November 2011
Maddux, DeJesus, Theo, Pujols and more.
The off-season is about to heat up with next week’s Winter Meetings looming and the Cubs are positioning themselves with some minor moves and rumors.
First, we will not have Greg Maddux back in the organization next year. He has left us for a similar job with the Texas Rangers and will be a part of the same organization as his brother Mike. Way to go Theo! First Sandberg and now Maddux!!!!! We could have had both Maddux brothers…..oh well. You better start making some good moves soon and definitely put together a winning team!
Next, it appears we have signed outfielder, David DeJesus, to play right field for the Cubs in 2012 and 2013. I actually like DeJesus and hope he’s healthy and plays well.
It’s also been rumored that the Cubs are actually interested Pujols and Fielder. I guess Theo realizes that there won’t be any big time sluggers available for a while and with the new CBA, his ideas of rebuilding through the draft may have changed a bit. I am in support of going after either of these players. Even if we don’t sign them I hope we can at least drive the price up.
Overall, Theo has his work cut out for him. Cubs fans, myself included, want to win now. We know we have a lot of money coming off the books and expect this new regime to work miracles. In all reality, I feel next season will be a rebuilding year and I have no problem with that as long as we position ourselves to be competitive in 2013. However, I am also rooting for a miracle season in 2012.
MATT GARZA AND TRADE IDEAS
I have a lot of things I won’t to talk about, but probably not enough time today.
I keep reading that Theo and Hoyer are willing to trade any player on the team and that includes Matt Garza. If they decide they want to trade him I have an idea that would possibly work. Send Garza to the Reds for Yonder Alonso. Alonso is an excellent hitter, but is stuck behind Votto at first base for the Reds. I know they have worked him in the outfield some, but it’s obvious that he’s not a very good defensive outfielder. Anyway, if we traded for him that would fill our hole at first base and allow us to save our money to spend elsewhere. We have so many holes that need to be filled and this actually makes sense to me. There are other moves I would like to see as well.
Trade Carlos Zambrano and Alfonso Soriano even if we have to eat their contracts (because we probably will). I don’t believe we would get much for them but it would be worth it to me believe it or not.
Trade catcher, Geovany Soto and let Welington Castillo take over those duties next year. That would save money and allow us to strengthen our minor league system some.
Trade Jeff Baker to a team that needs a quality veteran utility player. He wouldn’t bring a whole lot in return, but it’s better than nothing. I like Baker, but it’s obvious 2012 will be a rebuilding year so I think it’s the right move to make.
Trade Randy Wells too. I am not sold on him as a starter.
Trade Carlos Marmol. Let Marshall be the closer or let Andrew Cashner take over that role. I think he’s made for it.
Finally, I want the Cubs to keep Marlon Byrd, Ryan Dempster and bring back Kerry Wood for leadership purposes. These three men play the game the right way. They hustle, the play hard and they never give up. That’s something that our younger players could learn from these guys.
PRINCE FIELDER-ARAMIS RAMIREZ-DAVID WRIGHT
There has been a lot of speculation about where Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder will land this winter. While I would love to have either of these players on my team, I think it would be best if the Cubs went for Fielder rather than Pujols. I may sound crazy saying that, but I have several reasons for this decision.
Albert is older than Prince.
Albert will probably “cost” more than Prince.
Prince would be that coveted left handed power bat the Cubs desire.
Those three reasons are enough for me.
If the Cubs were to sign Fielder, I would love to see Aramis Ramirez stay with the team. I realize that would require a multi-year deal and I’m not too excited about the idea of giving ARAM anything over two years. I think he wants at least three years…..so, this probably won’t happen. I think Ramirez is kind of like Robin and Prince would obviously be Batman. I think this dynamic duo would drive in a lot of runs in the Cubs lineup. If the Cubs decide to keep Carlos Pena, then I think it would be foolish to bring Aramis back. He’s not the go to hitter you need in the middle of the lineup. He is an excellent complimentary hitter though. He could provide the protection for someone like Fielder.
If we don’t work out a deal for Ramirez, which sounds realistic, I would love Theo and Co. to look into a possible trade with the Mets for David Wright. I know that would cost the Cubs a lot of talent that we really don’t have, but I would like to “kick” the tires on this idea and see what happens.
Finally, from everything I keep reading it seems that Mike Maddux is the leader for the vacant managing position with the Cubs. I hope he gets the job!
MADDUX
Okay, this post is not about my newest son, Maddux. It’s about Greg Maddux and to some extent, his brother Mike. Last year, Greg was Special Assistant to the General Manager, Jim Hendry. I really don’t know what Maddog was responsible for, but I like having him involved with the team in the front office. Not only did he have a Hall of Fame career, but I feel he is one of those guys that knows a lot about the game. I think he would make a great GM, Manager, scout or pitching coach. Maybe I am giving him too much credit, but it’s just how I feel.
With all of that said, I am hoping that the Cubs find a way to keep him in the organization…..for multiple reasons. I think a guy like him knows what it’s like to play all the day games at Wrigley Field and the toll it can take on a player during the season. He could help educate younger players on how to approach the game on the field and off the field. I would think with his resume, a majority of the younger players would definitely listen. And now that his brother has interviewed for the job of manager of the Cubs it would please me to have both brothers working for the team. And who knows, maybe they could convince Ryne Sandberg to be a bench coach for the team as well. Time will tell, but I have a feeling that Mike Maddux will be the next manager of the Cubs and Greg will have a job with the team. Whether that job is on the field or in the front office doesn’t really matter to me.
On another note, I finally read the book “Moneyball”. I loved it! I would recommend it to anyone even if they were not a baseball fan like myself. I look forward to watching the movie now.
NEW MANAGER SEARCH
Well, the Cubs are looking for a new manager and several names have been thrown out there. Unfortunately, Ryne Sandberg is not going to be considered and I am still suffering with that decision. I respect Theo Epstein for being upfront about it, but it doesn’t make me feel any better about my favorite player of all time not being with the Cubs. Anyway, enough whining!
First, here’s just a few of the many names being considered as the next manger for the Cubs. This is in no particular order.
1. Terry Francona
2. Mike Maddux
3. Pete Mackanin
4. Dale Sveum
5. Dave Martinez
Of these five guys I just listed, and I know there are more names being circulated out there, I like Mike Maddux and Dave Martinez. I think both of these men would be excellent choices.
First, Mike Maddux, brother of Greg Maddux (my favorite pitcher of all time). Greg Maddux was a special assistant to Jim Hendry last year and it’s still undetermined if he will stay with the Cubs. From what I’ve read, he has some personal stuff to deal with first. I’m fine with that. I also think he will return to the Cubs when he’s ready. Anyway, Mike Maddux is a great pitching coach and has a great baseball mind in my opinion. He would be my choice as manager next year over all of the other candidates. Having both Maddux brothers working for the Cubs would be a good thing.
Next, Dave Martinez. Remember him? He played parts of four seasons with the Cubs during his career including a pretty successful campaign in 1987. I think he would be a good fit in Wrigley. He knows what it’s like playing all the day games and what it takes to be physically and psychologically ready. He’s also a bench coach with the Rays under Joe Maddon. That’s a definite plus.
So, if I had to choose, it would be Mike Maddux followed by Martinez. I would love to think that either one of these guys would offer a coaching position to Sandberg, but I have a suspicion that Ryno will be managing a major league team in 2012.
Whomever Theo and Co. choose to be our next manager I believe it will be a good one.
RYNE SANDBERG
When I think about things I want the Cubs to accomplish this off-season this is one of the most important ones to me personally. You have to understand that Ryne Sandberg is my favorite Cubs of all time. Can you imagine Derek Jeter retiring and going to coach the Red Sox???? I can’t! But that is a possibility with Ryno being interviewed by the St. Louis Cardinals. I truly believe that Jose Oquendo will end up as their manager, but until it’s official I am not happy about this nightmare of a situation.
With all of that said, I have several reasons for bringing back Ryno to the Cubs. First, we all know he won’t be our next manager. Theo was upfront immediately and I respect that. I’m sure Sandberg did too. So, bring him back as a bench coach or minor league manager. Here’s my reasons why.
1. He knows what it takes to play all of those day games at Wrigley Field year after year.
2. He managed from 2007-2010 in the Cubs minor league system and is very familiar with many of the players in the farm system and some that are already on the big league club.
3. He’s had success in the minor leagues with the Cubs and last year with the Phillies Triple A team.
4. He’s a Hall of Famer that swallowed his pride to manage in the minor leagues just to have this chance.
5. Imagine him winning the World Series in 2012 as the manger of the Cardinals!
Those are just a few reasons with the last one indicating that the world will end next year!
HOT STOVE SEASON HAS BEGUN! PLUS, MY NEW WISH LIST FOR THIS OFF-SEASON
Okay, the Cubs have been busy over the last month. Theo Epstein has been brought in as President of Baseball Operations for the Cubs and he has gotten Jed Hoyer, from the Padres, as the new GM. Theo also landed Jason McLeod as the Director of Scouting and Player Development. These three amigos are tasked with turning a century of losing into a championship contender on a yearly basis. That is an enormous challenge!
Theo and crew has already started by “releasing” Mike Quade from his position as manager of the Cubs. Theo then called up Ryne Sandberg and notified him immediately that he would not be considered for the newly vacated managerial position. I think that was a good thing to do. Don’t lead Ryno on and let him believe he has a chance at the job like happened last year. However, I do hope Theo is able to get Sandberg back into a Cub uniform as a major league coach or minor league manager. I’ve read that the Cardinals are interested in him and that would just kill me. If he took over for the Cards in 2012 and won a World Series……..well, it wouldn’t be a good thing for me.
Anyway, before I worry too much about this worst case scenario, I have to remind myself that Theo realizes knows what he’s doing.
The search for a new manager is underway and I have a feeling that Theo will make a wise and educated choice.
Here is my wishlist for this off-season.
1. Bring Sandberg back to the Cubs organization.
2. Hire a quality manager.
3. Keep Greg Maddux in the front office.
4. Go after Prince Fielder
5. Make offer to Aramis Ramirez (this one goes hand-in-hand with number 4 and I’ll explain later)
6. Trade Carlos Zambrano. (Even is he says it won’t happen again I know it will)
7. Trade Alfonso Soriano
8. Sign Kerry Wood again or find him a job with the Cubs.
9. Strengthen the pitching staff
My goal over my next few posts will be to address all 9 of these items on my personal wishlist. I will also add new ideas to my list when I can come up with something feasible. I look forward to the HOT STOVE season and I plan on blogging about it as much as I can.
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