Comments on: Theo Epstein says the only possible thing he can say about those Cubs rumors

By: pisano

pisano — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:34:49 +0000

I will admit Theo did draft real well, it’s hard to dispute Ellsbury, Pedroia , Lester,Papelbon and Buchholz. Not many GM’s can claim what he’s done in drafting players like that. It’s most of the free agents that he’s gone after that leave alot to be desired. Crawford in reality should do better in the future, but 142 mil? that was on the dumb side, or suicide take your pick. Lacking is just a has been, he’s Boston’s A.J. Burnett, two losers.

By: bigleagues

bigleagues — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:22:06 +0000

Generally Theo has not been successful with Free Agent signings (Julio Lugo, Edgar Renteria, Lacking, Jenks, Cameron, Clement to name a few) but has excelled at drafting and developing talent (Ellsbury, Pedroia, Lester, Papelbon, Buchholz – and that doesn’t include HanRam, Anibal, Masterson) and at trades (Adrian Gonzalez, Victor Martinez, Curt Schilling, Jason Bay, subtracting Nomar) and finding value in reclamation projects or other teams rejected parts (Papi, Millar, Salty).

Dice-K wasn’t solely on Theo’s shoulders. Ownership wanted that one just as bad because the Yankees were all in as well.

Lacking is perhaps the most un-Theo signing of the Theo era. Never liked him. Will never understand it – even though Lackey was one of the only viable options available in the FA market.

And its tad premature to be calling Crawford a dud, although admittedly, his margin for error is running thin. One major injury before he puts up a big season, and Crawford will fall squarely into the mistake category. But, hey, at least the Yankees didn’t get him (where he’d probably be mashing 30+ HR’s out of nowhere like Grandyman can).

By: pellypell

pellypell — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:31:16 +0000

Really good point about being known as the guy who broke both curses if in fact he was able to work his magic with the Cubs as well. Legacies mean a lot to people and moving on and doing it with another team would be huge.

By: FC

FC — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:26:49 +0000

Crap that should have read: to get them a WS trophy for the first time… EDIT FUNCTION!

By: pisano

pisano — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:26:23 +0000

If he’s smart he’ll stay where he’s at. There isn’t too many teams that wouldn’t hold him accountable for Dice-k, Lackey,(lacking) and the latest dud Crawford, (over 320 mil. for these three) but on the other hand he has made enough right moves to get a couple world series wins.

By: FC

FC — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:25:43 +0000

Not to worry, when he decides to part ways with the BoSox in about 15-20 years the Cubs will still be there for him to try to get them to the WS for the first time since 1908. I mean there’s no hurry.

By: bigleagues

bigleagues — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:13:06 +0000

The same goes for Cashman. If anything I pray that the Steinbrenner brothers stay in charge indefinitely and keep over-ruling Cashman’s decisions (like passing on Soriano). If Cashman is ever allowed to run the Yankees like the Red Sox allow Epstein to run things – the Yankees may never lose again.

By: sabathiawouldbegoodattheeighthtoo

sabathiawouldbegoodattheeighthtoo — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:58:13 +0000

As a Yankee fan with the utmost respect for what Theo has done, I will say that I think the Cubs need him and he should go. Please…

By: bigleagues

bigleagues — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:34:55 +0000

Theo Epstein was born and raised about 5 minutes from Fenway Park. As long John Henry is in charge and the Sox remain competitive annually, I can’t see any reason that Theo would even spend more than passing thought contemplating a departure from Boston. To have the situation he has there is about as ideal a job as anyone could ever want in baseball.

I understand the “new challenge” angle and how he could be known as the guy who was GM who exorcised the ghosts of the Bambino and the Goat; but really, in Boston, every year is a new challenge to keep the Red Sox at a championship caliber level.

He is already a modern day Red Sox legend. He has first name status throughout the sport, but especially in Boston and he is not yet 40. Short of complete falling out with ownership, why would he EVER leave?