tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843439290919281635.post5787515007201521929..comments2023-02-28T07:43:24.795-06:00Comments on My Kind of (Sports) Town: Theo Instituting the "Cubs Way"Dave Johnsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00695499058060781428noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3843439290919281635.post-53554392041984648642012-01-11T18:41:29.116-06:002012-01-11T18:41:29.116-06:00I totally agree with you on the Rizzo/Cashner deal...I totally agree with you on the Rizzo/Cashner deal and its effects on the Fielder chase. Cashner does have value when he is healthy, but he has never shown consistency in that important area. Theo also clearly thinks Rizzo is the absolute shit, having drafted him while with Boston and now bringing him over.<br /><br />I wouldn't call DeJesus young (he's 32) but I think the pickup was a straight value play in terms of production. The classic "you get what you pay for" defensive specialist who is average at the plate (assuming he stays healthy and maintains his production with minimal attrition.) He's essentially a better, younger, way cheaper Kosuke Fukudome - there's definitely room on any team for that kind of player.<br /><br />Also, pursuing Fielder would have been a colossal mistake because, as you wrote, he really wouldn't produce many more wins than Carlos Pena and that doesn't help the Cubs short or long term. It would be dumping tons of money into another Sorianoesque contract that wouldn't bring the Cubs closer to competing every year. Adding expensive free agent pieces should come after you've already built the core of the team and you need a little extra to get over the top.Nick Dnoreply@blogger.com