So are you saying I'm a fool to consider what type of philosophy and system he came from or that I'm mistaken and Ron comes from the same school that Theo and the merry minions look to for hires?
I agree. They don't even know what they're handing to a new manager yet. Unless they go nuts on vets this offseason, they can wait.
So they should just go after him then because he got more out of small market team 5 years ago and before?
It all depends on when the real commitment is made to turn the mule into a horse and how many storms have to be ridden out. I think RR did a good job this year. It's not his responsibility to build this roster.
What kind of different system of development and FO philosphy is there in Minny? Or are you just stumping?
Minnesota had success with low K rates in the system, picthing to contact, relying on defense, and "small ball" type cliche's under both Ryan and Smith (he really sucks). They would NOT load up the farm and develop as many of the guys with big arms, high k rates, batters with high k rates and suspect d as a priority, compared to most systems, most years. Some was driven by financial forces I'm sure, but they were consistent for most of Ron's time there. Maybe they had a financial aversion to developing big bats like many contending clubs, or they just didn't like them, but either way it reflected a system philosophy. They had a template that worked for a long time, but it doesn't resemble what's been going on in Chicago. The acquisition, utilization, and trade of Carlos Gomez is an example of why they're different than what Theo's guys are doing. I'm not saying if it's better or worse because it's too early, but I am saying it's different. Since Smith and other factors ruined what they had, it's tough for me to draw many conclusions about their system overhaul the last few years. Ron hasn't seemed to change what he likes and the talent doesn't match what he's had before, in terms of certain strong player characteristics like defense and contact. The results have been more losses than the Cubs over the last 4 years. It makes me think of him as rigid, which is fine if I thought the Cubs were developing the types of players he likes to use. I'm not a fan of taking a "small ball" type guy and throwing him at a developing lineup that looks to be among the upper teams in Ks on both sides of the plate.
Ron has a history of managing winning baseball teams. I like that philosophy. Theo and the merry minions are already on their second manager. I'm not so sure they know what they want themselves other than going the budget route.
Here's the thing though. Somebody fixed something because albeit a small increase in wins (7), it was an increase in wins nonetheless even though they traded away the players they did. And again, their biggest chips rebounded in a very positive way across the board. So who gets the credit? The FO, RR, the coaching staff, the players, or all of the above? It's actually starting to feel good that these players are starting to settle in to their own. Some have a lot of work to do, and their is more coming. I can see why expectations and the general buzz are starting to rise in the clubhouse, and I can only imagine it will greatly intensify, as well as wins, with a few free agent acquisitions.
Maybe they should bring up Mariano Duncan to be the hitting coach with Manny as an assistant. That could be fun. *DRINK*
It appears that Bill wasn't happy with FuckStein getting rid of his assistant. Que Rob Deer ? Another rumor is that Bill conveniently may have used the family problems card to soften the blow. BTW....... Still waiting for the great starting pitching depth that FuckStein claims Hendry couldn't produce. We are currently going into the fourth offseason......... :-*
Kaplan reiterated Manny Ramirez has not decided to call it a career and would like to still play next season. According to Kaplan?s report, ?it is expected he will have a role within the Cubs organization? once he retires. Ramirez has ?made it clear to people close to him that the only organization he wants to work for in professional baseball is the Cubs and Theo Epstein.? *SHADES*
Theo should hire him and then Tom could up with another reason to spend no money. In my opinion, people are way overvaluing what a manager does. Really just a glorified babysitter these days. Develop players? 99% is done at the lower levels. Minnesota relied on small ball because they had little power, not because the manager had that "philosophy". Some crackpots on here
Cubs will pay, but I'm not sure if he's going to have an appetite to be held hostage to developmental concerns for more years. I think Minnesota is the only other club that has a vacant slot, not that it means much for a bluechip manager.
