Theo Compensation Talks “Moving Along” and Other Bullets

Oct 16, 2011

I am now the biggest Texas Rangers fan in the world. Join me.

After a day full of “contentious” this and “personal vendetta” that, some sources are now suggesting that the discussions between the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox are moving along. The Globe’s Peter Abraham now hears that talks between the two sides are “civil” and “business-like,” and are expected to continue that way through today. Maybe the Cubs have already put together a backup plan, which is pressuring the Sawx to be a bit more reasonable. We may never know.

Carrie Muskat has said repeatedly what many of us have speculated: Brett Jackson is not going to the Red Sox. This is just a guess, but, I suspect that when we finally do see the package, we’ll find it funny that some were suggesting Jackson’s name in the first place.

A Boston perspective on “what Theo is getting himself into” by coming to Chicago. Get a couple people to toss you some quotes about “100 years,” and apparently you’ve got a column.

Nick Cafardo tosses another log onto the Josh-Byrnes-to-join-Theo-Epstein-in-Chicago fire (er, well, not “Chicago fire”). I’ll say it again, having a guy like Byrnes – capable of being an effective GM in his own right – working together with Theo? Squeal.

Ken Rosenthal speculates that the Cubs’ and Red Sox’s next fight could be over Ryne Sandberg, which, like, I guess might be true. But there’s not a whole lot there there, so to speak. Early reports suggested Sandberg was not on Epstein’s short list of managerial candidates in Chicago.

Josh Vitters is destroying the AFL, hitting .405 after another 4-5 day on Friday. Andrew Cashner made his third appearance, giving up two runs in an inning of work. John Gaub and Steve Clevenger are underway in the Dominican Winter League.

The Cubs are still looking for a resort partner in their Mesa Wrigleyville West development plans.

The Nationals as an example of how long it takes to rebuild a franchise like the Cubs, even when you start spending big bucks. Mike Rizzo and the Nationals have been at the rebuilding process for three years, and, setting aside the Jayson Werth debacle, it’s been a good three years. And yet, they’re still not there.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List

So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell just said as much...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oof: Blake Snell to the Injured List Just Three Horrible Starts into His Giants Career

Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

It’s Gotten Impossible to Not Comment on the White Sox Making Futility History

In 1997, I was a miserable Chicago Cubs fan. I mean, that was true a lot of the time, but I mean it in a very specific way that year: the Cubs had started the season 0-14. They had literally...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

My God, Jordan Wicks … Save Some Awesomeness for the Rest of us!

Cubs rookie starter Jordan Wicks has been impressing us all season long with his apparent offseason transformation (which led to more velocity on his heater and movement on his slider). But last night against the Astros? That was a whole...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cardinals Demote Uber Prospect Jordan Walker Back to Triple-A

On Wednesday, the St. Louis Cardinals announced that infielder José Fermín and LHP John King would be coming to join the big league squad in place of LHP Zack Thompson and ... uber outfield prospect Jordan Walker. You just hate...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Was Ben Brown’s Usage Last Night a Hint for His Role Going Forward?

The pitching staff has undergone a lot of changes over the past few weeks, and at the center of it all is Ben Brown, the Cubs No. 2 pitching prospect, who's been used out of the 'pen and rotation so...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

I recently stumbled onto this live cover of Linger by The Cranberries and I can't stop listening to it. Give it a go. I bet you like it. In case you missed it last night, Cody Bellinger exited last night's...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Org Homer Party: 13 Homers for the Organization

The big league Cubs last night beat the Astros largely on the strength of the long ball, scoring six of their seven runs that way. Cody Bellinger kicked things off with a monster two-run shot, and Mike Tauchman followed with...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Thunder – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans play the Oklahoma City Thunder at 9:30 PM ET on Wednesday, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this matchup requires just one trey...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

San Jose Sharks Fire Head Coach David Quinn

When you finish with the worst record in the NHL, it's hard to keep your job. Even when the front office strips your roster to the bare bones, apparently. And on Wednesday, David Quinn found out the San Jose Sharks...

Tab Bamford

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

Take a Look at the New Chicago Bears Stadium Renderings

The Chicago Bears unveiled plans for their downtown lakefront stadium proposal on Wednesday. And as you might expect, it is very kind on the eyes: https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1783185834490888461 The Bears even gave the project a code name — The Burnham Park Project: The...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

CJ McCollum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Thunder – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Wednesday, April 24, 2024

CJ McCollum's New Orleans Pelicans play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday at 9:30 PM ET in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and to beat his 3-point prop, he must make four from downtown.CJ McCollum's...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Brandon Ingram Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Thunder – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans meet the Oklahoma City Thunder at 9:30 PM ET on Wednesday, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires just one trey...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Wednesday, April 24, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needs to make two from downtown on Wednesday, when his Oklahoma City Thunder face the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, beginning at 9:30 PM...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs