Theo Is Gone - Boston Herald

[FredLynn]

Epstein deal with Cubs close to completion

 

Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff October 12, 2011 11:05 AM

 

Theo Epstein appears headed to the Cubs to become their team president. The deal would be for five years and approximately $20 million according to reports.

 

Until it's official, it's not official. Let's not forget, Theo got his job in the first place only after Billy Beane decided to come to the Red Sox then changed his mind.

 

But all indications are this process should be settled in 24-48 hours.

 

Do not expect lavish compensation from the Cubs or forcing them to take on a bad contract. Epstein does have a year remaining on his contract but is taking a better job. Precedent suggests the Red Sox get a few prospects.

 

Do expect Ben Cherington to swiftly be named GM of the Red Sox. He clearly has the confidence of the ownership group, the experience and the institutional knowledge to handle the job.

 

From that point, Cherington would lead the search for a new manager. Clearly, given what we now know of this team, they need a manager who can corral the wayward players on the roster into a cohesive unit. Or at least get them to pay attention to the game.

 

What will be most interesting is whether John Henry steps up at some point to address this situation beyond Twitter or the team's flagship radio station. The perception is that the Red Sox are a team in chaos — which isn't necessarily the case — and only Henry can change that. To date, he has not.

 

Finally, it speaks poorly of the prominent players on the roster that only Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz to a lesser extent have been willing to step up and accept some responsibility for what happened. Extraordinary measures were taken to try and get Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, John Lackey, Jason Varitek and others to give their sides of this and all have so far refused.

 

The players likely think that this can all be swept away with a few "the past is the past" comments in spring training and vague promises to work hard. But in hearing from fans, it's not going to be that easy. This has become a very unlikable team.

 

A big part of Cherington's task this winter may be changing the personality of this team to whatever degree he can, both for baseball and business reasons.

 

As a first-time GM, he is inheriting a huge challenge.

 

I would prefer a GM from outside the organization. This franchise needs to clean house and welcome new ideas. Epstein trained Cherington; it could be Theo redux if he becomes the GM.

[SoxSport]

Epstein deal with Cubs close to completion

 

Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff October 12, 2011 11:05 AM

 

 

Do expect Ben Cherington to swiftly be named GM of the Red Sox. He clearly has the confidence of the ownership group, the experience and the institutional knowledge to handle the job.

 

From that point, Cherington would lead the search for a new manager. Clearly, given what we now know of this team, they need a manager who can corral the wayward players on the roster into a cohesive unit. Or at least get them to pay attention to the game.

 

 

A big part of Cherington's task this winter may be changing the personality of this team to whatever degree he can, both for baseball and business reasons.

 

As a first-time GM, he is inheriting a huge challenge.

 

Cherington is an easy way out for Henry. But watch out. Byrnes was a failure in Arizona, and

Beane's brainy asst Depodesta, also a failure as a GM. That leaves Hoyer in San Diego, and it's too early to say about him.

 

They would be wise to survey the field, if they haven't already. Is Beane available?

Cashman? the TB guy? Riccardi?I hope they have a good idea of what Cherington will do before they hire him. They don't want warmed over Theo. He has to have some new ideas.

[Palodios]

I would prefer a GM from outside the organization. This franchise needs to clean house and welcome new ideas. Epstein trained Cherington; it could be Theo redux if he becomes the GM.

 

I disagree. The majority of the things Theo does are very well executed. If the Red Sox continue to do all those things and use his methods... and throw away the book on how he scouted big dollar players, this fanbase is in for a treat.

[a700hitter]

Cherington is an easy way out for Henry. But watch out. Byrnes was a failure in Arizona, and

Beane's brainy asst Depodesta, also a failure as a GM. That leaves Hoyer in San Diego, and it's too early to say about him.

 

They would be wise to survey the field, if they haven't already. Is Beane available?

Cashman? the TB guy? Riccardi?I hope they have a good idea of what Cherington will do before they hire him. They don't want warmed over Theo. He has to have some new ideas.

I think Cashman is a bit disenchanted with the Yankee ownership. He was not too happy as he disclosed that he was not in favor of signing Soriano. He may be looking to move. I'd take him in a heart beat.

[Flynnatic10]

See ya Theo. No hard feelings here.

[FredLynn]

I disagree. The majority of the things Theo does are very well executed. If the Red Sox continue to do all those things and use his methods... and throw away the book on how he scouted big dollar players' date=' this fanbase is in for a treat.[/quote']

 

I think he recruited draft picks pretty well, but the fact that his record on FA signings is so incredibly horrendous to me means that something is lacking in his assessment methodology. Thats the key area that needs to be improved on: assessing and signing pitchers, especially starting pitchers, BEFORE its apparent to everyone else that they have what it takes. Its not an easy task.

BTW: I have heard rumors that Friedman of Tampa Bay could be had for the right deal. I saw it somewhere in an article, but I cannot cite a reference for it. I would take him in a heartbeat...or Beane.

[BornToRun]

Goodbye and good luck, Theo. As Tito was the Red Sox greatest manager, you were the greatest GM. I wish you well in Chicago.

 

 

 

Why do I have the nagging feeling that we're gonna regret letting him go, though?

[TeddyBallGame9]

I hope this isn't the beginning of the end of Red Sox baseball as many have come to know it.

[Palodios]

Goodbye and good luck, Theo. As Tito was the Red Sox greatest manager, you were the greatest GM. I wish you well in Chicago.

 

 

 

Why do I have the nagging feeling that we're gonna regret letting him go, though?

 

If we regret it later, that would mean that the prospects he drafted from 2009-2011 turned into quality players. So, even if we "regret it" he'll still be helping the organization in the future.... unless they hire a GM who trades all those guys away.

[example1]

If we regret it later' date=' that would mean that the prospects he drafted from 2009-2011 turned into quality players. So, even if we "regret it" he'll still be helping the organization in the future.... unless they hire a GM who trades all those guys away.[/quote']

 

Or if the Cubs win a WS before the Red Sox win the next one.

[SoxSport]

 

My impression is this organization had a lot of money to spend, thanks to the generosity of its fan base, and looked for ways to spend it--by making big splashes in the water, just like the Mets and the Yankees. When you do that, you can get very wet. The NY teams have had similar experiences--with similar results.

[Palodios]

Or if the Cubs win a WS before the Red Sox win the next one.

 

I don't necessarily agree. We're talking about an organization that has been pulling in high draft picks and has a ton of money coming off the books in the next few years. Any competent GM could do wonders with that.

[a700hitter]

Why do I have the nagging feeling that we're gonna regret letting him go, though?

Why would any of us have regrets? We didn't fire him or let him go. If it turns out bad, we blame the owners. It's the good thing about being a fan. Everyone, the players, the manager, the FO and the owners are ultimately accountable to us.

[Muggah]

Cherington is an easy way out for Henry. But watch out. Byrnes was a failure in Arizona, and

Beane's brainy asst Depodesta, also a failure as a GM. That leaves Hoyer in San Diego, and it's too early to say about him.

 

They would be wise to survey the field, if they haven't already. Is Beane available?

Cashman? the TB guy? Riccardi?I hope they have a good idea of what Cherington will do before they hire him. They don't want warmed over Theo. He has to have some new ideas.

 

 

Ya, I'm leary about Cherington, too. Everyone currently involved in this clusterf*** has stink on them, IMO, and Cherington should be crossed off the list for the same reasons being given about DeMarlo Hale. If Prune Face does install Cherington, then it just tells us that he's either too insecure, or doesn't have the balls to fix this thing the right way. And that's when he should sell. I've been saying for a while now that we'd be better off with new ownership, and that might turn out to be the case.

[VA Sox Fan]

The Theo Epstein years: The good, the bad and the ugly transactions

 

Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff October 12, 2011 03:21 PM

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

 

Theo Epstein’s first transaction as the general manager of the Red Sox was signing lefthanded reliever Steve Woodard on Nov. 25, 2002. His last was to acquire 1B/OF Conor Jackson from Oakland for righthanded reliever Jason Rice and cash on Aug. 31, 2011.

 

During his nearly nine years on the job Epstein made hundreds of deals. Some worked out and others didn’t. Here’s a breakdown of the more memorable ones.

 

FREE AGENTS

Finds

DH David Ortiz (2003, 1 year, $1.2 million)

INF Bill Mueller (2002, 2 years, $4.5 million)

RHP Keith Foulke (2004, 3 years, $20.2 million)

LHP Hideki Okajima (2006, 2 years, $2.5 million)

RHP Takashi Saito (2009, 1 year, $1.5 million)

3B Adrian Beltre (2010, 1 year, $9 million)

RHP Alfredo Aceves (2011, I year, $650,000)

 

Busts

SS Edgar Renteria (2004, 4 years, $40 million)

RHP Matt Clement (2004, 3 years, $25.8 million)

SS Julio Lugo (2006, 4 years, $36 million)

RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (2006, 6 years, $52 million plus $51 million posting fee)

RHP Brad Penny (2008, 1 year, $5 million)

RHP John Smoltz (2009, 1 year, $5.5 million)

RHP John Lackey (2009, 5 years, $82.5 million)

OF Mike Cameron (2009, 2 years, $15.5 million)

RHP Bobby Jenks (2 years, $12 million)

 

Mixed reviews

LHP David Wells (2004, 2 years, $8.1 million)

OF J.D. Drew (2007, 5 years, $70 million)

SS Marco Scutaro (2009, 2 years, $12.5 million)

 

Too soon to tell

OF Carl Crawford (2010, 7 years, $142 million)

 

TRADES

Good swaps

1B Kevin Millar for cash (2003, from Marlins)

RHP Scott Williamson for two prospects (2003, from Reds)

RHP Curt Schilling for four prospects (2003, from Diamondbacks)

INF Mark Bellhorn for one prospect (2003 from Dodgers)

1B Doug Mientkiewicz and SS Orlando Cabrera for SS Nomar Garciaparra and OF Matt Murton (2004 with Twins and Expos)

OF Dave Roberts for OF Henri Stanley (2004 from Dodgers)

OF Jason Bay for OF Manny Ramirez, RHP Craig Hansen and OF Brandon Moss (2008 with Pirates and Dodgers)

SS Alex Gonzales for a prospect (2009 from Reds)

C Jarrod Saltalamacchia for three prospects (2010 from Rangers)

1B Adrian Gonzalez for three prospects (2010 from Padres)

 

Bad swaps

OF Wily Mo Pena for RHP Bronson Arroyo (2006 from Reds)

C Doug Mirabelli for RHP Cla Meredith and C Josh Bard (2006 from Padres)

RHP Eric Gagne for OF David Murphy and two prospects (2007 from Rangers)

 

Mixed reviews

RHP Byung-Hyun Kim for INF Shea Hillenbrand (2003 from Diamondbacks)

C-1B Victor Martinez for RHP Justin Masterson and two prospects (2009 from Guardians)

 

CONTRACT EXTENSIONS

Good deals

RHP Tim Wakefield (2006, 1 year, $4 million with recurring options)

DH David Ortiz (2004, 2 years, $12.5 million)

RHP Josh Beckett (2006, 3 years, $30 million)

2B Dustin Pedroia (2008, 6 years, $40.5 million)

3B Kevin Youkilis (2009, 4 years, $41.13 million)

LHP Jon Lester (2009, 5 years, $30 million)

 

Bad deals

OF Coco Crisp (2006, 3 years, $15.5 million)

RHP Joel Piniero (2007, 1 year, $4 million)

RHP Curt Schilling (2007, 1 year, $8 million)

3B Mike Lowell (2007, 3 years, $37.5 million)

 

Too soon to tell

Josh Beckett (2010, 4 years, $68 million)

Clay Buchholz (2011, 4 years, $29.95 million)

Adrian Gonzalez (2011, 7 years, $154 million)

[example1]

My impression is this organization had a lot of money to spend' date=' thanks to the generosity of its fan base, and looked for ways to spend it--by making big splashes in the water, just like the Mets and the Yankees. When you do that, you can get very wet. The NY teams have had similar experiences--with similar results.[/quote']

 

Plenty of people here were calling for exactly the type of spending you are talking about.

[example1]

The Theo Epstein years: The good' date=' the bad and the ugly transactions[/b']

 

Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff October 12, 2011 03:21 PM

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

 

Theo Epstein’s first transaction as the general manager of the Red Sox was signing lefthanded reliever Steve Woodard on Nov. 25, 2002. His last was to acquire 1B/OF Conor Jackson from Oakland for righthanded reliever Jason Rice and cash on Aug. 31, 2011.

 

During his nearly nine years on the job Epstein made hundreds of deals. Some worked out and others didn’t. Here’s a breakdown of the more memorable ones.

 

FREE AGENTS

Finds

DH David Ortiz (2003, 1 year, $1.2 million)

INF Bill Mueller (2002, 2 years, $4.5 million)

RHP Keith Foulke (2004, 3 years, $20.2 million)

LHP Hideki Okajima (2006, 2 years, $2.5 million)

RHP Takashi Saito (2009, 1 year, $1.5 million)

3B Adrian Beltre (2010, 1 year, $9 million)

RHP Alfredo Aceves (2011, I year, $650,000)

 

Busts

SS Edgar Renteria (2004, 4 years, $40 million)

RHP Matt Clement (2004, 3 years, $25.8 million)

SS Julio Lugo (2006, 4 years, $36 million)

RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (2006, 6 years, $52 million plus $51 million posting fee)

RHP Brad Penny (2008, 1 year, $5 million)

RHP John Smoltz (2009, 1 year, $5.5 million)

RHP John Lackey (2009, 5 years, $82.5 million)

OF Mike Cameron (2009, 2 years, $15.5 million)

RHP Bobby Jenks (2 years, $12 million)

 

Mixed reviews

LHP David Wells (2004, 2 years, $8.1 million)

OF J.D. Drew (2007, 5 years, $70 million)

SS Marco Scutaro (2009, 2 years, $12.5 million)

 

Too soon to tell

OF Carl Crawford (2010, 7 years, $142 million)

 

TRADES

Good swaps

1B Kevin Millar for cash (2003, from Marlins)

RHP Scott Williamson for two prospects (2003, from Reds)

RHP Curt Schilling for four prospects (2003, from Diamondbacks)

INF Mark Bellhorn for one prospect (2003 from Dodgers)

1B Doug Mientkiewicz and SS Orlando Cabrera for SS Nomar Garciaparra and OF Matt Murton (2004 with Twins and Expos)

OF Dave Roberts for OF Henri Stanley (2004 from Dodgers)

OF Jason Bay for OF Manny Ramirez, RHP Craig Hansen and OF Brandon Moss (2008 with Pirates and Dodgers)

SS Alex Gonzales for a prospect (2009 from Reds)

C Jarrod Saltalamacchia for three prospects (2010 from Rangers)

1B Adrian Gonzalez for three prospects (2010 from Padres)

 

Bad swaps

OF Wily Mo Pena for RHP Bronson Arroyo (2006 from Reds)

C Doug Mirabelli for RHP Cla Meredith and C Josh Bard (2006 from Padres)

RHP Eric Gagne for OF David Murphy and two prospects (2007 from Rangers)

 

Mixed reviews

RHP Byung-Hyun Kim for INF Shea Hillenbrand (2003 from Diamondbacks)

C-1B Victor Martinez for RHP Justin Masterson and two prospects (2009 from Guardians)

 

CONTRACT EXTENSIONS

Good deals

RHP Tim Wakefield (2006, 1 year, $4 million with recurring options)

DH David Ortiz (2004, 2 years, $12.5 million)

RHP Josh Beckett (2006, 3 years, $30 million)

2B Dustin Pedroia (2008, 6 years, $40.5 million)

3B Kevin Youkilis (2009, 4 years, $41.13 million)

LHP Jon Lester (2009, 5 years, $30 million)

 

Bad deals

OF Coco Crisp (2006, 3 years, $15.5 million)

RHP Joel Piniero (2007, 1 year, $4 million)

RHP Curt Schilling (2007, 1 year, $8 million)

3B Mike Lowell (2007, 3 years, $37.5 million)

 

Too soon to tell

Josh Beckett (2010, 4 years, $68 million)

Clay Buchholz (2011, 4 years, $29.95 million)

Adrian Gonzalez (2011, 7 years, $154 million)

 

That's an impressive list. As a list. I'm not sure what to make of the results, other than that I had forgotten about a number of those deals.

[example1]

http://www.csnne.com/10/12/11/Giardi-Sox-clubhouse-became-a-poison-cen/landing_redsox.html?blockID=576214&feedID=3352

 

This article is a bit uplifting re: Crawford and Gonzalez

[BigPapiEnFuego]

http://www.csnne.com/10/12/11/Giardi-Sox-clubhouse-became-a-poison-cen/landing_redsox.html?blockID=576214&feedID=3352

 

This article is a bit uplifting re: Crawford and Gonzalez

 

Wow. I'm willing to bet that if Crawford isn't surrounded by jerks in the upcoming years he's going to produce like he did in Tampa. Him and Gonzalez always did seem to have good personalities. They did seem uncomfortable this year and after all this info came out I can understand why.

[VA Sox Fan]

http://www.csnne.com/10/12/11/Giardi-Sox-clubhouse-became-a-poison-cen/landing_redsox.html?blockID=576214&feedID=3352

 

This article is a bit uplifting re: Crawford and Gonzalez

 

Great article. Thanks for posting it ex1.

[FredLynn]

FREE AGENTS

Finds

DH David Ortiz (2003, 1 year, $1.2 million)

INF Bill Mueller (2002, 2 years, $4.5 million)

RHP Keith Foulke (2004, 3 years, $20.2 million)

LHP Hideki Okajima (2006, 2 years, $2.5 million)

RHP Takashi Saito (2009, 1 year, $1.5 million)

3B Adrian Beltre (2010, 1 year, $9 million)

RHP Alfredo Aceves (2011, I year, $650,000)

 

Busts

SS Edgar Renteria (2004, 4 years, $40 million)

RHP Matt Clement (2004, 3 years, $25.8 million)

SS Julio Lugo (2006, 4 years, $36 million)

RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (2006, 6 years, $52 million plus $51 million posting fee)

RHP Brad Penny (2008, 1 year, $5 million)

RHP John Smoltz (2009, 1 year, $5.5 million)

RHP John Lackey (2009, 5 years, $82.5 million)

OF Mike Cameron (2009, 2 years, $15.5 million)

RHP Bobby Jenks (2 years, $12 million)

 

I ran a quick raw dollar figure by adding up all the successes and failures of Epstein during his tenure.

Successes cost his bosses: $39.55M

Failures cost his bosses: $325.30M

 

That is exactly why I think he was less than adequate for this organization. He WASTED nearly a third of a billion dollars, money that could have been spent on better players. His failures to successes ratio was nearly 10:1 in raw dollars. I could live with even a 50-50 ratio, but 10:1? Come on. There must be a guy who can use the budget a little better than that.

[example1]

FREE AGENTS

Finds

DH David Ortiz (2003, 1 year, $1.2 million)

INF Bill Mueller (2002, 2 years, $4.5 million)

RHP Keith Foulke (2004, 3 years, $20.2 million)

LHP Hideki Okajima (2006, 2 years, $2.5 million)

RHP Takashi Saito (2009, 1 year, $1.5 million)

3B Adrian Beltre (2010, 1 year, $9 million)

RHP Alfredo Aceves (2011, I year, $650,000)

 

Busts

SS Edgar Renteria (2004, 4 years, $40 million)

RHP Matt Clement (2004, 3 years, $25.8 million)

SS Julio Lugo (2006, 4 years, $36 million)

RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (2006, 6 years, $52 million plus $51 million posting fee)

RHP Brad Penny (2008, 1 year, $5 million)

RHP John Smoltz (2009, 1 year, $5.5 million)

RHP John Lackey (2009, 5 years, $82.5 million)

OF Mike Cameron (2009, 2 years, $15.5 million)

RHP Bobby Jenks (2 years, $12 million)

 

I ran a quick raw dollar figure by adding up all the successes and failures of Epstein during his tenure.

Successes cost his bosses: $39.55M

Failures cost his bosses: $325.30M

 

That is exactly why I think he was less than adequate for this organization. He WASTED nearly a third of a billion dollars, money that could have been spent on better players. His failures to successes ratio was nearly 10:1 in raw dollars. I could live with even a 50-50 ratio, but 10:1? Come on. There must be a guy who can use the budget a little better than that.

 

Do you have the same comparison in value per-MLB caliber draft pick? Any idea the value of Lester, Pedroia, Buchholz, Ellsbury etc., in FA dollars?

 

If he sucked in both areas the ownership would have fired him years ago. He didn't, so they didn't.

 

Finding All Star minor league talent is exponentially more valuable than FA acumin.

[Brennan]

If Papelbon didn't blow that save they would have died in another gruesome way the next game or maybe just get swept out of the first round. I am personally glad Paps blew the game, this team needed to be put under the microscope and losing the way they did set the stage beautifully.

[3rdManOut]

I said this in another thread as well, that I didnt think Matt Clement was really a bust. Well ok in terms of the money lost yes you can say that but his down fall was when he got hit in the face with ball comming at him. He was never the same after that. I know he had 17-18 wins by that time. Had he not got hit I think he would have had well over 20 wins.

[FredLynn]

If Papelbon didn't blow that save they would have died in another gruesome way the next game or maybe just get swept out of the first round. I am personally glad Paps blew the game' date=' this team needed to be put under the microscope and losing the way they did set the stage beautifully.[/quote']

 

Hey Brennan, welcome over here!

We got about five of us now and more are expected.

Lots of good intelligent fans here; lots of different viewpoints.

Welcome!

[FredLynn]

Do you have the same comparison in value per-MLB caliber draft pick? Any idea the value of Lester, Pedroia, Buchholz, Ellsbury etc., in FA dollars?

 

If he sucked in both areas the ownership would have fired him years ago. He didn't, so they didn't.

 

Finding All Star minor league talent is exponentially more valuable than FA acumin.

 

I think that they are BOTH valuable. Epstein wasted nearly a THIRD OF A BILLION DOLLARS in bad FA signings. Thats just too big a number to ignore. Yes, he did a good job with drafting guys, I admit that. And that IS valuable. But its not the ONLY THING that is involved in judging the performance of a GM.

[FredLynn]

I said this in another thread as well' date=' that I didnt think Matt Clement was really a bust. Well ok in terms of the money lost yes you can say that but his down fall was when he got hit in the face with ball comming at him. He was never the same after that. I know he had 17-18 wins by that time. Had he not got hit I think he would have had well over 20 wins.[/quote']

 

I agree. The trauma he suffered was significant. He could have worked out, perhaps. Even if you take his name off the list of busts its still a very long expensive list.

[NativeBostonian]

Good riddance. Have fun screwing up the Cubs finances.

[SoxSport]

Epstein has the kind of track record any half decent GM would have with $160 million to spend.

He will have the same track record in Chicago with the same money. He will win some, he will lose some.

 

Will he win any Championships? If he stays long enough and gets lucky--with a team that peaks in September for the playoffs.

 

The same holds true for the GM who succeeds him in Boston.

[SoxSport]

FREE AGENTS

Finds

DH David Ortiz (2003, 1 year, $1.2 million)

INF Bill Mueller (2002, 2 years, $4.5 million)

RHP Keith Foulke (2004, 3 years, $20.2 million)

LHP Hideki Okajima (2006, 2 years, $2.5 million)

RHP Takashi Saito (2009, 1 year, $1.5 million)

3B Adrian Beltre (2010, 1 year, $9 million)

RHP Alfredo Aceves (2011, I year, $650,000)

 

Busts

SS Edgar Renteria (2004, 4 years, $40 million)

RHP Matt Clement (2004, 3 years, $25.8 million)

SS Julio Lugo (2006, 4 years, $36 million)

RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (2006, 6 years, $52 million plus $51 million posting fee)

RHP Brad Penny (2008, 1 year, $5 million)

RHP John Smoltz (2009, 1 year, $5.5 million)

RHP John Lackey (2009, 5 years, $82.5 million)

OF Mike Cameron (2009, 2 years, $15.5 million)

RHP Bobby Jenks (2 years, $12 million)

 

I ran a quick raw dollar figure by adding up all the successes and failures of Epstein during his tenure.

Successes cost his bosses: $39.55M

Failures cost his bosses: $325.30M

 

That is exactly why I think he was less than adequate for this organization. He WASTED nearly a third of a billion dollars, money that could have been spent on better players. His failures to successes ratio was nearly 10:1 in raw dollars. I could live with even a 50-50 ratio, but 10:1? Come on. There must be a guy who can use the budget a little better than that.

 

Henry could care less about the losses. He has turned over more in advertising and ticket revenue.

 

But there is a point of diminishing returns if they continue to miss the playoffs. That's why Tito and Theo are gone.