It has been widely reported that the Chicago Cubs and Theo Epstein have agreed to a five-year contract that will make Epstein the new GM of the Cubs.But now, the news coming out of Boston is that the negotiations over compensation have hit a snag.Back in 2002, Billy Beane agreed to become the GM of the Red Sox. But while the compensation package was being worked out between the A's and Sox, Beane had a change of heart and decided to stay put in Oakland.Now, I am very skeptical that the same thing could be developing in this case, for ...
So, the guy the Cubs signed to one of the worst contracts in the history of the major leagues is unhappy hitting seventh in the order. Well, boo fricken' hoo. Look, Soriano, here is a memo to you: You're lucky that Quade is your manager, because a manager with self confidence would have your lazy, swing-at-everything butt sitting on the bench. But no, because Quade is trying desperately to hang onto his job, he plays the vets, in part because he's in over his head and won't confront them. But mainly because he wants to win as many games as possible. ...
I promised that I would be much more positive as a Cubs writer, but allow me to take a brief detour from that role and tell you that the so-called big names won't be coming to Wrigley Field next season.
As much as many of us would love to see an Andrew Friedman, Theo Epstein or a Brian Cashman take over the reins as Cubs GM, it simply isn't going to happen.
Here is why.
For one thing, they all have better options in front of them.
You think a guy like Epstein, who was born and raised in Boston and is considered a god-like figure ...
I have recently written several critical articles about Cubs owner Tom Ricketts. But thanks to some of you, the loyal Cubbies fanbase, I have changed my mind.
Everything is fine. No problems here. Nothing to see, keep moving along.
Thanks for opening my eyes, those of you who are blind to the obvious poor record and lack of organizational leadership, philosophy and success in player development.
Oops, there I go again. Shame on me, that's being negative and we all know that I should write positive articles about the Cubs. I am truly sorry.
Because when you really take a deep dive, you see ...
Chicago Cubs' owner Tom Ricketts has guaranteed the contract of Vice President of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita for four more years.It's not that Fleita isn't a good baseball man, although I have my concerns. The bigger problem I have with this move is that it further handcuffs the next Cubs' GM and seems hypocritical of other recent comments made by Ricketts. ‘‘The GM will be responsible for the baseball operations,’’ Ricketts recently told the media, ‘‘The results are his, and he owns them. They have to be able to have the freedom to hire the people they feel will give ...
The state of Maryland has potentially found the solution to the supposed Cubs "Curse of the Billy Goat" without even knowing it. Who would have known it could be this easy? On the surface, Maryland-based business Eco-Goats provides an original and ecologically sound method to cut the weeds. It seems the hungry little critters just love to munch on weeds and other unwanted vegetation, thus clearing land for development and farming. But does Brian Knox, the owner of this company, realize the full potential of what he's got? No, I'm not suggesting he bring goats in to eat the grass turf and ivy covering ...
Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez is having a good season after an awful start, no question. But it's fool's gold, with the gold going to Ramirez and Cubs GM Jim Hendry the fool. For if Ramirez's season leads Hendry to either pick up his club option at $16 million for 2012, or motivates him to sign an extension, then this otherwise solid season by Ramirez will actually be a negative for the Cubs in the long run. Look, I know that Ramirez has been the best Cubs third baseman since Ron Santo, at least offensively. While that certainly isn't saying ...
Pat Gillick, the longtime baseball executive, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next weekend. He turns 74 next month. But he says he would consider becoming a club president again in the right situation.
That opens the door for Cubs owner, the clueless Tom Ricketts, to get a clue. And that clue could come in the form of a former GM who understands what it takes to build a winning organization.
Gillick has been the GM for four teams and guided the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies to World Series titles.
He has said that he is not interested ...
Ryan Dempster was Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade's biggest supporter last season, openly lobbying for Quade to get the interim tag removed from his title. But perhaps he's second-guessing himself now. The WGN cameras caught Dempster and Quade in a heated argument after Quade informed the Cubs starter that he was being lifted for a pinch-hitter after the fifth inning. The ironic part is that this was one of Quade's better moves all year. Dempster was obviously laboring, having allowed three runs, seven hits and three walks in five innings of work. While he had only thrown 87 pitches, he ...
"No varnish can hide the grain of the wood; and that the more varnish you put on, the more the grain will express itself."- Charles Dickens, Great ExpectationsThere are admittedly lots of things that separate good teams from bad, winners from losers and contenders from the also-rans. However it occurred to me recently that some of the things we strain our brains to analyze are actually right in front of our noses.Take the Cleveland Indians. Please. No, seriously, look at what they just did. Off to a surprisingly great start early this year and currently sitting in first place in the ...
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