Cub Offseason Moves/Rumors

Interesting quote from an article:

The Cubs will not officially interview former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, but Francona remains a candidate.

"I know him like the back of my hand," Epstein said. "He knows me like the back of his hand. I don't think he'd have to (interview)."

The two have already had a conversation about the job, and Epstein said neither was sure it was "the right fit." Epstein added that "this doesn't have to be the 'Boston show,' recreated in Chicago completely."

Epstein is not sure whether it's in his best interest to "work with a new manager," or "live in the past." Still, they may talk again.

"We're going to kind of sit down together and make sure it's a fit," Epstein said. "Clearly he would be at the top of anybody's list as far as available managers. I think that's true of any organization if they were to look at it and say 'Who is somebody with experience, who is a proven winner.' You'd realize he is at or close to the top of the list. But I think it's got to be the right fit here.

"He needs to figure out whether this is right for him, and then as we continue our process and figure out exactly what direction we're headed, exactly who the right fit is for this organization, that would have to be the right fit, too. I'm not sure it is, and 'Tito' is not sure it is. But we have that relationship that transcends the professional side of things... We'll just continue to talk and see if it's the right fit for everybody."


and, apparently the candidates are going to have to face the Chicago media to see how they handle them. Interesting:

Levine on ESPN1000 right now. Saying that part of the interview process will be how the candidates handle the Chicago media that will get the chance to speak with them after the formal interview. Said Mackanin will be interviewed(or maybe arriving, he wasn't definitive) tonight, and his media availability will be tomorrow afternoon.

I see Mackanin interviews on Friday, Maddux, and Sveum to follow.
 
MikeDog70 said:
Interesting quote from an article:

The Cubs will not officially interview former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, but Francona remains a candidate.

"I know him like the back of my hand," Epstein said. "He knows me like the back of his hand. I don't think he'd have to (interview)."

The two have already had a conversation about the job, and Epstein said neither was sure it was "the right fit." Epstein added that "this doesn't have to be the 'Boston show,' recreated in Chicago completely."

Epstein is not sure whether it's in his best interest to "work with a new manager," or "live in the past." Still, they may talk again.

"We're going to kind of sit down together and make sure it's a fit," Epstein said. "Clearly he would be at the top of anybody's list as far as available managers. I think that's true of any organization if they were to look at it and say 'Who is somebody with experience, who is a proven winner.' You'd realize he is at or close to the top of the list. But I think it's got to be the right fit here.

"He needs to figure out whether this is right for him, and then as we continue our process and figure out exactly what direction we're headed, exactly who the right fit is for this organization, that would have to be the right fit, too. I'm not sure it is, and 'Tito' is not sure it is. But we have that relationship that transcends the professional side of things... We'll just continue to talk and see if it's the right fit for everybody."


and, apparently the candidates are going to have to face the Chicago media to see how they handle them. Interesting:

Levine on ESPN1000 right now. Saying that part of the interview process will be how the candidates handle the Chicago media that will get the chance to speak with them after the formal interview. Said Mackanin will be interviewed(or maybe arriving, he wasn't definitive) tonight, and his media availability will be tomorrow afternoon.

I see Mackanin interviews on Friday, Maddux, and Sveum to follow.
Click to expand...

I like that little touch with the media. I've not heard of anyone doing that before; is it fairly common practice?
 
There is no way we can start Colvin again. He had his chance last year, and did a terrible job. We need to get a one year fix or try Jackson this year.
 
Obviously, the Cubs need both short and long-term help at the front of their rotation. There aren't any big time starters available, but there are a pair of wild cards that could be in play. First, there's a (possibly unsubstantiated) rumor that the Giants would be willing to part ways with Lincecum (who is likely to get $20M+ in arbitration the next couple of years) for some combination of a big league bat or two, top prospects, and a payroll cut. The Cubs might be able to put together a package involving Soto and Jackson and cash, though I think the Giants would want a sweeter pot even than that. I don't see the Giants getting rid of Lincecum, but that's the rumor.

The second wild card is Yu Darvish. Darvish has #1 starter written all over him, and I could see the Cubs posting the $50M or so for him and convincing him to come over as early as next year. Anything can happen in these blind auctions, but I give the Cubs at least a chance of landing him.
 
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Now you are making me drool. Imagine how much Lincecum would command out on the open market in 2014. But I do not think the Cubs have enough prospects to get a deal done like that. Plus who knows what the compensation is for Epstein, I hate to say it but it could very well be Jackson. I would hope the Cubs would not have to give up their #1 prospect in compensation. Do they owe San Diego compensation for Hoyer?

A guy named Fukodome makes me scared to see the Cubs throwing a bunch of money at a Japanese player.

Someone mentioned using Soto as trade bait. I think there is some value there if the Cubs needed to use him in a deal. There is a catcher at Des Moines, Welington Castillo, who is better defensively and has power potential but he might need another year at Des Moines. I also would also rather see Steve Clevenger as a backup to Soto than have the Cubs resign Koyie Hill. Clevenger, like Hill, bats left handed and has a much better chance of improving offensively then Hill. He is a career .308 hitter in the minor leagues.
 
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Only Cubs fans can take a rumor thread and turn it into them ending up with Lincecum....you guys know how to do a rumor, I'll give you that!

Awesome
 
busabus114 said:
Only Cubs fans can take a rumor thread and turn it into them ending up with Lincecum....you guys know how to do a rumor, I'll give you that!

Awesome
Click to expand...

Castro+Soto+Jackson+Cash=Lincecum
Soriano=Wells
$120M=Darvish
$225M=Pujols
$185M=Fielder
$100M=Reyes
$25M=Sizemore

Pujols at 3rd, Fielder at 1st, Reyes at SS, Barney at 2nd, Hill at C, Wells in LF, Sizemore in CF, Byrd in RF
Lincecum, Garza, Darvish, Dempster, Zambrano/Wells

2012 World Champs!;)
 
thejumper5 said:
Castro+Soto+Jackson+Cash=Lincecum
Soriano=Wells
$120M=Darvish
$225M=Pujols
$185M=Fielder
$100M=Reyes
$25M=Sizemore

Pujols at 3rd, Fielder at 1st, Reyes at SS, Barney at 2nd, Hill at C, Wells in LF, Sizemore in CF, Byrd in RF
Lincecum, Garza, Darvish, Dempster, Zambrano/Wells

2012 World Champs!;)
Click to expand...

haha, I hope this was a joke, because that would be the worst club house ever. Also, the most expensive.

To your first suggestion on lincecum trade. They wouldn't want Soto, who is not consistent at the plate when they have Buster Posey.

If the Cubs give up Castro and Jackson for 1 starting pitcher, they are idiots.
 
thejumper5 said:
Castro+Soto+Jackson+Cash=Lincecum
Soriano=Wells
$120M=Darvish
$225M=Pujols
$185M=Fielder
$100M=Reyes
$25M=Sizemore

Pujols at 3rd, Fielder at 1st, Reyes at SS, Barney at 2nd, Hill at C, Wells in LF, Sizemore in CF, Byrd in RF
Lincecum, Garza, Darvish, Dempster, Zambrano/Wells

2012 World Champs!;)
Click to expand...

Well played sir
 
I read today that Mike Maddux has withdrawn his name from consideration in Boston, and could be the front runner for Chicago.

Then I also read that he seems pretty happy where he is and doesn't want to move his family. Of course, if he doesn't want to move or manage at all, all he had to do was withdraw his name from all coaching vacancies, which he hasn't done yet.

Mackinin didn't impress too many from what I have seen, quite a few still want to give Dave Martinez a shot but I haven't seen where he even has an interview.
 
It looks more and more like it will be Maddux. Since Quade was announced as out, I have wanted Mike Maddux as manager and Greg Maddux to join him as the pitching coach. Hopefully that can happen.
 
I think it'll be Mackanin for Manager, but I'd be interested to see Mike Maddux get the gig

I also wouldn't mind Ryno as bench coach or 3rd base coach

as for FAs, the cubs need to concentrate on getting 2 top starting pitchers

If they can get rid of Soriano, that'd be great, and if they can get something of value for Marmol, they should do it
 
bwsmoney said:
I think it'll be Mackanin for Manager, but I'd be interested to see Mike Maddux get the gig

I also wouldn't mind Ryno as bench coach or 3rd base coach

as for FAs, the cubs need to concentrate on getting 2 top starting pitchers

If they can get rid of Soriano, that'd be great, and if they can get something of value for Marmol, they should do it
Click to expand...

There isn't one available since the Cubs are not in on CJ Wilson and the Yanks and their payroll are.
 
hawkfarmer said:
There isn't one available since the Cubs are not in on CJ Wilson and the Yanks and their payroll are.
Click to expand...

If the Cubs are willing to risk the money on Yu Darvish, there's a 50/50 chance he'll be an ace, but other than that, I agree there aren't any top tier pitchers this year.
 
Here is the best possible scenario for scrub fans-STL hires Ryne Sandberg as their manager, he wins a WS within 3 years of taking the job and scrub fans around the globe commit mass suicide
 
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