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Theo Epstein Headed to Cubs?

October 11, 2011 Sports

Once thought inconceivable, the Suntimes is reporting that the word out of Boston is that Theo Epstein is set to accept a position with the Cubs. According to the post, “The Boston Herald is reporting that Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein is on the verge of joining the Cubs. According to the report, Epstein would have powers greater than he has in Boston.

A Herald source says an announcement is expected within the next 24 to 48 hours.”

How to Fix the Cubs pt.2

June 17, 2011 Sports

Alot can happen in 100 years…2 world wars…regimes toppled…the invention of jello pudding. Indeed, history, and legends, are made.

Unless you are the Cubs, in which case, well, everything stays the same.

As a long suffering Chicago Cubs fan, the Repoman is going to fulfill his civic duty and help make history. How? By fixing this mess before it’s too late (for me). Reposdelight is proud to present the second part of our “How to fix the Cubs” series. (see part 1 here)

Suggestion #3 Trade Aramis Ramirez for prospects as soon as possible. Build towards the future by getting a top pitching prospect from a team with a strong farm system (Angels? RedSox?). The Cubbies already have a blue chip third baseman at AA in Josh Vitters who will be ready soon enough, and A-Ram is arguably their top trade chip. While it’s true that he has a no-trade clause and, more importantly, a second year that automatically kicks in if he accepts a trade (at more than $16 million!), maybe increasing the buyout to $5 million will entice Aramis to go away.

Suggestion #4 Bundle Kosuke Fukodome and Reed Johnson in a deal to get Edwin Jackson of the White Sox. – Crosstown deals have occurred in the past, and this move makes sense for both teams. The White Sox receive two veteran outfielders with plus bats and defensive skills to fill in for their stars (who are prone to slumps) and the Cubs receive a pitcher with incredible stuff who they can slot in anywhere from third to fifth in their rotation. This deal only works, however, if the Sox sign Jackson, who is a free agent after this season, to an extension at a reasonable price.

Suggestion #5 “Bring your goat to Wrigley” day – Curses, schmurses! Offer anyone who shows up with a billy goat free admission and drinks. No mountain goats, please (its bad kharma, don’t you know?) Then, have a them all blessed by a Rabbi, a priest, and a witch doctor. Turn the goats loose in the visitors locker room and watch as hilarity ensues!

Check back next week as we continue this series because, well, something has got to give!

Repo’s Delight’s Guide to Fixing the Cubs pt.1

May 11, 2011 Sports

103 years…damn

What can you say about 103 years about “almost there, not a chance, this is our year, ball between Leon Durham’s legs, damn you Bartman” fueled futility? The number defies logic. 103? Really? Daaamnnn…

As anyone who knows the Repoman can attest, I bleed Cubbie blue. I lived through the incredible Mark Grace versus Will Clark hitting clinic in the 1989 playoffs, a couple of token postseason appearances in the nineties, and the Sammy Sosa led, star studded squads who were everyone’s pick to win it all numerous times in the first decade of this century.

Close, but no cigar.

2010 brought new ownership in Tom Ricketts, and was supposed to bring a new zest and culture to the franchise. Unfortunately, the year also brought the end of the Cubs post-season run, Lou Pinella’s resignation, and a realization that Cubs fans were no longer going to just show up and cheer the “lovable losers”.

Now in 2011, most fans will agree with one thing. When describing the Cubs, leave off the “lovable”.

Indeed, this underachieving squad inspires so little confidence that the Cubs can’t give away enough tickets to fill the place. Things look bleak, to put it mildly.

After watching this uninspired team float around the .500 mark all season, the Repoman feels pretty confident that he can make the Cubs watchable this season, and, ultimately, make changes that will make them competitive as soon as 2012.

Mark it down, make the moves, and watch them prosper.

Move #1 – Be realistic – some of your guys are not movable.

Alfonso Soriano and his $19 million albatross contract guarantee that he will be butchering routine fly balls and whiffing on balls in the dirt until his 50th birthday. While his 11 home runs are leading the league, his .242 average and .270 on base percentage (OBP) leave much to be desired. Barring a devastating injury to an AL contender (Yankees, Red Sox, Angels) where he can DH, the chocolate Dave Kingman ain’t going anywhere.

Ditto for Carlos Pena. $10 million dollars for a .240 career hitter? Someone please kick Jim Hendry in the balls for this signing. You know it’s bad when the guy is hitting .213 and it is a significant improvement over last season (sub .200). Enjoy a summer of long homeruns and, well, not much else from this cat. No one will take him off your hands, period.

Left field and first base are locked up for 2011. Let’s move on.

Move #2 – Trade Jeff ~~Smarzdilla~~ Samardzija to the Bears.

Enough is enough with the Cubs trying to force feed this guy to the fans. In the past 4 years we have learned only two things about this guy. 1) He likes to grow his hair long and 2) he can’t pitch. The Bears need a WR and, at 6’5″, this guy would be a nice target for Jay Cutler. See if the Bears will bite and offer you, say, $500k for his rights and make it happen. If you really need a pitcher to come in and get shelled then see if the Yankees will send back Mark Prior for a fraction of the $3.3 million this dud is making.

Tune in tomorrow for part 2 of Repo’s Delights plan to fix the Cubs.