Cubs in Talks to Acquire Jordan Zimmerman

[brett05]

I think in sports too much is made of the "relationship" that exists between management and player. Not picking on them but using the example of Lester to the Cubs. Why is this a possibility? It really has nothing to do with Lester having a relationship with Theo. In fact I would hazard to say he has no relationship with Theo. Employees rarely if ever have relationships with management, especially senior management.

Think of any job you have ever had and the thing you miss on everyone's list is the people you worked with. Not the people you worked for. Those are the relationships. So a player like Lester would really have relationships strongly with Boston and somewhat with his last team the A's.

That doesn't mean that other teams like the Cubs are out. But relationship isn't a chip for the 28 other teams. Those other teams will need to use cash and years in such force that the relationship teams (In this example, A's and Red Sox) are not competitive.

 

[TL1961]

lol vogelbach and olt for zimmerman.


Sent from My 1998 Palm Pilot Using Tapatalk

You do know it was a joke, right?

Vogelbach and Olt won't get George Zimmerman. (Who may, in fact, be Ozzie Guillen, BTW)

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I think in sports too much is made of the "relationship" that exists between management and player. Not picking on them but using the example of Lester to the Cubs. Why is this a possibility? It really has nothing to do with Lester having a relationship with Theo. In fact I would hazard to say he has no relationship with Theo. Employees rarely if ever have relationships with management, especially senior management.

Think of any job you have ever had and the thing you miss on everyone's list is the people you worked with. Not the people you worked for. Those are the relationships. So a player like Lester would really have relationships strongly with Boston and somewhat with his last team the A's.

That doesn't mean that other teams like the Cubs are out. But relationship isn't a chip for the 28 other teams. Those other teams will need to use cash and years in such force that the relationship teams (In this example, A's and Red Sox) are not competitive.

On the whole I agree with you but Lester was a second round draft pick,Theo drafted him and Hoyer was an assistant. He almost certainly had at least some relationship with them at that time. That being said where I think you're right is that "hey, I know that guy" probably is way down the list on why you would sign. Lester lives in Boston, his kids go to school in Boston and the manager he played for the last two years and won a WS with is still there. Those things matter far more.

 

[brett05]

On the whole I agree with you but Lester was a second round draft pick,Theo drafted him and Hoyer was an assistant. He almost certainly had at least some relationship with them at that time. That being said where I think you're right is that "hey, I know that guy" probably is way down the list on why you would sign. Lester lives in Boston, his kids go to school in Boston and the manager he played for the last two years and won a WS with is still there. Those things matter far more.

Sure he has those relationships with Theo and Hoyer. Same relationship you have today with your bosses. It's only a factor for Boston and to a lesser extent Oakland.

 

[JZsportsfan]

If they want Castro, they would need to include something else in the deal. Otherwise, we can just wait a year and sign him as a FA. Nats aren't going to pay him what he wants so they're really at the mercy of the trade market.

rofl


Sent from My 1998 Palm Pilot Using Tapatalk

Yeah that was really rofl worthy LOL

Via Ken Rosenthal

The smart move for the Cubs is to explore the top of this year's free-agent market (Max Scherzer, Jon Lester, James Shields), knowing that if the prices get too steep, they always could wait for next year's free-agent market (Zimmermann, David Price, Zack Greinke, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija are among the pitchers eligible).

If the Cubs were to trade one of their prized young shortstops, they likely would do it for a young pitcher of similar promise. For shortstop Starlin Castro, they also would want a player under comparable club control. They've got Castro under an absurdly club-friendly deal -- $43 million for the next five seasons, plus a $16 million option or $1 million buyout for 2020.

As for the Nationals, it's true that they likely will listen on Zimmermann and others entering their free-agent years “ shortstop Ian Desmond, right-hander Doug Fister, reliever Tyler Clippard.

Such players, though, generally don't yield returns as significant as players under greater control. And as talented as the Nationals are, they will be careful about reducing their chances of winning the World Series next season. They can always try to re-sign Zimmermann, Desmond and Co. before they hit the open market.

 

[Boobaby1]

Sure he has those relationships with Theo and Hoyer. Same relationship you have today with your bosses. It's only a factor for Boston and to a lesser extent Oakland.

I think it would apply more to Maddon personally than upper management. Upper management is all about team competitiveness and money that lure anyone in here. Maddon on the other hand, could aid in getting a David Price or James Shields here, but it still is mostly about money and the team itself.

 

[brett05]

I think it would apply more to Maddon personally than upper management. Upper management is all about team competitiveness and money that lure anyone in here. Maddon on the other hand, could aid in getting a David Price or James Shields here, but it still is mostly about money and the team itself.

I think the manager especially for a pitcher is near meaningless. Now pitching coach, that could help as I see it. Doesn't matter. I see Price as signing a nice long term rich contract with the Tigers after Scherzer is lost.

 

[JimJohnson]

...

 

[JimJohnson]

Yeah that was really rofl worthy LOL

Via Ken Rosenthal

rofl


Sent from My 1998 Palm Pilot Using Tapatalk

 

[chibears55]

Im thinking maybe cubs just planted a seed with the Nationals in case they dont come to terms with Lester. . Possible then they look and see who they can make a better trade with phil (hamel) or nats (Zimmerman)

 

[JZsportsfan]

Im thinking maybe cubs just planted a seed with the Nationals in case they dont come to terms with Lester. . Possible then they look and see who they can make a better trade with phil (hamel) or nats (Zimmerman)

That's possible. Could be trying to drive the price down on Hamels, and sending a message to other teams they are willing to deal

 

[TL1961]

I think saying a player's relationship with management is meaningless, when that management is a potential employer, is nothing short of ridiculous.

It is most certainly NOT a guarantee that the player will sign with them. But to say it is "meaningless"? That's pure denial by someone who doesn't want him to sign with the Cubs. It's as simple as that.

At no time have I ever thought the Cubs were sure to get Lester, because I know there are many factors, of which, the relationship is just one. But any sane person knows it isn't meaningless.

It all but guarantees the Cubs a visit, even if initially just a courtesy by a player who isn't interested in coming here. But in Lester's case, he apparently is very interested. If he felt disrespected or mistreated by Theo in Boston, or felt Theo was incompetent, he wouldn't have even talked to the Cubs.

Clearly Lester has much respect for Theo, and that is quite important.