LaHair: Theo And Jed Had "No Interest" In Albert Or Prince

[FirstTimer]

Playing in the Venezuelan Winter League this offseason, Chicago Cubs first baseman Bryan LaHair was busy keeping tabs of the Prince Fielder rumors that had been circulating on the Internet.

Was Fielder about to become a Cub, as many national outlets werer reporting?

“Yeah, that was fun,” LaHair said. “I got a whole bunch of e-mails and stuff, and for a while there I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. They had the two big dogs out there- Prince and (Albert) Pujols available. When they came off the board, that felt a lot better.”

LaHair, a 29-year-old, left-handed power hitter who earned Pacific Coast League MVP honors last year at Triple-A Iowa, really wasn’t all that concerned. He was informed early on by baseball president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer to ignore them, and Fielder eventually wound up in Detroit.

“In the beginning they told me the whole Pujols-Fielder thing was all rumors at the time,” he said. “They didn’t really have much intention (on signing either one). Baseball can change day to day, so you never know, but it sounded like Theo really wanted to give me an opportunity.

“I think he feels like I’m capable and I have the abilities to succeed at the big league level, and that’s what I want to show them.”

LaHair led all minor leaguers with 38 home runs at Iowa, before getting some playing time with the Cubs in September, primarily as a corner outfielder.

While the new Cubs’ regime told LaHair he’d be their first baseman to start the 2012 season, they didn’t promise him he’d be there permanently. They also went out and acquired top first base prospect Anthony Rizzo from San Diego, after Hoyer had acquired Rizzo from Epstein the year before in the Adrian Gonzalez deal. One national writer referred to Rizzo as Hoyer’s “lucky rabbit’s foot,” and most everyone considers him the Cubs’ first baseman of the future, which would likely force LaHair to move to the outfield.

The Cubs plan on starting Rizzo out in Triple-A Iowa, but he’s on target to be called up at some point this season.

“Rizzo is a great kid,” LaHair said. “I wish the best for him. I hope he has a great spring, and he’s a great talent. I’m sure we’re going to work together. We’re friends and teammates. I’m pulling for him just like I’m sure he’s pulling for me.”

 

[bleacherbum54]

dont tell CO

He was almost sure "Theoyer" had as big of Prince boner as he did :cum:

 

[daddies3angels]

had no intrest cause of 1 reason #rickettscheap

Honestly i understand why no intrest in Pujols but i still think Fielder would have made perfect sense for Cubs. He would have given fans reason to show up to the park now and still would have been in prime in 3 years when team suppose to be ready to contend. Cubs dont have anyone signed 2015 and beyond so it wouldnt have handcuffed them in the future

 

[Rice Cube]

had no intrest cause of 1 reason #rickettscheap

Honestly i understand why no intrest in Pujols but i still think Fielder would have made perfect sense for Cubs. He would have given fans reason to show up to the park now and still would have been in prime in 3 years when team suppose to be ready to contend. Cubs dont have anyone signed 2015 and beyond so it wouldnt have handcuffed them in the future

If that was the only reason you could think of that they had no interest, then I'm afraid you weren't paying attention.

 

[daddies3angels]

If that was the only reason you could think of that they had no interest, then I'm afraid you weren't paying attention.

that top part was joke lol.... I know why they doing what they doing. i just think its the wrong way. With way comp rules and drafting cap and IFA cap were done rebuilding will be even longer and harder.

 

[nwfisch]

They were probably set on reacquiring Rizzo from the start.

 

[daddies3angels]

They were probably set on reacquiring Rizzo from the start.

To me the team better now with Fielder and Cashner over just Rizzo. Future wise we have no idea. We can only hope that Rizzo pans out. But if he doesnt they could have had Fielder and Cashner

Again i understand what they doing guys. I hope it works. i really do. I just think its the wrong thing to do now that Draft spending cap been placed, comp has been changed. No more Comp B's to gain extra picks. Only way to get extra picks if you lose STUD player. IFA capped. Just be alot harder to rebuild. Also no one thought Rizzo be avaible until SDP got Alonso from CIN for part of Latos deal. So no way they thought from beggining they going after Rizzo hard

 

[Uman85]

that top part was joke lol.... I know why they doing what they doing. i just think its the wrong way. With way comp rules and drafting cap and IFA cap were done rebuilding will be even longer and harder.

Is there any other way?

:cum:

 

[AddisonStation]

It was the right move to stay away from those guys at this time. Both contracts for Fielder and Pujols carry insane risks.

Of course they are going to tell LaHair they believe in him. What are they going to say?

"We are going to play you only because we are not ready to sign someone better right now and Rizzo isn't quite ready." < This is probably exactly how they feel about LaHair.

 

[nwfisch]

It was the right move to stay away from those guys at this time. Both contracts for Fielder and Pujols carry insane risks.

Of course they are going to tell LaHair they believe in him. What are they going to say?

"We are going to play you only because we are not ready to sign someone better right now and Rizzo isn't quite ready." < This is probably exactly how they feel about LaHair.

Great post.

 

[dabynsky]

Rizzo makes more sense for the Cubs and I am glad they went that route. Can't help but feel they really lucked into Rizzo being available to them at all this offseason. I have no problem with LaHair getting a shot to prove if he is AAAA player or Michael Morse with a guy like Rizzo to take over if it is the first option.

 

[Jntg4]

Rizzo makes more sense for the Cubs and I am glad they went that route. Can't help but feel they really lucked into Rizzo being available to them at all this offseason. I have no problem with LaHair getting a shot to prove if he is AAAA player or Michael Morse with a guy like Rizzo to take over if it is the first option, or the second for that matter.

Added the bolded part.

If he is Morse-like, let's deal him for another nice spec or two. Cheap financially, should have good trade value if that is the case.

 

[dabynsky]

​

Added the bolded part.

If he is Morse-like, let's deal him for another nice spec or two. Cheap financially, should have good trade value if that is the case.

As I have said many times, I don't know how likely a team is to deal nice specs for a 29 year old with half of season of success in the big leagues. I think the only way LaHair provides value to this organization is if the Cubs find a spot for him.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

​

As I have said many times, I don't know how likely a team is to deal nice specs for a 29 year old with half of season of success in the big leagues. I think the only way LaHair provides value to this organization is if the Cubs find a spot for him.

ya...once rizzo comes up he probably wont be starting(after a certain number of games)

 

[DewsSox79]

wheres co been? hiding? since he owes me on yet another sig bet for a year!

 

[waldo7239117]

If Rizzo does good in Triple A and gets called up, LaHair will likely platoon with Fonzie in LF (unless Fonzie is traded).

 

[daddies3angels]

If Rizzo does good in Triple A and gets called up, LaHair will likely platoon with Fonzie in LF (unless Fonzie is traded).

no team taking Fonzie... So only thing that might happen is Rizzo gets call up and LaHair plays LF vs RHP and Fonzie vs LHP

 

[nwfisch]

I think there's an open left field spot for Lahair.

 

[bleacherbum54]

that top part was joke lol.... I know why they doing what they doing. i just think its the wrong way. With way comp rules and drafting cap and IFA cap were done rebuilding will be even longer and harder.

we are gonna have almost 12m to spend in the first 10 rd when are gonna get as much talent in this draft as last years we just cant get the talent in the late rds.

 

[daddies3angels]

we are gonna have almost 12m to spend in the first 10 rd when are gonna get as much talent in this draft as last years we just cant get the talent in the late rds.

Thats big. Cause now Cubs cant overpay a Mapels in 14 RD. overpay a Dunston JR in 17 RD... So yes the draft cap is going to hurt the cubs even more