The Cubs had a drunk in the booth for years, and Mark Grace smoked 2 packs of Marlboros in between every fat girl he banged. What do the Cubs care about what Chapman did? Andre Dawson and Tim Raines were probably doing lines after the ate their postgame meals in the clubhouses of this city. Champman was not charged, served his suspension, and that should be that. If he is a dirt bag guy who cares. Just add him to the long list of dirtbags who have played pro sports in this town. Hell, the greatest basketball and Chicago athlete ever might have been dirtiest of dirtbags in sports history.

Now if Theo and Co. continue to talk about great character guys and whatever, then we might have something to get on them about.

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I think this is the only thing you can get on them about. They've talked about that a lot. It's done now.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Yeah because bullpen pitching never has an impact on playoff series. This Cubs team is built to compete this year. Torres and McKinney could be great, but who the hell knows. Theo has been stocking prospects to make a move just like this. Love the move, and I don't particularly care if the Cubs sign him long term or not, as long term deals for fireballing relievers are a crap shoot you never know when the wheels fall off. Good move for a solid reliever.

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Wonder if Theo ran it by Rizzo (who had an issue a couple years ago when he thought Chapman was throwing at Nate Scherholz).

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Prospects matter until they don't and then they never did.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Matthew, Tulsi, and Don

I think he will be gone soon. Didn't look like he had much yesterday, even with the strikeouts.

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Fuck Edwards and Zobrist

(a) I know you're joking
(b) I don't care if he did
(c) I figure Rizzo's fine with it because he's an adult
(d) At the very least, Rizzo's happy he doesn't have to step in against him this year. and maybe longer, who knows

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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

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McKinney had been a roller coaster since they got him from the A's. Torres had been good but was he going to displace Russell? Not likely. With his bat, he wasn't going to play anywhere but SS.

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

(d)

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Prospects always matter. They brought in Aroldis Chapman.

Every single Cubs fan on this board told you that not ever prospect would be a contributing member on the major league roster. There is a reason the Cubs had 3 SS in their top 10 prospects.

The organization is in a strong place. There is such a surplus of young talent that you can focus on the now while still developing for the future in the background.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

So, it was essentially Castro, Torres, McKinney plus 2 in exchange for a Chapman rental. Hope they can resign him...but first, I hope he pitches well.

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The trolling is just pathetic. Even as I reply to it.

The 2016 Cubs' weakness was bullpen. Specifically, left handed throwers in the bullpen. We were told this February through now. Without giving up a single player that would contribute (positively) in the next 2-3 years, the Cubs acquired Chapman and Montgomery.

This is truly just another "Theo is the greatest" story.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Good deal if there is an extension.

Lot to give up for a rental

Rizzo: .... no issue, happy to have that nastiness on our side

Never heard of that Zobrist guy, eh?

And since I'm taking the time to reply, I'll close with a 'fuck Castro' ... I'm still thrilled he's gone.

_________________
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

Dawson saved his life by getting him into rehab

Raines named his son Andre

So The Plan isn't building with homegrown players. It's flipping prospects for rentals. Theo = Kenny Williams.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Matthew, Tulsi, and Don

Zobrist was a free agent, wasn't he?

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Matthew, Tulsi, and Don

Castro was removed to help clear-up salary $ for Zobrist is how the tale has traditionally been told.

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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

But giving away players to clear payroll like a small market team doesn't change what they gave to the Yankees. Golden Jet has it right.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Matthew, Tulsi, and Don

who takes the 6th when Arrietta is pitching?

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

I think Rondon being moved yo the set up role will help him a lot. Strop will still be awful. Go get one more reliever

you're essentially giving up Torres. Was McKinney on your radar still? Be honest.

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

The marginal value of what they gave to the Yankees is, obviously, considered to be less to the Cubs than what they feel Chapman's value is, and that's simply all there is to that. They have no need for him anytime soon, and I would suggest he was drafted not just b/c he might be a great prospect, but also exactly for his trade value.

As to Castro, the reality of it is it was more a move to clear out a soon-to-be unnecessary IF that the FO didn't really want around but they trotted out the $ narrative b/c they're not dim enough to say anything untoward about Castro out loud in public b/c there's nothing to be gained by downtalking a former employee ... ask the Bulls how well that strategy works. Come to think of it, on the flip-side ask the Sox how blind loyalty beyond the person's actual utility works out, too.

_________________
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

Strong logic.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Carl (I make GMs who trade me lose sleep) Edwards

Are you suggesting the opposite is true, that the Cubs actively made a deal that they were certain was terrible for them?

Tell me more about 'strong logic'.

_________________
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 don't understand giving Castro up either, other than to say they must not have liked him. But I disagreed and still do with the move. I like Zobrist, I'm sure they brought him in to bring some more patience to the lineup and a switch hitting bat, but I liked Castro, especially the way he moved from SS to 2B without a peep.

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