Author Topic: Cubs in '12  (Read 167414 times)

Jes Beard

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17183
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #15 on: September 29, 2011, 02:22:42 pm »
Building, building, and more building.

Forget about FA moves until the internal development of talent reaches the point that a move can reasonably be expected to put the team over the top.

We are miles away from that at the moment.

brjones

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 25868
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #16 on: September 29, 2011, 02:24:21 pm »
As frustrating as Marmol is, I think he still has value in the right trade.  He's not going to get two legitimate starting pitching prospects anymore like Mike Adams did at midseason (after the Cubs told the Rangers they didn't have interest in trading Marmol...ugh).  But his name still has value, and it's not out of the question that he could be part of a deal for a pretty good player with a similar not-great contract.  That's why I brought up the Marlins...if Nunez/Oviedo can't come back, then something like Marmol, Zambrano+money, and a couple of prospects/younger players (Colvin and a prospect?) might interest them for Nolasco and Morrison (if they really are interested in moving Nolasco). 

I think there are also situations to exploit this offseason in trades, and I hope the Cubs take advantage of them.  With the Dodgers' and Mets' money problems, it's very possible Ethier or Wright could become available for less than their full value.  With the epic Braves and Red Sox collapses, who knows what they might be able to be convinced to do?  I mentioned it the other day and I think it's even more likely now...the Braves are going to want to add a bat, LF is the obvious place to do it, and Prado (in his second year of arbitration) might be expendable for not that much in return.  He's far from perfect at third base, but far better than any non-Ramirez free agents. 

I really wish we had a better idea of what Castillo and Clevenger could do at the major league level.  It seems like they could end up as John Buck and Koyie Hill, which would mean the Cubs would have one decent backup and one AAAA player.  Or, they could turn out to be Ramon Hernandez and Gregg Zaun, which would make Soto very expendable.  It's unfortunate the Cubs have been so stuck on Koyie Hill the last two years.

Clarkaddison

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1789
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #17 on: September 29, 2011, 02:41:15 pm »
Apparently the pitchers love throwing to Hill.  He was Dempster's personal catcher much of the year.  However, with Castillo and Clevenger ready to move up, he will probably end up as a farm system instructor.

AZSteve

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1655
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #18 on: September 29, 2011, 06:23:31 pm »
I for one am over THE Hill....

buff

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1021
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #19 on: September 30, 2011, 07:23:13 am »
Terry Francona out in Boston.  Can't believe he is getting the shaft.  Really hope he waits for the cubs to come calling.

brjones

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 25868
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #20 on: September 30, 2011, 07:31:53 am »
Yeah, I would love to get Francona.  Unlike Baylor and Baker, he's actually a good manager.  And unlike Lou, he's not so old that he's likely to lose interest and quit after a tough loss.

Eastcoastfan

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 908
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #21 on: September 30, 2011, 09:25:51 am »
He's the best.  Pure class as well.  We should be so lucky.

Cactus

  • Guest
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #22 on: September 30, 2011, 09:46:39 am »
AC0366103

Deeg

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16920
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #23 on: September 30, 2011, 10:26:28 am »
Maybe this will **** Epstein off enough that he firmly asks for his release, too.  But I suspect (purely my own guess) that Epstein could call Ricketts tomorrow and Ricketts wouldn't be interested.

Ron

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8430
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #24 on: September 30, 2011, 10:47:24 am »

Ron

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8430
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #25 on: September 30, 2011, 11:06:15 am »
Maybe this will **** Epstein off enough that he firmly asks for his release, too.  But I suspect (purely my own guess) that Epstein could call Ricketts tomorrow and Ricketts wouldn't be interested.

I'm confused.  What is it that would have pissed off Epstein? 

And for what it's worth (which is probably not much), Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Sun Times seems convinced that Epstein is Rickett's first choice.  That would make a lot sense, since Ricketts does seem enamoured with the Red Sox model.  But I see no reason to believe that Epstein is interested in leaving the Red Sox, besides which his contract is not ending so he doesn't even have that choice.

Santo4HofF

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 179
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #26 on: September 30, 2011, 03:11:47 pm »
The year of the cub numbers from the building on sheffield.

mO

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2569
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #27 on: September 30, 2011, 04:21:22 pm »
AC = Anno Catuli "Year of the Cubs"
03 = years since they won the division
66 = years since last World Series appearance
103 = years since last World Series win

Did I get that right?  I don't when they started doing that, but it's kind of morbid now.
« Last Edit: September 30, 2011, 04:31:17 pm by mO »

Ron

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8430
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #28 on: September 30, 2011, 05:14:20 pm »
Thanks, mo.

Deeg

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16920
Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #29 on: September 30, 2011, 09:31:14 pm »
I'm confused.  What is it that would have ****ed off Epstein? 

And for what it's worth (which is probably not much), Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Sun Times seems convinced that Epstein is Rickett's first choice.  That would make a lot sense, since Ricketts does seem enamoured with the Red Sox model.  But I see no reason to believe that Epstein is interested in leaving the Red Sox, besides which his contract is not ending so he doesn't even have that choice.

There's a lot of different "if" factors here.  If Epstein was inclined to bring Francona back but ownership pushed him out (I've seen conflicting reports) he would certainly be p issed off about it.  In terms of Epstein's possible interest in the Cubs, well, it's a lot of reading tea leaves.  He's been asked a lot, and given a lot of non-denial denials.  Is there interest? Who knows.

As for Ricketts "favoring" Epstein, maybe - but I give Wittenmeyer zero credibility.  My guess - and at least I admit it's a guess - is that Ricketts may like the Red Sox model when it comes to finding ways to make money off an old ballpark, but not when it comes to roster management.  No way he wants to be near the top of the payroll scale the way Epstein is.  I think he wants to win the way Beane did 10 years ago and Friedman does now - he thinks if he can build a great farm system and trade shrewdly, he can win on the cheap.  And if he can do what Oakland and TB did and have a middle-tier payroll instead on one of the lowest, he probably thinks he'll win the WS every year.