Agree with all your points Hoffy. I think it's painfully obvious Thoyer went all in on offensive talent to start the rebuild. They have pieced together the majority of their pitching staff, and yes it is going to be the Achilles heel of this team in the playoffs when the temp drops and bats naturally get cold.

My point previously was now the focus has been changed to developing pitching for Thoyer. I don't think even management believed this team would take the giant steps it has taken the last 2 years. They are behind on pitching development no doubt, but I also think they are ahead of schedule on the rebuild.

Could the lack of homegrown pitching be used as leverage against Theo in contract negotiations (especially without a World Series)? Any smart owner would do that. Ricketts owes Theo a lot to say the least, but he also has to be a businessman. I personally don't see any scenario where Theo just leaves, but I could be wrong.

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Ricketts isn't a smart owner, Take Epstein away and he's fucked.

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I agree, but Ricketts is a businessman with business advisors surrounding him.

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Newhart was a long time Oak Park guy before he got into television. Not surprised he's a Cub fan. But somebody needs to feed him.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

I don't disagree with the first part, but Epstein/Hoyer haven't proven themselves yet. They are currently reaping the benefits of a tank job, where the owner gave them the luxury (or the mandate) to be bad for five years. Bryant was the direct result of being bad, and free agent signings have been hit or miss. Given the same latitude, I think there are MANY general managers who could have done the same.

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I think the Boston Red Sox might disagree with that notion.

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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

To hit on the majority of their acquisitions, and high draft picks is definitely something a lot of GMs struggle with. They are proven. That's why they were given total freedom.

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This is awesome. Vin. Neat.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Vin is baseball sex.

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This is the best 3rd inning ever.

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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

Even Vin Scully can't mention Kris Bryant without mentioning Bryce Harper. Fuck this sport.

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ANYWAY.... Vin Scully is the best. Well done.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

That was worth the hype, 300 sneakers and getting to hear Vin call Fowler "boy".

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

What a great 3rd inning broadcast, now back to these two pussies.

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A bummer neither team did much in either half inning.

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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

You tell 'em, horseshit ... you've been on the road.

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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

He says more words in an inning than Hawks gets says in an entire game. Possible a series if blowouts are involved.

Great listen. Although I get the feeling he has a lot in common with the old guy at the gym that gets you into conversations and doesn't let you leave.

Still gotta draft Schwarber and Bryant, trade for Rizzo and Russell and Jake..you think Hendry gets that done? Hell, Ricketts fired Hendry and let him draft the next class.

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Also Bryant wasn't a slam dunk. MANY want to draft Jon Grey at 2.

Man ... if Heyward started to produce this late in the year ... I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin' ...

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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

Seems like Ross would be the kind of guy to wear some eye-black.

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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

After this post, I'll always address you in the context of BigFan and see how that turns out for me.

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I remember my Dad take my to Chester's Tavern to watch the '59 WS ..we didn't have a TV yet/ Brickhouse did Sox home games and Vince did the Dodgers.Vince made it easy for a kid to understand the game...there will never be another like him. Thank you

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I'm going to bounce from the spot for awhile but I will be back at some point to argue with you about this hoops stuff again. Playoffs have been great this season. See ya up the road.

I'm out.

Don't worry, he'll just "figure it out" because no one works harder than he does.

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Great pic, WWN. Love that old school stuff.

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"This is Chicago, my friend. Anything can happen."

Robbed.

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You know me like that.

2 runs in 17 innings against a couple fucking bums.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

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

Chicago teams tend to get a little 'tired' out in California for some reason.

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If the Cubs have one personality trait in my 20 years of watching...it is they always get dominated by nobodies making spot starts.

Dude could be in his 4th major league appearance with a 8 ERA and he will make the Cubs look silly. Cubs call up guys like Erik Josich and he gets rocked.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Motherfucker....wtf Baez.. Go to 1st you dummy and again for the 33rd time I fuckin hate you Cahill.

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