Comments on: Theo the Trader: Evaluating Epstein’s Trades During His Cubs Tenure

By: Brad Hacker

Brad Hacker — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 17:13:31 +0000

Sorry… “…it can’t” and “…their…” not “…there…” .

By: Brad Hacker

Brad Hacker — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 17:11:41 +0000

Great article Jeff – well done. Although this wasn’t a Theo regime trade, it’s can’t be overstated how big the hiring of Joe Maddon was…this is also a very big reason for there success this year.

By: jan labij

jan labij — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 17:02:47 +0000

I do not think the trade of the second baseman was a real loss from the Cubs point of view. Even now. Or maybe especially now. His career trajectory was estimated to be wrong for the Cubs re-building process. Now Theo & co. could be wrong about this in the sense that the Cubs have become a contender a year ahead of expectations, but second base problems have not been very much in evidence so far. Trading for LaStella was not a foolish move either. The reason it now looks not so good is because we have four other guys able play second base and hit better than LaStella. Coghlan was much better at second than I ever thought he would be. Russell was very good at second. Castro plays better at second than he does at short. And then there is that guy who had so much fun hitting a home run the other day, he felt compelled to take a bow-with Rizzo egging him on.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 16:38:59 +0000

I’m curious what people’s thoughts are on Vizcaino. The stats have been impressive in the recent going, but I am not sure if he is considered part of their plans once 2017 rolls around.

Obviously, things like LaStella’s injury are going to happen, but it would have been great if he had been more of a bridge in the middle infield. In hindsight, the timing of the acquisition looks curious, but more than anything else, this was bad luck.

By: Dan Rivera

Dan Rivera — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 15:28:57 +0000

Theo has done a remarkable job assembling this ballclub. Its amazing that Joe Maddon has been able to get so much out of players that are so young. As a Cub fan, I am not really used to seeing a organization that others admire from afar. As a result I was very skeptical that this would work and thought that the Cubs would take 2 yrs to become a elite team. Boy was I wrong.

Talent for talent, I feel that the Cubs can match up with anyone right now.

By: Jeff Lamb

Jeff Lamb — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 04:04:37 +0000

You’re definitely right about Fowler.
I had the Haren trade as a loss for the Cubs, but in consultation with our editorial staff, we decided this one was too soon to tell.

By: Jeff Lamb

Jeff Lamb — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 04:03:23 +0000

Your point has merit, but the contributions Montero has made both offensively and towards the success of the pitching staff make this a win in my opinion. If Godley turns out to be Jake Arrieta, we will have to revisit.

By: Jeff Lamb

Jeff Lamb — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 04:02:02 +0000

I certainly did. I had a graph written on it, and somehow didn’t include it. My mistake completely. Good catch.

By: Jeff Lamb

Jeff Lamb — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 04:01:17 +0000

I debated internally how to word this. I meant to say that none of the players referenced ever had a higher value after they were traded away by Theo. Your point is valid.

By: Tim M

Tim M — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 19:46:07 +0000

Good article. Really puts the Theo regime’s work in perspective. Hard to believe, but in a few short years the Theo org has already made three trades IMO that might go down in the books as three of the greatest trades in franchise history. I don’t think that’s much of a stretch considering these trades: Rizzo for Cashner, Russell/McKinney for Shark and Hammel, and Arrieta for Feldman/Clevenger. That last one still makes me chuckle.