin logic, where if you hear about it that means it won’t happen.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]The FOX announcers really say some asinine things. One guy just said that the reason you know Theo is going to the Cubs is that no one has denied it. That’s some tasty logic.[/quote](dying laughing)
I would say it’s a good bet Theo goes to the Cubs because Theo hasn’t talked much, if at all, since the season ended. He’s clearly interested in the job, the discussions are far along and it’s hard to believe they get this far without him getting the job.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7089985/theo-epstein-verge-taking-job-chicago-cubs-sources-say[/quote]Let’s hope Rickett’s doesn’t cut the negotiations short.
cdwQuote Reply
[quote name=cdw]Let’s hope Rickett’s doesn’t cut the negotiations short.[/quote](dying laughing) he probably is having fun.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=cdw]Let’s hope the negotiations aren’t so good that Rickett’s
doesn’tcuts themnegotiationsshort.[/quote].GBTSQuote Reply
What if “something real” is Castro? I’d feel kind of sick about Jackson, if only because that leaves a bleak minor league system, to say the least.
binkyQuote Reply
.
mb21Quote Reply
One hopes that if Ricketts or whoever is negotiating the deal, and Epstein has input in this, there’s no way they’d fuck themselves in the deal.
Give them Byrd 😛
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]What if “something real” is Castro? I’d feel kind of sick about Jackson, if only because that leaves a bleak minor league system, to say the least.[/quote]Kap said there’s no chance it’s Castro, Garza or Cashner.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Kap said there’s no chance it’s Castro, Garza or Cashner.[/quote]I’ll wait til guy in the purple shirt confirms.
GBTSQuote Reply
Just heard an interview with the Bosten Herald guy. He confirmed his sources are members of the Red Sox org.
Rodrigo RamirezQuote Reply
In that one video with Kurkjian he mentioned again how it’s seemed to be 50/50 for awhile. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Just heard an interview with the Bosten Herald guy. He confirmed his sources are members of the Red Sox org.[/quote]I hope it’s true.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Just heard an interview with the Bosten Herald guy. He confirmed his sources are members of the Red Sox org.[/quote]Hopefully not just the janitors.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Kap said there’s no chance it’s Castro, Garza or Cashner.[/quote]
It wouldn’t bother me if it was Cashner as I don’t think he’s going to be able to be more than a relief pitcher. On the radio here they were saying that Gammons is telling people Theo hasn’t decided yet if he’s leaving. Gammons said the decision process is not as far along as some have assumed.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Just heard an interview with the Bosten Herald guy. He confirmed his sources are members of the Red Sox org.[/quote]
He obviously doesn’t even know a random guy in the purple shirt. What a hack.
melissaQuote Reply
I like on twitter on how “Theo on verge of joining Cubs” becomes “Theo signs with Cubs.” (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=melissa]It wouldn’t bother me if it was Cashner as I don’t think he’s going to be able to be more than a relief pitcher. On the radio here they were saying that Gammons is telling people Theo hasn’t decided yet if he’s leaving. Gammons said the decision process is not as far along as some have assumed.[/quote]Hopefully, this will help quench my excitement since Theo to the Cubs isn’t finally final.
cdwQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I like on twitter on how “Theo on verge of joining Cubs” becomes “Theo signs with Cubs.” (dying laughing)[/quote]
Twitter is now ruining more than just spring training. What a fun sucker.
melissaQuote Reply
(dying laughing) at the headline competition for synonyms for “near”. At first he was just “close” to leaving; then he was “at the cusp”; now he’s at the *verge*!
Byrd seems like a reasonable trade actually. That’s basically sending them what, 7M or something? My guess is somebody like that or cash + a Szczr type, or just a bunch of cash.
fang2415Quote Reply
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2011/10/11/2011-10-11_theo_epstein_headed_to_chicago_cubs_to_become_general_manager_leaves_boston_red_.html
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=Buster Olney]Source: Epstein would be restricted, through agreement of parties, from taking employees to CHC with him, except in cases BOS green lights.[/quote]
.
GWQuote Reply
Aisle424Quote Reply
.
GWQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2011/10/11/2011-10-11_theo_epstein_headed_to_chicago_cubs_to_become_general_manager_leaves_boston_red_.html[/quote]Wwwwwwoooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwww
fang2415Quote Reply
excellent call by mb
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]Wwwwwwoooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwww[/quote]If srs
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]
[/quote]
Fuck yeah man. Best Cubs news in…well, I dunno. Have we ever had any good news before?
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
[quote name=Smokestack Lightning]Fuck yeah man. Best Cubs news in…well, I dunno. Have we ever had any good news before?[/quote]Not since 1908.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
So when is the interview with Theo?
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]Byrd seems like a reasonable trade actually. That’s basically sending them what, 7M or something? My guess is somebody like that or cash + a Szczr type, or just a bunch of cash.[/quote]
http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7089985/theo-epstein-cusp-taking-job-chicago-cubs-report-says
Ah.
fang2415Quote Reply
My believing-this reflex still hasn’t kicked in. Maybe just because if anybody would jump the gun on this, it’d be the Post…
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]My believing-this reflex still hasn’t kicked in. Maybe just because if anybody would jump the gun on this, it’d be the Post…[/quote]I thought the Boston Herald did it first.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This would be the biggest acquisition since they signed Ernie Banks as they desegregated.
Aisle424Quote Reply
this isnt officially official yet
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]this isnt officially official yet[/quote]Don’t you like anything?
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I thought the Boston Herald did it first.[/quote]Herald is just saying cusp/brink/verge/edge. NY Daily News is saying he’s actually done it. (Sorry, I said the NY Post was the one jumping the gun. The NYDN is the other paper that seems most likely to do that.)
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=Smokestack Lightning]Fuck yeah man. Best Cubs news in…well, I dunno. Have we ever had any good news before?[/quote]
if true, best news for the cubs since either
1) cubs signed soriano- which was clear indication that the cubs were going to be sold, and go all out to contend in the meantime.
2) Al Yellon was chosen to run the sbnation cubs blog
GWQuote Reply
PeteAbe Pete Abraham
by CarrieMuskat
Also, a team source stressed that Epstein still could remain in Boston and has not definitely decided to go.
9 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
dylanjQuote Reply
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
This is what Gammons was saying today too. This is definitely not finally final yet. (dying laughing)
melissaQuote Reply
Sheeit. It’s like 2 am here but now I’m going to have to stay up on Theo-watch until this shitstorm of news calms down…
fang2415Quote Reply
Okay, I’m semi-drunk from a work conference. If the Cubs sign Theo, someone post on my wall or send me a pajamagram. kthxbai
MishQuote Reply
NYDN still the only one with a headline in the past tense. I’m betting that gets revised down to a gerund before we hear anything else…
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Okay, I’m semi-drunk from a work conference. If the Cubs sign Theo, someone post on my wall or send me a pajamagram. kthxbai[/quote]
All Cubs fans will awake to a Theo Bear Cub under their pillow after the deal is done. It will be delivered by a unicorn.
melissaQuote Reply
The guy in the purple shirt’s celebrity connections should pay off here.
cdwQuote Reply
I’m already bored with this.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
speakers going hammer
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]This is about motherfucking boredom.[/quote].
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I’m already bored with this.[/quote]Fun-sucker.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I’m already bored with this.[/quote]
You only want to hear about GM candidates that you’ve probably never heard of.
/Hipster Ricketts’d
melissaQuote Reply
In the meantime, Tigers lead.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Fun-sucker.[/quote]Hmm, well, to be fair, it is becoming increasingly clear that the entire US sports press is now reporting on each other…
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]Hmm, well, to be fair, it is becoming increasingly clear that the entire US sports press is now reporting on each other…[/quote]Hot.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Hot.[/quote]You’ll hate yourself for saying that once Sullivan files his story.
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]You’ll hate yourself for saying that once Sullivan files his story.[/quote]Well, that’ll be at least 4 months from now so it’ll seem like fresh news.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]You’ll hate yourself for saying that once Sullivan files his story.[/quote]
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Well, that’ll be at least 4 months from now so it’ll seem like fresh news.[/quote]
this is the troof
dylanjQuote Reply
Now that I think about it, Sullivan hasn’t been tweeting. Probably trying to weave a few anti-Z sentiments into his story.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Someone just got a Josh Hamilton souvenir…ouch.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Well, that’ll be at least 4 months from now so it’ll seem like fresh news.[/quote]Yeah, but by then it will be a clever witty feature about how some crazy Cub fan wearing a hat and sunglasses just heard that Epstein was on the precipice of signing with the Cubs. Oh, how we’ll laugh.
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Now that I think about it, Sullivan hasn’t been tweeting. Probably trying to weave a few anti-Z sentiments into his story.[/quote](dying laughing), I forgot about that crucial element. “Some fan just heard about Theo Epstein. Nobody’s been that stupid since Carlos Zambrano!”
fang2415Quote Reply
Since it’s not officially official, I would say that even if Theo ends up staying in Boston, the Cubs did everything they could and were expected to do to roll out the red carpet and should be commended for it.
Colby Lewis—> batting practice
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Oof, okay, 3am and the flow of new information (all one data point of it) has slowed. fang2415 out, fuckfaces.
I will be seriously disappointed it I don’t find Theo Epstein gift-wrapped under my tree tomorrow morning. And a picture of Carlos Zambrano punching Paul Sullivan in the nose.
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Since it’s not officially official, I would say that even if Theo ends up staying in Boston, the Cubs did everything they could and were expected to do to roll out the red carpet and should be commended for it.
[/quote]This was how they operated for years with big free agents. Piazza, Beltran, Hampton (and I’m sure many more I’m not thinking of) all fell under the category of “Close but no cigar.”
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]This was how they operated for years with big free agents. Piazza, Beltran, Hampton (and I’m sure many more I’m not thinking of) all fell under the category of “Close but no cigar.”[/quote]Wasn’t that more because the facilities suck?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]And a picture of Carlos Zambrano punching Paul Sullivan in the nose.[/quote]I hope he doesn’t scrape his knuckles on the ground.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]excellent call by mb[/quote]A little luck and a lot of common sense based on various things we knew to be true.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Wasn’t that more because the facilities suck?[/quote]I’m sure it didn’t help, but they just wanted people to know they were “trying.” They never fucking closed the deal. Obviously money speaks, because Hendry didn’t have any problems landing the contracts (with the same facilities) when it was time to sell the team.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]speakers going hammer[/quote]
purple monkey dishwasher
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]This was how they operated for years with big free agents. Piazza, Beltran, Hampton (and I’m sure many more I’m not thinking of) all fell under the category of “Close but no cigar.”[/quote]Not exactly. Those were all guys they wanted, but they made no extra effort to sign any of them. I’m not even sure they ever sat down with Beltran or submitted an offer. The Cubs have gone all out here3.
It may not be finally final or officially official, but it may as well be. Does anyone really think John Henry is going to want Theo back after having such a difficult time making this decision? No way. It’s not Red Sox or Cubs right now. It’s unemployment or Cubs.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I’m sure it didn’t help, but they just wanted people to know they were “trying.” They never fucking closed the deal. Obviously money speaks, because Hendry didn’t have any problems landing the contracts (with the same facilities) when it was time to sell the team.[/quote]Obviously I don’t know everything but indications are that the Ricketts are throwing in everything including the kitchen sink on this one, so if Epstein doesn’t want to come out and play, it’s less the Cubs’ fault and more Epstein being Billy Beane v2.0…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Now that I think about it, Sullivan hasn’t been tweeting. Probably trying to weave a few anti-Z sentiments into his story.[/quote]
We’ll read this article in March.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I’m sure it didn’t help, but they just wanted people to know they were “trying.” They never fucking closed the deal. Obviously money speaks, because Hendry didn’t have any problems landing the contracts (with the same facilities) when it was time to sell the team.[/quote]Yeah, exactly. Once the Cubs started putting their money where their mouth was those guys started coming to Chicago.
mb21Quote Reply
Gordon Edes: If Theo goes to Chi, Sandberg will be favorite to be named manager. Theo tried to hire Sandberg for Pawtucket last winter
BerseliusQuote Reply
Pretty tenuous link to go from that to favorite
BerseliusQuote Reply
The only reason Epstein hasn’t been fired by the Red Sox is because they’re thinking they can get compensation. If they fired him, no compensation. I’m 95% sure Epstein is the Cubs GM. I’m 100% sure he is not the Red Sox GM next year.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Gordon Edes: If Theo goes to Chi, Sandberg will be favorite to be named manager. Theo tried to hire Sandberg for Pawtucket last winter[/quote]Here’s hoping that Ryne Sandberg gets a long leash then if he’s hired. Hate to see him get the Quade treatment as another fall guy.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://twitter.com/#!/GordonEdes/statuses/123945451992002560
Wha?
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Pretty tenuous link to go from that to favorite[/quote]Didn’t Whittenmeyer write an article about that awhile back? I think Sandberg will be the guy who is hired because I think Theo is going to want some manager he can influence.
mb21Quote Reply
Home run derby in Detroit tonight.
Miguel Cabrera’s head is doing the Barry Bonds expansion thing.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Didn’t Whittenmeyer write an article about that awhile back? I think Sandberg will be the guy who is hired because I think Theo is going to want some manager he can influence.[/quote]Only if Paul Konerko turns him down.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]
Miguel Cabrera’s head is doing the Barry Bonds expansion thing.[/quote]Irresponsible rumor.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Didn’t Whittenmeyer write an article about that awhile back? I think Sandberg will be the guy who is hired because I think Theo is going to want some manager he can influence.[/quote]I thought Sandberg was old-school and wouldn’t be receptive to supervision of that sort.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Gammons thinks Brett Jackson might be the guy too.
mb21Quote Reply
Is there any chance to flip Theo for Nolasco?
BottleasmokeQuote Reply
Miguel Cabrera can kind of swing a bat a little.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Didn’t Whittenmeyer write an article about that awhile back? I think Sandberg will be the guy who is hired because I think Theo is going to want some manager he can influence.[/quote]
You’d think then that he wouldn’t want a guy who isn’t a franchise legend and has enough clout with the media to push back.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I thought Sandberg was old-school and wouldn’t be receptive to supervision of that sort.[/quote]I don’t think that’s true. Sandberg is an intelligent guy and more than anything, he’ll do whatever he has to get a big league job.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Bottleasmoke]Is there any chance to flip Theo for Nolasco?[/quote](dying laughing) that would be awesome. Tell Alvin about this idea.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Bottleasmoke]Is there any chance to flip Theo for Nolasco?[/quote]
You need to throw in Castro to get that deal done.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Gammons thinks Brett Jackson might be the guy too.[/quote]That would suck, but if Theo is any kind of smart, BJax can be replaced via the draft/international signings anyway so I’ll only be a little bit sad instead of all-the-way sad. Would rather keep BJax though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]You’d think then that he wouldn’t want a guy who isn’t a franchise legend and has enough clout with the media to push back.[/quote]I just don’t think that would be an issue. First time it happens would probably be the last. Sandberg won’t be making much money so if Sandberg did that he’d be gone. We might see Sandberg push back in year 3 or 4, but not at first.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]You need to throw in Castro to get that deal done.[/quote]Nah. You deal Castro for Hamilton, then flip him for Kila.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I just don’t think that would be an issue. First time it happens would probably be the last. Sandberg won’t be making much money so if Sandberg did that he’d be gone. We might see Sandberg push back in year 3 or 4, but not at first.[/quote]
These guys have big egos, etc. etc.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]That would suck, but if Theo is any kind of smart, BJax can be replaced via the draft/international signings anyway so I’ll only be a little bit sad instead of all-the-way sad. Would rather keep BJax though.[/quote]I’d rather keep him as well, but if the cost to get Theo is Brett Jackson, big deal as far as I’m concerned. It’s not like losing Jackson would set the organization back a decade.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]You’d think then that he wouldn’t want a guy who isn’t a franchise legend and has enough clout with the media to push back.[/quote]
This is why I don’t believe Sandberg will be the hire. I also don’t think Ryno will just be a “yes” man that runs the team the way the GM wants. He definitely has expressed “old school” values about things and I would think running the clubhouse his way and making up the lineup how he sees fit would be part of it.
melissaQuote Reply
Jim Leyland really wants to save the bullpen and Fister is helping him out a ton.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Maybe Theo hires Ryno and then gives him a crash course in lineup optimization and reliever leveraging (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’d rather keep him as well, but if the cost to get Theo is Brett Jackson, big deal as far as I’m concerned. It’s not like losing Jackson would set the organization back a decade.[/quote]Yeah. Being the Cubs has already done that. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]These guys have big egos, etc. etc.[/quote]They do, but Sandberg has spent several years now trying to get this job. I think he’s the perfect example of someone who is going to play nice and do what he was told. Francona was that guy when Theo hired him. He’d been fired by the Phillies and was a base coach (I think) for the A’s for awhile and then the Theo hired him. Based on what I read in a book, Tito basically did whatever it was that Beane and their manager told him to do and then that way at first in Boston.
mb21Quote Reply
There’s nothing wrong with old school values. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you Francona is an old school manager. He’d tell you that. Lou was that way. Even Joe Maddon is. You won’t find a manager who won’t consider himself old school.
mb21Quote Reply
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/person-familiar-with-situation-red-sox-gm-epstein-likely-to-join-cubs-within-48-hours/2011/10/11/gIQAB5YudL_story.html
mb21Quote Reply
Another good thing about this is that if Epstein does indeed become the new GM, the chances of Brenly ———> dugout go from miniscule to nonexistant.
BerseliusQuote Reply
I don’t see why Theo wouldn’t just hire Tito for the sake of continuity and having someone he trusts in that seat.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/person-familiar-with-situation-red-sox-gm-epstein-likely-to-join-cubs-within-48-hours/2011/10/11/gIQAB5YudL_story.html[/quote]It’s almost obligatory, but is this person familiar with the situation wearing a purple shirt?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Tito didn’t sound like he was itching to work with Theo anytime too soon. I’d love that if that if it happened, but I’d be surprised.
mb21Quote Reply
So I guess Mike Quade is toast, right?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Mike Quade is gone regardless of who the next GM is.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Mike Quade is gone regardless of who the next GM is.[/quote]I was worried this would drag on so long that the Cubs would be stuck with the leftover remains of everyone else’s managerial search. If this comes together anytime soon, then yeah, Quade is done.
Aisle424Quote Reply
I kind of feel bad for Quade. He was given shit and tried to make shitade, and he’s had a death sentence hanging over his job since Hendry was fired, not to mention the circus surrounding the Z stuff this year.
But then I remember the nicknames.
BerseliusQuote Reply
I feel bad for him too, b. Not only was it a team that had little chance of contending or even of reaching .500, but they were a bit unlucky. I hated how he managed the pitchers, but I loved how he managed the media.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I kind of feel bad for Quade. He was given shit and tried to make shitade, and he’s had a death sentence hanging over his job since Hendry was fired, not to mention the circus surrounding the Z stuff this year.
But then I remember the nicknames.[/quote]The nicknames were almost as good as the lineups and pitching changes.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I feel bad for him too, b. Not only was it a team that had little chance of contending or even of reaching .500, but they were a bit unlucky. I hated how he managed the pitchers, but I loved how he managed the media.[/quote]
This. Though I miss Lou’s Confused Old Man routine (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Mike Quade is gone regardless of who the next GM is.[/quote]
Hope that is true, will be the best news I’ve heard in a year.
pinetarQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]This. Though I miss Lou’s Confused Old Man routine (dying laughing)[/quote]I think his “What do you expect me to do?” line was the most appropriate line I’ve ever heard a manager say as he was merely speaking the truth.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]The nicknames were almost as good as the lineups and pitching changes.[/quote]
The lineups and pitching changes annoyed me (and IIRC I really went off on Cuey at one point), but that’s shit that every manager does. The difference between replacement level and average is pretty close. I’d rather have a manager that defuses shit before the media blows it up, like Cuey generally did a good job with. Not much you can do about the Z stuff.
BerseliusQuote Reply
I thought Quade eventually got a pretty decent lineup together, but then they traded Fukudome, and Q moved Barney back up to the 2-hole. Meh.
ACTQuote Reply
Wow, Miguel Cabrera can has defense.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The most annoying thing about Quade’s in-game strategy (to me) was how he didn’t remove the pitcher for a pinch-hitter when the pitcher wasn’t long for the game anyway. Drove me nuts.
ACTQuote Reply
Why waste a bench player when you can just have the pitcher lay down a sacrifice?
ACTQuote Reply
We have a series!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Wow, Miguel Cabrera can has defense.[/quote]Announcers said that if the Tigers got to the WS, Leyland would consider starting Cabrera at third so he can use Martinez at first in the NL games. Seriously.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Announcers said that if the Tigers got to the WS, Leyland would consider starting Cabrera at third so he can use Martinez at first in the NL games. Seriously.[/quote]Huh…that’s a bit weird. Cabrera’s played LF before right? Should stick him in the OF instead, keep a good defensive 3B on the field if he really wants to keep all the bats in the lineup.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
See, without V-Mart to protect him, Cabrera is essentially useless.
ACTQuote Reply
I’m at a conference, and I’ve pretty much been doing this for the last three hours:
shawndgoldmanQuote Reply
[quote name=shawndgoldman]I’m at a conference, and I’ve pretty much been doing this for the last three hours:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFlcqWQVVuU%5B/quote%5D(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
What would Quade call Theo?
Eppy? Thee?
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]What would Quade call Theo?
Eppy? Thee?[/quote]Jewy.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=shawndgoldman]I’m at a conference, and I’ve pretty much been doing this for the last three hours:
[/quote]
that might not be appropriate for an academic conference, shawn. may i suggest:
GWQuote Reply
man. this makes me as happy as I was in 2008
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Jewy.[/quote]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cir05JyEsV0#t=19s
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]What would Quade call Theo?
Eppy? Thee?[/quote] “The guyee who fired me”.
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cir05JyEsV0#t=19s[/quote]That Paki does look an awful lot like Mish.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]That Paki does look an awful lot like Mish.[/quote]www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cir05JyEsV0#t=19s
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I kind of feel bad for Quade. He was given shit and tried to make shitade, and he’s had a death sentence hanging over his job since Hendry was fired, not to mention the circus surrounding the Z stuff this year.
But then I remember the nicknames.[/quote]Good point Bersey.
shawndgoldmanQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]that might not be appropriate for an academic conference, shawn. may i suggest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yshnhEHBtO4%5B/quote%5DI'm saving that for my talk tomorrow.
shawndgoldmanQuote Reply
Peter Gammons postulated it will be Brett Jackson. Sox will want what they don’t have in their system — a power hitting OF prospect. They LOVE OBP guys. They need a RF who can cover a big plot of land in assymetrical Fenway.(Negative: They’re too lefthanded now, so they need someone who bats right. Jackson ain’t it)). And the reason Theo is leaving is that he’s blocked by Larry Lucchino in the president’s job, and Lucchino is definitely going to play hardball [(a) it’s what he does; (b) he needs a big score or he’s going to be the guy who gets blamed for Theo leaving]
Elgin MCQuote Reply
http://twitter.com/#!/redsoxstats/status/124051042643095552
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]That Paki does look an awful lot like Mish.[/quote](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]http://twitter.com/#!/redsoxstats/status/124051042643095552[/quote]whoa, I guess that says it all. MB was definitely right about Cubs or unemployment. I suggest we flip Sullivan for MB as the Tribune writer. Then we can flip him for Whittenmeyer.
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]whoa, I guess that says it all. MB was definitely right about Cubs or unemployment. I suggest we flip Sullivan for MB as the Tribune writer. Then we can flip him for Whittenmeyer.[/quote]
Yep. The one concern I had was that this was an elaborate power play by theo to oust lucchino or something similar within the redsox. It appears the opposite is the case, theo is using his impending contract end to bring down redsox compensation demands.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=Elgin MC]Peter Gammons postulated it will be Brett Jackson. Sox will want what they don’t have in their system — a power hitting OF prospect. They LOVE OBP guys. They need a RF who can cover a big plot of land in assymetrical Fenway.(Negative: They’re too lefthanded now, so they need someone who bats right. Jackson ain’t it)). And the reason Theo is leaving is that he’s blocked by Larry Lucchino in the president’s job, and Lucchino is definitely going to play hardball [(a) it’s what he does; (b) he needs a big score or he’s going to be the guy who gets blamed for Theo leaving][/quote]
I guess we’re SOL then (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
WEEI also reporting it’s a done deal, 5 years, > 15 million. Will be finalized by the end of the week.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]Yep. The one concern I had was that this was an elaborate power play by theo to oust lucchino or something similar within the redsox. It appears the opposite is the case, theo is using his impending contract end to bring down redsox compensation demands.[/quote]I initially thought about that same thing, GW. It’s not out of the question either. If Theo does have a job with the Sox next year it will be for a lot more money and a President’s type job (maybe in title only). He’ll still be behind Lucchino so I don’t know if Theo will see it as a promotion. So I take that to mean that situation is unlikely.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]WEEI also reporting it’s a done deal, 5 years, > 15 million. Will be finalized by the end of the week.[/quote] got a link to a man in a pinstriped green and purple shirt for that one?
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
Nate, I think it was on the radio.
mb21Quote Reply
They usually have an article up after a show I think.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]got a link to a man in a pinstriped green and purple shirt for that one?[/quote]
Just a dude in a red hat (dying laughing) http://twitter.com/#!/bleachernation
Though I could just turn on my radio (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
Ace has a rundown here of all the overnight Theo stories
http://www.bleachernation.com/2011/10/12/a-rundown-of-all-things-theo-epstein-at-least-one-source-says-its-a-done-deal/
BerseliusQuote Reply
I know I read something last night about one of the possible holdups being who Theo can take with him to Chicago. I really hope one of them they allow is Tom Tippett, but I doubt that happens.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Nate, I think it was on the radio.[/quote]why didn’t he take a picture of the radio with his camera-phone then?
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I know I read something last night about one of the possible holdups being who Theo can take with him to Chicago. I really hope one of them they allow is Tom Tippett, but I doubt that happens.[/quote]
Heh, or Bill James. Of course, I know one prominent baseball researcher who would probably jump at the chance at working for the Cubs…
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]why didn’t he take a picture of the radio with his camera-phone then?[/quote]He’s a lazy bastard.
mb21Quote Reply
I have WEEI on. They have multiple sources in Chi and Bos saying it’s done as Ace mentioned above. They also say that they officially gave permission for the Cubs to talk to Theo on Friday after that big interview on NESN.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Now they’re moving on to this fucking ridiculous hatchet job by the Globe, that complained about pitchers having too much fried chicken and beer and implying that Tito managed poorly because of alleged marital problems and that he was addicted to painkillers. Stay classy, Boston Globe.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I have WEEI on. They have multiple sources in Chi and Bos saying it’s done as Ace mentioned above. They also say that they officially gave permission for the Cubs to talk to Theo on Friday after that big interview on NESN.[/quote]This is just awesome, but I can’t get too excited until all the sources agree it’s finally final.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I have WEEI on. They have multiple sources in Chi and Bos saying it’s done as Ace mentioned above. They also say that they officially gave permission for the Cubs to talk to Theo on Friday after that big interview on NESN.[/quote]
Interesting. By in large, Ricketts has kept this whole thing under wraps, with all the leaks coming from Boston. The Chicago beat writers have to be enraged.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Ace has a rundown here of all the overnight Theo stories
http://www.bleachernation.com/2011/10/12/a-rundown-of-all-things-theo-epstein-at-least-one-source-says-its-a-done-deal/%5B/quote%5D
From that link:
This is the first peep I’ve heard from the Chicago side of things, aside from men in many-colored shirts.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]Interesting. By in large, Ricketts has kept this whole thing under wraps, with all the leaks coming from Boston. The Chicago beat writers have to be enraged.[/quote]I’m reminded of Bruce Miles comment on twitter after Ricketts said they’d keep it secret: yeah, good luck with that. Or something like that. This was the same day or the day after that we learned that Jim Hendry was fired on July 22 and that it wasn’t announced until a month later.
We knew at that point that Ricketts could keep a secret. If you can keep it secret that you’ve fired the GM of nearly a decade, you’ve done well. There wasn’t any reason to believe that this couldn’t be done as secretive as that was seeing as the only person or people involved in it were the Ricketts.
mb21Quote Reply
(dying laughing) @ Gordo using Aisley, MO and Dolan as sources…
…and slamming a front office dude so personally.
Suburban kid 22aQuote Reply
FYI, Gordo cites Cubs sources saying an offer within Theo’s expectations has been made, they’re just waiting for an answer.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/8165042-573/now-its-in-theo-epsteins-hands-to-decide-if-hell-be-next-cubs-gm.html
Suburban kid 22aQuote Reply
Did they every actually roll out those misting stations?
Suburban kid 22aQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]Interesting. By in large, Ricketts has kept this whole thing under wraps, with all the leaks coming from Boston. The Chicago beat writers have to be enraged.[/quote]
Maybe the Daily Herald doesn’t pay Bruce Miles’s cell phone bill in the offseason.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid 22a](dying laughing) @ Gordo using Aisley, MO and Dolan as sources…
…and slamming a front office dude so personally.[/quote]
Not sure who else was piling on, but Jim Bowden said something extremely similar to that a few days ago.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Maybe the Daily Herald doesn’t pay Bruce Miles’s cell phone bill in the offseason.[/quote]
(dying laughing) or maybe bruce has been all over it, but no one knows because it’s behind the pay wall.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=GW](dying laughing) or maybe bruce has been all over it, but no one knows because it’s behind the pay wall.[/quote]
The saddest thing about Bruce’s situation is seeing Phil Rodgers bragging about how he’s flying all over the damn place for the playoffs this year when there aren’t any CHI teams involved.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]The saddest thing about Bruce’s situation is seeing Phil Rodgers bragging about how he’s flying all over the damn place for the playoffs this year when there aren’t any CHI teams involved.[/quote]Rogers is on the national beat. I don’t even think he lives in Chicago.
Suburban kid 22aQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Not sure who else was piling on, but Jim Bowden said something extremely similar to that a few days ago.[/quote]I did not know that, but I haven’t really been paying attention.
Suburban kid 22aQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid 22a]Rogers is on the national beat. I don’t even think he lives in Chicago.[/quote]
It still sucks to see a hack like him flying around while Bruce is getting nickel and dimed by his own org.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid 22a]I did not know that, but I haven’t really been paying attention.[/quote]
I was wrong, it wasn’t Bowden, he was just slam-adjacent in this Gordo piece from last week
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/8039792-573/cubs-ask-to-talk-to-red-sox-theo-epstein.html
.
BerseliusQuote Reply
What if Crane Kenney is actually the Chicago beat writers’ go-to anonymous source?
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]What if Crane Kenney is actually the Chicago beat writers’ go-to anonymous source?[/quote]
(dying laughing), that would match Epstein’s experience in Boston, as he threatened to leave the org a few years ago because Lucchino was the go-to anonymous source there.
BerseliusQuote Reply
http://www.fangraphs.com/not/index.php/introducing-new-and-better-writers/
I think my eyes just rolled all the way around my head
BerseliusQuote Reply
Was that article a joke?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid 22a]Did they every actually roll out those misting stations?[/quote]
Not sure if seriously serious, but the answer is yes and they’re pretty ghetto.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Was that article a joke?[/quote]
It’s possible that it was an ironic commentary on the duality of man within the duality of nature
BerseliusQuote Reply
So how did the Cubs end up in the draft race? 7th overall?
WaLiQuote Reply
http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21147021/dc-theo-has-5-year-deal-cubs
BerseliusQuote Reply
Dan Bernstein is plying the same non sequitur line as Chuck, implying that Theo hire ———–> $300m in public money. What?
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=WaLi]So how did the Cubs end up in the draft race? 7th overall?[/quote]I think they were sixth. Shockingly there were worse teams in MLB (dying laughing)
Also, I forgot who made the Epstein-Barr joke, but it is somewhat coincidental that the Cubs’ top draft pick last year got mono.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21147021/dc-theo-has-5-year-deal-cubs[/quote]
GBTSQuote Reply
This still isn’t officially official? Jesus, it’s like Chicago doesn’t have an effective sports media or something!
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]This still isn’t officially official? Jesus, it’s like Chicago doesn’t have an effective sports media or something![/quote]Unfortunately there’s only so many ways one can spin “no comment”.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]This still isn’t officially official? Jesus, it’s like Chicago doesn’t have an effective sports media or something![/quote]Or is it? New stuff:
http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/report-cubs-now-a-theocracy.html
AndCountingQuote Reply