10-19-2009, 05:23 PM
<!--quoteo(post=66705:date=Oct 19 2009, 04:01 PM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Oct 19 2009, 04:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=66702:date=Oct 19 2009, 03:53 PM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Oct 19 2009, 03:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=66698:date=Oct 19 2009, 03:40 PM:name=Andy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Andy @ Oct 19 2009, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->SI Article.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Highly respected hitting guru Rudy Jaramillo is in serious talks with the Chicago Cubs about becoming their new hitting coach, and it appears likely that the sides will reach an agreement for Jaramillo to join the Cubs soon, SI.com has learned.
Jaramillo turned down the Rangers' offer to remain their hitting coach last week and is expected to become one of the two or three highest-paid coaches in the game with the Cubs. <b>It is believed he will receive a multiyear deal for about $800,000 per year. Dave Duncan and Mike Maddux are thought to currently be the highest paid coaches in baseball at about $750,000.</b> Duncan's contract is up, so he will likely regain his spot as baseball's highest paid coach if he decides to stay in St. Louis.
Jaramillo, the longtime Rangers hitting coach, will be expected to help resurrect a disappointing Cubs offense once he signs on officially. The Cubs were 10th in the NL in runs (730) and 10th in OPS (.738). The Cubs used two hitting coaches in 2009, starting with Gerald Perry. Perry was fired in June and replaced by Von Joshua.
Jaramillo worked with Cubs LF Alfonso Soriano when Soriano was a Ranger. The Cubs are hoping their reunion will spark Soriano, who had a very disappointing 2009 season, with 20 home runs, 55 RBIs and a .241 batting average.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/base...l#ixzz0UPsLvKUv
Get a free NFL Team Jacket and Tee with SI Subscription<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Does this mean the new ownership isn't afraid to spend some money right away?
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I would certainly hope so. I don't even understand the idea that someone would buy any business, let alone an MLB franchise and expect not to come in with some capital expenditures planned beyond the purchase price. I'm not suggesting that Ricketts can be expected to add $100mil to the payroll but I imagine he plans to spend some money...right away.
I also can't really get my head around Hendry keeping his job unless he had a stellar year...which he did not. My gut tells me that someone buys ANY sports franchise with the dual dreams of making money and winning a championship. With the Cubs the appeal of the latter dream is huge. After 101 years, this means anything but staying the course. My gut tells me Ricketts has had a short list, if not A GUY in mind for his new GM all along.
Yeah, it's possible to buy a business that makes money and not change a thing. That's how Warren Buffet operates. But we're talking about sports glory here and the transfer of a franchise from a corporation to a person. I have to believe he wants to win. I have to believe that means change and that it means a willingness to spend some money.
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I think Ricketts will indirectly address the Hendry/GM issue by hiring a true Director or baseball operations as has been speculated recently. I'd love to get Schuerholz here and have him essentially run things while Hendry is here for (hopefully) just another season and see where things go from there.
Also, I don't think there should be much doubt that Ricketts wants to make a good first impression with the fans, because he is one himself. I don't see him coming in and adding 10s of millions of dollars to the payroll right away or cleaning house, but I do believe he will make a serious effort to put a good product on the field in his first season. Whether he authorizes the right baseball decisions right away is another story, but I believe his intentions will be genuine. I'm fairly confident in that.
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I'd love to get Schuerholz. Is this a wish or an actual rumor?
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Highly respected hitting guru Rudy Jaramillo is in serious talks with the Chicago Cubs about becoming their new hitting coach, and it appears likely that the sides will reach an agreement for Jaramillo to join the Cubs soon, SI.com has learned.
Jaramillo turned down the Rangers' offer to remain their hitting coach last week and is expected to become one of the two or three highest-paid coaches in the game with the Cubs. <b>It is believed he will receive a multiyear deal for about $800,000 per year. Dave Duncan and Mike Maddux are thought to currently be the highest paid coaches in baseball at about $750,000.</b> Duncan's contract is up, so he will likely regain his spot as baseball's highest paid coach if he decides to stay in St. Louis.
Jaramillo, the longtime Rangers hitting coach, will be expected to help resurrect a disappointing Cubs offense once he signs on officially. The Cubs were 10th in the NL in runs (730) and 10th in OPS (.738). The Cubs used two hitting coaches in 2009, starting with Gerald Perry. Perry was fired in June and replaced by Von Joshua.
Jaramillo worked with Cubs LF Alfonso Soriano when Soriano was a Ranger. The Cubs are hoping their reunion will spark Soriano, who had a very disappointing 2009 season, with 20 home runs, 55 RBIs and a .241 batting average.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/base...l#ixzz0UPsLvKUv
Get a free NFL Team Jacket and Tee with SI Subscription<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Does this mean the new ownership isn't afraid to spend some money right away?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I would certainly hope so. I don't even understand the idea that someone would buy any business, let alone an MLB franchise and expect not to come in with some capital expenditures planned beyond the purchase price. I'm not suggesting that Ricketts can be expected to add $100mil to the payroll but I imagine he plans to spend some money...right away.
I also can't really get my head around Hendry keeping his job unless he had a stellar year...which he did not. My gut tells me that someone buys ANY sports franchise with the dual dreams of making money and winning a championship. With the Cubs the appeal of the latter dream is huge. After 101 years, this means anything but staying the course. My gut tells me Ricketts has had a short list, if not A GUY in mind for his new GM all along.
Yeah, it's possible to buy a business that makes money and not change a thing. That's how Warren Buffet operates. But we're talking about sports glory here and the transfer of a franchise from a corporation to a person. I have to believe he wants to win. I have to believe that means change and that it means a willingness to spend some money.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think Ricketts will indirectly address the Hendry/GM issue by hiring a true Director or baseball operations as has been speculated recently. I'd love to get Schuerholz here and have him essentially run things while Hendry is here for (hopefully) just another season and see where things go from there.
Also, I don't think there should be much doubt that Ricketts wants to make a good first impression with the fans, because he is one himself. I don't see him coming in and adding 10s of millions of dollars to the payroll right away or cleaning house, but I do believe he will make a serious effort to put a good product on the field in his first season. Whether he authorizes the right baseball decisions right away is another story, but I believe his intentions will be genuine. I'm fairly confident in that.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'd love to get Schuerholz. Is this a wish or an actual rumor?
