Theo and Jed Questions - Chicago question

[Big Fan]

Gotta go to the source here! Should I as a cubs fan be expecting the greatness they claim is coming or am I being played as the fool??

 

These guys have the PR machine on high over here. Having town hall presentations with season ticket holders telling us about the amazing things they have cooking. Which we already know about everything they have cooking because its the only thing we have going on for the Cubs! The question is does the payoff ever come because the last 3 years have been painfully terrible!

 

And FYI, getting AJ is a great move for a contending team. I cant stand the guy, but he is about as good of a team player to have. His arm is going to be a problem but you should be expecting some clutch hits. He is the Anti Dempster.

[jacksonianmarch]

Theo took over a loaded team and completed the final piece to win a title. He had one title under his belt from some of his homegrown guys and consistently put out good drafts. Seeing as the Cubs were a heaping pile of s*** when he took over, you're gonna need to give him 5 yrs or so.

[mvp 78]

You went from having a garbage farm system to a decent one. The Cubs were such a mess that the playoffs were going to be 5+ years away at best anyway.

 

Theo's strengths - player development, public relations

Theo's weaknesses - free agency, struggles when things get difficult

[a700hitter]

If he keeps finishing last, he will not be in Chicago in 2017.

[jacksonianmarch]

He doesn't have much of a choice. Eventually, they need to fill in some holes with veterans, but his core is still developing. I think eventually, he plans to have Baez, Bryant, Rizzo, and Castro in his infield, which will be insanely good. I am surprised he is so keen on dealing Samardzija, as he looks like a nice piece to keep. But they're 3 yrs away and need another 2 solid drafts.

[User Name]

I love the irony of a Yankee fan preaching the virtues of patience to Red Sox fans (and this has been going for a while regarding the whole Theo/Cubs subject). Shows what's wrong with a significant portion of the Red Sox fanbase. Anything other than instant success means failure, even if it's part of a long-term plan.

[mvp 78]

I love the irony of a Yankee fan preaching the virtues of patience to Red Sox fans (and this has been going for a while regarding the whole Theo/Cubs subject). Shows what's wrong with a significant portion of the Red Sox fanbase. Anything other than instant success means failure, even if it's part of a long-term plan.

 

They went 5 seasons before winning again though!!!

[SoxSport]

Theo has yet to sign a FA in Chicago. Looks like he's being kept on a short leash.

[Palodios]

The Cubs have been stockpiling toptier talent in a big way. Stockpiling top 5 draft picks like Bryant. Snagging top prospects in trades like Edwards. Pulling in the top international free agent like Jimeniz. They snagged Soler from the free agent market. They aren't going for mid-tier talent... they're going for top-tier potential guys. They'll market Samardjaza to other teams until they get a real major league piece. Sounds like they will be hard on Tanaka too, those are the kinds of guys they want... young, controllable, high-high potential. We'll see what happens, but so far it sounds like they're doing what they're supposed to do while waiting for those contracts to expire, and the real talent to arrive from all those low-low draft picks. Theo is building a core that he expects to win a world series, but we'll see.

[Palodios]

Theo has yet to sign a FA in Chicago. Looks like he's being kept on a short leash.

 

Edwin Jackson.

[seabeachfred]

Gotta go to the source here! Should I as a cubs fan be expecting the greatness they claim is coming or am I being played as the fool??

 

These guys have the PR machine on high over here. Having town hall presentations with season ticket holders telling us about the amazing things they have cooking. Which we already know about everything they have cooking because its the only thing we have going on for the Cubs! The question is does the payoff ever come because the last 3 years have been painfully terrible!

 

And FYI, getting AJ is a great move for a contending team. I cant stand the guy, but he is about as good of a team player to have. His arm is going to be a problem but you should be expecting some clutch hits. He is the Anti Dempster.

 

Big Fan----From what I've read so far, the comments by my colleagues here have been pretty much spot on. Epstein is very big in the PR department and wants to see his Chicago tenure work out in the form of a WS or two or three. There are some good young players close to being ready in Bryant and Baez, some good young pitching and a decent farm system. My take is to give him two more seasons. As my pal 700 said, if he doesn't get it going by 2015 or 2016 at the latest he migh tnot be in Chicago by 2017. The key for 2014 is to show some improvement over the past two seasons under Theo and if that happens you will know he is on the right track. There was always some wonder about what he actually wanted to do in Boston---go with developed home grown talent or spend high on FA. There was a conflict with CEO meddler Larry Lucchino over this with LL big on free agents and experienced players. Perhaps Theo was forced into doing these things in Boston...maybe.

 

Don't expect too much improvement in 2014; expect a big jump by 2015. If not the Cubs ownership should start looking for leadership elsewhere.

[Behindenemylines]

That Cub team that finally breaks their curse will have to be like the Sox 2004 team, the "Idiots" didn't let the pressures get to them and they proved that with the comeback in the ALCS in 2004. I always hope the Cubbies do well because we Sox fans have been there and done that losing thing.