DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Bleacher Bums Forum
HTML https://bbf.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Archives
*****************************************************
#Post#: 198508--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (09/14 - 08/15)
DIR By: Ron
Date: October 25, 2014, 8:57 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Heyman's latest on Maddon.
HTML http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24768261/ten-teams-calls-with-job-ideas-for-maddon-cubs-seen-as-a-favorite
#Post#: 198510--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (09/14 - 08/15)
DIR By: CurtOne
Date: October 25, 2014, 9:07 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Maddon gave the reason for leaving Tampa is that it was a very
very bad stadium. So...the Cubs?
#Post#: 198514--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (09/14 - 08/15)
DIR By: davep
Date: October 25, 2014, 9:58 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
He wouldn't like the Cubs, then. They don't even have outfield
walls. Can you imagine Maddon's outfielders chasing the ball
down the street?
#Post#: 198516--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (09/14 - 08/15)
DIR By: CurtOne
Date: October 25, 2014, 10:06 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
"And Coughlan is fighting with an eleven year old for the ball!"
#Post#: 198517--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (09/14 - 08/15)
DIR By: CUBluejays
Date: October 25, 2014, 10:09 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
The 11 year old took a better route to the ball...
#Post#: 198518--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (09/14 - 08/15)
DIR By: CurtOne
Date: October 25, 2014, 10:11 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
The blue Buick was his only obstacle
#Post#: 198521--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (09/14 - 08/15)
DIR By: ben
Date: October 26, 2014, 12:56 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Had a couple World Series tix fall in my lap, so i took my high
school son and went tonight...about two hours before game time I
saw Gordon Wittenmeyer in the stands behind home plate (wearing
press credential, nice blue blazer and jeans)...I introduced
myself and had a several minute conversation with him...he was
very willing to speak...here are some of his comments:
* it's "likely" Maddon ends up with Cubs...just "makes too much
sense for all parties"...he said he's heard Madden may sit a
year, but thinks he will be Cub mgr in 2015;
* he believes it's his responsibility "to make sure different
perspectives about the Cubs are presented"...certainly got the
sense that he feels Cubs have focused too much on the future and
owe the fans more, and that Cub fans have been too willing to
just accept whatever our front office puts out to them;
* he didn't like that Baez and Soler were called up in 2014, but
Bryant wasn't...he said Bryant is well ahead of Baez and Soler
and certainly deserved to be called up first...he said he thinks
the Cubs should be much more concerned about 2015-2108 and not
worried about 2021...he feels Bryant is the best option at 3B
for next season and should break camp with the team;
* he covered the Twins for several years and is a huge Terry
Ryan fan...said Ryan is "the most open and best" baseball
executive he's ever met...he implied that Theo and our front
office are masters at managing information and the spin, rather
than really telling it like it is as Ryan used to do...sounds as
though he was lot more of an insider with Ryan and, obviously,
there's no way he has such status with Cub front office;
* he said the Cubs made a "bold move" opting out of the WGN
relationship since they are contractually prohibited from
selling the 70 games to another cable outlet...I'm not up on
those issues, but he seemed to be...he did say he believes Cubs
will be in a significantly better financial position and will
have a top payroll down the road a few years;
* Cubs will go hard after Lester, but may not be willing to make
the huge financial commitment it will take of likely more than
$150M...if they sign Maddon, it will increase the odds they get
Shields, if not Lester, then go after Price really hard for '16
as he's heard Maddon still likes those guys;
* likes Alcantara as a super sub, but believes Cubs will bring
in a CF and two outfielders overall for next year;
* likes Valbuena as a utility player, but doesn't think he's
good enough to start for a playoff-calibre team;
* pointed out how critical catcher for potential playoff teams
and believes Cubs will make a strong run at Martin, but that
everyone in the organization is now convinced Schwarber is the
catcher of the future (likely three years from now);
* likes the Cub emphasis on pitching, but feels they've likely
got too far to go with pitching to play deep into October next
year...and playoffs are "mostly about really good pitching"
* Knows all the Cub prospects, but doesn't get too concerned
about them because so many don't make impact at the MLB
level...has questions about all the Cub prospects except Bryant,
who he believes will be an impact player in the majors, probably
in his first season.
There were no revelations or great surprises from Gordon W., but
I thought I'd summarize his comments. He seems like a nice guy
who's trying to be honest, objective and fresh (and sell some
papers). While I strongly disagree with a lot of his takes
about the Cubs, it was fun chatting with him and talking about
the Cubs for a few minutes.
#Post#: 198527--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (09/14 - 08/15)
DIR By: craig
Date: October 26, 2014, 7:38 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Going from Terry Ryan to Theo is a big contrast. (I live in MN,
so very familiar with Ryan.) Ryan is a totally straightforward
guy, who listens to the actual questions asked and answers them
in a straightforward, serious, respectful, and concise way.
Theo comes across much more as a spin-master advertiser; highly
image conscious; often instead of concisely answering the actual
question asked he goes off on some tangent/focus of his own
purpose; often seems irritated/grudging about talking to media
or answering question. Very unlike Ryan who accepts/answers
questions and comes across as respecting both the questions and
the media people asking them, and who wouldn't hate talking to
them outside of a mandatory press conference.
#Post#: 198528--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (09/14 - 08/15)
DIR By: Bennett
Date: October 26, 2014, 7:45 am
---------------------------------------------------------
"he covered the Twins for several years and is a huge Terry Ryan
fan...said Ryan is "the most open and best" baseball executive
he's ever met...he implied that Theo and our front office are
masters at managing information and the spin, rather than really
telling it like it is as Ryan used to do...sounds as though he
was lot more of an insider with Ryan and, obviously, there's no
way he has such status with Cub front office"
Gordon Wittenmyer came to Chicago from St. Paul.
I once Emailed Wittenmyer and never received a response.
I met Terry Ryan at an AFL game years ago (Hee Seop Choi was
playing). Ryan, too, was willing to talk - until the half
inning began.
I don't doubt that Wittenmyer had more access to the Twins than
he now has to the Cubs.
#Post#: 198529--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (09/14 - 08/15)
DIR By: Playtwo
Date: October 26, 2014, 7:46 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Of course, it's not really a high priority for a good exec to
give clear, direct answers to the public. His major
responsibility is to the success and health of his organization
and to be ethical in his pursuit of those goals. Theo seems to
be keeping his eye on the ball pretty well.
*****************************************************
Page 22 of 495
DIR Previous Page
DIR Next Page