Offseason Roundtable, Part 2: The One Where We Discuss Soriano and Other Free Agent Senior Citizens

As we get closer to the dawning of the Theo Era, we should probably finish off our roundtable discussion before it all becomes irrelevant.  

jedi

berselius : Percentage chance Soriano is in a Cubs uniform on April 1 

AndCounting : 98%

Aisle 424 : 50%

mb21 : 7.87%

berselius : 3.7%

berselius : why so high, Adam?

AndCounting : I just don’t see them dealing him in the offseason. I really don’t. The contract isn’t getting any prettier. And what are the options really for shipping him out? 

berselius : Release 

mb21 : I don’t really know what the options are, but Soriano speaking as if he may not be back with the Cubs made me think he might even retire. 

Aisle 424 : I don’t know if he’d retire, but I think the chances of him staying with the Cubs were a hell of a lot higher before Theo was brought on board. He won’t be as hellbent and determined to wring value out of those sunk dollars.

berselius : Unless this medical dude that Theo is supposedly trying to bring with him has a time machine 

Aisle 424 : (dying laughing)

mb21 : I think release is most likely. Maybe there’s some team out there that would take him if the Cubs sent them $45 million or something. I doubt that. 

berselius : I still think retirement is a pipe dream, but we’ve already had this argument 

berselius : Yeah, no team will want to pay anything for Soriano 

AndCounting : I guess I don’t see release as making that much sense. Can they replace him with someone better from the system if they’re going to pay him anyway? 

Aisle 424 : Long live LaHair!!!

mb21 : By the way, my source has just confirmed to me that the Cubs will not sign both Fielder and Pujols. 

berselius : “and” or “or”? 

AndCounting : Is this a real source or a rumored source? 

mb21 : and. They will not have 2 first basemen next year. 

Aisle 424 : This is why we get the big bucks here at OV, we go out on those precarious limbs.

mb21 : I think they do have guys who can replace his production, AC. 

berselius : Move Byrd to LF and play BJax in CF 

berselius : yeah, easily 

berselius : probably not those who can replace the production they’re paying for though 

mb21 : Who plays RF? I’m still not convinced Tony Campana isn’t more valuable than Soriano. 

berselius : Me neither 

mb21 : It really depends on how bad the Cubs or Theo specifically thinks Soriano is defensively.

Aisle 424 : It is very hard to speculate on the roster when we still don’t really know who will be making the decisions.  I’m just happy it isn’t Hendry.

AndCounting : And on the bench? I mean, even if he rides the pine, I’m not convinced he’s keeping anyone better off the team. 

Aisle 424 : Sadly, he probably isn’t.

berselius : I like the plan that was debated around here a month or so ago. Byrd-Campana-BJax in OF, not-Ramirez at 3b 

berselius : Cubs would probably become one of the best defensive teams in the NL 

Aisle 424 : I’m not sold on Campana’s defense.  Great speed doesn’t automatically make you a good centerfielder. I don’t like his routes to balls and his arm would be laughable if not for having witnessed Juan Pierre and Lance Johnson out there.

mb21 : Soriano sucks at getting on base, but still has some power. He’s a good platoon player at this point.

mb21 : You’re probably right about him on the bench, AC, but Soriano might make life hell if he were on the bench. 

berselius : Another question: do the Cubs make an offseason splash with Theo, or will the “splash” be a liquidation? 

berselius : I remember reports a few weeks back about the Cubs not being interested in Fielder, and wanting to target SP. But whatever Randy Bush (or whoever the source was) thought is pretty much meaningless.

mb21 : I don’t think there’s a chance in hell this team has a fire sale. I don’t think the Cubs have the guys to make it worthwhile. 

Aisle 424 : They missed their shot at getting value for some of the players they still have like Dempster and Byrd.  Even Soto doesn’t have a ton of value anymore.

berselius : I think he’s going to put some sort of mark on the team this offseason though 

AndCounting : I’d believe that stat, but I think most people believe the splash will have an aftershock. 

AndCounting : I wouldn’t be surprised if they did get Pujols. Or Fielder. At this point I really have no clue. 

berselius : Well, not a full on firesale 

mb21 : Yeah, AC, in order to keep the confidence up something else has to happen. If they sign some big name free agent, I’m going with Fielder. 

Aisle 424 : They lowered their ticket prices a bit this season, so I’m guessing a big leap in payroll isn’t happening.

mb21 : Actually, I’m just going to go with Fielder. I think he’ll be a Cub next year. 

Aisle 424 : I won’t go that far, but he’s the one I’d prefer if they are definitely going to sign one or the other.

berselius : If Theo goes after any FA it’s probably Fielder. CC would be a close second but I think the Yankees renegotiate with him before he hits the market 

AndCounting : I would love that. Honestly, I’ve always thought he was a pretty entertaining player. 

berselius : Sucks for CC and Fielder that the Yanks/Sox have Teix and Gonzalez 

mb21 : I also expect the Yankees to announce an extension with CC during the World Series like they did with ARod. They enjoy pissing Selig off. 

AndCounting : Is adding CC and Fielder a possibility? If the Cubs thought the clubhouse was cramped before . . . 

Aisle 424 : I can’t imagine how they could swing that.

berselius : I’ve always been a big Prince Fielder fan, so I’d love to see him around. Not for anything more than 5 years

berselius : That pretty much goes for any player, but esp Fielder 

mb21 : the Cubs food budget would double with those two on the same team. 

mb21 : The thing I’ve always worried about Fielder for is his defense and his weight. Factor in his position, which are already filled with guys don’t age well and you potentially have a problem. 

Aisle 424 : I don’t think either signing is ideal. If they were a guy that could put them over the top, fine. But they aren’t. I’d rather use the dollars to land Wilson and maybe some other stop-gap pitching that can get us through the next couple of years without it being embarassing.

berselius : I think both of those guys stay in the NLC. I’d be shocked if Pujols leaves STL. The only way I see it happening is if LAAOA throw stupid money at him 

mb21 : It would be pretty cool if Fielder signed with the Cubs and the Brewers signed Pujols. 

Aisle 424 : If the Brewers could afford Albert, they’d probably just pay Fielder.

berselius : His defense doesn’t bother me that much. It sucks, but it’s just a number. I feel pretty confident in his ability to have hitting make up for it. 

berselius : Would not be cool for Brewers fans 

berselius : As I always try to mention, don’t forget Fielder’s age 

AndCounting : I know Ricketts has said he’s looking to build on the farm system and move away from ridiculous free agent contracts, but it would be nice for the team to not completely suck again. Revenue could go through the roof if they signed two big free agents. 

Aisle 424 : But not right away.  They still sold something like 90% of the ballpark with no expecatations and no hope.  Plus they lowered ticket prices this year.  Any upswing in revenue this year would be marginal.  It would be 2013 before they start seeing any real bump and that is assuming a couple of high-priced band-aids actually equal enough wins to get them into contention again.

berselius : whoops, misread your comment, that would be really awesome. 

mb21 : Age is important, but so is athleticism. I’m not sure that Pujols is much older than Fielder physically. It’s probably pretty close. 

AndCounting : What is Fielder’s age? I forgot. 

berselius : I think he’s 27 

berselius : He came up at 21 

mb21 : I do expect the Cubs to try to contend next year. I don’t think they sign 2 big free agents, but I could see Fielder and a trade. 

Aisle 424 : That would certainly explain not wanting to pillage their system just to land Theo.

berselius : Aren’t there still questions with respect to Pujols’ age? 

Aisle 424 : I believe his grandchildren have already addressed that, B.

berselius : There’s a chance that all three marquee 1b in the division are gone next year. 

berselius : I think it’s pretty small at this point. 

AndCounting : He’s always looked old. But never that old. He’s Jim Thome-esque. 

berselius : Heh, Thome still looks like a big kid 

mb21 : Thome looks like he played in the 1930s. 

Aisle 424 : He didn’t?


0 thoughts on “Offseason Roundtable, Part 2: The One Where We Discuss Soriano and Other Free Agent Senior Citizens”

  2. Aisle 424 : I’m not sold on Campana’s defense. Great speed doesn’t automatically make you a good centerfielder. I don’t like his routes to balls and his arm would be laughable if not for having witnessed Juan Pierre and Lance Johnson out there.

    I don’t know if those two aspects will ever improve, but he does make up for it with his silly speed.

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  3. AndCounting : He’s always looked old. But never that old. He’s Jim Thome-esque.

    berselius : Heh, Thome still looks like a big kid

    mb21 : Thome looks like he played in the 1930s.

    Aisle 424 : He didn’t?

    Nice way to end this part of the roundtable (dying laughing)

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  5. So if it’s true they aren’t giving up McNutt or Jackson, who’s the most likely candidate? We already established they can’t yet trade the new class, right? What do the Red Sox need?

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  7. [quote name=josh]So if it’s true they aren’t giving up McNutt or Jackson, who’s the most likely candidate? We already established they can’t yet trade the new class, right? What do the Red Sox need?[/quote]I was thinking they might take Ryan Flaherty or maybe some of the random OF prospects that nobody ever hears about.

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  9. [quote name=Rice Cube]I was thinking they might take Ryan Flaherty or maybe some of the random OF prospects that nobody ever hears about.[/quote]
    Chris Carpenter?

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  12. [quote name=8volumesthick]Chris Carpenter?[/quote]Your guess is as good as mine. I’m just happy it’s not B-Jax.

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  14. Aisle 424 : I’m not sold on Campana’s defense. Great speed doesn’t automatically make you a good centerfielder. I don’t like his routes to balls and his arm would be laughable if not for having witnessed Juan (dying laughing) and Lance Johnson out there.

    I didn’t see much of Campana on defense, but I’m okay with the idea that he’s a good CF. Scouts loved his defense in the minors.

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  15. [quote name=Berselius]I didn’t see much of Campana on defense, but I’m okay with the idea that he’s a good CF. Scouts loved his defense in the minors.[/quote]I think he’s a pinch-runner at best so I’m inclined to believe that you keep Soriano around for at least another season, put BJax in CF and move Byrd to RF rather than have Campana eat plate appearances in CF and having BJax stuck in a corner.

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  17. I’ll go back to Vitters and Carpenter or whoever the fuck it was that was similar to what the Marlins gave up for Ozzie.

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  18. [quote name=GW]I believe he’s 3rd and 15 from the 40 yard line.[/quote]But there might only be 2 minutes left and the punter can pin them inside the 10.

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  21. Sarah Spain
    Per Adam Schefter – Eagles doctors found brain tumor during physical of newly-acquired running back Jerome Harrison. Trade with the Lions for Ronnie Brown nullified and Harrison is not expected to play again this season, but his prognosis is good and trade might have saved his life.

    —
    WOW

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  23. I could see Byrd in LF. He’s not a very good hitter, but neither are most LF’ers these days, and his glove should be above-average there.

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  24. Seeing various tweets saying that Padres AGM Jason McLeod would be coming with Hoyer. He’s a scouting and development guy who also came up with the Red Sox

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  25. [quote name=Berselius]Seeing various tweets saying that Padres AGM Jason McLeod would be coming with Hoyer. He’s a scouting and development guy who also came up with the Red Sox[/quote]Henry and Cherington said they’re not even close. Could just be some final posturing, but I’m going to take a wait and see approach. I figure it’s 50/50.

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  26. [quote name=ACT]Eww, I hope the Cubs don’t settle for Campana as a starter.[/quote]I’d prefer they not do that either, but I’d also prefer they not settle for Soriano as a starter. If it’s between those two, I’d go with Campana.

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  27. [quote name=mb21]I’d prefer they not do that either, but I’d also prefer they not settle for Soriano as a starter. If it’s between those two, I’d go with Campana.[/quote]MB obviously wants to play the kids (dying laughing)

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  30. [quote name=mb21]Henry and Cherington said they’re not even close. Could just be some final posturing, but I’m going to take a wait and see approach. I figure it’s 50/50.[/quote]
    (dying laughing)…as of his batshit impromptu interview last Friday, Henry said he didn’t know if the Red Sox had given the Cubs permission to speak to Theo yet, when a deal had already been reached. Given other odd things said during that broadcast, not so sure the Red Sox owner can be considered a reliable source.

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  33. [quote name=Smokestack Lightning]not so sure the Red Sox owner can be considered a reliable source.[/quote]
    we’ll know for sure if he starts chasing theo down the field with a hammer.

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  35. I’ve decided that John Henry is a duplicitous, lying douchebag, who, in concert with Lucchino, has decided that it’s better to go through life as a feckless asswipe than to deal with people in a discreet, professional manner.

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  36. And according to Brett at Bleacher Nation, Bruce Levine has also backed off a shade, expressing surprise that the deal is not signed off on yet, and blaming the Red Sox for slowing things up yet again.

    Ye gods.

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  39. Cubs reports will blame the Red Sox and Red Sox reporters will blame the Cubs. I don’t care who is to blame. I don’t blame Lucchino for getting the most he possibly can for Theo. That’s his job. It’s not like John Hendry went to Lucchino and said, “Larry, let’s not try to get as much as possible for the best GM in the game.” It’s kind of like how Ricketts didn’t wake up one morning and say, “Larry, I’d like to give you more than you want for Theo who we think is only an average to terrible GM.”

    The Cubs want to pay as little as possible and the Red Sox want as much as possible. I don’t think anyone is to blame here. They’re just doing their jobs.

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  40. [quote name=MO22]This Red Sox FO are just fucking assholes. I wish nothing but ill on that franchise.[/quote]I haven’t been a fan of the Red Sox or their fans for awhile now so that’s fine with me.

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  41. [quote name=MO22]This Red Sox FO are just fucking assholes. I wish nothing but ill on that franchise.[/quote]
    They are licensed to accept all your ill.

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  42. I think Soriano stays but is benched a lot or at least platooned. What’s he going ot do if he doesn’t like it, retire? they’d be quite happy with that too.

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  43. Why would he retire? Would he still get paid something? I couldn’t see him being like “Well guys, I realize I haven’t been playing up to my contract so I’m just going to retire so you don’t have to pay me. Sorry.”

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  44. [quote name=WaLi]Why would he retire? Would he still get paid something? I couldn’t see him being like “Well guys, I realize I haven’t been playing up to my contract so I’m just going to retire so you don’t have to pay me. Sorry.”[/quote]I think Gil Meche did that last season, but he only had a year and $11MM or so left on his contract. I find it hard to believe that someone would walk away from $54MM guaranteed unless they are insane.

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  45. Can’t help but wonder if this sudden reluctance (if it is sudden), isn’t John Henry throwing one last tantrum. Pretty much everything he’s said about Theo has indicated a fairly strong emotional attachment.

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  46. [quote name=mb21]Cubs reports will blame the Red Sox and Red Sox reporters will blame the Cubs. I don’t care who is to blame. I don’t blame Lucchino for getting the most he possibly can for Theo. That’s his job. It’s not like John Hendry went to Lucchino and said, “Larry, let’s not try to get as much as possible for the best GM in the game.” It’s kind of like how Ricketts didn’t wake up one morning and say, “Larry, I’d like to give you more than you want for Theo who we think is only an average to terrible GM.”

    The Cubs want to pay as little as possible and the Red Sox want as much as possible. I don’t think anyone is to blame here. They’re just doing their jobs.[/quote]I get that, but Rosenthal and Calcaterra have both intimated that this isn’t the Red Sox trying to exact a price from the Cubs so much as Henry and Lucchino trying to exact their pound of flesh from Epstein. (Pardon the reference, I meant nothing anti-Semitic by it). Remember that Theo has already quit once because these two are such meddling, petty, assholes.

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  47. [quote name=Smokestack Lightning]Can’t help but wonder if this sudden reluctance (if it is sudden), isn’t John Henry throwing one last tantrum. Pretty much everything he’s said about Theo has indicated a fairly strong emotional attachment.[/quote]This is my suspicion as well. And the fact that he’s airing all this in the media strikes me as highly unprofessional.

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  49. This is just like when Ross finally decided to dump Julie for Rachel but he hadn’t told Julie yet and he made that list of pros and cons of each one and finally made his decision to go after Rachel. And that’s where the Cubs and Red Sox were this morning. But then Chandler accidentally printed the list off his computer and Rachel found it and when she found it she freaked and suddenly they weren’t together. OMDR. Obviously Henry found the list sometime around lunch. This deal won’t get done until Henry sees the video of way long ago when Ricketts was all ready to take Henry to the prom but then he didn’t need to because Henry’s date showed up but now that Henry knows Ricketts’ true feelings they’ll both realize that this deal was meant to be. Especially because in the video Ross looks just like Epstein.

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  50. [quote name=ACT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKo4FMzt_hM[/quote](dying laughing), I just posted his rendition of “Rocket Man” to my FB this morning. This will go up tomorrow. (dying laughing)

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  51. [quote name=AndCounting]This is just like when Ross finally decided to dump Julie for Rachel but he hadn’t told Julie yet and he made that list of pros and cons of each one and finally made his decision to go after Rachel. And that’s where the Cubs and Red Sox were this morning. But then Chandler accidentally printed the list off his computer and Rachel found it and when she found it she freaked and suddenly they weren’t together. OMDR. Obviously Henry found the list sometime around lunch. This deal won’t get done until Henry sees the video of way long ago when Ricketts was all ready to take Henry to the prom but then he didn’t need to because Henry’s date showed up but now that Henry knows Ricketts’ true feelings they’ll both realize that this deal was meant to be. Especially because in the video Ross looks just like Epstein.

    [/quote]It’s amazing how much real life is exactly like every episode of Friends.

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  52. [quote name=MO22]I get that, but Rosenthal and Calcaterra have both intimated that this isn’t the Red Sox trying to exact a price from the Cubs so much as Henry and Lucchino trying to exact their pound of flesh from Epstein. (Pardon the reference, I meant nothing anti-Semitic by it). Remember that Theo has already quit once because these two are such meddling, petty, assholes.[/quote]That could be, but why would they want to do that to Theo? They can just trash him if they really wanted to get to him. They’re just delaying the inevitable and wasting their own time when it could be better spent doing something else.

    That just seems unlikely to me. As much sense as it may make, I don’t see them making their jobs more difficult just to get back at Theo when leaking some things that may or may not be true would do an even better job.

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  53. [quote name=josh]It’s amazing how much real life is exactly like every episode of Friends.[/quote]Todd Ricketts bit on Undercover Boss is kind of like when Monica’s rich boyfriend decides he wants to be the Ultimate Fighting Champion and gets the shit kicked out of him.

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  54. I’d also add that we know that Tom Ricketts moves at a much slower pace than any of us would like. That doesn’t mean he’s the one responsible for it, but is it really surprising to see that these negotiations are moving slower than Ramirez runs the bases? Isn’t that what we really should have expected knowing what we know about Ricketts?

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  55. [quote name=josh]It’s amazing how much real life is exactly like every episode of Friends.[/quote]
    From Boondocks:

    Huey: Do you know what Eurocentrism is?
    Jazmine: No.
    Huey: Have you ever watched “Friends”?
    Jazmine: Yes
    Huey: Then you know what it is.

    (dying laughing)

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  56. [quote name=mb21]I’d also add that we know that Tom Ricketts moves at a much slower pace than any of us would like. That doesn’t mean he’s the one responsible for it, but is it really surprising to see that these negotiations are moving slower than Ramirez runs the bases? Isn’t that what we really should have expected knowing what we know about Ricketts?[/quote]But the hope is that once Theo takes over, then Ricketts won’t be as much of a factor, right? So maybe he needs to take his time and do this right.

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  57. [quote name=mb21]I’d also add that we know that Tom Ricketts moves at a much slower pace than any of us would like. That doesn’t mean he’s the one responsible for it, but is it really surprising to see that these negotiations are moving slower than Ramirez runs the bases? Isn’t that what we really should have expected knowing what we know about Ricketts?[/quote]This is Tom’s calling card. He moves deliberately and tends to get what he wants. The last time he rushed into something, he looked like a total dickwad as he tried to get money from a bankrupt state without first getting his politicians in a row.

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  58. [quote name=mb21]I’d also add that we know that Tom Ricketts moves at a much slower pace than any of us would like. That doesn’t mean he’s the one responsible for it, but is it really surprising to see that these negotiations are moving slower than Ramirez runs the bases? Isn’t that what we really should have expected knowing what we know about Ricketts?[/quote]Wait, are you telling me that Tom Ricketts is the owner of the Cubs? I didn’t think any journalists were able to figure that out yet.

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  64. [quote name=josh]It’s amazing how much real life is exactly like every episode of Friends.[/quote]Especially if you don’t know any black people whatsoever.

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  68. [quote name=GBTS]Especially if you don’t know any black people whatsoever.[/quote]Joey dated Aisha Taylor for awhile.

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  74. [quote name=Aisle424]Joey dated Aisha Taylor for awhile.[/quote]And didn’t Ross have a black girlfriend? Actually, now that I think about it, that was the same person. She hooked up with Joey instead.

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  76. [quote name=mb21]http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/id/7127302/theo-epstein-get-tony-la-russa-albert-pujols-cubs

    (dying laughing)[/quote]I scrolled to the bottom where it says “Johnette Howard is the author of “The Rivals: Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova, Their Epic Duels and Extraordinary Friendship.” and decided I’m not going to read the article (dying laughing)

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  78. [quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]I scrolled to the bottom where it says “Johnette Howard is the author of “The Rivals: Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova, Their Epic Duels and Extraordinary Friendship.” and decided I’m not going to read the article (dying laughing)[/quote]Good choice.

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  81. [quote name=mb21]http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/id/7127302/theo-epstein-get-tony-la-russa-albert-pujols-cubs

    (dying laughing)[/quote]

    if La Russa were managing the Cubs in 2003, he’d have pulled a double switch and had Moises Alou sitting in Bartman’s seat and the bewildered Bartman taking his place in left field before that fateful foul ball went hooking down the line and changed everything

    Wut?

    I’m not saying she is a shitty journalist because she is a woman, I am saying she is a shitty journalist because she is a shitty journalist

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  85. [quote name=GBTS]The Constitution was probably illegal too.[/quote]I would have assumed that the DOI was illegal in relation to British law anyway, and that’s why England decided to fight a war. If England had thought the colonies in the right, they would have let them break without a fight. The first rule of tautology club is the first rule of tautology club.

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  86. I hate not paying attention when 50 other people asked how to post pictures because “I wont post pictures…”

    help please

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  90. [quote name=Snyds01 22]I hate not paying attention when 50 other people asked how to post pictures because “I wont post pictures…”

    help please[/quote]Click the little picture buttom with the mountain and the sun and paste the link to your image (if on the internet somewhere), or add the image tag [im.g] to the beginning and [/im.g] to the end of your link (without the periods)

    example: [im.g]www.ilovecats.com/whiskersandnose.jpg[/im.g] (but remove the periods)

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  91. [quote name=Snyds01 22]I hate not paying attention when 50 other people asked how to post pictures because “I wont post pictures…”

    help please[/quote]Click the button with the mountains and shit on it, then enter the URL for the image. Not the page its on, but the image itself.

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  96. [quote name=AndCounting]Ah, my neighbors to the south. So smart.[/quote]Maybe you could help spread the word to the deer that their designated crossing zone is unsafe.

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  108. [quote name=AndCounting]Or if this helps . . .

    [/quote]
    What’s this from? Looks like he’s holding a lightsaber of sorts but I don’t recall this…

    /refuses to acknowledge prequels’d

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  109. [quote name=Mish]What’s this from? Looks like he’s holding a lightsaber of sorts but I don’t recall this…

    /refuses to acknowledge prequels’d[/quote]Star Cock, the Star Wars themed porn movie. That’s a really long vibrator. I don’t have to tell you what happened to Yoda.

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  112. Mish, your over-the-top hatred of the prequels reminds me of outwardly homophobic Congressmen/preachers who get caught up in gay sex scandals.

    I guess what I’m saying is I picture you sneaking off to motels in the middle of the night dressed in a Jar Jar costume to watch Attack of the Clones.

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  114. [quote name=Snyds01]theo is theodore “ted” kaczynski[/quote]Hopefully Theo, once considered a genius by his peers, doesn’t run off to the woods and attempt to bring down modern society via mail bombs.

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  115. [quote name=josh]Hopefully Theo, once considered a genius by his peers, doesn’t run off to the woods and attempt to bring down modern society via mail bombs.[/quote]That is a possibility after prolonged exposure to the Cubs.

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  117. [quote name=GordonEdes]To clarify: Hoyer as Cubs GM, Byrnes as Padres GM is done. Epstein to Chi not yet resolved per compensation. Review of medicals remains[/quote]They need to review Theo’s medicals?

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  118. [quote name=fang2415]They need to review Theo’s medicals?[/quote]The last thing you want is your GM pulling a hammy during the press conference.

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  120. [quote name=GBTS]Mish, your over-the-top hatred of the prequels reminds me of outwardly homophobic Congressmen/preachers who get caught up in gay sex scandals.

    I guess what I’m saying is I picture you sneaking off to motels in the middle of the night dressed in a Jar Jar costume to watch Attack of the Clones.[/quote]
    …

    ,,,

    It’s a Kid Fisto outfit.

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  122. Figures the only part of this deal not done is Theo to the Cubs.

    Padres=done
    Red Sox=done
    Cubs=what?

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  123. [quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Figures the only part of this deal not done is Theo to the Cubs.

    Padres=done
    Red Sox=done
    Cubs=what?[/quote]Sounds like they just need to clear whoever they traded and it’s a done deal, though. So that’s on the Red Sox med staff.

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  124. So does the Cubs having Theo’s GM in place mean that the Cubs have the “leverage” now…who needs Theo when you can have his hand picked GM without him….

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  125. [quote name=Snyds01]So does the Cubs having Theo’s GM in place mean that the Cubs have the “leverage” now…who needs Theo when you can have his hand picked GM without him….[/quote]That would be genius.

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  126. [quote name=Snyds01]So does the Cubs having Theo’s GM in place mean that the Cubs have the “leverage” now…who needs Theo when you can have his hand picked GM without him….[/quote]I think Theo as the leader of the org is maybe even more important. It’s no secret that the Cubs suck at developing players and finding talent in addition to being a mediocre big league team. At least, that’s my read of their attitude.

    Cubs.com is calling this as being announced on Friday, which would make sense, given the day off.

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  127. We need to get some Padres fans riled up about this Hoyer stuff so Alvin and SDSJM can get on their high horses about how all SD fans are assholes (dying laughing)

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  129. [quote name=GW]http://twitter.com/#!/GordonEdes/status/127111076130201600

    bosox to review medicals[/quote]This has been entertaining. I hope it never ends.

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  133. [quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Figures the only part of this deal not done is Theo to the Cubs.

    Padres=donedone.deal.sealed.
    Red Sox=donedone.deal.sealed.
    [/quote].

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  140. [quote name=GW]hmm…. still at the 5. maybe they switched sides at the end of the quarter.[/quote]There must be more downs in football than I thought. Has to be on the 15th or 20th down by now.

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  142. [quote name=mb21]There must be more downs in football than I thought. Has to be on the 15th or 20th down by now.[/quote]Stadium had a power failure.

    If Theo’s still in Boston, maybe he’s trying to download as much data onto flash drives as possible so he can sneak it out… *conspiracy theory*

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  143. [quote name=mb21]There must be more downs in football than I thought. Has to be on the 15th or 20th down by now.[/quote]
    It’s a good thing they aren’t negotiating this deal in Canada

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  144. [quote name=mb21]http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2011/10/epstein_still_w.html[/quote]The Boston reports are all “Cubs should give up a top prospect” and the reports in Chicago are all “Don’t worry Cubs fans, we’ll never give up BJAX!”

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  145. [quote name=Rice Cube]Stadium had a power failure.

    If Theo’s still in Boston, maybe he’s trying to download as much data onto flash drives as possible so he can sneak it out in a gorilla suit… *conspiracy theory*[/quote]

    /theo’d

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  146. [quote name=josh]One of the big questions facing Epstein according to that ESPN article is “Who Is Barney?”[/quote]Before the 2011 season, I thought he was a good fielder, but a poor hitter. After the 2011 season, I think he is a poor hitter, but a good fielder.

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  147. [quote name=ACT]Before the 2011 season, I thought he was a good fielder, but a poor hitter. After the 2011 season, I think he is a poor hitter, but a good fielder.[/quote]Theo will think “Who names their kid Darwin?” then after that come to the same conclusion.

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  149. [quote name=GW]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kafq7yrKAOQ[/quote]
    I think the Levine story was written after that Globe piece FWIW

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  151. [quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]I think the Levine story was written after that Globe piece FWIW[/quote]Levine wrote that article earlier today. The video was added at about 2 pm. No idea what update he added at 5.

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  152. [quote name=mb21]Levine wrote that article earlier today. The video was added at about 2 pm. No idea what update he added at 5.[/quote]
    God damn MSM trickery.

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  153. Sullivan:

    But Henry’s insistence that the deal is “not close” means the long wait for Epstein figures to get even longer. Whether the Red Sox will punish the Cubs for the percieved leaking of a “done deal” remains to be seen. The Red Sox don’t have the same sense of urgency as the Cubs, and can afford to wait until the end of the World Series to finish the deal.

    It has been made clear throughout this process that the Red Sox are where 99% of the leaks are coming from. And where does this sudden “sense of urgency” from the Cubs come from? With the patience he has shown, Ricketts couldn’t have less of a sense of urgency if he was dead.

    Sullivan is getting pwned left and right by Kaplan, and to a lesser extent, Levine so he’s just making shit up as he goes along.

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  154. Exactly, 424. At this point I just think the deal gets done at the very last minute. When we start to hear about reports that the Cubs and Sox need to finalize the deal or it falls apart, we’ll see a conclusion to it. No reason for either team to budge at this point and based on what the Red Sox sources (the ones who have known what they’re talking about all along) have said, the two sides are still far apart.

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  156. Best thing the Cubs can do is hire Jed Hoyer and move on to more important matters for the team. Then they can just wait out the Red Sox. Maybe that means they wait an entire year. Maybe only a few days. If you have Hoyer and McLeod in place you may as well pull your offer to the Red Sox and wait until next year to hire him.

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  157. [quote name=mb21]Best thing the Cubs can do is hire Jed Hoyer and move on to more important matters for the team. Then they can just wait out the Red Sox. Maybe that means they wait an entire year. Maybe only a few days. If you have Hoyer and McLeod in place you may as well pull your offer to the Red Sox and wait until next year to hire him.[/quote]Do you think Theo finally got fed up, then had the Cubs talk to the Padres to get his guy so that this bit of leverage would be there for the Cubs side? It would kind of suck for him to just sit and do nothing for a year, but either way he’s getting paid. It’s especially cool that the Padres didn’t put up a fight for Hoyer either.

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  158. [quote name=Rice Cube]Do you think Theo finally got fed up, then had the Cubs talk to the Padres to get his guy so that this bit of leverage would be there for the Cubs side? It would kind of suck for him to just sit and do nothing for a year, but either way he’s getting paid. It’s especially cool that the Padres didn’t put up a fight for Hoyer either.[/quote]The Cubs haven’t asked permission to speak to Hoyer yet so the Hoyer to Cubs talk is way too soon. Supposedly Moorad won’t put up a fight, but supposedly the Cubs and Red Sox reached a deal on compensation several days ago.

    I don’t think Hoyer gives the Cubs any leverage at all. The Red Sox have made it clear they want what they think Theo is worth and if they don’t get it they’re not going to trade him. That’s fine. That’s their right. $7 million isn’t exactly going to kill them so whatever.

    I just think the Cubs need to move on to more important issues. If Hoyer is realistic then the Cubs need to get permission to speak to him, hire him and figure out what to do with the manager and coaches. If in a week or two weeks the Red Sox give in, great, but if not the Cubs are already moving in the right direction. They can hire Theo next year without giving anything up.

    If I’m Tom Ricketts and I hire Jed Hoyer, I’m pulling my offer for Theo and instead offering Matt Camp or Chris Robinson and that’s it. Take it or leave it.

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  159. [quote name=fang2415]They need to review Theo’s medicals?[/quote]
    Maybe they will discover he has a brain tumor, which would explain why he is taking a job with the Cubs.

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  160. If Hoyer is hired as GM and Theo is hired as Pres. doesn’t that mean that Ricketts is hiring a baseball guy to watch his baseball guy? (dying laughing)

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  161. Scott Servais is director of player development for the Rangers and apparently got Nelson Cruz hitting for power.

    Huh.

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  162. [quote name=melissa]If Hoyer is hired as GM and Theo is hired as Pres. doesn’t that mean that Ricketts is hiring a baseball guy to watch his baseball guy? (dying laughing)[/quote]No it means he’s hiring a baseball guy so he can take his glory-hounding, media-leaking business guy out of the loop. (dying laughing)

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  163. [quote name=Aisle424]Scott Servais is director of player development for the Rangers and apparently got Nelson Cruz hitting for power.

    Huh.[/quote]Those who cannot do, teach.

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  164. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]No it means he’s hiring a baseball guy so he can take his glory-hounding, media-leaking business guy out of the loop. (dying laughing)[/quote]
    I’m starting to think that Kenney is Deep Goat. (dying laughing)

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  165. [quote name=melissa]I’m starting to think that Kenney is Deep Goat. (dying laughing)[/quote]I’m almost positive that b was right yesterday in saying the Kenny probably was the leak to Kap and De Luca.

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  166. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I’m almost positive that b was right yesterday in saying the Kenny probably was the leak to Kap and De Luca.[/quote]
    That wouldn’t surprise me. It’s telling that whomever leaked it was wrong. That was one of the few leaks on this story that has even come from the Cubs side. I know Spiegel is close with Ari Kaplan and he said everyone over there is on lock down. Guys are afraid to even say no comment for fear of losing their jobs.

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  168. [quote name=melissa]If Hoyer is hired as GM and Theo is hired as Pres. doesn’t that mean that Ricketts is hiring a baseball guy to watch his baseball guy? (dying laughing)[/quote]Well, he’s hiring a baseball guy who’s hiring a baseball guy he can watch hire a baseball guy that can watch baseball guys that we can watch.

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  169. [quote name=fang2415]Well, he’s hiring a baseball guy who’s hiring a baseball guy he can watch hire a baseball guy that can watch baseball guys that we can watch.[/quote]

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  170. [quote name=Rice Cube]Question is, was Kenney told to leak those leaks, or did he do it on his own?[/quote]He’s got nothing to lose. With Julian Green and Theo on board, his role will be greatly diminished, if not entirely excised. Wouldn’t be shocked if he’s freelancing.

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  171. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]He’s got nothing to lose. With Julian Green and Theo on board, his role will be greatly diminished, if not entirely excised. Wouldn’t be shocked if he’s freelancing.[/quote]Wonder if that would be considered a fireable offense then. Or else Ricketts is just fucking with the media.

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  172. [quote name=Rice Cube]Wonder if that would be considered a fireable offense then. Or else Ricketts is just fucking with the media.[/quote]Who knows. I just want this thing to be over.

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  173. [quote name=Aisle424]Scott Servais is director of player development for the Rangers and apparently got Nelson Cruz hitting for power.
    [/quote]I saw Nelson Cruz in a AAA in Des Moines in 2008. Me and my friends were sitting in right field and heckling him for a couple of errors he made. Then my friend yells to him, “Hey Nelson! You want me to shut up, hit a home run right at me, and point at me rounding the bases.” And the next inning, he hit a line drive home run directly at us. Swear to god. Didn’t point until he came back out to right field the next inning.

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  174. [quote name=Rice Cube]Wonder if that would be considered a fireable offense then. Or else Ricketts is just fucking with the media.[/quote]If the Cubs are smart, they just won’t tell Kenney anything. What does he care who the GM is? It’s not going to affect, er… whatever he does. (Srsly, I assume he does stuff like TV contracts, merchandising, ticket yields, etc, none of which are affected by which GM they have.)

    As long as Ricketts keeps a nuclear firewall between CK and the baseball side, Kenney can say whatever he wants to the press and after the second or third time writing a bullshit story they’ll stop listening to him. That’s the way to stop a leak.

    Or if they really trust Kenney, get him to leak bullshit on purpose.

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  175. [quote name=GBTS]I saw Nelson Cruz in a AAA in Des Moines in 2008. Me and my friends were sitting in right field and heckling him for a couple of errors he made. Then my friend yells to him, “Hey Nelson! You want me to shut up, hit a home run right at me, and point at me rounding the bases.” And the next inning, he hit a line drive home run directly at us. Swear to god. Didn’t point until he came back out to right field the next inning.

    [/quote]

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  176. [quote name=fang2415]If the Cubs are smart, they just won’t tell Kenney anything. What does he care who the GM is? It’s not going to affect, er… whatever he does. (Srsly, I assume he does stuff like TV contracts, merchandising, ticket yields, etc, none of which are affected by which GM they have.)

    As long as Ricketts keeps a nuclear firewall between CK and the baseball side, Kenney can say whatever he wants to the press and after the second or third time writing a bullshit story they’ll stop listening to him. That’s the way to stop a leak.

    Or if they really trust Kenney, get him to leak bullshit on purpose.[/quote]You’re committing one of the classic blunders:
    1.) never get involved in a land war in Asia

    2.) never take on a Sicilian with death on the line

    3.) never assume a Cubs beat writer is able to distinguish lies from truth or cares enough to do so in the first place

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  178. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]You’re committing one of the classic blunders:
    1.) never get involved in a land war in Asia

    2.) never take on a Sicilian with death on the line

    3.) never assume a Cubs beat writer is able to distinguish lies from truth or cares enough to do so in the first place[/quote]HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH-

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  179. [quote name=fang2415]HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH-[/quote]Hm, I guess I should have just written (dying laughing). (dying laughing)

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  180. [quote name=fang2415]Hm, I guess I should have just written (dying laughing). (dying laughing)[/quote](dying laughing)

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  181. [quote name=fang2415]Hm, I guess I should have just written (dying laughing). (dying laughing)[/quote]Your first instinct was the correct one.

    My theory was that they told Kenney some bullshit and didn’t care whether he leaked it or not.

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  182. Am I wrong to think it’s a bit untoward of McCarver to be talking about the particular signs the Rangers’ catcher is using?

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  184. [quote name=Rice Cube]Your first instinct was the correct one.[/quote]
    You’re right. Overthinking is threatening ruin the intangible value of my instincts.

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  186. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Am I wrong to think it’s a bit untoward of McCarver to be talking about the particular signs the Rangers’ catcher is using?[/quote]To be honest I kind of tuned them out (dying laughing)

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  188. Aight, fang2415 out, fuckfaces. If the Cubs haven’t signed every GM in baseball by the time I get up tomorrow, I will have lost faith in Ricketts forever.

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  191. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I’m almost positive that b was right yesterday in saying the Kenny probably was the leak to Kap and De Luca.[/quote]I’d bet $1000 he isn’t. It makes no logical sense that the team president would be leaking that information. None.

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  193. [quote name=mb21]I’d bet $1000 he isn’t. It makes no logical sense that the team president would be leaking that information. None.[/quote]Lucchino is all but confirmed as the Red Sox leak.

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  194. Leaks from organizations are almost always similar to whoever Al’s source is. They hear some information and combined with other rumors or information they put two and two together. Leaks at the top are too obvious to figure out who it is. If leaks come from the top the organization has done so for a reason. Leaks are hard to find in organizations these people usually don’t have the direct knowledge they like to think they do.

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  195. [quote name=mb21]This game has been boring.[/quote]Exceedingly. This series is going to devolve into tedium, I fear, unless Texas’ offense gets on track.

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  197. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Lucchino is all but confirmed as the Red Sox leak.[/quote]I don’t know about that, but if he is (and I highly doubt he’s the only one or even the primary one) it’s done to benefit the organization and Henry knows it.

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  198. [quote name=Rice Cube]I think Ogando wins tonight’s matchup, but I wouldn’t be surprised either way.[/quote]Craig shut me right up.

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  199. It’s very difficult for me to believe that Ricketts has closed all these leaks with the except of the president of the organization. Anything Kenney is telling the press is with the permission of Ricketts.

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  200. If Furcal doesn’t do something soon, McCarver and Buck will have Craig on the doorsteps of the Hall.

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  204. [quote name=Smokestack Lightning]http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21149131/selig-might-arbitrate-sox-cubs-theo-talks[/quote]I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing if Bud has to step in.

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