Theo interview with Kaplan 1/4/12

[Rice Cube]

Kaplan interviews Theo

A live blog from the always reliable Bleacher Nation:

Theo Epstein Speaks About the State of the Chicago Cubs | Bleacher Nation | Chicago Cubs News, Rumors, and Commentary

 

[Jntg4]

LaHair to Start

Epstein on WGN Radio today: "Bryan LaHair is our first baseman. I don't believe in the concept of 4A players. The guy can hit."

Per Kapman

 

[nwfisch]

:yeah:

 

[bleacherbum54]

I want to see what the kid can do good for him. Much smarter than bringing back Pena at 10m a year.

 

[Captain Obvious]

No shit he said that. What is he gonna say? Bryan LaHair sucks, we're trying to replace him. This means nothing. Stupid, stupid thread.

 

[bleacherbum54]

Cubs Corner: 1-4-2012 Theo Epstein - WGN Radio

I really believe in the way we are doing this. This rebuilding is long overdo will be a tough few years but I am glad we are doing it.

 

[nwfisch]

No shit he said that. What is he gonna say? Bryan LaHair sucks, we're trying to replace him. This means nothing. Stupid, stupid thread.

He could have.

That should put to bed all the Prince Fielder rumors.

LOL at you calling a thread stupid.

 

[Captain Obvious]

First base plans? “Our first baseman right now is Bryan LaHair,” and Theo is excited to give “this kid” a chance to hit (“I call him a kid, but he’s 28 – sure, we’d love him to be 22″ (coincidence: that’s Anthony Rizzo’s age)). Hitters hit, says Theo. “I don’t buy into” the AAAA label. Theo says guys who’ve always hit can hit in the bigs if they’re given an extended look. There are advantages in the bigs. Yes, the pitching is better, but the scouting reports are better, the lighting and practice facilities are better, the training is better. Me: since LaHair is the only first baseman on the roster, Theo really couldn’t say anything else.

That's what was said. Per Bleacher Nation.

No, he couldn't have said Bryan LaHair sucks. Not at all.

LOL at you thinking this means anything at all.

 

[dabynsky]

You guys do seem to be overlooking the words right now in the sentence about Brian LaHair being the starting 1B.

 

[Capt. Serious]

I want to see what the kid can do good for him. Much smarter than bringing back Pena at 10m a year.

he's 29

 

[nwfisch]

That's what was said. Per Bleacher Nation.

No, he couldn't have said Bryan LaHair sucks. Not at all.

LOL at you thinking this means anything at all.

LOL at you thinking a big name was a lock to come here.

I'm glad Ricketts got his choice for GM, and I hope that Epstein's moves, plans, and wishes for the Cubs come true.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

He could have.

That should put to bed all the Prince Fielder rumors.

LOL at you calling a thread stupid.

not necessarily..right now lahair is our starting first baseman..but that doesnt mean the possibility of getting a replacement is out of the question

but if no 1st baseman is acquired(which is likely)..then lahair will be the starter

that said, LOL@this being a pointless thread...this gives us some actual perspective from theo on lahair

 

[nwfisch]

he's 29

Jayson Werth didn't make the big show til 28.

There are players who develop at an older age.

I want to see him at 1B, and hopefully he does alright. If not, .

 

[Captain Obvious]

LOL at you thinking a big name was a lock to come here.

I'm glad Ricketts got his choice for GM, and I hope that Epstein's moves, plans, and wishes for the Cubs come true.

When did I say he was a lock? I wanted/want him to come here.

 

[Shawon0Meter]

Consider this is the equivalent of John Fox saying "Kyle Orton is our quarterback".

 

[dabynsky]

Jayson Werth didn't make the big show til 28.

There are players who develop at an older age.

I want to see him at 1B, and hopefully he does alright. If not, .

He played 217 games in the major leagues before his 28th birthday. There are a few examples of guys that turned into productive big leaguers with playing as few games in the majors as LaHair had up to this point (fellow former Mariner farmhand Michael Morse probably the best example), but the odds are pretty low that an average or better 1B bat couldn't stick in the majors prior to age 28.

That said if the plan isn't to get a big time prospect that is ready to go or sign Fielder I am okay with finding out whether or not LaHair is a major leaguer this year.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

Jayson Werth didn't make the big show til 28.

There are players who develop at an older age.

I want to see him at 1B, and hopefully he does alright. If not, .

werth was playing with the blue jays when he was 23

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

He played 217 games in the major leagues before his 28th birthday. There are a few examples of guys that turned into productive big leaguers with playing as few games in the majors as LaHair had up to this point (fellow former Mariner farmhand Michael Morse probably the best example), but the odds are pretty low that an average or better 1B bat couldn't stick in the majors prior to age 28.

That said if the plan isn't to get a big time prospect that is ready to go or sign Fielder I am okay with finding out whether or not LaHair is a major leaguer this year.

:yep:

 

[nwfisch]

When did I say he was a lock? I wanted/want him to come here.

http://www.chicitysports.com/forum/332996-post17.html

http://www.chicitysports.com/forum/333052-post31.html

 

[bleacherbum54]

You guys do seem to be overlooking the words right now in the sentence about Brian LaHair being the starting 1B.

No he said in his interview this morning he wants to see what Lahair can do.

"im pretty excited to give this kid the opportunity to go out and play" an exact quote

he is 28 but who cares we need a guy to fill in and he is a cheap option and if he plays well in 2012 we have a trade chip in the future or we keep him as a platoon guy he can play the OF. I just dont see the down side of giving him a chance.