Either:
a. making the quote up (my pick)
b. they've obviously adjusted as they've stressed the importance of leadership over and over the past 2 years.

Theo specifically mentioned he underestimated the need for strong leadership with Sveum.

yeah,you are right!

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

then hired Renteria

It's not my job to hold them to consistency with their ideals.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I don't understand why they would give away a draft pick to sign a 32 yr old catcher. The point of losing was to get high draft picks and a bigger spending pool to upgrade the minor leagues for sustained winning. Last year the 9th pick in the 2nd round had a value of $1,100,300. That's a lot of money and flexibility. I would think they would spend one more year improving the system then blow it out in free agency next year when they will be closer to competing.

I think Theo feels this way,too.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

If they intend to compete in the next two years, more than likely no draft picks from this coming draft will help at that time. They may feel they need Veteran ML talent now, instead of a possible high upside HS arm who could be ready by 2020.

you said it better than I was typing. I sure hope they follow the compete in 2016 route.

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

Agreed, which is also why I think he put the time frame for acquiring pitching at 18 months. Despite Maddon's wishes, I don't think management believes they are competing for the playoffs next year.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Woo, boy, we have a live one here!

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

What? If the Cubs intend to compete for a WS, they most likely want to put together a team that resembles one.

Yea, supposedly Welington wasn't the best defensive catcher according to the advanced statistics. I like how he controlled the run game from the games I watched. But the stats say his pitch framing and such isn't stellar.

Martin would be incredibly helpful for guys like Hendricks and Wood that must paint the edges to succeed

I think he is at Halas Hall actually...

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Who was catching Hendricks last season? I forgot if Baker came in for him. Too bad Baker hit like a 12 year old girl.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Um, no. My point is there's nobody actually better available.

I would politely disagree with the notion that one should, essentially, wait 'til next year. It's a position on this team that could improve to a fairly good degree from veteran leadership on and perhaps off the field even if he regresses to his mean offensive numbers, which wouldn't be terrible anyway.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

32 by the start of training camp (and an everyday catcher to boot) and you think he will regress to his mean? Take a look at 2011-13. That is the Russell Martin you are most likely buying in year 1-2 of the contract. It will be less than that in year 3-4. There are far better ways to spend 15 million, as the Yankees are finding out.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Sort of. They already have their mistake with McCann. But, yes, I wouldn't "target" Martin if I was Theo. Career year in a contract year is textbook DO NOT SIGN.

Yea Martin is going to cost to much cash. No way I go 4 years, maybe 3/27 but I think his market will exceed that easily.

Pass.

8 year deal, no trade clause

Interestingly, he got MVP votes in 2013, even while batting .226

Also, his team seems to always end up in the playoffs (7 out of 9 years in playoffs on three different teams)

Yes he's a great leader for sure which is why I see someone overpaying to the tune of 4/48.

For 3/27 hell yes, or even 3/36 maybe but 4/48 no

The contracts last year for average catchers really changed the market. No way in the world 9 million per gets it done.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

This is a stab in the back to Wellington Castillo.

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At the very least, I'd prefer to see what he's asking for (as one cannot expect to divine the future to see what he gets) before pretending it's a great move or not. That said, I again would be curious to know what they're supposed to otherwise do as 'punting' isn't likely to be a viable solution to improvement.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

2016 Free Agent Catchers

Chris Iannetta
Alex Avila
Dioner Navarro
Jose Molina
Jeff Mathis
Brayan Pena
Matt Wieters
Landon Powell
Corky Miller
John Jaso


We're done here.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

This is what I love about these guys. Like that extra fucking year is going to make a difference whether or not his family will eat or not. In 9 years he's made 36 million. Figure another 30 million at least from the next 3 years, but no dammit that 4th year is important. Crap like this is what keeps me from attending any games.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

I hate people that bargain contracts based on what the market will bear.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

I used to think that way.

Good, then we're both content.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

Not my money....pay the man...I am fine with a 31 year old very good catcher that is expected to play 350-400 AB's to start. If schwarber does play catcher, great way to work him in. But that should not be the reason to sign Martin. The guy is just good,.

Still need speed!

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

It's not my money either but I am a fan and would prefer them to spend their money wisely. Martin wouldn't be a guy I give $40M+ too.

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!