Draft Pick Currency and the Cubs

Interesting read by Tim Dierkes that includes a lot of examples of GMs including Epstein trading former #1 picks for (usually) big payoffs. It's definitely a trend he had in Boston. As Dierkes said at the end: "...if the Cubs reach a point of contending under Epstein, recent first-round picks should keep their bags packed."

4 months ago subtle 16 comments 0 recs |

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I look forward to this as standard FO practice.

I’m sure someone will reply with an exception, but I think that one of our downfalls was the lack of exercising the “draft pick as currency” mindset. Instead, we have generally held on to over-valued prospects too long while trying the FA market as our answer.

The old visions didn’t work. Let’s keep stockpiling the farm!

Ezekiel 25:17

by Tat14 on Feb 7, 2012 2:11 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

+1

Agreed….hanging on to prospects too long happens in almost every club but seems to happen more often with the Cubs. Better scouting should help this. And when I say that, I mean better ongoing scouting. After a couple years in your system, your scouts should be able to tell better than anyone if a kid is going to make it or not. If the answer is no, spin him off to another club before they figure it out for themselves.

by Crash1207 on Feb 7, 2012 3:33 PM CST up reply actions

The team will now

have an organizational philosophy. Example. I like Zeke DeVoss if he’s passable in CF. I lurve him if he can stick at 2B. If he isn’t at either, Theo should flip him in the offseason, especially if he hits this year

10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.

by timh815 on Feb 7, 2012 4:00 PM CST up reply actions

jon garland for matt karchner?

by circuitclout on Feb 8, 2012 7:54 PM CST up reply actions

Ah ha! The master plan is all clear now.

That’s why Epstein keeps acquiring former #1 picks this offseason. Hahaha!

"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 Feb 7, 2012 3:26 PM CST reply actions

Cashner, Stewart, Colvin, Weathers, DeWitt, and Volstad.

Any other first rounders been involved with Cubs transactions this offseason?

by Dcr18 on Feb 7, 2012 5:48 PM CST reply actions

Cardenas is the only other one I can think of off the top of my head.

by Ryno G on Feb 7, 2012 9:22 PM CST up reply actions

13 Teams Eligible For First Competitive Balance Lottery

There is a link in that article to details on the Competitive Balance Lottery.

13 teams will be eligible for the first lottery based on their market size and revenue: the Diamondbacks, Orioles, Indians, Royals, Athletics, Pirates, Padres, Rays, Reds, Rockies, Marlins, Brewers, and Cardinals.

4 of the 13 teams made the playoffs in 2011 and one frickin’ team won the World Series! What a joke!

"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
"Pain is inevitable, suffering is an option." - Dale Sveum

by RiskyBusiness on Feb 7, 2012 11:36 PM CST reply actions

STL musta not

have revenued much from WS DVDs

10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.

by timh815 on Feb 8, 2012 4:04 AM CST up reply actions

how could St. Louis possibly have made that list?

over the Tigers and Twins, for example?

by PrincetonCubs on Feb 8, 2012 11:13 AM CST up reply actions

Based on their market size and revenue

According that article. Even though STL has had higher attendance than the Cubs over the last 7 seasons. It sounds like tickets are very cheap there and no one has a TV in Missouri.

"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
"Pain is inevitable, suffering is an option." - Dale Sveum

by RiskyBusiness on Feb 8, 2012 11:35 AM CST up reply actions

I gathered that

market “size” seems like a silly way to do it…or at least should be put in some kind of balance. They were 10th in revenue last year, and they have a practically brand new stadium. Seems very out of place

http://thecardinalnationblog.com/2011/02/03/a-look-inside-st-louis-cardinals-finances/

by PrincetonCubs on Feb 8, 2012 1:00 PM CST up reply actions