Several quick comments on the changes/firings in the Cubs front office yesterday and before.
First, I have no interest in criticizing people who have lost their jobs. Oneri Fleita apparently did a good job in Latin America for the Cubs, as well as being smart enough to convert people like Randy Wells and Carlos Marmol from catcher to pitcher. And probably more. I wish him well.
Second, the fact that Tom Ricketts extended Oneri Fleita’s contract one month before he hired Theo Epstein, makes we wonder whether Tom Ricketts knows what he is doing – but then I have had that thought for a while. Hopefully, Theo Epstein knows what he is doing, and Tom Ricketts will let him do it.
Third, if the Cubs business management is having Cubs coaches hit ground balls, etc., to the public to make money, either for the team or themselves (other than maybe a couple of times a year), then somebody needs to tell Cubs business management to stop interfering with baseball operations. And the only person who can do that is Tom Ricketts. The coaches are supposed to help the players, not Cubs business management. Coaches have a limited amount of time, and it should all be spent on baseball, not raising money for Cubs business managment. The question (see above) is whether Tom Ricketts understands this is a problem.
Fourth, in all the turmoil, I am glad Tim Wilken is still around and even got promoted. He has done an excellent job since he took our amateur scouting and the draft. He’s a keeper.
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