Rough Year for Chicago GM's

Technically it's a new year I guess, but Angelo's firing culminated in the failure of 2011. A lot of you already mentioned the Bears hiring Bill Polian whom I believe Lovie Smith is familiar with.

As for the Cubs, all quiet on the western front. Garza rumors swirl, but my guess is Theo is running into the same issues that Kenny Williams ran into trying to move John Danks. The return in prospects isn't going to be as bountiful with only a year or two left of club control and the player already earning high end arbitration dollars. Garza does have one more year before being free agent eligible though and in the end, it just takes one sucker. Allegedly the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers and Marlins are the most interested. I also read some rumor about Marlon Byrd possibly being the compensation to the Red Sox. I can't even recall where I heard that, so don't put much stock into it.

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Chicago Bears
Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 10:44am
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Submitted by navigator
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 10:59am

Coco Crisp has decided on where he'll sign--- looks like it's the A's not the Cubs but nothing official yet.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 11:14am

Hmm... so much for wanting to play for a contender.

Submitted by Cubster
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 11:11am

I also read some rumor about Marlon Byrd possibly being the compensation to the Red Sox. I can't even recall where I heard that, so don't put much stock into it.
---
It was the Boston Globe's big bad Nick Cafardo in his weekend baseball notes which have become voluminous because of all the venom spewing toward Chicago of late...

27. Would the Red Sox and Cubs settle on outfielder Marlon Byrd as compensation for Theo Epstein? Byrd is a 34-year-old high-effort righthanded hitter with a good arm who could platoon in right, though his splits are not platoon-friendly. Last season, he hit righties at a .296 clip and lefties at .219. Something would probably have to be done about that $6.5 million salary, with the Cubs picking up some, if not all of it.

http://articles.boston.com/2012-01-01/sports/...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 12:41pm

thanks, more speculation than rumor

Submitted by JD
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 1:19pm

If they want a platoon outfielder, then they can have Soriano.

The Red Sox "nation" has gone from wanting Castro to Garza to top prospects to Byrd to whatever and ever. I think Epstein's a pretty good GM, but I don't get why they think they're gonna get something of much value when the guy was just a GM and he left for a promotion. Boston fans are ridiculous.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 11:52am

For Angelo to go two years in a row without sufficient depth (quality) at the most important position, and to sign players with injury history on the o-line making his golden-boy QB punished like a boxing speed-bag, is truly fucked-up.

Todd Fucking Collins?!

He should have been fired for signing that turd alone.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 11:57am

Also for stockpiling #3 Receivers, and trying to tell fans that's good enough...and having out offensive tackles a 7th round pick and an undrafted FA....I am shocked that All-Pro Jared Allen beat former 7th round pick like a drum..not.

also, Frank Effing Omiyale.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 12:04pm

Geez, we could all write a book on the poor decisions he made.

There are some paralells to Hendry to be sure.

While Angelo should be applauded for Hester and some defensive moves, to
predicate a Championship just on special teams and D alone is extremely flawed when compared to the perennial successful teams.

And, the "evaluation of talent" thing - the Packers are like the Cardinals are to
the Cubs now. Just overall better talent from top to bottom (save a few players).

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 7:17pm

It's a tough business. He got Cutler. Nice move. But there was something wrong -- like his unbelievable unwillingness to get an O line to protect the guy he paid so much to get. I mean, that was just weird.

Maybe he has ADHD?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 12:30pm

some of the backup QB issues have to fall on Lovie and Martz though for wanting someone familiar with the system, instead of someone actually talented.

McNown actually didn't look too bad to me. He could make the intermediate throws, stuck in the pocket and could scramble. Still be nice if they could find a decent young QB in the first 3 rounds.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 12:59pm

I like McNown as a backup. Would have loved Orton.

But my point is underlined by the Packer's newbie QB who threw for 400+ yards against a good team on Sunday.

Solid talent evaluation.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 7:27pm

Not Lovie, really. He's a damn good coach and they were right for saying we love Lovie and f- the rest of ya. He never really has much to work with, in my opinion. An occasional defensive guy (peppers), Brian U, and that's about it. He really does a lot with very little.

EDIT: you can make the argument that he stuck with Martz too long, but I thought Martz was a reasonable gamble, and Lovie at least said to the world, you know what? I don't know offense, so I'm gonna hire an offense guy. It didn't work out cuz Martz is so 1990. His system was so complex that nobody really grokked it, and he did stupid ass stuff like ask his QB, who is a pocket QB, to drop back ten steps. A Good offensive coach will adapt to his QB. Cutler hated that guy, for good reason. Drop back ten, get creamed. I'd hate him too.

EDIT NUMBER 2: I hope that the new GM knows football well enough to know that if you want to do the free agent thing with wide receivers you get guys who can catch bullets. I'm not convinced Roy Williams can't. He may have a nice year next year without Martz. But we need a guy as GM who really gets that. Cutler is not a QB for panzy receivers. You have to react quick, watch the ball in your gut, and close your eyes and learn how to take a tackle. Yes, I played wide out as a kid.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 12:29pm

fancy pants article about Garza's trade value

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/matt...

first comment:
And lets not forget you said Garza was no better a pitcher than Aaron Harang after the Cubs acquired him last year.

hehe

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 1:08pm

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospect...

Cubs have 6th and 41st picks so far with Pena still out there and a few others that could change the 41st pick.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 1:10pm

Brad Snyder still kicking, traded to Rangers from O's for cash considerations.

-edit- whoops, that's Brandon Snyder, different guy. The ex-Cub Brad Snyder signed with the Astros this offseason.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 1:14pm

Martz has allegedly quit and the QB coach is gone too.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 1:46pm

4:00 presser
Wscr saying more changes coming

God bless George McCaskey!
ASU!

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 7:28pm

IKR?

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 9:47am

I saw McCaskey for the first time yesterday. He doesn't look like a football man or a businessman. He looks and talks like a store clerk.

To tie this back to the Cubs (since this is a Cubs blog), if you put McCaskey, Phillips, Ricketts and Epstein in a lineup, you could easily pick out the owner and president of the forlorn franchise with no hope.

The McCaskeys have done nothing for the Bears in thirty-plus years. They won Super Bowl XX, but old man Halas, before he died, had already hand-picked the head coach and, more importantly, the defensive coordinator of that '85 team. (Not that Halas did the Bears any favors during my lifetime.)

What a rotten organization. Ownership is everything.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 10:00am

He doesn't look like a football man or a businessman. He looks and talks like a store clerk.

WTF does this even mean?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 1:52pm

from former Bears TE Desmond Clark

Egos and head butting led to the departures of Jerry Angelo and Mike Martz. Not a good situation the last 2 years. Awful environment to work

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 1:18pm

Carlos Silva to a minor league deal. Also Rich Hill and Nate Spears to minor league deals as well.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/01/red-sox...

Submitted by Jace
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 1:57pm

Andy Mcfail must be giving Cherington pointers... When in doubt, just sign everyone who used to be with the Cubs...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 2:02pm

hey, Rich Hill hasn't given up an earned run in the majors since 2009!!!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 1:57pm

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/arti...

seems Nats are only team serious about Fielder at this point

another story out there said Boras wants an opt out after 3 years and the average annual salary to be higher than Pujols.

Submitted by navigator
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 2:25pm

Here's hoping Fielder winds up firing Boras after all talks collapse.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 7:29pm

Doesn't seem to happen. Everybody hates Boras, except for the guy who he represents. I find it hard to dislike someone who is a master at their job.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 2:24pm

http://deadspin.com/5872672/some-dude-got-arr...

guy breaks into Wrigley and decides to go for some dead ivy.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 2:45pm

long write-up by toonsterwu at Minor League Ball

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/1/2/26765...

Cubs list by Sickels due soon, has a discussion up today.
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/1/3/26783...

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 3:56pm

nice toonster...

...and damn, people love marco hernandez.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 7:30pm

Toonster is a good poster. He was on the Bruce Miles blog before they got all batty and did the payment gateway thing.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 8:16pm

Great job toonster!

Be sure to read the comments. He adds more of his thoughts.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 2:54pm

randomness

dude asking Rosenthal if he's heard anything about a deal of Felix Hernandez going to the Blue Jays. Allegedly Jaso and Felix for Gose, Arencibia, Alvarez, Snider and Drabek from a Blue Jays front office source. Says Garza talks were more a plan B.

https://twitter.com/tmfb82

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 3:58pm

no surprise, but seems to be a prank of some sort.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 4:44pm

I'd deal Soto and Garza for Arencibia, Snider, Drabek and Deck McGuire.

I'd throw in Matt Szczur to sweeten the deal if it would help.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 4:51pm

They don't need a catcher.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 6:16pm

If they are including Arencibia they will. That is why Jaso is in that Seattle deal.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 7:06pm

That wasnt a real deal. They have D'arnaud and Molina besides Arencibia.

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