A Tale of Two Cities, Chicago and Boston, and Other Bullets

It’s Dale Sveum Day at Wrigley Field, as the new Chicago Cubs manager will be introduced at a press conference at 9am CT. As I did with Theo and then Jed and Jason, I’ll cover the press conference live here for those unable to watch. For those who can watch, I’m guessing it will be on TV in one place or another (CSN is your best guess), and will be streamed in a few places online.

  • From the media side of things, the Sveum hire seems to be universally approved. Tim Brown thinks Sveum is a great fit for the Cubs. Bruce Levine goes a step further, calling Sveum a “perfect” fit. Typically dour Jon Greenberg trusts Theo’s choice. Even soon-to-be-former Cub John Grabow loves Sveum.
  • One exception: Phil Rogers meanders such that I can’t tell if he’s supporting the hire or opposing it.
  • The Theo Epstein compensation question has been deferred, again, this time until December – after the Rule 5 Draft (December 8). The teams decided it would make more sense to hammer things out once their 40-man rosters were a little more well-defined, and they know what needs they have. “[Red Sox GM Ben Cherington] and I talked, and we agreed that it makes sense to put it off until after the Rule 5 Draft,” Epstein said. “Some things will be more clear – rosters and whatnot. There’s nothing to report on except that we’ve agreed to re-engage after the Rule 5 Draft. It’s very amicable. Lots of jokes about it. We’ll see if we can get something done after the Rule 5 Draft.” The Cubs will also be settling on compensation to the Padres – for Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod – after the Rule 5 Draft.
  • Speaking of Theo Epstein, as predicted, some in the Boston media are slamming their former favorite son on the way out the door. The specific slam this time? Some radio hosts have sources telling them the person leaking all of that nastiness about the Red Sox last month to the Boston Globe (Tito drugs, pitchers drinking, etc.) was none other than Epstein, himself. Setting aside the facially absurd suggestion that Theo would “leak” things that gave himself a huge black eye, here are the pieces of “evidence” cited by these guys (this is not a joke): (1) Red Sox owners said they didn’t leak it, (2) John Henry went on the radio to say he didn’t leak it, (3) Theo hasn’t spoken on the leak, (4) the Cubs interviewed Terry Francona (false), and (5) Jonathan Papelbon left and nothing negative has yet come up in the press. Seriously. That’s the evidence. Not a joke.
  • As for Boston? Forget the best of times – it’s mostly just the worst of times. It turns out new GM Ben Cherington wanted Dale Sveum as the team’s manager, but when he brought Sveum to meet with ownership, they decided they wanted someone with Major League managerial experience. The problem? The entire list of candidates whom the Red Sox had brought in for an interview was comprised of guys without such experience. The owners, apparently, wanted someone like Bobby Valentine all along. Now, they all look foolish, and you feel like maybe you have a better window into why Theo Epstein would want to leave. Good luck to Cherington if this is the way his bosses are going to undermine him.
  • Craig Shipley, Director of International Scouting for the Red Sox, is about to be bounced from his job, and folks will promptly begin speculating that he might come to the Cubs in some position (he was originally hired by Theo Epstein). He’s had mixed results with the Red Sox.
  • written by

    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

    Oh, Come On: Cody Bellinger Lifted Mid-Game with an Apparent Injury (UPDATE: X-Rays Negative)

    The Cubs cannot catch a break this year, man. They've already dealt with injuries to Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly, Julian Merryweather, Seiya Suzuki, and Ian Happ (did I forget anyone?). And tonight, it seems maybe something...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Astros 2 – April 23, 2024

    Well there was one big thing not to like about tonight's game - Cody Bellinger was lifted with a right rib contusion after colliding with the outfield wall - and about a million things that were great. And since we...

    Mike Tauchman Did it AGAIN – Second Oppo Homer of the Game!

    Nothing like a little insurance late. Mike Tauchman, who already hit his first home run of the season earlier in this game, just hit his second home run in the 8th! Another opposite field blast for Tauchman, who's been hitting...

    James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

    It really is a Cubs homer party up and down the system. In Chicago, Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman have gone deep. At Myrtle Beach, Christian Hernandez and Jefferson Encarnacion each homered. At South Bend, Yohendrick Pinango homered. And at...

    Kevin Alcantara Led Off Tonight’s Game with a Bomb (UPDATE: And Then Did It Again!)

    Kevin Alcantara wasted no time giving the Tennessee Smokies the lead on Tuesday night (or maybe he just wanted to be a spiritual part of the homer party going on at Wrigley Field). Facing off against the Rocket City Trash...

    Mike Tauchman’s First Homer of the Year Caps Off a 5-Run Cubs Ambush!

    I don't like to use "ambush" lightly. But what would you call it when the Cubs put five balls in play over 100 MPH, including a single, a double, and two home runs en route to putting five runs on...

    Ian Happ Hit Missed a Homer by a Foot, So Cody Bellinger Launched One into Space to Pick Him UP

    Ian Happ was back in the Cubs lineup tonight after missing a few games with a sore hamstring. And in his first at-bat back, he sent one 412 feet to dead-center field for a VERY long double (Statcast says it...

    Pre-Gamin’: Astros at Cubs (6:40 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back in action tonight for the first of three games against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 1. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, 2B...

    Jefferson Rojas Has the Longest Active Hitting Streak in High-A

    I know what you're thinking – what the heck is this basketball junkie doing over here on our turf!? He normally only shows up when he accidentally puts his Bulls articles in the wrong category! I need a little palate cleanser...

    MLBits: Jared Jones Made Brice Turang Look Ridiculous, Dylan Cease Dazzles at Coors, More

    If you're familiar with me/my writing, you know how much I love good pitching. To that end, Jared Jones has been one of my favorite stories of the young season. And on Monday, he gave us one of the best...

    Latest News

    Guardians vs. Red Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    After winning their past five games, the Cleveland Guardians (17-6) host the Boston Red Sox (13-11) at Progressive Field on Wednesday at 6:10 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Guardians will send Carlos Carrasco (1-1) to the...

    Seattle Seahawks 3-Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks and Trade Back Options

    Seattle Seahawks 3-Round Mock Draft - With the 16th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, General Manager John Schneider has a crucial decision to make – continue the rebuild by focusing on defense for new head coach Mike Macdonald, or invest in...

    Celtics vs. Heat: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Boston Celtics will play the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs.These two teams match up for the second straight game after the Celtics beat the Heat 114-94 on Sunday. Jayson Tatum paced...

    Orioles vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Baltimore Orioles (15-8) visit the Los Angeles Angels (10-14) Wednesday to close out a three-game series. The Orioles are favored (-132) to win the rubber match, which starts at 4:07 PM ET from Angel Stadium of Anaheim.Baltimore's Dean Kremer...

    Giants vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The New York Mets (12-11 look to avoid the sweep when they visit the San Francisco Giants (12-13) in the final game of a three-game set. Oddsmakers have listed the Giants as -130 favorites, while the Mets are +110 underdogs...

    Giants vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    Following a three-game losing streak, the New York Mets (12-11) face off against the San Francisco Giants (12-13) on Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET.The probable starters are Blake Snell (0-3) for the Giants and Sean Manaea (1-1) for the Mets.Giants...

    Orioles vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    The Baltimore Orioles (15-8) visit the Los Angeles Angels (10-14). The matchup at Angel Stadium of Anaheim begins at 4:07 PM ET on Wednesday.The Orioles will look to Dean Kremer (0-2) versus the Angels and Tyler Anderson (2-2).Orioles vs. Angels...

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 24, 2024

    The MLB schedule today, which includes the Boston Red Sox squaring off against the Cleveland Guardians as one of 15 games, should provide some fireworks.One of the most fun ways to wager on baseball is via MLB player prop bets....

    Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Arizona Diamondbacks (12-13) are -122 favorites to take Game 3 of th series from the St. Louis Cardinals (10-14) Wednesday at 1:15 PM ET. The teams enter the matchup with the series record tied, and the underdog Cardinals are...

    Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    The Arizona Diamondbacks (12-13) go on the road at Busch Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals (10-14) at 1:15 PM ET on Wednesday.The probable pitchers are Jordan Montgomery (1-0) for the Diamondbacks and Kyle Gibson (1-2) for the Cardinals.Diamondbacks vs....

    more cubs news