Should the Cubs Keep Interim GM Randy Bush in the Front Office? and Other Bullets

Oct 24, 2011

Derek Holland threw a gem against the Cardinals last night to even the World Series at two wins apiece, but, I have to ask: does he own a mirror? Derek, my friend, shave the crustache. You look like a middle schooler who’s not quite ready to buy his first razor. That, or you just ate a piece of chocolate cake without caring a whit about napkins or decorum.

Interim GM Randy Bush and his staff were not told of the Cubs’ negotiations with Theo Epstein until he’d accepted a five-year deal, and Bush was told to start working on the compensation process with the Red Sox. That, according to Gordon Wittenmyer, who argues Bush is being ignored, and should instead be brought back as an integral piece in 2012. For my part, I’m reserving a great deal of judgment about the makeup of the rest of the front office – beyond Epstein, Jed Hoyer, Jason McLeod, Oneri Fleita, and (probably) Tim Wilken – until I see what moves Epstein wants to make with respect to other executives. There is certainly room to keep someone like Bush as an assistant GM, and there is something to be said of preserving institutional memory and internal relationships. I doubt Epstein will turn Bush loose on a whim, but the fact that Bush wasn’t involved in the process that brought Epstein to the Cubs in the first place doesn’t bode well for his future with the organization.

Phil Rogers implies, ridiculously, that Theo Epstein bringing in Jed Hoyer as GM is some kind of thank you payback for the Adrian Gonzalez trade – a trade, you’ll note, which no one, nowhere believed was a sweetheart deal in favor of the Red Sox. Way to engender a positive relationship with the new guys there, Phil. Prospective sources thinking of talking to Phil: talk to me, instead.

Ken Rosenthal says that, as a free agent, Albert Pujols is going to get more than the nine years and $200 million he rejected this past offseason in the way of an extension from the Cardinals. He adds that the Cubs, despite the belief that the new regime is not interested in older, expensive free agents, will face tremendous pressure to try and snake Pujols from the rival Cardinals. I remain of the belief that, unless Pujols is willing to consider a five-year deal, the Cubs are unlikely to consider making an offer.

Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale is likely to be a candidate for the Cubs’ expected-to-be-open managerial job. Hale hails from Chicago, and is well-liked by incoming President, Theo Epstein. Don’t worry about a compensation fight, after all, Hale would be getting a clear promotion… oh. Wait.

In the same article, two sources said Yu Darvish’s posting fee is not expected to approach the $51 million it cost to talk to Daisuke Matsuzaka, despite the fact that Darvish is the superior pitcher. Instead, the fee isn’t likely to clear $30 million (hey, that’s what I said). The Cubs are listed among some of the usual suspects (Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers, Nationals, Mariners) as a potential bidder.

How about an update on the Cubs’ prospects/players in the Arizona Fall League? On the pitching side of things, Chris Carpenter is having an excellent Fall, as he did last year, with a 100 mph heater. He’s got a 2.35 ERA over 7.2 innings, with a razor thin 0.91 WHIP. He’s struck out 11. Trey McNutt has a 4.05 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over his 6.2 innings, which is fine, but he’s struck out just one batter. That’s usually a bad sign. Andrew Cashner last pitched eight days ago, so he doesn’t have much in the way of stats to consider. I’ve reached out to Carrie Muskat to see if there is any reason for concern. Finally, Marcus Hatley was sent to the AFL so the Cubs could see if they should use a 40-man roster spot on him for the upcoming year, and he’s done little to convince them – he sports a league-worst 14.73 ERA.

On the batting side of things, 21-year-old shortstop Junior Lake is the biggest story. Generally thought to be a light-hitting kid, Lake has a 1.144 OPS, which is the highest in the league by anyone who has more than 40 at bats (Lake has 58). He’s in the top five in the league in homers, doubles, and RBI, and he leads the league in steals. Yes, the AFL is an offensive haven, generally speaking, but even considering the league median OPS – about .800 – Lake is killin’ it. Josh Vitters also continues to hit well (.375/.415/.563), and has started playing some outfield. DJ LeMahieu is hitting just shy of league average.

An 0-fer dropped Bryan LaHair out of the Venezuelan Winter League OPS lead by a handful of points. He’s still got a .308/.426/.821 line through 10 games, and the median OPS in the league right now is about .780. So, yeah, he’s killin’ it.

One of Mesa, Arizona’s biggest Cubs boosters, Robert Brinton, passed away suddenly this weekend. Brinton was deeply involved not only in Mesa’s efforts to keep the Cubs Springing there, but also as a board member for the Cactus League as a whole. He was 60.

Totally random: Paul Sullivan offers to introduce Theo Epstein to the “Ship of Fools,” an affectionate(?) nickname for the media in Chicago. If you’re looking for candid shots of the Sullivan/Wittenmyer/Levine/Miles/Muskat/et al crew, there’s your link. Again: all credit to the beat writers of Chicago. We might not always agree or get along, but I believe they have a difficult, important job, which they often do quite well. It’s not something I think I’d like to do, so I’ll instead thank them, and chuckle, mildly, at their pictures.

Check out Bleacher Nation on Facebook and on Twitter, and stop by the Message Board, if you just can’t get enough BN-y goodness here on the blog.

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

The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

Brett Taylor

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Moves: Wisdom and Taillon Are Back, Wesneski and Mastrobuoni Are Out

Even with tonight's rainout, the Chicago Cubs are still making some roster moves. When Patrick Wisdom was removed (perfectly healthy) from the I-Cubs game in the 4th inning on Wednesday, we had an idea of what was coming next. When...

Michael Cerami

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Tonight’s Cubs-Marlins Game Has Been Postponed

The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...

Brett Taylor

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Paul Skenes Could Make His MLB Debut Any Day (But Probably Won’t), Red-Hot Orioles, Houck’s Maddux, More

If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...

Hand up, I really wanted the Cubs to sign reliever Robert Stephenson this offseason. I felt like they could use one more impact arm (accurate), and I felt like Stephenson was one of the best available (about that ... )....

Brett Taylor

Apr 18, 2024

NBA Prop Bets

Best NBA Prop Bets Today – Friday, April 19, 2024

Today's NBA playoff slate has two quality competitions in store. Among those contests is the Sacramento Kings taking on the New Orleans Pelicans.NBA prop bets for today's games are available, so if you're interested in placing a bet or building...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Betting

DraftKings Promo Code: Bet $5, Gets $200 with Latest New User Offer

Are you eager to dive into the exhilarating world of sports betting? Look no further than the brand new DraftKings promo code offer, designed specifically to welcome new users. DraftKings, a powerhouse in the United States online sportsbook industry, is...

Matt Rooney

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Blackhawks put the worst regular season of more than 70 games in the history of the franchise to bed on Thursday night in a manner that sums up the season fairly well. Connor Murphy was banged up and Nikita...

Tab Bamford

Apr 19, 2024

NBA Playoffs Odds - Mavs vs. Clippers 1st Round

NBA

2024 NBA Playoffs Odds: Mavs vs Clippers Odds to Win Series, Spreads, Lines

It's a first-round matchup with a history of fireworks! The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers lock horns once again in the NBA Playoffs. This year marks the third time in five years these two teams meet in the opening...

Brian Twining

Apr 19, 2024

Should the Cubs Keep Interim GM Randy Bush in the Front Office? and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular