Bleed Cubbie Blue

So I would hate

to be one of the players knowing that their team considers them to be inconsequential.

Tekboy - February 22, 2012 reply

Not unless

you already know they consider you that, in which case you’re going from a team that regarded you as inconsequential to a team that was willing to accept you in a trade.

Orval Overall - February 22, 2012 reply

And at the very least

you are in uniform with a major league club. Life could be a helluva lot worse.

Emelie - February 22, 2012 reply

It's also a chance to have a different staff look at you and reach a different opinion

Could be a break. Probably not, but maybe.

I'd take it as motivation...

…to make myself consequential.

daver - February 22, 2012 reply

How often do you see the PTBNL

having any sort of relevance or importance?

Almost never.

Exactly.

I also thought that elgato was questioning the likely irrelevance of the PTBNL, but I see from above that he was just probing for more info.

Wrecks Grossman - February 21, 2012 reply

Not entirely true

PTBNL is used occasionally to trade recent draft picks since they can’t be traded w/in a year of being drafted. Obviously not the case here since they’re considered to be irrelevant parts on both sides and the trade will be finalized by April 15, which would still be too soon for last years draft picks to be traded.

Well Brett Butler was a PTBNL

30 years ago. So not often.

This reminds me

has anyone come up with a clever “Small Sample Size” gif or jpg?

Found this one...

…which is almost exactly how I pictured it.

Is that Michael Showalter?

Small sample size guy pictured is Mark McKinney...

from his Kids in the Hall Days. The character went around looking at people through his fingers and putting the finger and thumb together while saying “I’m crushing your head.”

brook - February 21, 2012 reply

couldn't find the Lee & 3 dwarfs infield shot but found this one instead.

You looking for this?

yep, that's the one. I thought it was 3 dwarfs, but I guess LBR didn't make the cut.

This is now my favorite picture ever.

Until I look at a cat picture.

Arbusto - February 21, 2012 reply

Where's eths when you need him?

KO Stradivarius - February 21, 2012 reply

Well, it's not really done.

In fact, now there are two PTBNLs instead of waiting to find out what one player would go to the Sox.

Was hoping for someone a little lower on the prospects list but I can certainly live with it.

Julio Zuleta's Voodoo - February 21, 2012 via mobile reply

So much for the 'Carpenter is the future Cubs closer' scenario.

Oh well, the Cubs put the decision in the hands of others. Nothing we can say really.

Zeke - February 21, 2012 reply

Carpenter is

Kyle Farnsworth. Significant heat without movement, without location. He’ll be serviceable, but I won’t miss him.

Our PTBNL on the other hand. That really pisses me off.

WIthout location is right.

In the 66 innings that he pitched in 2011, his average BB/9 was 4.92.

Naveen Nallappa - February 21, 2012 reply

so Cubs get a player from Boston too?

drodd - February 21, 2012 reply

won't be Bogaerts

KO Stradivarius - February 21, 2012 reply

also, room on the 40-man for

JORGE SOLER!

Whatever the outcome

Getting Theo still makes us the landslide winner here.

AzCubfan24 - February 21, 2012 reply

Theo > whatever the hell we give up.

Yeah, rec'ing because honestly, it always comes back to this.

Agreed with both of you.

It really is the best dose of perspective

no matter your views on the player(s) given up.

exactly

If you place value on Theo

you have to think you have to give up something of value back

Rainman9856 - February 22, 2012 reply

WS Ring

Theo > whatever the hell we give up.

When the Cubs win the WS, they can order and extra to give to Chris for his part in making us a Championship team.

bigz38fan - February 21, 2012 reply

Any chance...

…this whole thing affects any deals the cubs and sox may or may not do in the future?

cubswynn - February 21, 2012 via mobile reply

Don't see why it would. TheoJed and Cherrington are buddies.

LongLiveHarryCaray - February 21, 2012 reply

And I don't see any reason for ill will.

Carpenter seems to fall pretty in line with precedent. Theo can’t be too upset unless the PTBNL gets ugly

I remember seeing pictures and interviews with Theo while he was in Boston last month

Doing charity events and such. They have a good relationship.

It's the relationship with Lucchino that you would question

and from what I gather, he seems a little slimey.

This is what I was thinking.

I'm pretty sure that we'll start seeing CHC - BOS trades in 2013

It could take a whole year for all the dust to settle, but I’m sure Lucchino will come around if Cherington things he can get players that will help the Red Sox from the Cubs. Hell, I wouldn’t be shocked if Dempster ended up with the Red Sox this season given their rotation issues.

SouthWabashSoul - February 21, 2012 reply

I like it

He’s 26, his minor league whip ratios indicate he’s unlikely to develop enough control to be really effective for more than a couple of seasons in the bigs and we keep Dolis, who is similar and 2 years younger.

PTBNL for PTBNL is wacky

I think Bud is just bored and looking for something to do for the next few weeks -

doofus cubs guy - February 21, 2012 reply

Yeah, he "fixed" the "brilliant" TV blackout map last week.

Mapanator - February 21, 2012 reply

Since Epstein is not a player

and Carpenter is, baseball requires a trade for a player to include to include players be exchanged from each side. that is the reason that Boston has to send us a PTBNL and the Cubs to balance by addinga PTBNL. You can’t trade a non player for a player.

tharr - February 21, 2012 reply

$20 says he will be in a Cubs uniform again one day

and 6 or 7 others

Well, better him than Castro or Garza....

nateroth - February 21, 2012 reply

rolls eyes

nateroth - February 21, 2012 reply

What's this PTBNL crap?

That's your husband getting traded

Pack your bags!

Drats. Is it my duty to be mad at God now?

We were expecting them to offer him millions to be a Cub for life.

like your new sig line

TY

It's nothing

it’s a paperwork thing. The deal had to be a trade.

KO Stradivarius - February 21, 2012 reply

Theo's quote from MLBTR

“I am relieved that this process is over and particularly pleased that the teams were able to reach agreement on their own without intervention from MLB. I truly hope and believe that this resolution will benefit both clubs, as well as Chris, who is an extremely talented reliever joining a great organization at a time when there’s some opportunity in the major league bullpen. More than anything, I’m excited that we can all move forward and focus exclusively on getting ready for the season. I wish Chris and the Red Sox nothing but the best in 2012 and beyond.”

Bud was not involved.

Ryan Flaherty

if he fails to survive ST

Flaherty was rule 5'd and is no longer a Cub.

April 15

apparently PTNBLs are to be named by then. There’s a date! and it’s in this century!

PrincetonCubs - February 21, 2012 reply

So both teams will have assessed their personnel in ST ...

and then they can get a better grasp on what they need/don’t need.

no conspiracy in that, though

we'll all have paid our taxes as well

PrincetonCubs - February 21, 2012 reply

Supposedly the PTBNL's are to be decided upon before April 15

Does this mean no 2011 draft picks can be involved?

AzCubfan24 - February 21, 2012 reply

seems like it

Mak19 - February 21, 2012 reply

Shouldn't be.

I think they want Flaherty for the minors

Wasnt sure what the date was for draft picks to be dealt.

AzCubfan24 - February 21, 2012 reply

1 year after they sign

They’ll get Flaherty or Gonzalez, free and clear.

I thought

we lost Flaherty in the Rule 5 draft. Was that to BOS?

Not sure where you’re going here.

Tat14 - February 21, 2012 reply

I think the idea

Is that the Orioles won’t keep him and he’ll send us back to us.

We lost him to Baltimore. The Red Sox took Marwin Gonzalez and then flipped him to Houston.

think so

much more palatable.

PrincetonCubs - February 21, 2012 reply

Sounds OK to me. But the PTBNL could change this.

eths - February 21, 2012 reply

I was worried that it would be mcnutt

Thankfully bud is an idiot

jesus christos - February 21, 2012 via Android app reply

Do not like.

I understand the need to move on, but I think this will come back to bite the team. No one can predict the future, but I was hopeful for Carp taking over for Marmol. Now we’ll be treated to another season where for a few months, opposing hitters forget that Marmol can’t hit the strike zone to save his life, swinging and missing a ton, and then a majority of the rest of the season where hitters sit, wait, and walk, realizing that Marmol’s slider doesn’t touch the strike zone.

Carpenter has a pretty garish walk rate himself.

It’s pretty uncertain at the moment that he’s ever going to turn into a dependable closer at the MLB level.

Did you look at Carp's minor league walk totals?

rlpete - February 21, 2012 reply

Carp's game is predicated on a blazing fast ball

Not control. MLB hitters adapt to blazing fast balls.

crackedcactus - February 21, 2012 reply

I like what was said about Carp above

He’s like Kyle Farnsworth

And in MLB, blazing fastballs can go a long, long way the other direction

What if Chris Carpenter

was the PTBNL we get back in the deal?

tomas21 - February 21, 2012 reply

I don't think that's unprecedented

Carp for Flaherty?

Stop bringing up Flaherty

He is a Baltimore Oriole now.

For now.

He could be returned at the end of spring training.

Al Yellon - February 22, 2012 reply

But I'm betting he won't.

Dcr18 - February 22, 2012 reply

Made a few changes in the article due to the additional facts about the PTBNLs.

So, I guess the BoSox are "compensating" for "Theo envy".

I bet they drive a big truck, too.

Mapanator - February 21, 2012 reply

Sawks fans...

Was this really worth whining about for the past six months? So glad this is (mostly) over with, and in a way that doesn’t set a precedent for a huge payout.

They were just taking cues from their guys at the top.

It's not Garza or Castro

So the Boston media will complain

jesus christos - February 21, 2012 via Android app reply

by 'or'

you mean ‘and’

nonsense, the media won't complain

they’ll imply that all the fans should be complaining and then belittle the fans who are complaining about it for being unreasonable. This is the way these things work.

wolf9309 - February 21, 2012 reply

Give them some

To go with their whiiiiine….

Carpenter was a good pickup for them

He’s not going to be a star, but he could be a good set up man and maybe even a closer. Dude throws hard. We’re going to miss him.

Lendry Castillo still has a fighting ch.....

naaaaah!!!!!

Not trying to take anything away from Carpenter

I’d rather have him than not, but in the grand scheme of things, the circus about this whole situation has been a bit overwrought considering what they finally agreed to.

Losing him isn't going to cost us a championship

And getting Theo might bring us one, so in the larger scheme of things it’s not significant. But the Red Sox did get something of value.

Not Bruce Froemming - February 21, 2012 reply

Well, you have to give to get

I still think the Cubs are on the better end of the deal.

Agreed.

Isn't baseball protocol...

…that if someone is leaving for a higher position, no compensation is needed?

It is protocol

to let an exec interview for a higher position. Theo was interviewing for an ‘undecided’ position.

That was mentioned.

But it was understood by both teams when Theo was signed by the Cubs, that compensation would be required.

But it shouldn't have even come to that.

I guess I’m just annoyed that the Red Sox are getting anything because Theo left for a higher position and it’s not the Cubs fault the Sox were stupid enough to let it happen before compensation had been decided on.

Oh well, I’m glad it’s over with.

I fall into this category as well

To me, the rub is that the Red Sox wanted Theo gone anyway, and if he had dug his heels in, and forced them to fire him, instead of the mutual parting of the ways, it would have been the Red Sox who would have had to provide compensation (albeit to Theo, and not the Cubs).

I'm not sure that's reflective of when the Cubs asked the Red Sox about Theo

When the Cubs asked permission to speak to Theo, the red sox had let Francona go. But I don’t think there was any indication that they wanted Theo gone as well.

I'm starting to wonder if it's a chicken or the egg thing

I find it hard to believe there weren’t indications behind the scenes they wanted him gone, which is why they allowed the Cubs to talk to Theo in the first place. However, since the Cubs did inquire, it allowed the Red Sox to make it look like the Cubs took him away, rather than the Red Sox making him go away, and thus netting the Red Sox compensation.

But this goes back to my original point...

…which is the Red Sox should have allowed Theo to talk to the Cubs regardless, if it was understood Theo would be advancing.

I don't think it was that cut and dry

Theo told Ricketts that he be President of Baseball Operations and that he needed to build a staff underneath him.

I do not think it was initially stated that he would be President of Baseball Operations. Remember the whole “not wanting a baseball person to watch over the baseball people”?

I suppose that could be true.

Wouldn't surprise me

From the red sox perspective, it’s “Well Theo was starting to fall out of favor with us. But if the Cubs want to compensate us for him, we’ll take it.”

FWIW

this leaves an open spot on the Cubs 40 man roster.

Jessica can rest easy tonight

SouthWabashSoul - February 21, 2012 reply

Oswalt?

His Arms are a little short to get good velocity on the ball

But I bet he kicks butt on PFP.

Cute!

My daughter loves this show.

TheBeerBaron - February 21, 2012 reply

Too picky.

Idiotic...

This was extortion. There shouldn’t have been any compensation at all.

IowaCubs- - February 21, 2012 reply

There shouldn’t have been any compensation at all.

On what do you base this statement?

Anger.

Well...

….. I’m not IowaCubs, but I always thought compensation was ludicrous too. I’ve said before I wanted to see this in court just to see how it would be decided. To avoid all of this, all Boston had to so was refuse Epstein permission to talk. By allowing it, they ceded their exclusivity to his services and shouldn’t be able to demand compensation, unless that was one of the conditions before they spoke, which I’ve not heard anyone say was a part of this.

Court?

Seriously? No way would it ever have gone that far. Arbitration, maybe, but not a lawsuit.

People opposing compensation are forgetting a possible outcome without it:

Say Ricketts takes his stand, says there should be no compensation, and we get Epstein without having to give up any players or personnel. Maybe I’m being naive, but the negative fallout over a move like that, creating even more tension between the two organizations, wasn’t worth it. In the end, or at least in the long run, I would assume it’s better to play as nice as you could in this scenario to preserve any possible future deals between the two clubs.

You're not looking at it like I am

As an attorney, I’m looking at it purely from a legal point of view. Not as a fan of either team or any regard for baseball “unwritten” practices. A bar exam question or even a case of first impression.

If the Red Sox wanted to retain Epstein, all they had to do was say no. End of problem. However, the legal theory I’m putting forth is that by allowing him to speak to the Cubs, they ceded, gave up, waived, whatever you want to call it, their exclusive rights to his services. I’m NOT saying giving permission voided his contract with them, the principles are different and distinct. Had Epstein not accepted a Cubs offer, he would still be bound with the Red Sox. But that’s not what happened. The Red Sox should expect the outcome that did occur, that Epstein would want to leave. The Sox would not owe him any more money, he would not owe them any more services. Epstein did not breach his contract because the Red Sox gave him the opportunity to do so.

And, I’ll this again- my theory blows if there was a caveat agreed upon somewhere that said the Cubs owe compensation if they hire Epstein. However, I’ve yet to hear that was the case.

I just wanted to state how shocked I am that you found a way to bring up that you're an attorney

for like the 700th time.

Whatever. Have a nice day

Another post simply to stir up sh@t;

I am shocked as well.

Tat14 - February 21, 2012 reply

Have you ever heard a case

that suggests that they ceded their employment rights by allowing an employee to consider other employment?

ol Pete - February 21, 2012 reply

Again......

… ceded their exclusivity only, not a generic “rights”.

Why would their contract become void?

ol Pete - February 21, 2012 reply

I didn't say it would

Other than, like, 20 football coaches every offseason?

And untold thousands of businessmen?

If you give an employee permission to seek other employment, you can’t sue him for breaching his employment contract, and you can’t sue the new employer for tortious interference. You literally permitted the outcome to occur.

D98 - February 22, 2012 reply

am I the only one who didn't know beer cub was a lawyer?

I didn't either.

personally I think it'd be neat to find out what others do for a living

I think we had a thread about that once.

But it was a fairly long time ago.

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/story/2008/3/6/171541/8431

almost four years ago...

I don't know how I remember this stuff...

you're sick... you have a fever... and the only prescription is...

That was a few months before I found bcb.

Wow…time flies.

11 days!

Oooh, I was so close.

Arbusto - February 22, 2012 reply

the funny thing is

I commented so I must have read it, but didn’t remember. It’s kinda scary how many of us are still here.

If we weren't here, where would we go?

N Oakley - February 21, 2012 reply

maybe be more productive

So an estoppel argument?

Arbusto - February 22, 2012 reply

And the Commissioner of Baseball is king, with the right to void all laws within his kingdom

That is how it has worked since Landis, with the unspoken consent of every Congress and Administration since.

You mean

By allowing Theo to speak to the Cubs, they forfeited the contractual rights they had with Theo?

I don’t think it works that way.

It happens in baseball with managers and coaches every year.

Do the Cubs owe the Brewers compensation for hiring Dale Sveum? Hell no they don’t. But they asked for permission to interview him… then hired him.

And the Marlins got Ozzie Guillen how?

And Tampa Bay got Lou Piniella how?

I fully agree with the premise that no compensation should have ever been needed.

They asked for permission, they received permission. He left one job to take another job. It’s business. If an employee of an internet start-up company XYZ, leaves XYZ to take a job a Google, Google doesn’t owe XYZ any compensation.

That's great if you ignore any elements of an actual contract

Like a non-compete clause…

Beat me to it by mere seconds.

You guys are ignoring a key component here

Boston gave him permission to negotiate elsewhere. Legally, that’s a game changer.

No, Boston gave the Cubs permission to interview Theo

Theo did not have permission to interview with anyone he wanted to. And he still had a year remaining on his contract.

The Cubs knew from the beginning that some form of compensation would be due. I’m pretty sure that was why they were allowed to interview Theo.

What?

What’s the difference? Either the Sox allowed the Cubs to talk to him or the Sox allowed Theo to talk to the Cubs? Same thing happens, they’re talking.

And if you have proof the Cubs knew they had to compensate, then like I said, my theory doesn’t hold. But you’re only “pretty sure”.

uh, both sides have said since the beginning that there would be compensation

wolf9309 - February 21, 2012 reply

It's a big difference in terms of compensation, if any

Here is Al original post Cubs Ask Permission To Talk To Theo Epstein

An SB nation writer clearly states that one of the options is:

(3) The Red Sox grant the Cubs’ request under the condition that they are compensated if Epstein is hired away

That was October 4, 2011 and you even commented on that post. Sorry, but this has been kown since the beginning.

You need to stop citing the law here...

because the laws of the US are not applicable here. MLB is governed by a CBA, which literally allows the MLB to skirt labor laws. No court would would hear this “case.”

Mak19 - February 21, 2012 reply

STOP QUOTING LAWS

WE CARRY WEAPONS

JOVE23 - February 21, 2012 reply

BADGES?!

Badgers?

Cubbie Badger Don't Care...

……………………………………………………

I haz photoshop skilz

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/badgers

Skillz fo sho

alkappy - February 22, 2012 reply

We don't need no stinkin' badgers!

ddoubleheader - February 21, 2012 reply

How about mushrooms?

ClarkFan - February 23, 2012 reply

Part of my hypo here...

…… keeps asking if there was a caveat that required compensation. If the CBA calls for it, then great. Otherwise, if the CBA doesn’t cover this, then it’s an open question again.

I don't think this is subject to the CBA

… because an executive is involved. It’s simply an agreement between the two parties.

Yes, but

I think the CBA covers a broad range of topics. The notion of “compensation” has to come from somewhere, or they wouldn’t discuss it. I’m pretty sure the rules provide for these situations.

Say for instance, Ricketts did say “sorry, you get nothing.” It would be up to Bud to penalize the Cubs, and I imagine it would go through whatever powers he has under the CBA. To conclude, this would never end up in court.

Mak19 - February 21, 2012 reply

In this case

… Bud would be ruling in his “best interests of baseball” power, not the CBA. The CBA does not cover management.

I could have seen this going to arbitration, but not to court.

Correct.

MLB (and the other professional sports) pretty much operate in worlds of their own.

Easy example: if a football player holds out of training camp because he doesn’t think he is being compensated fairly pursuant to his contract, that is normal. If a manager at Wal-Mart does the same, he is most likely fired for cause.

Vance Lawyer - February 21, 2012 reply

Depends if the contract has a sort of noncompete agreement.

I’d assume most contracts have that when it comes to deals with set years. What would stop people from just quitting a crap job and taking the same position elsewhere.

Well Theo was coming to the Quade-led (at the time) Cubs - I think that probably qualifies

www.instantrimshot.com

Most employees don't have contracts for definite periods

And are employees at will, meaning they can leave at anytime.

Arbusto - February 22, 2012 reply

That ship sailed months ago.

Well. . .

I believe that Theo has already had much more of a positive impact on the Cubs than Carpenter will have on the BoSox.

I’m relieved (no pun intended)

leothelip - February 21, 2012 reply

So we gave up a low-teens prospect for Epstein

The various prospect rankings had Carpenter at 12 to 14 for the Cubs. This is easier to take given the moves that Theo and Jed have already made this off-season.

It also helps to understand that Carpenter was a low teens prospect

On a team without a lot of prospect depth. It would be different if he was prospect #12 or 14 for the Royals.

notcubbiewubbie - February 21, 2012 reply

Without a lot of prospect depth?

Cubs have LOADS of depth.

RynoRooter - February 22, 2012 reply

Especially at relievers in the upper levels.

Dolis, Kurcz, Zych, Rhoderick, Beliveau off the top of my head. Not to mention McNutt and Rhee could end up in the pen.

Dcr18 - February 22, 2012 reply

Good deal for us.

I’d make this trade any day. Theo has changed everything about the organization. Carpenter may one day have success as a late inning reliever, but his impact on the Cubs is in no way irreplaceable, and his loss is likely to be negligible.

Bradsbeard - February 21, 2012 reply

SELIG NOT INVOLVED

i dont believe a word of it see what happens when you get a car salesman involved.

All I got to say is "Laissez les bons temps rouler" - Happy Fat Cub Tuesday everybody!

.
Not too many places I’d rather be than at Spring Training right now, but this is one of them.
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/louisiana/neworleans/bourbonstreet/

100 BCB points if you can see Theriot or Fontenot here…

Kind of looks like them

propheteer - February 21, 2012 reply

Happy Fat Tuesday to you too....thanks for the link, one of my favorite places too.

listening to Aaron Neville and making jambalaya :)

Jumbalaya!

http://www.nola.com/paradecam/

Here's another webcam if you'd rather see the floats...

Sometimes it’s a fixed camera with no sound. But sooner or later, it’ll switch to a handheld with a couple of girls provide a running commentary. A little too much OMG and valley-girl speak for me but they’re getting funnier as they get drunker.

lol....cant turn off my music for that, I'll leave it running tho and watch the parade while I'm doing my taxes and reading BCB....

it’ll give me some comic relief

Happy Paczki Day!

Honor thy Polish brethren!

Got a package of them at the store after work...

Love it when Paczki time rolls around.

brook - February 21, 2012 reply

Can't believe Cubs fans act like we lost something

He was middle reliever who no one has heard of outside of hardcore Cubbie fans. And Nick Cafardo feels like he just got kicked in the balls. But you still feel like they got too much?

frankelee - February 21, 2012 reply

which Cub fans??

On the radio?? I don’t see that here. Of course – this website is the 1%

♫♫ C'mon, Mr. Lee (Mr. Lee, Mr. Lee) and do your stuff! ♫♫

Go back to July and ask yourself if you'd make this four-way trade:

1) Cubs trade Chris Carpenter to Red Sox in exchange for Theo Epstein, who promptly signs a multi-year contract extension.

2) Padres trade Jed Hoyer to Cubs; in exchange, Tom Ricketts takes his pal Jeff Moorad out to a nice dinner the next time they’re both in the same town.

3) Cubs buy out Jim Hendry, send him to the Yankees, who pay the Cubs nothing in return.

Raise your hand if you say “No” to that offer? Anyone? Didn’t think so.

Orval Overall - February 21, 2012 reply

This is brilliant.

Quoting this elsewhere, if you don’t mind.

Rec'd

Boston.com survey

Question: Did Red Sox get fair compensation?

62.55% – Red Sox should have gotten more.

But you’d pronounce it as “Red Sox shoulda gatten mah.”

heh

heh

Adding a "heh" to your two.

No mah

oh wait – they already had him…

They can take back Nomah

But they can’t have Mia.

Would you mind inserting any text in the subject line

when posting pics?

Excuse me?

Here's the reason.

If there is no text in the subject line, you can’t collapse the photos. Some people need to do that at work.

All you have to do is put

… (three dots)

or something similar in the subject line, then people can collapse them. Thanks.

X

is old school and obvious too

ol Pete - February 21, 2012 reply

Hell of a band.

"hey, baby, it's the Fourth of July...."

EalyEagle - February 21, 2012 reply

Adult Books

I don’t understand
Jackie Susann
She meant it that way

Great tune

AussieCub - February 21, 2012 reply

Hell yeah Falcor

Its SOP

(Standard Operating Procedure) Nobody’s being rude

jeffstorm2 - February 21, 2012 reply

Yes, his polite question really was quite offensive, I'm glad you took a stand.

WTF is your problem?

The Marlins gave up as much or more for Ozzie Guillen.

Rick B - February 21, 2012 reply

Not really.

Neither of the pitchers who went to the White Sox were thought of as prospects.

And as we've seen, they admit that

They make moves that draw perilously close to the line of stupidity.

Theo > Ozzie

Have posted a poll on this topic on the sidebar.

Please vote.

Here's a question...

…and I ask it seriously…
What ceases to exist first…Lin-sanity, Tebow-mania or Theo-mania? I’m glad Hendry is gone and Epstein/Hoyer have taken over, but, when is enough enough? Man, I’ll be glad when this season starts up.

I hope Theo-mania never ceases to exist.

Or at least continues to exist throughout his contract and perhaps into an extension. Oh, and I’ll vote for Tebow-mania ending first, too.

It's Hoyer's team now, isn't it?

Or is he just on-board for the ride?

It's not Hoyer's team...

…but I don’t think he’s only along for the ride either. I was just using your term: Theo-mania. Are you saying you’d rather see some Hoyer-mania, because I’d be down with that, too. Or how ’bout some McLeod-o-mania? Because I think his role is huge right now.

It's not Hoyer's team?

I thought the GM was “the man”. My bad. Just really burned out on everything Theo. Once the season starts I’m hoping all this Epstein stuff just goes away. I really hope the next time he’s front and center like he is now is when he’s accepting that trophy.

The GM is usually The Man...

…unless there’s a President of Baseball Operations standing over him. I would expect Theo’s profile to fade a little bit now that this compensation thing is more or less resolved and actual baseball stuff is starting up. If the 2012 Cubs get off to a hot start, we might even be treated to some Sveumania.

I'm guessing

Linsanity. If he’s truly as good as he’s been playing, why the hell was he warming the bench?

Tebow benefits from not having to play in a game for 6 months, so not too many opportunities to screw up until then.

Theo-mania is a wild-card, depending on how smart the fandom is. If people get annoyed about a (necessarily) crappy season this year, and lose sight of the big picture, and my sense about Lin proves wrong, Theo-mania could be in danger.

Yeah...

…I’m thinkin’ Lin-sanity lasts until the Knicks are eliminated from playoffs, but, if the Cubs should start out 10-25 (which by looking at that lineup is a very good possibility), Theo-mania may be 1st to go. Tebow is safe for awhile, like you said.

However...

…if this team starts out 25-10 it’s “Theo’s Team” if they start out 10-25 it’ll become “Sveum’s Team”. Reading posts and listening to people in general, Epstein is gonna get a very, very long rope.

If the team starts 25-10

I think we’ll be happy with just about everyone.

Yup.

As of right now, there isn’t a lot on that’s going to be on the field to get excited about. If the team starts off hot, then the focus will shift to the players. Of course, if some of the offseason acquisitions are a big reason for that, Theomania will still be going strong.

Considering Lin has horrific turnover problems

I’d say it’s Linsanity. Plus, the Knicks are such a toxic organization that everyone there is inevitably brought down several pegs.

Theo-mania never was

Now Theology…

I vote Tebowmania

reply fail

Thank goodness this is done for the most part.

Shark in the rotation is a fantasy now. Lets have a healthy camp.

Grockcubs - February 21, 2012 reply

Bring on

Minor league mini camp

This kind of mini camp?

He has a cousin in the NFL office

What, you never heard of Roger Gaedel?

EalyEagle - February 21, 2012 reply

You laught

But the Padres took his Great-Nephew in the sixth round of the draft last June.

wrigleyrocker12 - February 21, 2012 reply

I'm not upset they traded Carpenter, but I also wasn't upset when they traded Al Alburquerque.

AA is turning into Joel Zumaya the 2nd

So don’t get too worked up about it.

EalyEagle - February 21, 2012 reply

Chris Carpenter consumed what?

How many stories, fan posts, fan shots, and comments have been made to guess the answer to the question “What will the compensation for Theo Epstein be?”. 3000?

this off season has been too educational for me, with the ins and outs of trade deals, players I've heard of only for the first time,

I’m ready for a gritty game thread!!!!

I've also learned a lot this off season

But TheoJed are mostly responsible for that.

I’m ready for ST 5 weeks from tomorrow we see the 1st of 3 games.

First ST game

… just 13 days away.

just can't wait.

I wish we could have came sooner......

but that is the first week the boyfriend could get off in March.

you lucky girl you!

yep 3 games in 4 days

I’ve always wanted to see ST, but never have.

so we get to do this all over again with SD and again in 2 months for the PTBNL?

ah hell yeah

I got the prediction contest right

Next prediction: 78 Wins

Mitchener - February 21, 2012 reply

heheh

a cubs fan bought the domain name of the red sox’s spring training facility and has it link to yankees.com

Funny.

Do the Cubs get a PTBN from SD

Since they are suppose to send comp for Hoyer or is Hoyer considered a baseball person/?

nkniacc13 - February 21, 2012 reply

After reading the comments posted...

…on the Boston Globe story, I’m losing a lot of respect for the Red Sox fan base.

i find it humorous that they believe theo is the one that dragged this out

Or that they think Garza/Castro...

…may be the PTBNL.

"theo's an awful GM, i'm glad he's gone! he ruined this team with crawford and lackey's contracts! btw i want awesome players in return for him!"

wha?

Funny how quickly they forget.

Theo got them two rings and now they are happy he’s gone? I realize he made some bad moves, but if the Cubs ever win it all the people in the organization will forever be gods in my book.

Not to mention all the billy goat/Bartman jokes. Really? Did you forget about Babe Ruth already?

Maybe Yankees fans weren’t THAT wrong all along.

Many can be insufferable.

Just like every fanbase. Everyone’s going to call Cubs fans massive d-bags if/when we win the WS too.

Of course.

But there are very few on there who are making logical statements. Paints a bad picture of the entire fanbase, if you ask me.

Then we all need to make sure no one, in a million years, reads any comments on Cubs articles in the Tribune.

the sun times comments board is a fountain of intelligence

Would be if you didn't post there under numerous pseudonyms.

...

Commentators for Newspaper Websites

are douches the world around. Usually racists, too.

Yahoo commenters are actually the worst. But it's only by a hair

paolo10 on the cubs board is worse than every yahoo commenter combined

Been a looooooong long time since I even glanced at the cubs message boards

he's like senorgato

but dumber

wow that's possible

i don't know

Gato wasn't dumb

He just let his emotion cloud his comments/judgement.

I second that about paolo10.

I swear he has a fetish for young guys. lol

ain't no thing

hey guys

sorry I’m late… we can now post comm…… ents. DAMN. late again. switching gears, can we be a HOT team out of the gate? I’m sick of the lethargic 2-8 starts, waiting for Ramirez to get the sand out of his you-know-what. We need to rid ourselves of that horrible 2 months before we actually learn to hit run and field.

RIP Slim - February 21, 2012 via Android app reply

The only way I can really see this team start hot out of the gate...

is if they abandon the power/power/power mantra and try to play small ball. That ball just doesn’t leave the park in the early part of the season all that well.