Yesterday was Theo Epstein Day, so what does that make today? Can Theo Epstein Day be a two-day holiday? Three days? Screw it. It’s Theo Epstein Month.
- WEEI, the radio station that broke final word that Epstein was leaving Boston in favor of the Cubs, says that, despite other reports, the Cubs and Sawx have not met to discuss compensation for Epstein. Those meetings, WEEI says, will be taking place today.
- A number of rumors went around last night about just what that compensation would be – Peter Gammons says Brett Jackson (guh?), others say Jay Jackson (ah), so it’s pretty clear that the Red Sox are looking to corner the market on Jacksons much in the same way the Cubs once had the market corned on Carloses. Then again, the Red Sox just dismissed a guy named Tito, so maybe they won’t want a Jackson after all.
- As I and commenters here have pointed out, at this point, the Cubs have all the leverage. That Epstein is coming to Chicago is all but a given. It’s been widely reported, and there is no way he could carry on in a role of any import in Boston for 2012. Could Red Sox ownership pay him to do nothing for a year? Sure. Will they? And risk being labeled the biggest dicks in the history of professional sports (which, by the way, some folks are already close to giving them that label after the post-hoc shredding of Francona in the Globe yesterday)? No. They won’t. Stand firm, Misters Ricketts, Bush, and Epstein. Offer the Red Sox cash, a middling prospect, and move on.
- Further improving the Cubs’ leverage? Reports this morning, recounted for the world on SportsCenter, have the Red Sox naming Ben Cherington as Epstein’s successor as early as today.
- Scott Miller has a thoughtful write-up on the compensation piece, arguing that Red Sox President Larry Lucchino is going to squeeze the Cubs for as much as he can get.
- Jeff Passan says the Cubs will be turned around quickly under Epstein, and the Red Sox are fools for letting him go.
- As if you need any more pumping up, I defy you to read this David Haugh article and not suffer cheek strain from smiling so hard at the future of the Chicago Cubs. (Try to ignore the painful pun at the end: “Rejoice, Cubdom. Soon, a baseball Theocracy rules the North Side.”)
- Phil Rogers is still beating the drum for Rick Hahn and Dan Evans. Look, if they want to join Theo Epstein’s front office, cool. But let’s just focus on Theo right now, mmmkay?
- I love – LOVE – that, even in the face of universally awesome news like the Cubs landing the best executive in baseball (a move no one reasonably thought was possible a month ago), there are still hacky pokes out there writing contrarian pieces. Predictably, Steve Rosenbloom says laughable things like Epstein actually sucks, relied on juicers, signed stupid contracts, blah, blah, blah (don’t you dare click on that link). Gene Wojciechowski doesn’t go quite as far, but he does make a tortured comparison of Epstein and Jim Hendry in which Hendry comes out on top. You lose at the Internet, sir.
- A real estate blog has sources that say Epstein is going to start looking at real estate in Chicago soon (near a certain Starbucks, perhaps?). I love Theo, but it’s nice to reminded of all the luxurious homes in which I’ll never live.
- A hilarious field guide for Theo, explaining the differences between Boston and Chicago. Example: whereas Boston has the Atlantic Ocean, Chicago has Lake Michigan. Whereas Boston has Don Orsillo, Chicago has Len Kasper. Where as Boston has Deer Island Prison, Chicago has U.S. Cellular Field. Boom. Roasted.
- [For those who don't get the picture reference: here.]
Great coverage the last few days Brett. I was online quite a bit looking at different Cubs-related sites and found this one to have the best info and updates.
That real-estate blog is really stepping out on a limb saying Theo is going to be a buyer soon. No kidding, I thought he was just gonna live in the Ritz like Manny did for years.
Thanks, Deer. That’s very much my goal with respect to all things Cubs news and rumors.
If you ever need an update and don’t see a new post up, you can reach me at the Ritz.
You sir should replace Carrie Muskat as the cubs beat writer, I cant stand reading her articles!
I appreciate that compliment, but I think you’d probably be disappointed with me as a beat writer – no opinions, no doodles, no fandom. I actually think Carrie does a good job at what she’s tasked with: just the facts and the quotes.
Same. She’s not getting paid to editorialize. She’s paid to report the “official” facts, and she does a good job with it.
Though, I will agree that Bert’s writing is better reading for me… but then, that’s Bert’s job.
If you expect apples to be apples, and not oranges, you’ll have more respect for Muskat.
Sorry. It’s not getting old for me.
Agreed. On all counts.
Well thanks, chum.
Ace, you must’ve missed Greg Couch’s “Cubs still suck” hackery column from yesterday. I found it at the end of a link train, so I’m not really sure where I ended up, but I think it was on Fox Sports. In short, his argument was that the Cubs basically suck, and have sucked for 103 years, so they’ll always suck and Theo won’t change that. It’s not really worth a read, kinda like a Rosenbloom article, ‘cept Couch uses slightly bigger words.
Oh, and the explanation for the Zero Wing… safe to say if you haven’t been clobbered by that meme, you ain’t gonna figure it out by reading Wikipedia.
That may be the only reason I was sad when Fukudome was traded – no more “all your outfielder are belong to us.”
And I did see that Couch piece, but I lost it in the 35 open tabs. I’m glad I did.
I say offer the Sawks Campana and $500. 00. Stick that in your leverage Mr. Luccino!
I still say give them Quade……
This is one your best articles ever.
Exactly. While business is business, once a man is announced as being out the door, he’s gone. He knows his own authority and gravitas within the organization is done. I agree with the demand for compensation, but it should more financial, and fairly nominal.
This a good thing…good days…from the belly button out, and in every direction.
Thanks. Glad to see you around, by the way.
Shut up.
You know that no one here will understand that, right? They’re going to just assume you’re a jerk.
(Not that they’d be completely wrong.)
I’m completely comfortable with that…
Great read and another grrrrreat article by Haugh! I know that it is “typical Cub-Fandom” to say anything is possible. But…BUT we finally have some one that has a history of making changes for an organization that has made them winners! LOVE IT!!! Again…I must clean my drawers!!!
I can’t remember ever agreeing with Haugh so completely.
Signs of the Apocolypse:
1) Cubs land Epstein
2) Fishin Phil agrees with David Haugh
If the Cubs hire Sandberg, y’all better get ready for The Rapture!
Love the field guide link. Had to work hard to contain the bursts of laughter while at work.
You changed your handle, too! It’s a title wave.
Right…you can add this to the list:
Boston – Matt Damon and Ben Affleck
Chicago – Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau
I will take the latter you motorboatin son of a bitch!!
Do you think we could get the Sox to take Tito Jackson? I’m sure he needs a job.
They’ll want Jermaine too… he’s dynomite!
Brett, can we be expecting anything new from your side business T-shirt company with a Theo reference?
Discussions are underway, actually. But, unlike unscrupulous T-shirt vendors, I like to do things the right way – which means, no stepping on Theo’s publicity rights (no face, no name). So you have to be very, very creative.
I always figured you for a classy guy. Keep us in the loop.
Also, for those of us with short term memory issues, what was the site again? The short term memory issue helps with being a Cubs fan.
http://www.unholycows.com
How’d you justify that (funny) Many Faces of Zambrano shirt then?
In truth, it was the first idea we had – before I had a better understanding of what I wanted, and did not want, to do. However, after reflection later on (when it came time to do the design), I didn’t think that I saw an issue. Without getting technical, it doesn’t say “Zambrano” (it could be anybody…), and the depictions are cartoonish. They vaguely resemble various pitchers. If people find it funny, well, then, swell.
Also, if it ever became a real commercial enterprise, as opposed to an unprofitable, fun thing on the side, I might think on it some more.
It actually looks more like Marmol than Big Z! But…I think the shoe fits both characters!!
It cracks me up that all of the comments from Cubs fans are celebrating that Theo will turn the franchise around and that he is the best in the business, but by the way, they shouldn’t have to give any compensation for him. Talk about wanting something for nothing.
Do you really think the Sox couldn’t take Theo back? It’s already happened once before, and they won a World Series the next season. What would the reaction be in Chicago if this deal falls through? The Cubs have a lot riding on this p.r.-wise, and I don’t think they are about to be making any take it or leave it offers. The Sox should hold firm for a legitimate prospect (or a deal requiring the Theo to take Lackey with him to Wrigley).
Shut up Paul! No one asked you any way!! LOL
You’re not wrong, Paul – I almost wrote that the Cubs should have to give up something, in fairness. And, I still think they should give up something – but not much. Thing is, that ship has sailed. Theo wanted out, he’s getting a promotion, it’s plastered all over the news, and Boston is drama-central right now. Put it all together, and you get a no-leverage situation for the Sawx. It sucks for them, but it’s the way it is. To the extent they get more than a middling prospect and cash, there must have been things about the situation that we don’t know.
Isn’t it an MLB courtesy that most franchises never stand in the way of a front office promotion, in this case GM to a President equivalent title?
It seems like the compensation is more of a courtesy by the Cubs back to the Sawx and would involve either cash for the inconvenience factor or cash and low level may-be’s.
In future years the Sawx could be on the opposite side of this equation. I don’t see these negotiations as a scorched earth, take them for everything because we’ll never need to talk to them again negotiation.
You funny.
I love the fact that Ricketts is trying to make this a better club and he went and got the best GM in the game. However, I hope people don’t think that Theo is a wizard. It will take some time for him to turn things around. He can’t just waive a magic wand and get the Cubs to the post season. It took a little time in Boston too. However, I think if he has free reign to make the decisions he wants/needs to make, it is a HUGE step in the right direction!!
I agree. In fact, Theo could do everything right for the next 10 years, and the Cubs still might not win a world series. I’m not as much looking at this move as a step towards a World Series, as much as it is a step towards building a respectable team for the long term. With the assets the Cubs have at their disposal, and with a strong GM in place, they should turn themselves into a baseball team that seriously contends 2/3 years. The Cubs should change from a team of lovable losers into a team that actually plays competitive baseball year in and year out, which is all a fan can ask for.
This is turning into a s#*t show courtesy of Mr. Ricketts not doing his homework before going down this path…..and at the upcoming news conference watch for any tells…such as his put on smile….if we see that we know Boston squeezed him…and got away with murder, killing any chances of our team going forward in a meaningful way..
Die Hard…In the words of Ace…whateves!!!!!!!!!
I like cookies, too!
Is there either a WordPress or Chrome extension that allows a user to filter out certain comments/commentors?
I know it’s a bit of a joke, but I think there actually is.
It’s really not a joke. I want it too. I was once a member of a community that called it a “bozofilter.” Just sayin’.
It is… a bit… definitely less than 50% though.
Die Hard, have you ever been involved in any large organizational change? Your perceptions on how the world acts, or should act, are from my perspective unique at best.
Die Hard is Rosenbloom
OK, now it makes sense.
Thank goodness Rosenbloom submitted the anti-Theo article he was working on, it would have been awkward if he would have submitted his anti-Friedman piece instead.
Edwin strikes again.
Dude: comment more. You = funny.
Thanks. I will do my best. I love the site, this is now my #1 place for Cubs news.
That wasn’t very funny, Edwin.
Thanks, Edwin.
Great pic
I wondered where you disappeared to.
He’s been trying to get in shape for the premier of his banana hammock.
Oh. God. How embarrassing for Haugh.
Great stuff, Brett. Actually, the Rosenbloom column does not sound unreasonable, from the “we will always be cursed” perspective anyway. I am ready for the topic to switch to the next manager. Does anyone wonder why Sandberg has not received any offers to manage a major league team? I mean, Robin Ventura gets a job while not ever having coached and while not even looking for a job, and Ryno slogs through half a decade of managing AAA teams and he can’t get beat out Mike Quade or anyone else, evidently. Is the perception that Sandberg “‘lacks fire” the main factor? It will really be fascinating to see what, if any, consideration he gets for this Cub job. They can’t interview him and not take him, as that would be rubbing salt in the wounds…..
Sometimes it takes 10 years of “putting in your time” to get a crack at a big league ML gig. There are only 30 spots.
I guess one piece of leverage the Red Sox have: the Cubs/Epstein want to take some Boston employees. In that way, the “trade” could be the Cubs giving up better prospects/more cash in exchange for Theo and some of Theo’s favorite staffers.
Tim Brown says Cherington has been told he’s the next GM. If true, we should be getting final word on the Epstein deal soon. (What “soon” means, I don’t know…).
http://twitter.com/#!/TBrownYahoo/status/124551923432046592
I am going to put Tim Brown up for the same type of “empty statements award” that we slash Jon Heyman for making all the time. If Theo doesn’t come to Chicago and sticks around one more year and then leaves, Cherington could still be next in line. Technically, they could have told Cherington he was next line 2 years ago. It would have been just as true then as it is now.
Good news. This compensation stuff is getting ridiculous. If you want something in return for someone else hiring one of your employees, don’t allow it to happen. In my opinion, if you let someone out of their contract, you should lose all rights to them. I hope we don’t give them much, it could set a bad precedent. If this stuff keeps up, I could see front offices starting to dangle lame duck managers as trade bait rather than fire them.
I think Boston may want Vitters and the Cubs want them to take Jay Jackson.
If Theo answers only to Mr. Ricketts then there is no check on Theo’s moves cause Mr. Ricketts wont know if planned or actual moves beneficial cause he knows nothing about running a baseball team. Unless Mr. Ricketts to use someone outside organization to let him know if Theo doing the right thing. In this case, Theo wont be very happy. So, point is, Mr. Ricketts needs a long time baseball guy to add a layer between them just to keep an eye on Theo. So far, I have not heard plans for this. Not good. Also, my idea of RedSox paying us compensation as part of a package may being discussed. Cubs are not happy with the way they are being pushed around and want something more than Theo if taking Theo.
Dick Tidrow anyone?
Dream Team.
Hmm. Turns out I miss the elipses.
Die hard? Are you actually a cubs fan? It seems like all you do is rip every move the Cubs make… or try to make. You are worse then the cards fans that stumble across this site.
Deej, baby, die hard is an internet troll. Nothing more, nothing less. Don’t sweat it. Ain’t no logic to those posts, just flinging feces against the wall to see what sticks, trying to rile up the locals. It seems to work every time.
And, FWIW, I have a sort of grudging admiration for CardsFan. You gotta be a little off to show up on your rival’s site and actually engage in dialog (however misguided). Unless, of course, it’s the Aaron Miles thread. That’s Bizarro World over there.
Well, when all those moves end up in a 5th place team I think it is pretty fair to rip most of the moves, obviously they are not the right moves. He is a diehard Cubs fan like me and he wants the Cubs to win more than anything thats why he is critical sometimes, if you say your a “diehard fan” and your not disappointed in a 5th place team than your not a fan at all.
There’s a difference between a disappointed fan.. and b*&%$ing about everything and anything that comes across the message board.
But maybe I’m still put off that die hard lobbied Brett for weeks to remove the She-View….
Does a rain cloud fallow you around all day?
Let’s not be to hastey to run diehard out of town. He is what makes this place such a community. He brings us altogether with one common tying thread….we all think he is crazy. This site would just be another blog and not close knit group. Please take no offense Brett, I suppose you do deserve a little of the credit for what you have created.
Yum! Cookies!
Die Hard you really are an idiot
Motion among the regular posters to ignore any and all post made by die hard. He wants us to react like this.
I call bs! You are not die hard! I’ll admit it was a good try! You got the crazy in there but you didn’t have enough periods and you had too many commas! This is the type of post we’ve come to expect from our good friend die hard:
“This is turning into a s#*t show courtesy of Mr. Ricketts not doing his homework before going down this path…..and at the upcoming news conference watch for any tells…such as his put on smile….if we see that we know Boston squeezed him…and got away with murder, killing any chances of our team going forward in a meaningful way..”
See? Look at all those periods! And not a comma to be seen! I will now be forming a search party to find the original. If you have any idea what he looks like, it would be very helpful.
Any ideas as to who is on this list Ricketts gave to Wilken Bush and Fleita?
New post up about – probably not Brett Jackson or other tip top prospects like that. I don’t think they would need to be “evaluated.” It’s probably guys that the Red Sox scouts think they can sneak.