Edmonds heading to San Diego

[jim]

If they are so concerned with getting that viable farm system like they insist, Mr. Eckstein would've been offered arbitration.

The only reason you wouldn't offer arbitration to Eckstein is because you're afraid he'll take it. And given where Eckstein landed, is there any doubt that he would've taken it?

I think Moz wanted to make sure that Eck was not on the roster in 2008 because he would have taken significant time from Ryan. This explains the premature Izturis signing and the decision not to offer arbitration, and is also consistent with rumors of an organization split over whether or not Ryan deserves a shot. Unless Ryan turns into Mario Mendoza with a concrete glove, TLR will be forced to use him.

Methinks Moz is clearing the deck so he can see what he has in his young players in 2008 in order to prepare for 2009 and beyond. He figures we might as well take the medecine early and in full. It's painful, but it's the proper course.

If true, that would suggest an organization in complete disarray, resorting to tricks to get what they want. I'm not saying it's not the case, just saying if it is the case then it's really bad.

[maddash]

If they are so concerned with getting that viable farm system like they insist, Mr. Eckstein would've been offered arbitration.

The only reason you wouldn't offer arbitration to Eckstein is because you're afraid he'll take it. And given where Eckstein landed, is there any doubt that he would've taken it?

I think Moz wanted to make sure that Eck was not on the roster in 2008 because he would have taken significant time from Ryan. This explains the premature Izturis signing and the decision not to offer arbitration, and is also consistent with rumors of an organization split over whether or not Ryan deserves a shot. Unless Ryan turns into Mario Mendoza with a concrete glove, TLR will be forced to use him.

Methinks Moz is clearing the deck so he can see what he has in his young players in 2008 in order to prepare for 2009 and beyond. He figures we might as well take the medecine early and in full. It's painful, but it's the proper course.

Sounds like it would have been a lot easier, and far less painful, to just not re-sign TLR. Why not get rid of the problem instead of going through all these strange contortions to work around it?

[jim]

If they are so concerned with getting that viable farm system like they insist, Mr. Eckstein would've been offered arbitration.

The only reason you wouldn't offer arbitration to Eckstein is because you're afraid he'll take it. And given where Eckstein landed, is there any doubt that he would've taken it?

I think Moz wanted to make sure that Eck was not on the roster in 2008 because he would have taken significant time from Ryan. This explains the premature Izturis signing and the decision not to offer arbitration, and is also consistent with rumors of an organization split over whether or not Ryan deserves a shot. Unless Ryan turns into Mario Mendoza with a concrete glove, TLR will be forced to use him.

Methinks Moz is clearing the deck so he can see what he has in his young players in 2008 in order to prepare for 2009 and beyond. He figures we might as well take the medecine early and in full. It's painful, but it's the proper course.

Sounds like it would have been a lot easier, and far less painful, to just not re-sign TLR. Why not get rid of the problem instead of going through all these strange contortions to work around it?

Now that you have brought this up, it's crossed my mind several times. Why did LaRussa come back? Is he on board with a rebuild year? Managers of his stature don't have to go through that, for instance you knew when the Cubbies hired Lou they were going for a win now approach.

Unless LaRussa finds a challenge in rebuilding, I could see a situation where the field manager and general manager aren't on the same page.

[Hungary Jack]

If they are so concerned with getting that viable farm system like they insist, Mr. Eckstein would've been offered arbitration.

The only reason you wouldn't offer arbitration to Eckstein is because you're afraid he'll take it. And given where Eckstein landed, is there any doubt that he would've taken it?

I think Moz wanted to make sure that Eck was not on the roster in 2008 because he would have taken significant time from Ryan. This explains the premature Izturis signing and the decision not to offer arbitration, and is also consistent with rumors of an organization split over whether or not Ryan deserves a shot. Unless Ryan turns into Mario Mendoza with a concrete glove, TLR will be forced to use him.

Methinks Moz is clearing the deck so he can see what he has in his young players in 2008 in order to prepare for 2009 and beyond. He figures we might as well take the medecine early and in full. It's painful, but it's the proper course.

Sounds like it would have been a lot easier, and far less painful, to just not re-sign TLR. Why not get rid of the problem instead of going through all these strange contortions to work around it?

I don't view it as a conspiracy. Moz has committed to going young and seeing what has in his quiver at this point. Going young does not necessarily mean that TLR does not fit, though many here obviously believe that Tony trusts only veterans. I think Tony is more flexible with the roster than many here would believe.

[skmsw]

If they are so concerned with getting that viable farm system like they insist, Mr. Eckstein would've been offered arbitration.

The only reason you wouldn't offer arbitration to Eckstein is because you're afraid he'll take it. And given where Eckstein landed, is there any doubt that he would've taken it?

I think Moz wanted to make sure that Eck was not on the roster in 2008 because he would have taken significant time from Ryan. This explains the premature Izturis signing and the decision not to offer arbitration, and is also consistent with rumors of an organization split over whether or not Ryan deserves a shot. Unless Ryan turns into Mario Mendoza with a concrete glove, TLR will be forced to use him.

Methinks Moz is clearing the deck so he can see what he has in his young players in 2008 in order to prepare for 2009 and beyond. He figures we might as well take the medecine early and in full. It's painful, but it's the proper course.

Hmmmmm.

So, are you suggesting that we are apparently looking at one of the following two scenarios?

a) the organization is either making somewhat confusing and possibly contradictory personnel decisions, or

b) the front office leadership is making personnel decisions intended to work around the on-field leadership instead of more directly resolving conflicting agendas in the team direction

The way I see it, those two scenarios are probably equally bad.

[skmsw]

I don't view it as a conspiracy. Moz has committed to going young and seeing what has in his quiver at this point. Going young does not necessarily mean that TLR does not fit, though many here obviously believe that Tony trusts only veterans. I think Tony is more flexible with the roster than many here would believe.

But I thought your previous post presented an opinion that Moz was avoiding Eck and foisting Izturis in order to force TLR to use Ryan. That's not exactly YOUR giving TLR a whole lot of credit for flexibility or being on board with the organizational plan.

[Hungary Jack]

I don't view it as a conspiracy. Moz has committed to going young and seeing what has in his quiver at this point. Going young does not necessarily mean that TLR does not fit, though many here obviously believe that Tony trusts only veterans. I think Tony is more flexible with the roster than many here would believe.

But I thought your previous post presented an opinion that Moz was avoiding Eck and foisting Izturis in order to force TLR to use Ryan. That's not exactly YOUR giving TLR a whole lot of credit for flexibility or being on board with the organizational plan.

I think TLR will work with whatever roster he is given. He would prefer Eck over Ryan, but I don't think it's a deal-breaker for him. I think Moz wanted to commit to Ryan getting some significant time, saw no long-term benefit to retaining Eck for a year, and wanted Izturis as some insurance.

[jim]

I don't view it as a conspiracy. Moz has committed to going young and seeing what has in his quiver at this point. Going young does not necessarily mean that TLR does not fit, though many here obviously believe that Tony trusts only veterans. I think Tony is more flexible with the roster than many here would believe.

TLR plays young players. The trusting only veterans is a myth. What I don't know, is if TLR is comfortable playing young players for the sake of development only. I do know he is fine playing them to help his team win.

[TimeForGuinness]

If they are so concerned with getting that viable farm system like they insist, Mr. Eckstein would've been offered arbitration.

The only reason you wouldn't offer arbitration to Eckstein is because you're afraid he'll take it. And given where Eckstein landed, is there any doubt that he would've taken it?

I think Moz wanted to make sure that Eck was not on the roster in 2008 because he would have taken significant time from Ryan. This explains the premature Izturis signing and the decision not to offer arbitration, and is also consistent with rumors of an organization split over whether or not Ryan deserves a shot. Unless Ryan turns into Mario Mendoza with a concrete glove, TLR will be forced to use him.

Methinks Moz is clearing the deck so he can see what he has in his young players in 2008 in order to prepare for 2009 and beyond. He figures we might as well take the medecine early and in full. It's painful, but it's the proper course.

...and here I thought the Izturis signing was just insurance if Ryan lost the job at SS...or if Kennedy went down (again), Ryan could shift to 2B. (which probably means the Hoff is not ready according to the organization)

So Eck isn't offered arbitration, because he'll take it and might make upwards of $8 million. They cut Miles and Eck free and sign Izturis to a one year deal...which provides equal defense as Eck and better than Miles (so I read). He isn't a great hitter...but after seeing what Oquendo did to help Molina last year, I might have a shread of hope.

Forcing TLR's hand seems more of a conspiracy theory than anything, IMHO.

(adjusts tin foil hat)

[Hungary Jack]

I don't view it as a conspiracy. Moz has committed to going young and seeing what has in his quiver at this point. Going young does not necessarily mean that TLR does not fit, though many here obviously believe that Tony trusts only veterans. I think Tony is more flexible with the roster than many here would believe.

TLR plays young players. The trusting only veterans is a myth. What I don't know, is if TLR is comfortable playing young players for the sake of development only. I do know he is fine playing them to help his team win.

Agreed. I would imagine that Moz vetted Izturis with Tony before signing him. At this point, I cannot imagine that TLR is completely comfortable with Ryan as the starting SS in 2008 (after he yanked him for ignoring a sign last September), but I imagine that Tony is at least open to seeing how Ryan competes in ST.