There have been rumors lately that Crane Kenney, Chicago Cubs Team President, will be relieved of his duties at seasons end. For the Cubs sake? I REALLY hope that’s the case because Crane Kenney is absolutely atrocious at what he’s supposed to do. If the Cubs do fire him, that could open the door for more rumors that the Cubs will offer Theo Eptein the GM AND President of the club. This could open the door for Brian Cashman rumors in the same capacity.
My question to you? Who would you rather have as the next Chicago Cubs GM and team president? Theo Epstein or Brian Cashman?
I’ll tell you who I want if it comes down to these two. Theo Epstein….hands down. Nothing against Brian Cashman, but he’s made larger mistakes than Jim Hendry, and Theo Epstein in terms of player signings and trades. His mistakes have just been over written with bigger contracts and an endless payroll. To be honest, I don’t like how he managed Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, and gave up on Ian Kennedy pretty easily. He’s done good in the job he’s had because of that large payroll and I suspect 99% of GM’s out there would be just fine with an unlimited bank roll. I don’t think Brian Cashman does the job in a smaller market- no matter the size of that smaller market, and I’m not willing to bring him in until he can prove that. Frankly, he doesn’t have too. He’s the Yankees GM for as long as he wants to be in my opinion.
Theo Epstein has made his share of mistakes as well- but he’s also won two championships. One with less payroll than the other- which shows that he’s a multi dimensional GM. He’s had to worry more about player development than Cashman even though the Red Sox also have a huge payroll. Look- all GM’s are going to make moves and mistakes they wish they can have back. That comes with the territory of being a GM in a game that isn’t very easy to project regardless of what any Sabr guy will tell you. I believe Theo Epstein would excel in Chicago because it’s more of a situation like Boston. He’s got a budget in Boston even if it’s high. Same with the Cubs. The Yankees and Brian Cashman- don’t have that.
I’m still skeptical that both of these guys are going to be true candidates- but while the rumors fly…might as well have an opinion right? We’ll continue to update the search.
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The one thing that Brian Cashman doesn’t get enough credit for is being able to win and rebuild at the same time. The Yankees won the World Series in 2009 and had the No. 4 ranked farm system at the beginning of this season – while remaining a World Series contender. I don’t know how many other GMs could pull that off. Also, I suppose you could say that he gave up on Ian Kennedy, but its not like he had a rotation spot and Cash did get Curtis Granderson in the deal so you can’t say that was a bad move.
He’s got his flaws, but he deserves more respect than he gets for performing in the most visible and most pressurized market. With all of that said, I hope the Cubs choose Theo.
I mean- when you have the success that Cashman has had- he’s good at what he does in that market. Absolutely agree with that.
However- It’s a lot easier to fix his major mistakes (Giambi, Burnett, Pavano) as the Yankees GM bc the payroll is just never ending. As a Cubs GM- he couldn’t outspend his mistakes. Neither can any GM- and that cost Hendry his job because he couldn’t outspend the Zambrano, Fukudome, Soriano mistakes.
I do give credit to Cashman having a better farm lately than in years past- but in years past…the Yankees haven’t had a good system. However, Theo Epstein has typically had a better farm system than the Yankees throughout his tenure.
Personally- I’d rather have Theo than Cashman if that’s who it came down too…But my number 1 choice is Andrew Friedman from Tampa Bay. I personally think Epstein and Cashman are pipe dreams at the moment but who knows if the Cubs cmoe in with President as well as GM offer to either.