Results tagged ‘ Theo Epstein ’
Epstein Deal Done (For Real This Time)
The Red Sox and Cubs have finally agreed on compensation for Theo Epstein. An announcement is coming soon.
Why Theo Leaving is a Good Thing
Most Red Sox fans, myself included, are saddened by Theo Epstein‘s looming departure, but it does have some positives. Theo has made some great moves throughout his career. He made fantastic trades and found some great under valued players. But in recent years he’s slipped up on one thing. He has read the free agent market terribly. He has also taken advantage of John Henry’s wallet by overspending on just about everyone of the free agents he’s picked up. He just struggles with making an adequate contract offer that meets both sides needs. He’s always gone way over the top for veterans services. He should know that their near decline, and if they want more years than their bodies are going to give them than just stay away. Theo was never able to stay away. He was so overly aggressive that it hurt the Sox rather than helped them. The only time he’s backed off a contract for health is with Jason Bay, and it proved to be an excellent idea. Didn’t anybody learn from that, or is everyone still upset we lost a guy whose hit .251 the past two years? The Mets are just as upset as we are with the contracts of Carl Crawford, John Lackey, J.D. Drew, and Mike Cameron. If Theo takes this approach in Chicago, the Cubs will be buried in debt due to terrible contracts. Another problem I’ve had with Theo is his protection of the farm system. Guys like Lars Anderson whose value was sky high a few years ago and the Sox had no use for him, but Theo had some sort of plan for him. Now he’s not even worth an unhealthy Rich Harden. Years ago he could of been used as guy in a Adrian Gonzalez type trade, but now that will never happen, except as a throw in. I’m not saying toss away all homegrown guys, because that would be insanity, but guys who aren’t going to serve a purpose when their value is at his highest needs to be moved if the right deal is made. Another good example is Josh Reddick. Right now, other teams are admiring the fantastic job he’s done this year, but he still wasn’t the most consistent guy. The Sox can sell high with him, because they have a plethora of internal and external options in the outfield. Hopefully, Cherrington will realize everything Theo did wrong and do them right.
Done Deal
Apparently the deal is done. The Red Sox and Cubs have agreed to compensation for Theo Epstein. They aren’t allowed to announce the deal due to interference with the World Series, so it will be done tomorrow during a travel day. It has also been reported that Jed Hoyer, the San Diego Padres GM and former assistant of Theo’s, will be the Cubs new GM starting today. Josh Byrnes is already the acting GM in San Diego so that’s officially a done deal. Now that might sound a bit strange, but yes it’s true Theo won’t be the Cubs GM. He’s becoming the president of baseball operations. He hired Hoyer, because they know each other quite well, and they know how to win. I can’t wait until tomorrow to find out what the Sox get in return for Theo.
UPDATE 9:04: It’s now being reported that the deal isn’t close, and they’ve agreed to nothing.
Compensation For Theo
Theo Epstein is still the GM of the Boston Red Sox, because the Sox and the Chicago Cubs can’t agree on the compensation for Theo leaving his contract. Originally, the Sox wanted Matt Garza, but the Cubs refused to part with their ace. Then the Cubs were only willing to give up cash, but the Sox made it clear they wanted prospects.
Here’s the list of the Cub’s top prospects according to Baseball America:
1. Chris Archer, rhp* 2. Brett Jackson, of 3. Trey McNutt, rhp 4. Hak-Ju Lee, ss* 5. Josh Vitters, 3b 6. Chris Carpenter, rhp 7. Matt Szczur, of 8. Hayden Simpson, rhp 9. Rafael Dolis, rhp 10. Brandon Guyer, of* *denotes a player who is no longer on the Cubs
Brett Jackson, Trey McNutt, Chris Carpenter, and Matt Szczur seem to be the top choices by the Sox, but the Cubs don’t want to part with anyone of them. Personally I’d like them to get a top level pitcher and a lesser hitter. I really like McNutt, Carpenter, and Dolis (just based off stats) and would love to see the Sox pick up one of them. Then they could also take a young low risk high reward hitter and they’d have fitting compensation. This process has been like pulling teeth, so I doubt the Cubs want to give anyone from the list above up, but soon they may compromise.
See Ya Theo, Hello Ben
The 2011 season for the Boston Red Sox can’t get much worse. They’ve lost a massive lead in the Wild Card, their Manager, and now their General Manager. Theo Epstein has agreed to a five year deal with Chicago Cubs. He hasn’t left yet due to the Sox and Cubs trying to work the compensation for losing Theo. Theo has been one of the best GMs in all of baseball since he took the job in 2002. He’s helped the Sox win 2 World Series in his tenure here. He won’t be forgotten by Sox fans even though he betrayed us in the end. It’s also been leaked that Assistant General Manager, Ben Cherrington, will be replacing Theo. He’s been with the Sox since 1999, so he knows his way around the organization. He’s a fitting replacement since he’s dedicated the past 12 years of his to the Sox. He has no prior experience as GM except for when Theo stepped down in 2005. During that short period of time Cherrington, Padres current GM Jed Hoyer, and Larry Lucchino orchestrated the Josh Beckett trade, which was one of the greatest moves in Red Sox history. Most people in baseball say that Cherrington is the right man for the job, and we can only hope that they’re right.
Off Season Ideas: Lincecum to the Sox?
Sorry once again for the absence. Today will be my catch up day.
John said:
Compensation for Theo suggestion: Take Lackey and Jenks too. Give us Garza.
Then we package Garza with Bowden, Doubront or Miller, Reddick, Lowrie, and either Tejeda or Pimentel for Tim Lincecum and Sergio Romo. Then we sign Willingham for one year. Re-sign CoJack and sign Andruw Jones and Jose Molina to round out the bench.
Why it would work: For what we’d be giving the Cubs it seems like a fair enough deal to get Garza in return. Then shipping him to San Francisco would be a huge package for Lincecum and Romo. The Giants would have to at least consider it. And also, signing Conner Jackson, Josh Willingham Andruw Jones, and Jose Molina wouldn’t be to bad of a deal.
Why it wouldn’t work: They’re are plenty of flaws with this proposition. First of all Garza is the Cubs ace, and they don’t want to part with him. They also don’t want another washed up pitcher with a huge contract like Lackey when they already have Carlos Zambrano. They could want Jenks, but it’s unlikely that he’d serve much of purpose there. In the other half of deal the first that doesn’t work is that involves Tim Lincecum. He’s probably the biggest piece in San Fransico, and they never want to lose him. Also the package for them is a bit ridiculous. The front office loves Reddick, Lowrie, and Doubront, and are too valuable to the Sox after they lost they’re top three prospects last year. Lastly, I don’t have a problem with signing Josh Willingham, Andruw Jones, and Jose Molina, but resigning Conner Jackson just isn’t a good idea. He can’t hit very well anymore, plus he’s nothing special on defense besides his slightly above average arm.
If you want your idea on here please comment below or any article, email me at tricher00@gmail.com, or send me a tweet @thebestsoxblog.
Theo Allowed to Interview for Cubs Job
Today the Red Sox ownership announced that they have no problems with General Manager Theo Epstein interviewing for the Chicago Cubs open GM spot contrary to what they said when the spot first opened up. This shows the waning faith of Sox ownership with Theo due to the collapse. He’s been a great GM and Boston and sees the Cubs curse as new challenge to conquer so the two sides shouldn’t have a hard time making a deal. Over the years he has done great things in here, but recently he’s slipped a little. The bad contacts of John Lackey, Carl Crawford, Mike Cameron, and Julio Lugo hurt the Red Sox, and also not being able to retain Victor Martinez last off season was a huge blow. Overall though he’s done a great job bringing in quality players, and making good decisions with the teams best interest in mind. I believe that Theo will go to the Cubs and the Sox will be left with another huge void to fill.
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