Epstein to Cubs?

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

Quade's gone 100%. Unless by some Miracle Epstein decided he's his guy. Not gonna happen. I think Zambrano will end up in FLA because Ozzie and the Marlins seem to be interested in him... Soriano is probably untradeable.

[Cubfan]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

Its not going to matter who manages this team in 2012 they are still going to suck. If Epstein brings his guy then Epstein will get the blame. Keep Quade for the last year of his deal and like i said if things go badly again Quade is out. Epstein is not going to have free rain to throw money around like he did with the Red Sox that is why i don't see somebody like CJ Wilson or Prince Fielder in a Cubs uniform in 2012.

[1Rose]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

Any rational fan will understand this team isn't going to turn around over night. This blame fest that you speak of is not going to occur. Not until there are actually expectations for this team to excel and succeed.

And to correct you, it's already been stated that Epstein will have more control in Chicago than he ever did in Boston.

[drake_33]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

Well, regardless, Quade HAS to go. Clearly he spent 20something years as an assistant and bench coach for a reason. He was in over is head.

Also would like to echo that point that BleacherBum made. Clearly our farm system and player development is going to instantly improve with him around. Which is a department we are incredibly deficient in. Years of botched drafts, missed prospects and many busts needs to come to a end.

Hendry did a horrible job in that regard, among other things. However it has been on the upswing since we hired the new scout. (Cant remember his name off hand but discovered Castro) Right now the only thing to look forward to next year is the immense amount of payroll coming off the books. Just hope, like I stated before, that Epstein doesn't blow it all and understands that this is at minimum a 2 year rebuilding project.

Maybe he can bring Papelbon with him and swing something for CJ Wilson this year. We need pitching so bad.

Totally agree with you on all the parts I made bold. It's so crazy to have a little hope that is actually justifiable. If Theo can make some nice signings with the power Ricketts will hopefully give him, I'll be ecstatic.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

It's going to take 2-3 Years no doubt. I think they will address the Pitching 1st. I also hope they improve the defense, because Cubs have been close or dead last in defense the last 2-3 Years i believe.. I don't expect Pujols or Fielder. Either. I just want to see improvements next year.

[1Rose]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

It's going to take 2-3 Years no doubt. I think they will address the Pitching 1st. I also hope they improve the defense, because Cubs have been close or dead last in defense the last 2-3 Years i believe.. I don't expect Pujols or Fielder. Either. I just want to see improvements next year.

This x100000

I think that's what any logical fan wants to see.

I don't know what it is about the Cubs, but it seems like we've never had a team that has ever been good at the little things. Baserunning, fielding etc. It seems like we beat ourselves more often than not. (2003 anyone?) That is one of the most maddening things about being a Cubs fan, besides the losing. At least in my eyes it is. All the money we spend and we can never have a team that is great defensively as a UNIT. Sure we have had a few great individual defenders sprinkled here and there, but this is something I want improved upon, now and for the future.

Pitching and defense wins championships. Why we haven't won one in 103 years. But who's counting.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

Considering the way the Red Sox ownership and their media lapdogs tar and feather everyone as they leave town (see Francona, Terry for the latest example), I'm guessing Boston isn't the greatest place to work when expectations aren't being fulfilled.

Yep. Good Lord do I hate Boston. Ugh.

But any success the Cubs achieve, and perhaps the Cubs fans and Chicago media turn into the same thing?

[bcruise]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

Yep. Good Lord do I hate Boston. Ugh.

But any success the Cubs achieve, and perhaps the Cubs fans and Chicago media turn into the same thing?

Give us a WS title and I'm willing to take that chance.

[drake_33]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

I just don't know how smart it is to pass on Fielder or Pujols right now. We need something to get the team sparked. Even if we do sign those two, we could still get pitching help this year through another free agent signing or trade. And, since this is a 2-3 year rebuilding process, pitching will be available later, players like Fielder and Pujols just won't.

[Jr.]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

I just don't know how smart it is to pass on Fielder or Pujols right now. We need something to get the team sparked. Even if we do sign those two, we could still get pitching help this year through another free agent signing or trade. And, since this is a 2-3 year rebuilding process, pitching will be available later, players like Fielder and Pujols just won't.

I think missing out on either of those guys would be a mistake for Epstein. The Cubs fans need something to be excited for, for next year. Unfortunately, the big contracts of Zambrano, Soriano, and Dempster might hold back any big signings the club can make for the next couple of years.

Looking at the projected free agents in 2012, the pitching does look a little thin but Grienke, Marcum, Cain, Liriano, Shields, and Hamels are all scheduled to be free agents (a couple have club options).

Personally, I'm excited about Epstein. I just hope he keeps my boy Tony Campana on the team.

[1Rose]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

Campana better be leading off next season. Practice his slap hitting and he's the white Juan Pierre. If he gets on it's pretty much an automatic double.

[Jr.]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

Campana better be leading off next season. Practice his slap hitting and he's the white Juan Pierre. If he gets on it's pretty much an automatic double.

If he can get a better grasp of the strike zone, he could steal 75+ bases with 400+ at-bats.

If they keep Colvin, with Brett Jackson and LeMahieu probably on the team next year along with Soriano and Byrd, I don't know if there will be room to give him consistent ABs.

[1Rose]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

Personally, I don't think Colvin should be anywhere near the starting lineup. Ideally I would love to see, at least in the beginning With Byrd, Soriano and Campana in the OF. Give the kid a chance. He would add much needed speed and a base stealing threat to the top of the lineup.

Ideally I wish the Cubs would just eat Sori's salary and find a home for him somewhere else so he can make way for Jackson.

[yankeesgiants]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

Yep. Good Lord do I hate Boston. Ugh.

But any success the Cubs achieve, and perhaps the Cubs fans and Chicago media turn into the same thing?

It's not as bad as you think because we are a 2 everything media town.

The Good:

The Boston Herald (The real paper of record around here)
Barstoolsports.com
98.5 The Sports Hub

The Axis of Evil:

WEEI (red sox radio network) Old media dying off 1 day at a time
The Boston Globe (birdcage liner & sox owned)
NESN (Sox owned and mostly unwatchable outside of Bruins coverage)

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: Epstein to Cubs?

I just don't know how smart it is to pass on Fielder or Pujols right now. We need something to get the team sparked. Even if we do sign those two, we could still get pitching help this year through another free agent signing or trade. And, since this is a 2-3 year rebuilding process, pitching will be available later, players like Fielder and Pujols just won't.

I hope I'm wrong, I hope they do go all out for one of those guys. It would be awesome if they could get one of those guys + a Decent starter. I just don't think they will. We shall see though.

Campana better be leading off next season. Practice his slap hitting and he's the white Juan Pierre. If he gets on it's pretty much an automatic double.

Don't see that happening unless all sudden he becomes a better contact hitter. He'd be perfect if he improves in that area though.