A Large Regular: Theo Epstein

Showing posts with label Theo Epstein. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

How can a winner of the Presidential Election be declared by anyone when just 8 states have certified their votes? If this were an NFL game we'd be a little more than half way through the first quarter... Theo Epstein steps down as President of the Chicago Cubs. He spent 9-years on that job just like he spent 9-years in Boston... If James Harden is traded to Brooklyn then the Houston strip clubs will be hardest hit... Most States have until December 8th to certify their votes.You wonder if some of the delay is being caused because certain folks know they got caught with their hands in the cookie jar... Many people are wondering what Theo Epstein will do next with many speculating about taking over the Mets. Personally I wouldn't be surprised to see Theo take a different path. I could see him teaching classes at Stanford or Harvard while making millions from speaking fees and perhaps a book...

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Theo Epstein

Today is Theo Epstein's 43rd birthday. Happy birthday Theo!

I am seriously curious about what he'd want for his birthday. What do you get for the man who has everything? Seriously - what does the man who ended the "curse" for both the Red Sox and Cubs desire for his birthday?

I'm guessing there are some billionaire Cubs fans out there that would absolutely get Theo whatever his heart desired (especially this year). Although it is more likely than not that Theo would just ask for donations to his favorite charities.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Has to be described as one of the worst trades in history. In 2012 the Red Sox traded Theo Epstein to the Cubs for Chris Carpenter. No - not that Chris Carpenter. This Chris Carpenter... Rob Gronkowski needs just 1 more receiving TD to tie Stanley Morgan for the all-time lead in Patriots history. Gronkowski is in just his 7th season with the team. Morgan played 12 seasons with the Pats... Done and done!... I'm still disappointed that "the Junk Mailer" never caught on as a nickname for Brett Favre... If I were President I would make Bobby Orr my Ambassador to Canada. Not kidding. Who can you think of that would be better? And I don't care that he's not a US citizen... Heh heh... My favorite Cubs fan is not Bill Murray - it's Bob Newhart... Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows... ESPN reports that 11 out of 12 Microsoft tablets the Patriots were using were defective... It might surprise you but I think many more Boston fans are rooting for Terry Francona and the Indians than for Theo Epstein and the Cubs. Me among them...

Tuesday, April 05, 2016

Theo Epstein

Fantastic profile of Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein.

I learned a lot in the article including how Theo has a twin brother Paul (never knew that) and Epstein's regular guy approach to getting his law degree at the University of San Diego.

The Cubs are poised to be a monster both this year and for the foreseeable future. And it is all Theo Epstein's doing.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

As if he wasn't going to be compared to Aaron Hernandez enough - new Patriots tight end Tim Wright will be wearing Hernandez's old number 81... Buying carbon off-sets to me always seemed like the modern equivalent of rich Northerners paying for replacements to fight for them in the Civil War. And just as hypocritical... Carnal Acquaintance would be a good name for a band or a fantasy football team... Actual movie - MANBORG: a warrior who's half-man, half-machine, but all hero. Look awful... If Cubs fans were told before the season that Theo Epstein would have the team either ahead or tied by record with the Boston Red Sox - those Cubbie fans would have been pretty pleased.

Friday, September 07, 2012

What People are Missing About the Bobby Valentine Hiring

I saw what the Bobby Valentine hiring by the Red Sox was from the very start. It was not a bad hire at all as some pundits and personalities now claim. Bobby Valentine has completely succeeded for the purpose for which he was hired.

Let me explain. But first let me get a little geeky.

In the book (and movie) Dune - Baron Harkonnen first sends his nephew the Beast Rabban in to rule the desert planet Arrakis after the defeat and overthrow of the popular Duke Leto Atreides. However, Baron Harkonnen's real goal is to have Rabban crush the will of the people on Arrakis so that when he has his favorite nephew - Feyd-Rautha (played by Sting in the first Dune movie) replace Rabban - Feyd-Rautha will be hailed as a savior.

In the Red Sox example - Bobby Valentine is the Beast Rabban.

If you recall - originally the new Red Sox ownership had planned to make Billy Beane their GM in charge of baseball operations. There is no way that Beane would have tolerated any interference in baseball operations by Larry Lucchino. But at the last minute Beane turned the Sox down and Theo Epstein became GM. Now Theo had no choice but to tolerate interference from Lucchino and his minions because Epstein held much less power in the organization and because Lucchino was his "mentor".

I am convinced that it was the interference of Lucchino and his ilk that undermined Terry Francona and cost him his job and who also eventually caused Their to cry "enough!" and ask for exile to the Cubs.

Red Sox principal owner John Henry is no dummy (you don't get to be a billionaire by being stupid). He knew what was happening but what to do about it? Simple - you give Lucchino enough rope to hang himself. You let Lucchino hand-pick Bobby Valentine as the new manager but you saddle Valentine with enough handicaps that failure is all-but guaranteed. Don't let Valentine pick his own coaches and give him a contract that emphasizes Bobby V's weak position to anyone paying attention.

With the failure almost complete - John Henry can turn to Lucchino and order no more interference in baseball operations and then bring in a likable manager like John Farrell or DeMarco Hale (who will look like Sting compared to Valentine's Sideshow Bob act). The new manager also doesn't have to bear the burden of being compared to the well-loved Terry Francona. They just have to be better than the comical Bobby Valentine.

Just as it was planned.

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Prior to this NFL season what do you think the Las Vegas odds on a prop bet that a QB could break Dan Marino's 28-year old single season passing record but still not win the MVP? I'd have to guess that the odds on that prop bet would have to have been at least 500-1... American's deadliest sniper punched Jesse Ventura in the face... George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew hemp using slave labor. The part of that statement that Newt Gingrich doesn't like is the fact they grew hemp... What will happen first - the Red Sox finally get the compensation for letting Theo Epstein go to the Cubs or 2012 Opening Day? Only 90 days till Opening Day... Heh heh - Ron Paul pictures with Ron Swanson's words... Last year the Patriots had veteran tight end Alge Crumpler on the roster where he was both a productive player and valuable role model for rookies Aaron Hernandez and Ron Gronkowski on how to be a NFL tight end. I think that example by Crumpler is really paying dividends this season. I would not be surprised to see Crumpler become a coach some day... Very amusing - Issac Newton's list of sins... I thought of a new dessert. You make Rice Krispie squares but instead of Rice Krispies you use Cocoa Pebbles. You have a dessert that is brown, sticky and maybe even a little frothy. I'd call them Santorum Squares... Today's Tweet of the day:

William Keane @largebill681h
Obama plans campaign decrying "do-nothing" congress. Did he forget that as a senator all he did was vote "Present" and look for another job?

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations jotted down while I watch the early NFL game.

There wouldn't be a Wall Street in the US if it wasn't for Alexander Hamilton. Seeing how NYC's original favorite son once said that "anarchy is the handmaiden to tyranny" - I have to wonder what he would made out of the Occupy Wall Street protesters... Theo Epstein thanks Red Sox fans with a full page ad in the Boston Globe. Very classy move but seeing how he's now working in Chicago - from now on when he says "Go Sox" he should probably specify Red Sox so the South Siders don't get excited... My sources say that there is no truth to the rumor that Gaddafi's last words were, "Tom can you get me off the hook for old time's sake?"... Just like TO - I will be holding a workout on Tuesday that is open to all NFL scouts. I'll be just drinking beer but the NFL scouts are welcome to join me and even grade me on how well I do it if they like... Biggest trick Gaddafi ever pulled was convincing the world that he was dead...

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Red Sox / Cubs Negotiations

In the next two weeks or so you will see lots of stories about the negotiations between the Red Sox and Cubs breaking down regarding the compensation for Theo Epstein. Don't waste your time reading stories like this.

Theo Epstein will be announced as the new Cubs GM but it won't be until after the World Series. Everyone knows that. MLB has an embargo on announcements until then because they don't want anything or anyone to take attention away from the games. Everyone involved knows that. Remember how MLB treated A-Rod as a douchebag when he announced during the World Series that he was opting out of his Yankees contract a few years ago?

That doesn't mean that a certain anxiety won't become prevalent. The Cubs and Red Sox represent the two most neurotic fan bases on the planet. The media will feed that neurosis. Don't fall for it. The Cubs want Theo Epstein and will pay a fair compensation price - my guess is one top prospect. The Red Sox will act like they hold all the cards but they don't want Epstein back at this point because the offseason has already become a three-ring circus. They don't need the return of Theo to make things into a further national joke. MLB in turn will see to it the deal is completed.

The whole situation reminds me of the great movie The Quiet Man. In the movie there is a problem with the dowry and John Wayne calls the brother-in-laws bluff by returning the wife and thus shaming his family. Picturing Larry Lucchino as a less manly Squire "Red" Will Danaher also amuses me.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Only 4 players remain from the 2004 World Series Champion Red Sox team - Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis. I think after today's hit job in the Boston Globe by Bob Hohler that it is very likely that none of those guys are back for 2012... Here's my one sentence recap of Rick Santorum's performance at last night's GOP debate, "My proposed war with China will lead to many manufacturing jobs for this country"... Theo Epstein is gone. He'll probably be announced as the new Chicago Cubs GM either today or tomorrow... I've mentioned before that I'm a fan of Dan LeBatard's show but this article makes me like it all the more... The reason I call Hohler's article a hit piece is because the only two real new revelations are Terry Francona's marital issues and pain pill taking and also the ownership being torn over Theo's wanting to sign Carl Crawford. Francona showed much more grit managing hurt than most of his players and if marital issues are open game - how come the Globe never mentioned anything about owner John Henry's when he was going through a divorce? The Carl Crawford thing is just PR for certain front office folks who like to smear people on their way out of town. A goodbye gift for Theo from Larry Lucchino most likely... Herman Cain has pinned all his hopes on his 9-9-9 plan and that will be his undoing. As Rick Santorum pointed out people in states like New Hampshire will not like having to pay any sales tax and have gone out of their way to avoid sales taxes. Also the plan puts extra burden on retired seniors as this article points out. The more scrutiny that is given the plan the more unrealistic it will appear... Not many people know that the Occupy Wall Street "movement" actually started as an Ablutophobia (fear of washing or bathing) Convention in New York and kinda of just mushroomed from there... Mitt Romney was the clear winner of last night's debate.

Thursday, October 06, 2011

Theo to the Cubs

There has been so much smoke about Theo Epstein going to the Chicago Cubs to be their new GM that you have to think that there is really something to the story. Consider that the "organization" used house organ Dan Shaughnessy to announce that the Cubs had indeed asked permission. The club could have quietly said no. But they didn't do that. Announcing it like this through the Curly Haired Boyfriend says that the team wants the buzz out there. Buzz out in Chicago will build demand from the fans and create more pressure on the Cubs ownership to pay a price that normally might be considered too high.

This Red Sox organization may not be able to tell the worth of a free agent starting pitcher worth a damn but they can maximize value on assets. Theo Epstein is nothing but an asset at this point - an asset that has just one year left on a contract that Epstein will not renew. They want to sell high and they know the Cubs will be willing to pay the price.

The way I'd love to see this play out is the Red Sox grant the Cubs permission to speak with Epstein wit some basic ground rules. Then assuming Epstein signs with the Cubs - I'd like to see the compensation eventually worked out being the Red Sox assuming the final year of Carlos Zambrano's contract and the Cubs taking on the final 3-years of John "JaMarcus" Lackey's contract. The Red Sox could then eat part of Zambrano's contract and flip him to the Marlins for a prospect. I think this would be a fair deal. The Cubs would get the GM they want, the Red Sox would shed themselves of a cancer of a player and who knows - John Lackey may actually rebound to be a good 3rd started for the Cubs. To replace Theo - Ben Cherington would then be promoted to be the new Red Sox GM.

Keep in mind that potentially the Cubs have the contracts of both Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena coming off the books. That's almost $25 million which could be put towards a mega-contract for Albert Pujols. Can you imagine the buzz around the Cubs if they got both Theo Epstein and Albert Pujols?

This could be a rare situation where everyone gets what they want. So let it be written - so let it be done.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Terry Francona

Terry Francona is out as manager of the Boston Red Sox and that is too bad. He is arguably the best manager in baseball and now he's no longer part of the Boston Red Sox.

Hindsight says this was inevitable. Francona had two options - for 2012 and 2013. The fact that the team did not pick those options up (or at least the 2012 one) in spring training was a sign from Theo Epstein and management that Francona was managing for his job. If he was to stay Francona would have been placed in the same situation next year. That sort of treatment from management must get weary on the spirit. Who can blame Francona if he had enough? Francona will immediately walk into a situation where he will be paid more and be given more job security than at the club for whom he won 2 World Series in the past 8 years.

Think about that for a minute.

Matt Albers, Carl Crawford, Bobby Jenks, Andrew Miller, Hideki Okajima, Denny Reyes and Jason Varitek - those were the 2011 free agent signings that Theo Epstein gave to Francona to work with this season. Prior to that the players included the likes of John Lackey, Edgar Renteria, JD Drew, and Julio Lugo. Yet it is Francona that is without a job today.

If the Red Sox were smart they would fire Theo and bring back John Farrell to be the GM.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Red Sox Demise - I'm Sick to My Stomach

Seriously. I've eaten more Tums the past few hours than I have in the past year. And why? I thought the Red Sox would win last night and either have a play-in game today or be matched up against Texas in the first round. Either way this team was heading for an early exit. So why did last night's debacle so upset my tummy?

If there was a game today - who would have any confidence in John Lackey pitching the team to victory? Even if they made the playoffs the team just didn't have the pitching to win a series. The team was doomed either way. There wasn't even a "Little left Pedro in too long" situation to gripe about. So why is it that every time I hiccup it feels like acid might squirt through my tear ducts?

So what's next? What does the team do to fix this? Here's my suggestions.

The first step is to get rid of John "F*cking" Lackey. If anyone deserves to be the scapegoat - this piece of sh*t deserves it. Opposing batters hit .353 against him in September - a month where he posted a 9.13 ERA. Those 5 starts for Lackey in September easily was a difference between making the playoffs and not making the playoffs. Giving Lackey those starts may be what in the end costs Terry Francona his job. And it's not like this is a Monday morning QB situation. EVERYONE knew Lackey was hurting the team!

Top off the Lackey situation with the fact that Lackey is divorcing his wife who had a double mastectomy and is still fighting cancer. The Red Sox have long supported the Jimmy Fund and all facets in the fight against cancer. No way they can keep this loser.

The question is who will take Lackey? If the Red Sox eat $30 million of the remaining $45 million - I think (hope) some West Coast team would take a chance. If they can't find a taker - my hope is the Red Sox exile Lackey to pitch in Pawtucket the way the Yankees exiled Kei Igawa to the minor leagues.

Some quick thoughts:

- JD Drew is gone. He will retire. That clears $14 million off the books.

- Do the Red Sox bring back David Ortiz? Would a 2-year $25 million offer get it done?

- Will Jonathan Papelbon come back? He's a free agent and will some team just throw the moon at him or will the Red Sox be able to bring him back? I was one of those guys who thought the team should go with Daniel Bard as closer next year but right now none of us guys feel comfortable with that thought. You could argue that it was Bard's September meltdown that was just as responsible for the team missing the playoffs. Bard went 0-4 with a 10.64 ERA in September.

- Do the Red Sox trade Kevin Youkilis? He's got one year and an option on his contract so he would be attractive trade bait which could bring back the pieces needed to fill any hole in the roster.

- The Red Sox should bring back Marco Scutaro who has a $6 million team option.

- I'm guessing that the team will part ways with both Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek -who will both probably retire. Wakefield could open a knuckleball academy while it would be cool if Varitek could stay with the team as assistant pitching coach and emergency 3rd catcher.

- As far as free agents - I would make a strong push for Mark Buehrle and maybe Chris Young (if he passes a physical) but otherwise I don't trust Theo to make a big splash.

- Bring back Theo and Tito for another year. Give them extensions and one more shot.

- I would love if the Red Sox traded for Marlins ace Josh Johnson who is coming back after injury but is owed about $26 million for the next 2-years. Offer them a big package for Johnson - please!

Less than 140 freakin days until pitchers and catchers.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Gerald Ford was eaten by wolves and he was delicious... Reportedly Theo Epstein said today that he wouldn't bet against Josh Beckett this season. It seems to me that the natural follow up question would be "who he would bet against?" No reporter at the press conference asked the question... Wow - I never knew that Aspartame was so bad for you. I'll be sure to start checking labels to eliminate it from my diet... Lady Beiber would be a good name for a band... WSOP Champion Peter Eastgate returns to poker... It just occurred to me that Rio de Janeiro means "River of January". I wonder if somewhere there's a Río de Febrero?... Cool - George Bernard Shaw's rotating shed. David McCullough also did his writing out of a shed but it did not rotate...

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Have you seen the clip of Max Baucus speaking on the Senate floor where he appears to be drunk? Shouldn't we compare that to other clips of him speaking? If there is an obvious difference then he has some explaining to do... Editing My Reality would be a good name for a blog... Because everyone needs a little Zombo.com in their life now and then... Admit it - Max Baucus sounds more like the name of a Roman bartender than a US Senator... I'm going to predict that Mike Leach will use the Costanza sex with the cleaning lady defense. "Was that wrong? Should I have not put kids in dark closets?" I also predict he gets fired over this... I'm going to open a clothing store called New Navy. I think it will be catchy... Wouldn't be surprised to see Chris Young traded by the Padres. If healthy - he's as good or better than all the remaining FA pitchers... Would Charlie Weiss be the right replacement for Mike Leach at Texas Tech if Leach is fired over this situation? Weis could also have a high-flying passing offense. Could be the perfect bounce-back situation for Weis... Star Trek and poker... Happy 36th birthday to Red Sox GM Theo Epstein...

Saturday, December 13, 2008

If I Were Theo for a Day

There's a glimmer of hope that Jake Peavy could be open to a trade to the Red Sox:

“Jake has a strong preference to stay in the National League. If Jake's ever going to accept anything to the American League – and I don't want this to be taken wrong – I can safely say that it's going to be the Yankees or Red Sox or maybe the Angels. Those teams are going to be in contention and are going to spend money. If there were circumstances where he would be asked to go to the AL, kicking and screaming, those are the three places.”

That being the case - if I were Theo Epstein I'd make a blockbuster offer to the Padres. The offer I'd make would be something like Clay Buchholz, Lars Andersen, Oscar Tejada and maybe two minor prospects for Jake Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez. That's three of the top 10 prospects in the Red Sox organization.

From the Red Sox perspective - Peavy gives the Red Sox perhaps the best starting rotation in baseball (Peavy, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, and Daisuke Matuzaka - all potential 20-game winners) and Gonzalez would give them a young power bat for the middle of the order. Gonzalez is exactly the type of hitter the Red Sox are trying to get via their offers to Mark Teixeira but he would come without the 7-year plus mega deal. They would be giving up top prospects but all of them are blocked - Buchholz by Peavy, Andersen by Gonzalez and Kevin Youkilis. Tejada is blocked by Jed Lowrie.

From the Padres perspective - they would be able to shave $12.5 million off the 2009 payroll. They would also get two MLB ready players who could be stars and one player who is about a year away. The offer I propose above is perhaps the best offer the Padres would see from anyone.

I like the idea of including Buchholz because he originally came to the Red Sox as the compensation pick for losing Pedro Martinez. I like the symmetry of losing one Cy Young Aw ard winner eventually leading to the Red Sox getting another.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Freddy Sanchez

Fan favorite Freddy Sanchez has agreed to a multi-year contract with the Pirates. The deal is supposedly 2 guaranteed years and one option year with a total 3-year worth of about $19 million.

Sanchez was originally property of the Red Sox and was a favorite at both triple A Pawtucket and in Boston because of his hard work, hustle and general good guy demeanor. Trading Sanchez ranks up there as perhaps Theo Epstein's greatest mistake (trading for Eric Gagne being another). He traded Sanchez and Mike Gonzalez (career 2.29 ERA and 30 saves) for Jeff Suppan plus Brandon Lyon (flotsam) and Anastacio Martinez (jetsam). Suppan went 3-4 with a 5.57 ERA in 10 starts for the Red Sox before he skedaddled out of town.

Signing Sanchez allows the Pirates to avoid arbitration with any players this year. The Red Sox have just Kevin Youkilis still in the arbitration process and I'd be surprised if Youkilis didn't end up with a deal very similar to the one Sanchez just signed.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

JD Drew

Gerry Callahan of the Boston Herald has a column today where he basically rips JD Drew and Theo Epstein for believing in and signing Drew. Callahan points out that a team leading its division by 10 games makes for good cover for players like JD Drew and Julio Lugo who were the two traditional big free agent signings of the Red Sox last offseason.

I hate to be the one to defend Drew but it should be noted that when the Red Sox started off the season - Drew was their hottest hitter and it was his offense that kept them in many games and allowed them to get off to a 12-6 start. At that point in the season (April 23rd) Drew was hitting .350 with a .413 OBP and a .500 SLG mark. For whatever reason - its been all downhill at the plate for Drew from that point on.

When the rumors about Drew signing with the Red Sox first surfaced I was definitely not on the bandwagon:

But why sign JD Drew in the first place? Why let the 32-year old, lefty, NASCAR loving Trot Nixon leave as a free agent but bring in the lefty, redneck, 31-year old Drew to take his place? Letting Nixon leave is a good move but bringing Drew in to replace him in the current situation makes no sense unless there is some MLB affirmative action policy quota for rednecks that I don't know about.

Drew is often-injured (you can't read a story about him without that qualifier being attached to his name) but he's also lost a step (witness just 2 stolen bases last year with 3 caught stealing). His power also seems to be slipping (witness his HR per AB rate which went from 1 HR every 16.8 AB in 2005 to 1 HR every 24.7 AB in 2006). All the red flags are there with Drew so why would the Red Sox ignore them and sign Drew? It makes no sense to me.

Having said all this - let me say that I have not given up on Drew. I think he may be hurting but is unwilling to go on the DL because of his past reputation and is trying to play through whatever is physically bothering him even though it is killing him at the plate.

I did not like the Drew signing because I thought locking him up would preclude the Red Sox from signing a Torii Hunter or Ichiro (and it probably does). Now that Drew is signed though - I see no reason to give up on the guy this early into the contract. Have people like Callahan learned nothing from the Dustin Pedroia bashing that was going on the first month of the season?