2011 Cubs

[pdga#7648]

 

[CEValkyrie]

I'm interested in seeing who the GM and how he handles this offseason. If leadership and production is a priority Pujols has got to be the #1 target. That guy is a machine and produces year after year. He also has the best work ethic in the game. Something the Cubs lack and need badly. Castro needs that around him. Not D Bags like Z, Soriano, and Ramirez. Bring on AP. Welcome to the windy city!!

[pdga#7648]

I love the consistency Brett, but your hopes will be squashed miserably (Ha Ha Dan) if you seriously think he will wear Cubbie blue.  Dan has it correct for once. They will sign Fielder!  
And remember, AP's production dropped considerably this year. didn't hit .300, didn't get 100 RBI's. was hurt a few times. and hit into an ungodly amount of double plays(he never runs out a grounder) His best years are behind him.

[stpitner]

So would you rather have Terry Francona as manager or Theo Epstein as GM?  It sounds like the two of them are not getting along, so they wouldn't go to the same team.  Theo to the Cubs, Terry to the White Sox?  I could see it.  After all, Tom Ricketts seems to be trying to do everything the Red Sox did to get the world series championship pig off their back.

I'd take Soriano hitting 7th with those numbers.  Castro/Barney for 1/2 could be pretty sweet, but you really need a pesky #3 that is clutch.  Aramis lost a lot of his clutch hitting, but I don't think he's coming back anyway.  You don't need a power hitter as much as a contact hitter that doesn't strike out often.  You don't need the home run if your table setters are already on base.  Then you'll take the power in #4 and #5.  I really don't want to see Prince Fielder on the Cubs because of his defense - Starlin has enough errors as it is.  Carlos Pena was ok, but his average was still only around .225 (at least it wasn't .196 again!)  If the Cubs can somehow find a replacement for Aramis Ramirez and a good right fielder than can fill the 3, 4, or 5 spot, then you're looking better.  I don't like the free agent list for where the Cubs need to go shopping though.  Andre Ethier is a 2013 free agent, maybe he would be a trade candidate and play right field?  It's going to be a rough offseason!

[pdga#7648]

Terry can't manage the White Sox, Sandberg already landed that job.  I don't think either of them will leave Boston though. Boston had not won a Series in like 96 years, but have 2 in a 4 year span. You can't get rid of either of them in my eyes. It's the players, not the management in this town.

[stpitner]

Check the latest news - the report out of Boston is that Francona told some of his staff that he will not be returning to Boston in 2012.  I was watching some of the report during lunch.  It's not official from the team yet, but ESPN was reporting it as a done deal.

lol about Sandberg and the White Sox.  He's too white. (it's a joke people)

[pdga#7648]

just announced. Francona is gone! doesn't make any sense. Do they think because they did win 2 in 3 or 4 years, that now they have to be the Yankees and play every October?  If LaRussa leaves, the Cardinals would take him.

[pdga#7648]

Red Sox mull over Cubs' request to interview Theo Epstein.


This is the smartest move I have heard in 39 years for the Cubs. You may have hope after all Cubbie fans? 

[Sr.]

Red Sox mull over Cubs' request to interview Theo Epstein.


This is the smartest move I have heard in 39 years for the Cubs. You may have hope after all Cubbie fans? 

I can do without hearing that I have hope from a St. Louis fan that lives in Illinois. Please spare me Doug.

[Dan Michler]

Scott, I like Terry Francona as a manager, but there are a lot of managers out there who can do a similar job if they have good talent.

You've got to be more excited about getting Theo as your GM who has the ability to impact your entire organization.  He took over in Boston in 2003 and completely overhauled how that team is perceived.  He drafted 2007 ROY and 2008 MVP Dustin Pedroia in 2004.  He drafted possible 2011 MVP Jacoby Ellsbury in 2005.  He also drafted Clay Buchholz.  If you get Theo, the hope is he can overhaul the player development system and churn out 1 or 2 guys like this in the next 5 years.  The Cubs haven't produced a position player like Pedroia or Ellsbury from our own farm system since......before my lifetime?

Theo has handed out some bad contracts in free agency, although not quite as bad as some of Hendry's.  The same can be said for Brian Cashman and any other GM who has the luxury of spending big bucks.

I don't believe Theo Epstein is some sort of immediate savior for the Cubs, but it would be better than some unknown without the proven track record.  It will be interesting to see what happens.  Its hard to imagine why he'd want to leave the Red Sox job unless Rickett's just blows him away with an offer.

[Dan Michler]

There was an interview with the Red Sox owner today.  He wouldn't say if he had granted permission for the Cubs to make an offer to Epstein, which seems a little strange.  However, he did say 'there is a certain protocol, if they are asking about a position that is not lateral, you allow it'.  The Cubs are rumored to be offereing Epstein a role as GM/Club President, which would make it a promotion.  I believe the Cubs have already spoken with Epstein and my bet would be that we'll know the outcome within days.

[CEValkyrie]

This doesn't really have anything to do with the Cubs but I went and saw Moneyball last night. If you are a baseball fan this is a pretty good movie. If not you'll probably hate it.

[Dan Michler]

This doesn't really have anything to do with the Cubs but I went and saw Moneyball last night. If you are a baseball fan this is a pretty good movie. If not you'll probably hate it.

I'll definitely have to check it out then.  Maybe the Cubs will hire Billy Beane as their new GM.  Or maybe they'll hire Brad Pitt, either way we're better off than where we were under Hendry.

[Tom McManus]

It was a good book. Seems like a tough book to base a movie on, but most of the reviews were positive.

[Dan Michler]

It was a good book. Seems like a tough book to base a movie on, but most of the reviews were positive.

Thanks for letting us know that you read books Tom.  We're all very impressed.   

[Tom McManus]

It was a good book. Seems like a tough book to base a movie on, but most of the reviews were positive.

Thanks for letting us know that you read books Tom.  We're all very impressed.   

I can walk and talk too. I also great taste in football teams, unfortunately, I am not much of a disc golfer.

[Dan Michler]

I still haven't heard any news on the Cubs GM front.  To me the silence strongly indicates Theo Epstein is about to be announced as the Cubs new GM.  Why would everybody have waited this long to make any public statement if he WASN'T going to take the Cubs job?  If Theo was going back to Boston, he'd have calmed the Red Sox nation days ago.  I think they are hammering out the details and waiting for the right time to make this public.

Tough times for Boston.  1 bad month and they lose both halves of a GM/Manager combo that broke an 80 year drought with 2 titles in 6 years.

[stpitner]

I'd love to have Theo Epstein as GM - let's hope they hire him.

Starlin Castro wasn't homegrown by the Cubs system?

[Stan the Blue Man]

I still haven't heard any news on the Cubs GM front.  To me the silence strongly indicates Theo Epstein is about to be announced as the Cubs new GM.  Why would everybody have waited this long to make any public statement if he WASN'T going to take the Cubs job?  If Theo was going back to Boston, he'd have calmed the Red Sox nation days ago.  I think they are hammering out the details and waiting for the right time to make this public.

Tough times for Boston.  1 bad month and they lose both halves of a GM/Manager combo that broke an 80 year drought with 2 titles in 6 years.

at exactly 8pm I was watching ESPN and Theo is 99% gonna be a CUB GM and apparently gonna get alot more money and power then the Red Sox,

[Dan Michler]

I'd love to have Theo Epstein as GM - let's hope they hire him.

Starlin Castro wasn't homegrown by the Cubs system?

I said the Cubs haven't produced a Pedroia or Ellsbury level position player.  Pedroia has an MVP award already to his credit and Ellsbury might win the AL MVP this year.  Scott, I love Castro, but he isn't even close to an MVP yet.  Hopefully one day he'll get there.