Theo Epstein Sploosh Thread

[JD]

Damn. They just got San Diego's #1 prospect for a broken reliever. Either SD knows he's overrated or we're seeing why Theo wanted Hoyer and not Byrnes.

On the other hand, Cashner is the kind of player that Theo would trade for if he were on another team.

Doubtful Theo would target a reliever as the primary piece of any trade.

I don't think Cashner will always be a reliever for them, unless they plan for him to stick at closer.

That would seem to be their bet. He closed at TCU.

Here's the take from a senior level executive at another ML franchise (sic'd):

"Rizzo is about as good a 1B prospect as you can be – young for every level, succeeding at every level, etc. The only problem is that still isn't a great prospect. The offensive expectations at 1B (roughly .280/.360/.470 to just be average) are so high that no matter how good a minor league hitter you are, we can't really expect you to hit that well. 50% of players might "outperform" our expectations/projections/translation, but Rizzo will have to do that to be an above average 1B.

We like Cates a decent amount – a chance to be a mid-rotation starter.

Cashner is tough. Our scouts love him, but they disagree whether he can get back into the rotation. Statistically, he's pretty good in either role, but obviously has much more value as an SP. But his shoulder issues mean he hasn't thrown more than about 100 IP in any season in his career, so I kinda doubt he can stay healthy as a starter.

We have one great report on Na from last year and one terrible one from this year. Statistically he kinda sucks. He's definitely worse that Cates.

I generally like the trade...just keep remember how high your expectations are for Rizzo to be a good 1B."

In other words, decent trade because Cashner is no guarantee but 1Bs are a dime a dozen.

No you just keep remember!

I don't never just keep remember!

[BH]

No Paul Malholm excitement?

[Powdered Toast Man]

One year, $4.25M.  Not bad.

[Eli]

No Paul Malholm excitement?

Sure. Makes me wonder if a corresponding Garza trade is coming.

[Powdered Toast Man]

Read that Cubs and Tigers are past the initial stages for a Garza deal.  Tigers willing to talk about Josh Turner, but may be reluctant to deal the 3B prospect Castellanos.

[Richard Chuggar]

Read that Cubs and Tigers are past the initial stages for a Garza deal.  Tigers willing to talk about Josh Turner, but may be reluctant to deal the 3B prospect Castellanos.

[Tonker]

No Paul Malholm excitement?

Sure. Makes me wonder if a corresponding Garza trade is coming.

If?

If Garza's in a Cubs uniform on opening day, I'll eat my not inconsiderable weight in breakfast gravy.*

I like the Maholm signing, anyway.

*assuming one of you will pay for me to fly to Chicago to eat it.

[R-V]

No Paul Malholm excitement?

Sure. Makes me wonder if a corresponding Garza trade is coming.

Maholm's 2nd most similar player through age 29 is Frank Castillo. I always liked Frank.

[morpheus]

No Paul Malholm excitement?

Sure. Makes me wonder if a corresponding Garza trade is coming.

Maholm's 2nd most similar player through age 29 is Frank Castillo. I always liked Frank.

THEE Frank Castillo?

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

No Paul Malholm excitement?

Sure. Makes me wonder if a corresponding Garza trade is coming.

Maholm's 2nd most similar player through age 29 is Frank Castillo. I always liked Frank.

You would, you dolt.

[Oleg]

No Paul Malholm excitement?

Sure. Makes me wonder if a corresponding Garza trade is coming.

Maholm's 2nd most similar player through age 29 is Frank Castillo. I always liked Frank.

THEE Frank Castillo?

I completely forgot I wrote that.

[BH]

Holy crap is this article dumb.

"But if you blithely toss away a pitcher and man who has meant so much to this franchise and Cubs fans over the last 14 years, thinking you don't "need" him, some of those people might say, "Well, I'm not buying tickets this year."

Kerry Wood has value to the Cubs in many different ways. He's committed to the city and has made it his permanent home. Theo & Jed, can't you squeeze a little extra money out of your budget and get him signed before Friday's opening of the Cubs Convention? Having Wood introduced at the opening ceremony would create some enthusiasm and buzz that you guys very much need. (And incidentally, no matter what you two have been told about the convention, you won't really get it until you're there. Not a single newcomer to the team has ever really understood it until they see it.)

You might not think you need Kerry Wood. But for all the reasons above, yes, you do need him. It's worth a few extra dollars, Theo & Jed. Get it done this week.

Sincerely,
Al"

[J. Walter Weatherman]

And incidentally, no matter what you two have been told about the convention, you won't really get it until you're there. Not a single newcomer to the team has ever really understood it until they see it.

This is the sort of impossibly perfect setup that makes me wish Andy Dolan were still alive.

[Saul Goodman]

Holy crap is this article dumb.

"But if you blithely toss away a pitcher and man who has meant so much to this franchise and Cubs fans over the last 14 years, thinking you don't "need" him, some of those people might say, "Well, I'm not buying tickets this year."

Kerry Wood has value to the Cubs in many different ways. He's committed to the city and has made it his permanent home. Theo & Jed, can't you squeeze a little extra money out of your budget and get him signed before Friday's opening of the Cubs Convention? Having Wood introduced at the opening ceremony would create some enthusiasm and buzz that you guys very much need. (And incidentally, no matter what you two have been told about the convention, you won't really get it until you're there. Not a single newcomer to the team has ever really understood it until they see it.)

You might not think you need Kerry Wood. But for all the reasons above, yes, you do need him. It's worth a few extra dollars, Theo & Jed. Get it done this week.

Sincerely,
Al"

I wish the Phillies wanted Al, too.

[Chuck to Chuck]

Having Wood introduced at the opening ceremony would create some enthusiasm and buzz that you guys very much need.

Yeah.  What Theo and Jed are lacking is positive press.