The 2010 Cubs Free Agent and Roster Moves Thread: SAVEENG OUR KUBBEEZ!!11

[fiveouts]

Pretty good interview (if you ignore all the boring Padres stuff) with Crane's rumored replacement. Sounds like a total statqueen. Part 3 gets into his drafting philosophy.

Crain's staying put.  See, he has the backing of Al Yellon.  Crane's qualification?  He wants to be like the Red Sox.

God dammit. You're right.

Chicago Cubs chairman Crane Kenney has an agreement in place with Tom Ricketts to stay in his current capacity as the team is being sold by Tribune Co. to the Ricketts family, according to ESPN 1000.

The agreement is for multiple years, a source close to Kenney told the radio station.

Just a heads up: that "according to ESPN 1000," is actually according to Harry Teinowitz-not exactly a bastion of tremendous investigative journalism. 

[SKO]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/rosenblog/2009/08/your-new-cubs-president.html Rosenbloom knows what the organization NEEDS

[Gil Gunderson]

This information is from ESPN 1000.  I don't buy it.

[Waco Kid]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/rosenblog/2009/08/your-new-cubs-president.html Rosenbloom knows what the organization NEEDS

Well if anything, it seems that Rosenbloom can write while chugging Stone's wang.

[CT III]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/rosenblog/2009/08/your-new-cubs-president.html Rosenbloom knows what the organization NEEDS

Jeebus Christ RosenDOOM, what the hell was that?

First, I'm sure that guys like John Schuerholz, Gillick, Lucchino and Alderson would be very pleased to be mentioned in the same paragraph as Andy MacPhail.

I also like the idea of Stone as some kind of front office hard-ass.  Nobody kissed as much Sammy Sosa ass(figureatively and probably literally) as Stone did when he was in the booth.


Second, I doubt these Crane Kenney rumors because they make no sense.  What does Kenney bring to the current position, other than knowing where the coffee pot is?  What, is Kenney the only person who knows the magic formula for marketing the team to a legion of dolts?  Is he the only one who remembers what year Wrigley Field turns 100?

If Ricketts isn't going to hire a "baseball guy" to be team President, why would he pay good money for a dope like Kenney to do the job?  If Ricketts was going to have a team president who never worked in baseball, I'd think he'd just take the job himself, rather than pay an empty suit like Crane Kenney to do the job.

[Kermit, B.]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/rosenblog/2009/08/your-new-cubs-president.html Rosenbloom knows what the organization NEEDS

Jeebus Christ RosenDOOM, what the hell was that?

First, I'm sure that guys like John Schuerholz, Gillick, Lucchino and Alderson would be very pleased to be mentioned in the same paragraph as Andy MacPhail.

I also like the idea of Stone as some kind of front office hard-ass.  Nobody kissed as much Sammy Sosa ass(figureatively and probably literally) as Stone did when he was in the booth.


Second, I doubt these Crane Kenney rumors because they make no sense.  What does Kenney bring to the current position, other than knowing where the coffee pot is?  What, is Kenney the only person who knows the magic formula for marketing the team to a legion of dolts?  Is he the only one who remembers what year Wrigley Field turns 100?

If Ricketts isn't going to hire a "baseball guy" to be team President, why would he pay good money for a dope like Kenney to do the job?  If Ricketts was going to have a team president who never worked in baseball, I'd think he'd just take the job himself, rather than pay an empty suit like Crane Kenney to do the job.

Moreover, why the hell would Ricketts be making promises before the deal is even consummated?  Where is the value in that?

[Chuck to Chuck]

Second, I doubt these Crane Kenney rumors because they make no sense.  What does Kenney bring to the current position, other than knowing where the coffee pot is?  What, is Kenney the only person who knows the magic formula for marketing the team to a legion of dolts?  Is he the only one who remembers what year Wrigley Field turns 100?

Crane "gets it."

[Quality Start Machine]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/rosenblog/2009/08/your-new-cubs-president.html Rosenbloom knows what the organization NEEDS

Jeebus Christ RosenDOOM, what the hell was that?

First, I'm sure that guys like John Schuerholz, Gillick, Lucchino and Alderson would be very pleased to be mentioned in the same paragraph as Andy MacPhail.

I also like the idea of Stone as some kind of front office hard-ass.  Nobody kissed as much Sammy Sosa ass(figureatively and probably literally) as Stone did when he was in the booth.


Second, I doubt these Crane Kenney rumors because they make no sense.  What does Kenney bring to the current position, other than knowing where the coffee pot is?  What, is Kenney the only person who knows the magic formula for marketing the team to a legion of dolts?  Is he the only one who remembers what year Wrigley Field turns 100?

If Ricketts isn't going to hire a "baseball guy" to be team President, why would he pay good money for a dope like Kenney to do the job?  If Ricketts was going to have a team president who never worked in baseball, I'd think he'd just take the job himself, rather than pay an empty suit like Crane Kenney to do the job.

Moreover, why the hell would Ricketts be making promises before the deal is even consummated?  Where is the value in that?

Kenney stops calling him.

[Saul Goodman]

Intrepid Reader: You Know Who

2. Retain Crane Kenney. Kenney took over as chairman of the Cubs when John McDonough left as team president in November 2007; before that he was a member of the team's board of directors. Since taking over as, essentially, the CEO, Kenney has brought in new advertising deals (the Under Armour deal the most visible), opened up management to fans by having meetings with season ticket holders, and, at least until the Tribune Co. bankruptcy this year made it impossible to do so, gave Jim Hendry the green light on high-priced in-season acquisitions (such as Rich Harden) to improve the team. Kenney's vision is to take the model that John Henry's Red Sox have made over the last seven years and make the Cubs into that team -- a perennial contender. Kenney has done a good job -- keep him.

So just to summarize, reasons for keeping Crane:
1. Somehow, through the magic of his charm and salesmanship, was able to convince companies to buy advertising, essentially creating the entire market that is "Cubs baseball" in one fell swoop
2. Put ads on the outfield wall.  Quite an achievement.
3. Had meetings with season ticket holders to discuss such pressing issues as vendors with cotton candy sticks, the need for having TVs to watch the game you presumably bought a ticket to watch in person, and ushers "blocking aisles while escorting people to their seats" because damn it, those ushers should be floating instead of walking
4. Gave Hendry the "green light" to spend money on high-priced in-season acquisitions, since that's definitely Kenney's own money, and I'm sure we'd all point to the key acquisitions of Tom Gorzelanny and John Grabow that really helped turn the corner in 2009 ... wait, what's that, he just did what his bosses told him to?  You're wrong!  Kenney calls the shots around here, pal!
5. Wants to turn the Cubs into the Red Sox, which means "a perennial contender", even though Kenney knows nothing about developing the actual talent on the field and, in fact, runs the business side of things, but nevermind, he's the only one who understands the Red Sox's success

Sounds like a solid argument to me. Kenney it is.

[Brownie]

3. Had meetings with season ticket holders to discuss such pressing issues as vendors with cotton candy sticks, the need for having TVs to watch the game you presumably bought a ticket to watch in person, and ushers "blocking aisles while escorting people to their seats" because damn it, those ushers should be floating instead of walking

Wasn't the volume of the speakers in the bleachers THAT WERE TOO LOUD the top item on the agenda during this meeting of the minds?

[Reuschels_Jowls]

My reaction to the Kenney news: meh.

First off, the sourcing and statements are vague as hell. We don't know what was actually agreed to. Like Chuck said, if Kenney's being kept on board to negotiate TV contracts, advertising deals and select a contractor for the Triangle building, no biggie. And I think that's the one of the two most likely scenarios here, the other one being that Kenney somehow was able to wriggle a clause into the sale agreement protecting his job and/or giving him nice fat payout should Ricketts decide to can him in 2010.

But I think it highly unlikely that he'll be involved in any baseball decisions once Ricketts assumes full control (which may not be until the spring).

[Quality Start Machine]

Intrepid Reader: You Know Who

2. Retain Crane Kenney. Kenney took over as chairman of the Cubs when John McDonough left as team president in November 2007; before that he was a member of the team's board of directors. Since taking over as, essentially, the CEO, Kenney has brought in new advertising deals (the Under Armour deal the most visible), opened up management to fans by having meetings with season ticket holders, and, at least until the Tribune Co. bankruptcy this year made it impossible to do so, gave Jim Hendry the green light on high-priced in-season acquisitions (such as Rich Harden) to improve the team. Kenney's vision is to take the model that John Henry's Red Sox have made over the last seven years and make the Cubs into that team -- a perennial contender. Kenney has done a good job -- keep him.

So just to summarize, reasons for keeping Crane:
1. Somehow, through the magic of his charm and salesmanship, was able to convince companies to buy advertising, essentially creating the entire market that is "Cubs baseball" in one fell swoop
2. Put ads on the outfield wall.  Quite an achievement.
3. Had meetings with season ticket holders to discuss such pressing issues as vendors with cotton candy sticks, the need for having TVs to watch the game you presumably bought a ticket to watch in person, and ushers "blocking aisles while escorting people to their seats" because damn it, those ushers should be floating instead of walking
4. Gave Hendry the "green light" to spend money on high-priced in-season acquisitions, since that's definitely Kenney's own money, and I'm sure we'd all point to the key acquisitions of Tom Gorzelanny and John Grabow that really helped turn the corner in 2009 ... wait, what's that, he just did what his bosses told him to?  You're wrong!  Kenney calls the shots around here, pal!
5. Wants to turn the Cubs into the Red Sox, which means "a perennial contender", even though Kenney knows nothing about developing the actual talent on the field and, in fact, runs the business side of things, but nevermind, he's the only one who understands the Red Sox's success

Sounds like a solid argument to me. Kenney it is.

I made it through about 3 paragraphs of that tripe, and that was enough to see that:

1) Al admitted he is incapable of original thought (something like "since everyone else is giving advice, I thought I should too")

2) Al's ego is so gigantic that after listing all the Ricketts' success, he then promises 9 suggestions for the new owners. There is nobody too successful they can't do better once they have unsolicited advice from one Alvin Yellon.

[MAD]

Intrepid Reader: You Know Who

2. Retain Crane Kenney. Kenney took over as chairman of the Cubs when John McDonough left as team president in November 2007; before that he was a member of the team's board of directors. Since taking over as, essentially, the CEO, Kenney has brought in new advertising deals (the Under Armour deal the most visible), opened up management to fans by having meetings with season ticket holders, and, at least until the Tribune Co. bankruptcy this year made it impossible to do so, gave Jim Hendry the green light on high-priced in-season acquisitions (such as Rich Harden) to improve the team. Kenney's vision is to take the model that John Henry's Red Sox have made over the last seven years and make the Cubs into that team -- a perennial contender. Kenney has done a good job -- keep him.

So just to summarize, reasons for keeping Crane:
1. Somehow, through the magic of his charm and salesmanship, was able to convince companies to buy advertising, essentially creating the entire market that is "Cubs baseball" in one fell swoop
2. Put ads on the outfield wall.  Quite an achievement.
3. Had meetings with season ticket holders to discuss such pressing issues as vendors with cotton candy sticks, the need for having TVs to watch the game you presumably bought a ticket to watch in person, and ushers "blocking aisles while escorting people to their seats" because damn it, those ushers should be floating instead of walking
4. Gave Hendry the "green light" to spend money on high-priced in-season acquisitions, since that's definitely Kenney's own money, and I'm sure we'd all point to the key acquisitions of Tom Gorzelanny and John Grabow that really helped turn the corner in 2009 ... wait, what's that, he just did what his bosses told him to?  You're wrong!  Kenney calls the shots around here, pal!
5. Wants to turn the Cubs into the Red Sox, which means "a perennial contender", even though Kenney knows nothing about developing the actual talent on the field and, in fact, runs the business side of things, but nevermind, he's the only one who understands the Red Sox's success

Sounds like a solid argument to me. Kenney it is.

I made it through about 3 paragraphs of that tripe, and that was enough to see that:

1) Al admitted he is incapable of original thought (something like "since everyone else is giving advice, I thought I should too")

2) Al's ego is so gigantic that after listing all the Ricketts' success, he then promises 9 suggestions for the new owners. There is nobody too successful they can't do better once they have unsolicited advice from one Alvin Yellon.

The most predictably trite part of that shite is that Al doesn't get around to making any recommendations even tangentially related to the actual product on the field until his 4th suggestion.

[Quality Start Machine]

Intrepid Reader: You Know Who

2. Retain Crane Kenney. Kenney took over as chairman of the Cubs when John McDonough left as team president in November 2007; before that he was a member of the team's board of directors. Since taking over as, essentially, the CEO, Kenney has brought in new advertising deals (the Under Armour deal the most visible), opened up management to fans by having meetings with season ticket holders, and, at least until the Tribune Co. bankruptcy this year made it impossible to do so, gave Jim Hendry the green light on high-priced in-season acquisitions (such as Rich Harden) to improve the team. Kenney's vision is to take the model that John Henry's Red Sox have made over the last seven years and make the Cubs into that team -- a perennial contender. Kenney has done a good job -- keep him.

So just to summarize, reasons for keeping Crane:
1. Somehow, through the magic of his charm and salesmanship, was able to convince companies to buy advertising, essentially creating the entire market that is "Cubs baseball" in one fell swoop
2. Put ads on the outfield wall.  Quite an achievement.
3. Had meetings with season ticket holders to discuss such pressing issues as vendors with cotton candy sticks, the need for having TVs to watch the game you presumably bought a ticket to watch in person, and ushers "blocking aisles while escorting people to their seats" because damn it, those ushers should be floating instead of walking
4. Gave Hendry the "green light" to spend money on high-priced in-season acquisitions, since that's definitely Kenney's own money, and I'm sure we'd all point to the key acquisitions of Tom Gorzelanny and John Grabow that really helped turn the corner in 2009 ... wait, what's that, he just did what his bosses told him to?  You're wrong!  Kenney calls the shots around here, pal!
5. Wants to turn the Cubs into the Red Sox, which means "a perennial contender", even though Kenney knows nothing about developing the actual talent on the field and, in fact, runs the business side of things, but nevermind, he's the only one who understands the Red Sox's success

Sounds like a solid argument to me. Kenney it is.

I made it through about 3 paragraphs of that tripe, and that was enough to see that:

1) Al admitted he is incapable of original thought (something like "since everyone else is giving advice, I thought I should too")

2) Al's ego is so gigantic that after listing all the Ricketts' success, he then promises 9 suggestions for the new owners. There is nobody too successful they can't do better once they have unsolicited advice from one Alvin Yellon.

The most predictably trite part of that shite is that Al doesn't get around to making any recommendations even tangentially related to the actual product on the field until his 4th suggestion.

Intrepid Reader: Alvin Yellon

Of course I know the difference. My ass is dark and nasty and people avoid it.

A hole in the ground is...wait, there is a difference, right?

It's a trick question! YOU HAVE BEEN BANNED FROM BLEED CUBBIE BLUE.

[Chuck to Chuck]

Intrepid Reader: Alvin Yellon

Of course I know the difference. My ass is dark and nasty and people avoid it.

Who does he think he is?  Liza Minelli?