Epstein's Future

[NDdomer2]

ESPN MLB Sources: Theo Epstein nears Cubs job

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I can dig it.

 

[NDdomer2]

Quade has one more year under contract, it's not like the Cubs have high expectations next year either. I expect Epstein to start making an impact the following offseason. They should have a majority of the worthless high dollar guys off the books by then.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Not sold on him. Cubs are screwed until Soriano is gone. No pitching.

 

[NDinFL]

I like this a lot... Hopefully Theo can spend the cubs money wisely

 

[NDdomer2]

I like this a lot... Hopefully Theo can spend the cubs money wisely

Agree, but I'm more for drafting guys that turn out like Padroia, Ellsbury, and Youk.

 

[NDinFL]

Agree, but I'm more for drafting guys that turn out like Padroia, Ellsbury, and Youk.

Well put. I'll take both

 

[chgocub23]

I will pretty much take anybody not named Jim Hendry

 

[NDdomer2]

Not sold on him. Cubs are screwed until Soriano is gone. No pitching.

Can't acquire big time pitching until guys like Soriano are gone. I expect them to get rid of him by next offseason, even if were paying for him to play for someone else.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

The bullpen is, in my opinion, better than it has been for a while.

Starting rotation is terrible.

But, that could change if Cashner is as good as his flashes and if the Shark can translate to the rotation.

Garza is quite good.
Wells is a question mark.
Dempster is a serviceable back end guy at this point. I think he's around for another year.

Soriano isn't going anywhere. He'll put up 20-25 and 80-90 for the duration of his contract, but will only hit .220-.260. We just need to deal with that.

 

[nd1]

they just said on espn radio that weii out of boston is saying that the deal is done and theo headed to cubs.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

The bullpen is, in my opinion, better than it has been for a while.

Starting rotation is terrible.

But, that could change if Cashner is as good as his flashes and if the Shark can translate to the rotation.

Garza is quite good.
Wells is a question mark.
Dempster is a serviceable back end guy at this point. I think he's around for another year.

Soriano isn't going anywhere. He'll put up 20-25 and 80-90 for the duration of his contract, but will only hit .220-.260. We just need to deal with that.

Shark is a two pitch guy right now, I think he's staying in the bullpen.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Theo erased an 80-year drought for a WS victory in Boston. If he erases the 100-year drought for the Cubs, do you think he is the best GM ever? Discuss.

 

[nd1]

5 year deal with cubs


Sources -- Theo Epstein agrees to five-year deal with Chicago Cubs, to leave Boston Red Sox - ESPN

 

[NDdomer2]

Theo erased an 80-year drought for a WS victory in Boston. If he erases the 100-year drought for the Cubs, do you think he is the best GM ever? Discuss.

Best GM ever....hard to say. Hall of Famer....Yes.

On a side note: ESPN Rumor Central has two rumors about the Cub's manager position. One states that Sandberg is closer than some may think to having the position. The other rumor states that Tito may be coming along with Theo. If Tito is given the job, I would like to see Sandberg as the bench coach.

 

[11cracker11]

As a die hard Cubs fan who boycotted Wrigley Field this past summer after the hiring of Mike Quade, I hope Theo Epstein does not make the same mistake. Ryne Sandberg should be the next manager of the Cubs no matter what. Tito Francona?...u mean the guy who John Lackey, $16.5 Mil/yr for a 6.41 ERA, openly disrespected when being pulled from games will rein in big headed vets like Soriano, Zambrano and to some respect Dempster(dugout smack down of Quade). Sandberg has paid his dues, a HOF'r and is a Chciago icon. I agree, next year may not be great but we Cub fans would give Sandberg/Epstein a 1 yr honeymoon to get alot of bad money off the books and hopeful;y develop somebody LaHair, Jackson, Colvin, Castro(cont), Cashner, Shark, maybe even Vitters, etc

 

[NDdomer2]

As a die hard Cubs fan who boycotted Wrigley Field this past summer after the hiring of Mike Quade, I hope Theo Epstein does not make the same mistake. Ryne Sandberg should be the next manager of the Cubs no matter what. Tito Francona?...u mean the guy who John Lackey, $16.5 Mil/yr for a 6.41 ERA, openly disrespected when being pulled from games will rein in big headed vets like Soriano, Zambrano and to some respect Dempster(dugout smack down of Quade). Sandberg has paid his dues, a HOF'r and is a Chciago icon. I agree, next year may not be great but we Cub fans would give Sandberg/Epstein a 1 yr honeymoon to get alot of bad money off the books and hopeful;y develop somebody LaHair, Jackson, Colvin, Castro(cont), Cashner, Shark, maybe even Vitters, etc

Don't think we will ever have to worry about Zambrano again.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

You're Theo Epstein. What's your first order of business?

I say clean house.

 

[NDdomer2]

You're Theo Epstein. What's your first order of business?

I say clean house.

Should have been done a while ago. I'm guessing your right. Hendry never would, which is why he isn't the GM anymore. Keep the few worth it and the young guns and start over at step one.

 

[Zibby32]

Your not cleaning house... No one is going to take the scraps on the Cubs roster.

Theo built from within, its going to be a 3-4 year plan. Papelbon, Lester, Bucholz, Bard...all pitchers he drafted and developed

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

As a die hard Cubs fan who boycotted Wrigley Field this past summer after the hiring of Mike Quade, I hope Theo Epstein does not make the same mistake. Ryne Sandberg should be the next manager of the Cubs no matter what. Tito Francona?...u mean the guy who John Lackey, $16.5 Mil/yr for a 6.41 ERA, openly disrespected when being pulled from games will rein in big headed vets like Soriano, Zambrano and to some respect Dempster(dugout smack down of Quade). Sandberg has paid his dues, a HOF'r and is a Chciago icon. I agree, next year may not be great but we Cub fans would give Sandberg/Epstein a 1 yr honeymoon to get alot of bad money off the books and hopeful;y develop somebody LaHair, Jackson, Colvin, Castro(cont), Cashner, Shark, maybe even Vitters, etc

Theo already tried to hire Sandberg last year to manager their AAA team in Boston. Pawtucket or whatever. Anyway, I think Quade will still be here to end his contract (one year remaining) and then we will see a change.

 

[NDdomer2]

Theo already tried to hire Sandberg last year to manager their AAA team in Boston. Pawtucket or whatever. Anyway, I think Quade will still be here to end his contract (one year remaining) and then we will see a change.

Do you bring in Sandberg on the coaching staff?

 

[11cracker11]

I believe the reason Sandberg chose Philly is he felt he would be much closer to the big league role considering Charlie Manual's age. Quade is done, you must not live in Chciago if you think Cubs fans will tolerate him again. The Tribune did a poll and something like 96% of fans wanted Quade fired. He did nothing develop Castro, Barney, Soto and he killed Colvin. He is one and done and he brought down Jim Hendry with him.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

As a die hard Cubs fan who boycotted Wrigley Field this past summer after the hiring of Mike Quade, I hope Theo Epstein does not make the same mistake. Ryne Sandberg should be the next manager of the Cubs no matter what. Tito Francona?...u mean the guy who John Lackey, $16.5 Mil/yr for a 6.41 ERA, openly disrespected when being pulled from games will rein in big headed vets like Soriano, Zambrano and to some respect Dempster(dugout smack down of Quade). Sandberg has paid his dues, a HOF'r and is a Chciago icon. I agree, next year may not be great but we Cub fans would give Sandberg/Epstein a 1 yr honeymoon to get alot of bad money off the books and hopeful;y develop somebody LaHair, Jackson, Colvin, Castro(cont), Cashner, Shark, maybe even Vitters, etc

Seriously? You're going to blame Tito for Lackey being an ******* when getting the hook after giving up 6 runs in 2 1/3 innings? Not Tito's fault. There are other issues which I would put on him, but not that piece. As a Sox fan who just witnessed the unraveling of epic proportions (I literally saw it from behind the 1st base dugout), I think there is plenty of blame to go around. For 8 years Tito managed in one of the toughest markets to manage in and handled his players in a way that held their collective respect (at least for 7 1/2 yrs he did). There are things written today in the Boston Globe that shed light on problems through the clubhouse and organization. Read that article and reassess who gets the blame.

Theo will certainly develop the organizations farm system, he brought some unbelievable talent up through Portland and Pawtucket (Lester, Papelbon, Youk, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Bard, B Arroyo, Lavarnway, not to mention the ones he traded for A level players). He will tag free agents on their way out the door to insure the Cubs get multiple draft picks as compensation (Beltre, Foulke, etc.). He will trade prospects to bring in big names (A Gonzalez, Beckett, Lowell) he will sign big name free agents not all of whom you will like (Drew, Lackey, Renteria, Lugo, Cameron) and jury is still out on Crawford. You'll need to take the good w the bad. One thing we Boston fans have learned is that he seems more adept at spotting young talent than free agent talent, so keep that in mind when you see the moves he makes, because they are coming. I wish the Cubs well even though I'm not a fan. I was there in Fenway this year when they made their first return since 1918. Was hoping to see the Shark make an appearnace, but it didn't happen. Good Luck, go Irish.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I like Quade as a person...I hope he gets another job.

Hire Ryno. He kills everywhere he goes and he develops young guys.

And, he was my childhood hero. I want to see him coach the Cubbies for 15-20 years.

How cool would it be if he was the manager who brought us back?!

 

[NDdomer2]

One thing we Boston fans have learned is that he seems more adept at spotting young talent than free agent talent, so keep that in mind when you see the moves he makes, because they are coming.

Would you say Theo was 50/50 on his free agent signings? If so that's way way better than what the Cubs have done in free agency. Marlon Byrd and Matt Garza are the only positives I can think of.

 

[LWeis15]

What it comes down to is player development and your farm system when rebuilding. Epstein has a huge task ahead of him and we won't be seeing the affects for a few years, but i have confidence. Just wish he would come in and clean house.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Would you say Theo was 50/50 on his free agent signings? If so that's way way better than what the Cubs have done in free agency. Marlon Byrd and Matt Garza are the only positives I can think of.

You decide:

HITS
• Drafting Dustin Pedroia
• Drafting Jacoby Ellsbury
• Drafting Jonathan Papelbon, Daniel Bard
• Trading for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell He traded Hanley Ramirez and Anibel Sanchez to get these guys
• Trading for Adrian Gonzalez Traded 1B Anthony Rizzo, Casey Kelly and Raymond Fuentes, all players he drafted.
• Trading away Nomar Garciaparra Got A Cabrera (SS) and Doug Minkeweiz (1B and clearly misspelled) and won WS in large part because of this trade.

MISSES
• Signing J.D. Drew
• Signing John Lackey
• Signing Carl Crawford to me the jury is still out
Signing Julio Lugo
• Signing Edgar Renteria
• Signing Bobby Jenks
• Signing Daisuke Matsuzaka
• Trading for Eric Gagne He traded David Murphy, outfielder for Rangers and another prospect

He also got Curt Schilling, I believe through Free Agency and I'd say that was a hit. Others that he let walk and he got picks for were Johnny Damon (got the pick he used for Ellsbury), Derek Lowe and Pedro Martinez and Billy Wagner. Got a 1st and sandwich round pick for each of them.

 

[NDdomer2]

You decide:

HITS
• Drafting Dustin Pedroia
• Drafting Jacoby Ellsbury
• Drafting Jonathan Papelbon, Daniel Bard
• Trading for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell He traded Hanley Ramirez and Anibel Sanchez to get these guys
• Trading for Adrian Gonzalez Traded 1B Anthony Rizzo, Casey Kelly and Raymond Fuentes, all players he drafted.
• Trading away Nomar Garciaparra Got A Cabrera (SS) and Doug Minkeweiz (1B and clearly misspelled) and won WS in large part because of this trade.

MISSES
• Signing J.D. Drew
• Signing John Lackey
• Signing Carl Crawford to me the jury is still out
Signing Julio Lugo
• Signing Edgar Renteria
• Signing Bobby Jenks
• Signing Daisuke Matsuzaka
• Trading for Eric Gagne He traded David Murphy, outfielder for Rangers and another prospect

He also got Curt Schilling, I believe through Free Agency and I'd say that was a hit. Others that he let walk and he got picks for were Johnny Damon (got the pick he used for Ellsbury), Derek Lowe and Pedro Martinez and Billy Wagner. Got a 1st and sandwich round pick for each of them.

Still a better ratio than that of Hendry.

Misses: Soriano(Only from hind sight), Milton Bradley, Carlos Silva, Xavier Nady, Neifi Perez, Kent Mercker, Chad Fox, Chad Tracy, John Mabry, Joey Gathright, or Doug Davis.

Hits/Texas Leaguers: Ryan Dempster, Reed Johnson, Marlon Bryd, Matt Garza, Carlos Pena.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Still a better ratio than that of Hendry.

Misses: Soriano(Only from hind sight), Milton Bradley, Carlos Silva, Xavier Nady, Neifi Perez, Kent Mercker, Chad Fox, Chad Tracy, John Mabry, Joey Gathright, or Doug Davis.

Hits/Texas Leaguers: Ryan Dempster, Reed Johnson, Marlon Bryd, Matt Garza, Carlos Pena.

Yeah, that's not good but Theo's gaffes are usually really expensive. Dice-K $51M posting fee plus, $50M contract 6 years. Drew $75M over 5 years. Lackey $75 over 5. Lugo might have been 30M over 3 I don't recall the amount, but the Sox are still paying him and will be for a while. Jenks $12M over 2. Mike Cameron $15M over 2. Renteria was $30M over 3 and Sox paid someone to take him off their hands. Crawford will be a very expensive miss if he doesn't get right at $142 over 7.

He may have also brought in Ortiz via trade, drafted Youk I believe, brought in Dave Roberts who stole "the base" against the Yanks in '04 and was responsible for many others I can't recall, so again it's a mixed bag.