LOHO Secret Headquarters during the GM Meetings
I hate to be the bearer of bad news this close to the weekend, but . . .
“We’re going to meet with teams and try to identify possible trade fits, but I don’t think it’s the type of offseason where we have a ton of fits with 25 of the 29 other clubs,” Epstein said. “We’ll pursue everything but realistically, our fits might be narrower this year (which would) give us more time to focus on the free-agent market.
“I think we’re going to have a fairly well-defined trade market early, because we don’t have unlimited assets to deal and we don’t necessarily have redundancy at positions in the big leagues or upper (minor league) levels.”
Asked if that means the Cubs would perhaps go after higher-priced free agents, Epstein said:
“You never rule anything out. As a general rule, you pursue good players and see where that ends up. It’s going to be a pretty aggressive (free agent) market and we have to stay disciplined and do things that make sense in the short term and long term.
“We’ll be very thorough and very aggressive, but we’ll also try to be disciplined. … Keep in mind we’re not only trying to build for 2013 but we want to make sure we have a very solid future as well.
Narrow fits, realistic, discipline . . sounds like on boring-as GMs Meeting for us Cubs Fans. As much as I know we’re headed in the right direction, I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a part of me that missed the asylum-like drama of Jim Hendry randomly giving Alfonso Soriano 8 years out of the blue.
John Heyman says the Cubs don’t have the money to land the DBacks Jeremy Hellickson and the rumors are swirling that the Cubs might be in on Justin Upton.
But wait! We might not even NEED Justin Upton, according to Carrie Muskat:
Almora isn’t ready yet. Theo Epstein, Cubs president of baseball operations, and general manager Jed Hoyer are attending the General Managers Meetings this week in Palm Springs, Calif., and will continue talks with agents and teams in their search to find another outfielder. Almora does have a unique spot in Cubs history.
“I was watching the [First-Year Player] Draft video a couple days ago, and they were saying, ‘Oh, Theo Epstein’s first pick,’ and I was like, ‘That’s pretty special,’” Almora said after a workout in Mesa. “I’m a part of a special family here.”
Almora is the future, but Cubs manager Dale Sveum told the teen that he’s close to being part of the present. The two met during a workout at Wrigley Field in October.
“[Sveum] said, ‘You’re ready here in the outfield,” Almora said. “We just want to get you more mature at the plate.”
Perhaps Jed and Theo just aren’t aware of how close to ready Almora is. They should talk to Carrie more often.
More on the GM Meetings from our secret location as warranted. . .
Is your “secret location” a van down by the river?
More like a cardboard box at the dump.
But it’s a really nice cardboard box.
I think she has her laptop at some bar.
I have those hideouts myself
I guess it’s Darwin Barney’s birthday…the schmuck.
Darwin likes taking walks on the beach
It can’t be his birthday-today’s MY birhtday, and nobody asked me….
If it’s your birthday today…are you a schmuck too?
(Happy Birthday!)
Well, I am a public service employee, and I do obssess over the Cubs….
I’m supposed to conduct an interview to our rather attractive intern today for a permanent job. Trying to think up of good questions. Usually I have prospective employees completely spinning after an interview with the tough questions I ask…but considering she’s worked here for 5 months already, it’s probably a pointless act to try to scare her from the job.
you could ask her what she thinks of you and the job you do.
That could get her thinking, “UH…”
I could do that. I don’t think I want to know the answer to that, though.
You could ask her where she pictures herself in 5 years with the company. And then follow up with,”How can I best ‘assist’ you with your ‘growth’ in this organization?”
That’s a sure way of getting me fired.
And that might not be a bad thing.
Too funny! Classic.
i’m sure your wife will be thrilled that you used the term “rather attractive” to describe here, though.
He could be referring to her work habits…
Um…yeah. That’s what I meant. Sure!
Besides, she’s almost twice my age. (Good God, I’m getting old.)
Oops…I meant I’m twice her age.
Anyway, you get the point.
Ugh.
My life for an edit option.
Any chance the Cubs will pursue Lohse.
Writers seem certain he will leave the Cards.
Would we want to go after him?
No.
He’s old and just finished a career year.
Over priced and will likely be hard to flip because he won’t pitch at the value of his contract.
I promised you that this site will be changed I just haven’t had the time to fully make that operational yet but it’s going to happen today.
Happy Birthday Sloan!
Doc hire the hot chick, send me naked photos of her so I have new additional footage for my project.
Have a drink on me my friends you deserve it!
What? You’re going to add music? A picture Gallery? The thumbs down is coming back?
Porn for Politics. Everyone was warned.
Yeah…I’m pretty sure we are going to hire her. I pretty sure she’s smarter than I am…at least she acted smarter in the interview.
Okay–that’s seriously creepy. I know we’re joking around, suggesting someone send you naked photos of an intern is crossing the line.
I don’t need those photos I have plenty of material. Just wait.
Your’e such a lawyer.