It's our fault the Peavy Deal didn't happen

by nji232 on Jul 28, 2009 2:18 PM CDT Comment 39 comments

And while nothing excites fans like a blockbuster deal, GMs say the rumor mill has been responsible for killing deals. Trade talks become public in their initial stages, which leads to fan discussion and debates. And if the reaction becomes negative, teams may opt to back out.

Kevin Towers, general manager of the San Diego Padres, is convinced reports involving ace Jake Peavy going to the Chicago Cubs last winter forced the trade to dissolve.

"It became so public, so counterproductive to [Cubs GM] Jim Hendry and I," Towers says, "the deal didn't get done. There was too much public knowledge, and so many players being mentioned, it got out of hand. I really sensed we were close to a deal, but once it got out in the open, Jim said he was pulling the plug. I don't blame him."

Said Hendry: "It certainly didn't help. I'd leave Kevin's room and the same names we talked about were on the Internet two hours later. It certainly puts a damper on a lot of things. All of us would prefer the days when deals would be announced (at a news conference). But those days are over. The stuff that gets out there now drives all of us crazy."

This from an article in the USAToday about trade rumors.

My reaction to this is that Hendry needs to embrace this new age, hopefully he didn't call off a deal simply because people on the internet talked about it. Also Kevin Towers was the one talking to the press every day about the talks, so for him to say it got out of hand is a bit dumb IMO.

The internet isn't going to go anywhere, and all GMs need to realize that they aren't going to walk up to a podium and break a trade anymore.

Link

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Isn't there some way we can blame Aaron Miles too?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 28, 2009 2:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

he leaked the Brian Roberts deal.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Jul 28, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also responsible for Al queda

"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher

by Musicdude10 on Jul 28, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So

He’s the reason I’m over here. I knew there was a reason I didn’t like him.

Time is an illusion--lunch time doubly so.

by snowyman28 on Jul 28, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He causes ice cream to melt

Randy Wells. A product of the Roy Halladay School of Pitching, located in Toronto, Canada. Possible relocation.

by Cub Style on Jul 28, 2009 11:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

only ted lilly can make it

unmelt

by tim815 on Jul 29, 2009 7:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is a terrible excuse to me

If you want the player on your team, get him. Just cause the blogging world like to speculate and throw out names should mean nothing.

Tweeting about the Cubs most of the time from @jmkobus

by jkobus on Jul 28, 2009 2:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

This is a business where the fans are the reason Hendry has a job. They pay his salary. If he doesn’t like that fans are interested in the team and what is going on, especially with a player with the caliber of Peavy, he is in the wrong business

by Musicdude10 on Jul 28, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you all are self-serving

Yes the Internet and radio talk show is a new dynamic that without experience and strategies to cope indeed cause negative circumstances in things like private negotiations. Sure we are self serving wanting to know and voice our uninformed and emotional opinions.

My guess is that some astute front offices will begin working on disinformation tactics giving front offices cover. It will make us mad for the information channels will become ever more unreliable but the reality is that they have a job to do.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jul 28, 2009 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess this explains the Steve Stone-Milton Bradley thing.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 28, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What is this new medium you speak of?

Radio talk? I’m not sure what guys like Chet Coppock were doing in the 80’s but I thought that was it.

The Internet? The coming up on 20 years old Internet? Hell, even Internet 2.0 has been around for a decade now.

You know, front offices employ massive dollars in the way of marketing and media relations. Many of these leaks are out there because front offices put them there, so let’s not be silly. You’re sitting in a room with a couple of assistants, maybe a lawyer, and one or two managers hammering these deals out. Tops. It’s not like GMs have invited the pizza guy delivering lunch into these conference calls.

by Damen Jackson on Jul 28, 2009 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chet was busy talking to Brendan Malone

BTW, he looks awful lately – I saw him as one of those interviewed about the 30th anniversary of Disco Demolition Night.

But Chester did have some A-list media guests on that show – I remember that he used to have Michael Wilbon on about once/month back before ESPN and The Sports Reporters.

It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??

by Invalid User on Jul 29, 2009 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pot, meet kettle.

If Towers didn’t want it public, he should have kept his mouth shut. He’s gone from “blame the media” to “blame the blogs”. Ridiculous.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jul 28, 2009 2:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

In this day in age... blogs = media.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Jul 28, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

It seemed like the first thing Towers did after every trade meeting was talk to a reporter or issue a statement. And who cares what types of deals we, the public, are speculating about? We have no control over what actually happens. By this logic, no deal should ever get done because the media, etc. are talking about it.

Speaking of which, the Red Sox just picked up Brian Anderson from the White Sox for Mark Kotsay. Looks like the Giants are getting close to dealing for Freddy Sanchez, too. OK, I better shutup before I shut down Major League Baseball.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 28, 2009 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Towers didn't shut his mouth for two months

Trains leaving stations, winter meeting deadlines, this and that. He is the one who is to blame here. Hendry should look at his assistants as well, because no doubt they were leaking some info.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jul 28, 2009 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was reading that going "WTF"?

If they were in a room talking about these players, how did that information get out? Either they said it or someone in their organization said it. Don’t blame other outlets because you leaked it, Mr. Towers.

by jerry morales rules on Jul 28, 2009 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

None of these guys can keep their big mouths shut. The agents are probably the

worst offenders in these situations. If they don’t want a deal to go though it gets “leaked” to the press and the dumdass GM react as if they have to answer to every rumor. The most important business gets done quietly behind closed doors. These guys need to learn how to get things done.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 28, 2009 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And if you believe that...

I have a bridge to sell you.

Putting aside the question of how these rumors are getting “leaked” out of a meeting room containing only trusted assistants, one has to ask why or how any baseball man would let the opinion of fanboys override thoughtful, researched decisions about his team, or what’s needed to improve it.

by Damen Jackson on Jul 28, 2009 2:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It seems to me

that Jim Hendry prefers to work quietly. I think he prefers this not because, as some are misreading this story, he’s afraid of fans’ responses, but because players are following these rumors and becoming uncomfortable in their situations. Jim is a player-friendly GM. He doesn’t want players he might consider trading to wonder why they’re “unwanted,” especially if they don’t get traded.

Kevin Towers wanted to work publicly in this case because he wanted to prep his fans for a deal that could be labelled “not enough.” He wanted everyone to know that Jake was forcing him into a tight spot.

I think this annoyed Jim Hendry quite a bit, that so many Cub names were leaked by the Padres.

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jul 28, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eric Hanna

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jul 28, 2009 2:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I buy into blaming hte internet

But it does bring up the point that they should look into who from either teams clubhouse is leaking this information.

by ak123 on Jul 28, 2009 2:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jul 28, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We did it to ourselves, Cubs fans!

WE DID IT TO OURSELVES!!!

WAHHHHHHHHH!!!

I ♥ PV!!!

SOB!

What’s that…? He rolled his ankle? OK, forget it.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 28, 2009 2:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We should all give ourselves a pat on the back

Peavy and his 81 innings this year wouldn’t have done the Cubs any good besides give us another guy on the DL.

"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko

by DTJchris on Jul 28, 2009 3:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Since when was the conversation here or elsewhere negative?

I thought we all wanted it to go down. I could have sworn we were all pretty positive about having the trade happen.

by jerry morales rules on Jul 28, 2009 3:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think Hendry said the deal didn't get done because of blog chatter.

I think Hendry’s quote suggests irritation at the leaks the Padres made.

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jul 28, 2009 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think its a combination of both

The leaks from San Diego don’t become such an annoyance if the media (this includes blogs and message boards too) doesn’t make a huge deal out of every word Towers said.

No matter what Towers is the big idiot here.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jul 28, 2009 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can see where Towers was coming from, though.

He knew PV’s NTC was hamstringing him. And he wanted to make sure the reviews of his eventual trade didn’t bash him too much. Towers’ team isn’t going to win for a while, so he has his job to think about.

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jul 28, 2009 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone else read this ...

more as a shot at the media (those who actually do original reporting) than at goofballs like us — who just comment on the rumors? Other than Al, I can’t think of a poster who does original reporting.

Anyway, I don’t think Hendry is saying that the Peavy deal died because of the rumors or the talk about the rumors. “It certainly didn’t help,” he said.

And yeah, Towers is a moron.

by elgato on Jul 28, 2009 3:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

sorry -- Josh77

I wasn’t thinking of your minor league posts.

by elgato on Jul 28, 2009 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So can we counter trades that we don't want to happen this same way?

Dumb logic. With this reasoning, no trade will ever happen again.

SLCDunk.com, The Utah Jazz on SBNation

by Basketball John on Jul 28, 2009 4:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Can we please

thank ourselves then that we didnt trade for a guy whose ERA outside of PETCO is atrocious and whom has spent a decent chunck of this season on the DL…thank you fans

I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.

by hansman1982 on Jul 28, 2009 9:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

"ERA outside of PETCO is atrocious."

…snicker…

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jul 28, 2009 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

though..

to be fair, he’s on the DL for an ankle injury he go while running the bases. Its not a pitching related injury and theoretically if he was on the Cubs he wouldn’t have been running those bases in that particular game to get injured. Then again, he also could theoretically trip on the dugout step and break his collar bone so who knows.

by CubFan81 on Jul 29, 2009 6:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe this can work in reverse.

That is, if we don’t talk about a specific player being traded to the Cubs, maybe the general managers will seize upon the opportunity to negotiate without interference from the blogosphere and just make the trade.

I suggest that we stop mentioning that guy who plays first base for the Cardinals.

by Pat19 on Jul 28, 2009 9:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs