We have the MLB NWT deadline in just over 10 days, that's something to look forward to, right? Who will the Cubs off load next?
- blackhawk24

Rizzo?

Not sure they have anyone else TO off-load.

As much as we are complaining about the Kevin Hayes situation...

At least we arent Colorado and having to deal with Ryan O'Reilly going to arbitration on us likely three times in four years until he leaves when he hits UFA

They would like to unload on the rooftop owners. Beyond that, who knows how much farther Epstein will de- value the major league roster. I would give E Jackson away. But Epstein did announce after the trade with the Athletics, that he hopes to be done with this prospect trading.
I just bet Steve Rain loathes Epstein's strategy for producing a good team down the road.
- jhawk59

Epstein has put the Cubs in good shape to be much more exciting next year and to seriously contend in 2016-17.

Prospects have to work out, of course, and they need to get some pitching (OK, a lot of pitching), but it seems that they're in good position to be a major factor for the next 10 years.

IF....

I am just sick & tired of this Hayes drama he is coming off as a PRIMA DONNA. I wonder if realizes that nothing is given to you & that you have to work hard to get what you want in life. Many of us here would be honored to play in the NHL let alone one of the best teams in the league. If he can't realize that then I question his thought process. It would be great to have a player of his size & skill but with that what type of character does he have if he doesn't get his way will he whine like a little kid? There is a spot to earn on this team he just has to work hard for it. At this point I would rather have the pick & any other team that signs him I hope are aware of his child like attitude PHUCK HIM

The leeches, as I like to call them, are holding on for a buy-out. To me it's all posturing. As much as I love the old dump, I'd rather see the Cubs move (outside of Crook County) and run their biz-ops like a MLB team. No night game limits, no signage limits, no BS. MLB avg for night games is 54. Cubs? Way less. Build a new joint with Ivy, the marquee, iconic scoreboard, etc. Just amp-up the amenities and size it just right, ~45k.

I see smaller pieces being moved by the Cubs. A tell tale sign on the IF kids getting close (other than Bryant) is if Barney is moved for a bucket of BP balls. Sweeney and Schierholtz being moved perhaps? Olt is a Bryant place-holder. Jackson is worthless.

I'm 100% on board with Epsteins' plan. Most folks just don't know how bad the minors were. Every level. All the way down to Boise in the shortened-A season league. Coaching sucked. That's fixed and it's getting players to function in all aspects of the game.

I agree that Theo/Jed/Jason are near the end of flipping mid-level 1 year signings for prospects. In fact I think Jason is the lynchpin to this whole operation. Hearing he pulled his name out of the running for the SD job made me feel better.
- blackhawk24

As bad as the roof-top owners might be, don't forget, they do have a contract, legally executed by the Cubs when Sam Zell was screwing the Trib - uhhh, I mean owned the Tribune Company and the team.

I suggest you alll spent time tweeting Kevin hayes directly and telling why he shouldn't be afraid of competing to win a job, with the reward being playing with a fast team.

@KevinPHayes12

...maybe make jersey with his name and number 12 on it?
- wiz1901

You ready to take away "12" from the great Regin-ator?

I am just sick & tired of this Hayes drama he is coming off as a PRIMA DONNA. I wonder if realizes that nothing is given to you & that you have to work hard to get what you want in life. Many of us here would be honored to play in the NHL let alone one of the best teams in the league. If he can't realize that then I question his thought process. It would be great to have a player of his size & skill but with that what type of character does he have if he doesn't get his way will he whine like a little kid? There is a spot to earn on this team he just has to work hard for it. At this point I would rather have the pick & any other team that signs him I hope are aware of his child like attitude PHUCK HIM
- BGKarras

One thing the Hawks have that many other teams don't—and this is where I will attribute the depth of the prospect pipeline— is they really don't have to be beholden to the whims of a spoiled kid.

Is Hayes spoiled? Well, we know that his uncle/cousin was a "star" NHL player. It is probably safe to assume his parents have the dough to pay for years of hockey and travel teams (for him and his brother). He got into some trouble doing something kind of stupid in college. he is behaving like a prima donna now.

So for the Hawks,unless this guy is a super blue chipper or someone who can help them near term 9which he probably isn't in both cases) you can make the safe bet that unless he grows up fast and plays ball on his first ELC, no matter how good a player he becomes, you might be saving yourself some heartache and dressing room issues by letting water find its level now—and letting him take his entitled act elsewhere.

Personally, I would rather invest in a kid like McNeill, who might not put up quite the same numbers Hayes will (or might, who really knows) but will give you all he has in return for every dollar you pay him.

To me, those are the moves of a smart (and not desperate) organization.

As I said earlier in the thread, if you KNEW this kid was a can't miss near superstar, fine, you tolerate it. But the evidence suggests he's not going to be THAT great a player.

Given the role of each player on this team, and the term of their contract, I'd favor Bickell and Oduya over Leddy.

I totally agree on Bickell. His lackluster season overall has folks wanting to jettison that $4M cap hit. I get it. But the 'Hawks are thin at power forwards. As much love comes out for Shaw, he simply cannot mash someone like Bicks. Keeping Bicks and another years' maturation of Saad gives the 'Hawks a pretty solid 1-2 punch at LW.

I know Leddys' upside is greater than Oduya but he may be able to fetch more in a trade plus it gives the 'Hawks a chance to prepare the young D men another year. It also keeps that 2nd D pairing together another year. It's a risk, we get it, but unless SB has a carrot dangling out there who, in a trade will come in and replace JO seamlessly with Hammer, I just don't see moving Oduya in a salary cap dump.
- blackhawk24

Where's Sharp, then?

Epstein has put the Cubs in good shape to be much more exciting next year and to seriously contend in 2016-17.

Prospects have to work out, of course, and they need to get some pitching (OK, a lot of pitching), but it seems that they're in good position to be a major factor for the next 10 years.

IF....
- StLBravesFan

There's a plan in place there, which is more than we can say about the last 10-20 years. I'm not sure what the timeline is, but they are stacking the deck, somewhat similar to the hawks, and hoping a handful of these prospects pan out.

Just sayin'...

Everyone here looks at the Kevin Hayes situation from a Hawks fan perspective...because we're all die hard hawks fans. But for a minute, let's take off the rose colored hawks goggles and look at Kevin Hayes situation from the perspective of Kevin Hayes, or Kevin Hayes' dad and mom. Simply looking out for the best career potential for Kevin Hayes.

Certainly, there are a lot of good points to joining the hawks organization. Winning club, storied tradition, strong player development history for a bunch of guys.

But there is also growing evidence of a log jam to get to the nhl team, and proof that players who can't get an NHL job on the hawks can get one on another team. Stanton, Olson, Pirri, etc.

Maybe you look for a team building for the future, willing to have their youngsters learn on the job on an nhl roster. Sort of like the Hawks did several years ago w Toews and Kane (not comparing KHayes to Toews and kane). Right now, the hawks are playing for Cups, and their coach is NOT interested in on-the-job training.

If Kevin Hayes were your son, you'd tell him about the positives of the Hawks organization. But you'd also recommend he take this "free agent" opportunity to look around at other teams to see if there is a better fit for his skill set, a more immediate need. You'd look for a team that might provide the best opportunity for him to build a successful NHL career. And in today's situation, for Kevin Hayes, that team might not be the Chicago Blackhawks.

To call him an immature baby for thinking that way, for doing his due diligence, is a result of wearing Blackhawks goggles to analyze the situation.
- Cmonalready

How is Hayes' situation any different than our other first round picks? Why haven't Teravainen, Hartman, McNeill, and Danault done something to get into the NHL quicker? Hayes is entitled to do whatever he wants, that doesn't make this course of action right.

If I were his Dad I would tell Hayes he needs to view his hockey career as a marathon and not a sprint.

One thing the Hawks have that many other teams don't—and this is where I will attribute the depth of the prospect pipeline— is they really don't have to be beholden to the whims of a spoiled kid.

Is Hayes spoiled? Well, we know that his uncle/cousin was a "star" NHL player. It is probably safe to assume his parents have the dough to pay for years of hockey and travel teams (for him and his brother). He got into some trouble doing something kind of stupid in college. he is behaving like a prima donna now.

So for the Hawks,unless this guy is a super blue chipper or someone who can help them near term 9which he probably isn't in both cases) you can make the safe bet that unless he grows up fast and plays ball on his first ELC, no matter how good a player he becomes, you might be saving yourself some heartache and dressing room issues by letting water find its level now—and letting him take his entitled act elsewhere.

Personally, I would rather invest in a kid like McNeill, who might not put up quite the same numbers Hayes will (or might, who really knows) but will give you all he has in return for every dollar you pay him.

To me, those are the moves of a smart (and not desperate) organization.

As I said earlier in the thread, if you KNEW this kid was a can't miss near superstar, fine, you tolerate it. But the evidence suggests he's not going to be THAT great a player.
- John Jaeckel

Good post, John. The Hawks don't NEED Kevin Hayes. I'm sure there are some fans out there pining for him to sign, similar to the people who complain the Hawks get outhit when they read the box score.

I don't care if Hayes signs or not. Would like it if he doesn't sign, to see if he knows something the Bowman's don't. I want to see what this kid is really made of, from a talent perspective. August 15th is going to be my new birthday, so we can all stop talking about this situation...that'll be the best present EVER!!!

I would say that sending him tweets on being a punk/prima donna just makes the fan base look bad, so I would suggest we don't stoop to that level.

Rizzo?

Not sure they have anyone else TO off-load.
- StLBravesFan

In a David Price deal? Corner IF with power, who cut down his K totals and upped BABIP and OBP. Since they worked on his stroke, he's keeping that shoulder in tight and staying with the pitch all the way into the attack zone. Decent defence though not in any gold glove discussion.

Guess I'd only move #44 if he brings back a guy who can be your #2 starter in 2-3 years. Besides, I'm not sure they have a whole lot of guys in the pipeline who can be at 1B in the near future.

It's not like SS where they now have an abundance of players; Castro already here plus Baez and then Russell coming in the Samardzija trade. There is the trade-capability out of strength. I can see the Cubs trading Castro, putting Russell at SS and Baez at 2B in two seasons. Then with Bryant at 3B (can't see him in LF yet) and Rizzo at 1B, that's a formidable IF. Castro with all his mental lapses on defence, would work wonders in the right system with the right hitting coach (Jaramillo-like) and could fetch a #2 starter.

Beane is going to regret that trade if the A's don't win in all this year or next. Samardzija isn't going to re-sign with the A's when he's looking for over a $100M on his next contract.

There's a plan in place there, which is more than we can say about the last 10-20 years. I'm not sure what the timeline is, but they are stacking the deck, somewhat similar to the hawks, and hoping a handful of these prospects pan out.
- eburgio

Make that 70 years..

Where's Sharp, then?

- hawks2010

With all this Hayes talk, I figured the 'Hawks already traded Sharp.

Make that 70 years..
- StLBravesFan

Noted. I felt the Dallas Green era had a bit more shrewd approach, sending guys like Ivan De Jesus to Philly for Ryno who was unproven at the time. It seemed like he made targeted/impactful moves, whereas pretty much everything since has been like 'eh, let's see if this works'

Noted. I felt the Dallas Green era had a bit more shrewd approach, sending guys like Ivan De Jesus to Philly for Ryno who was unproven at the time. It seemed like he made targeted/impactful moves, whereas pretty much everything since has been like 'eh, let's see if this works'
- eburgio

Ask Rozner about Dallas Green. He's got an entire book to fill on just him alone.

Anyone else waiting for Bickell to be moved this week?
- ChicagoDave

Nope

With all this Hayes talk, I figured the 'Hawks already traded Sharp.
- blackhawk24

Not happening until after this season...

Noted. I felt the Dallas Green era had a bit more shrewd approach, sending guys like Ivan De Jesus to Philly for Ryno who was unproven at the time. It seemed like he made targeted/impactful moves, whereas pretty much everything since has been like 'eh, let's see if this works'
- eburgio

But that was an older team, put together (after moving Carter and Hall for Sutcliffe) really for a one- or two-year run.

Not happening until after this season...
- wiz1901

Yeah, I know, I get it. Notice the in my previous comment?

But that was an older team, put together (after moving Carter and Hall for Sutcliffe) really for a one- or two-year run.
- StLBravesFan

.....and then the entire starting staff was on the DL at one time or another before the '85 ASG.

People keep calling for Steve Larmer's number to be retired.

His stats are great and he was a great Hawk, but his numbers are a product of the era he played in where offense was rampant across the league. If he put up those numbers in an era like todays NHL, he should no doubt have his number retired, but I dont think he should be with the other greats because he played in a time where offensive players had the edge

For example:

Larmers career high in goals was 46 in 1984-85, he finished in a three way tie for TENTH in the league in goal scoring that year (23 players had 40+ goals)

Larmers career high in points was 101 in 1990-91, where is finished in TENTH in the league (26 players had 81+ pts)

One thing the Hawks have that many other teams don't—and this is where I will attribute the depth of the prospect pipeline— is they really don't have to be beholden to the whims of a spoiled kid.

Is Hayes spoiled? Well, we know that his uncle/cousin was a "star" NHL player. It is probably safe to assume his parents have the dough to pay for years of hockey and travel teams (for him and his brother). He got into some trouble doing something kind of stupid in college. he is behaving like a prima donna now.

So for the Hawks,unless this guy is a super blue chipper or someone who can help them near term 9which he probably isn't in both cases) you can make the safe bet that unless he grows up fast and plays ball on his first ELC, no matter how good a player he becomes, you might be saving yourself some heartache and dressing room issues by letting water find its level now—and letting him take his entitled act elsewhere.

Personally, I would rather invest in a kid like McNeill, who might not put up quite the same numbers Hayes will (or might, who really knows) but will give you all he has in return for every dollar you pay him.

To me, those are the moves of a smart (and not desperate) organization.

As I said earlier in the thread, if you KNEW this kid was a can't miss near superstar, fine, you tolerate it. But the evidence suggests he's not going to be THAT great a player.
- John Jaeckel

JJ,
I agree with ya Hayes is not needed here with this "me first attitude" I really don't think that would go over well in the dressing room considering many veterans/ players had to really fight their way into the league there is something to be said about being humble how would his teammates view him personally I would not want someone like him on my team/unit

.....and then the entire starting staff was on the DL at one time or another before the '85 ASG.
- blackhawk24

I think all at the same time, IIRC.

More Wiz snark:

STLTODAY.COM: Jeremy Rutherford believes Sobotka’s hearing today could determine if he ever wears a Blues uniform again, as he could decide not to return to the NHL unless the Blues trade him. Sobotka’s agent claims his client recently asked to be traded when an agreement couldn’t be reached on a new contract before he signed with the KHL. In a recent interview with a Czech sports website, Sobotka said his plan is to play a season in the KHL and return to the NHL with a different team. He claimed he had no choice but to sign with Avangard Omsk because the Blues refused to trade him. The Blues best offer was a one-year, $2.7 million contract. Sobotka sought a one-year deal worth $3 million, after which he’d become an unrestricted free agent. The club also made a two-year, $6 million offer but it wasn’t accepted. Sobotka’s three-year KHL contract pays him slightly more than $4 million per season, and continues an “out clause” at the end of each season.

Think long on this one, why would they not succumb to this one yr then UFA deal with Sobotka and have him for THIS playoff run.

All they had to do was
not sign OTT at 2.6 mil or Jori Lehtera at 2.75.

I realize they still have RFA Jaden Schwartz to sign, but they thought their bottom end was better served bt adding Euro vet Joakin Lindstrom at 700,000 and could easily launch the young Karl Magnus Svensson-Paajarvi whose making 1.2 million and others...

Sure overpay Paul Statsny 7 mil, I have no problem with that, but why let your best guy in the dot and your most instense competitor after Backes just leave????

It is so funny here on a Chicago site there are so many whinning that Bickell was never worth an in house reward for serving the organization, and the Blues whine about 3 mil for THIS specific player?

It seems like this even if the player wins his arbitration (that helps him LATER when he returns from Russia), why would NOT play based on what he has shown performance -wise?
Even if the player didn't two years at 3 millioj (because he is sure he can do better) why not make sure he's there next year in the first post Statsny era playoff run?
- wiz1901

Keep the "snark" coming Wiz!

Totally agree - really stupid move on Armstrong's part. They sign Stastny and look like a cap spender and then immediately revert back to "budget" mode with Sobotka and Schwarz.

They could have easily rewarded Sobotka with the one year deal for his heart - let him go UFA in a year. This would have been similar to the Hawks taking less to send Bolland where he wanted to go.

Bad player relations move for the Blows.