daboss

Aloha Folks, as a Cub fan who respects the Brewers very much, I'm very disappointed in Jed. He couldn't let Bregman go after last season. In fact, the team may have won as many games had they kept Paredes and Cody. They could still trade for Cabrera if they wanted. I was looking forward to seeing the youth get a chance like in Milwaukee. I wanted to see Shaw again at 3B, Caissie in the OF and Moises getting some AB's, thus I wanted the FO to sign a starter out of free agency. Instead they give a guy coming off of an injury season, WAR of 3.5, $35 mil dollars for each of the next 5yrs! Watch Jed trade away Nico or Shaw now. I think the Brewers can repeat as division champs. Good luck to your Brewers. I need some aspirin for my Cubs, lol. Mahalo!

Aloha Turbo, As a Cub fan, I'm still furious how my Cubs treated Ross be it I disagreed many times with him. Many of my Cub friends have said for me to move on, this is the "business." In thinking about this, I'm also displeased with CC because for one that wanted to "elevate" manager and coaches salaries, if he was approached first by the Cubs' FO and had honor, I would have expected him to say no because Ross is under contract through 2024. But I guess $8mil/yr can change one's decision quickly. On the flip side, if the Cubs' FO really felt this way about Ross, then instead of speaking in such glowing ways after the season about Ross, do the hard work and tell him the organization is moving in a different direction. So we'll honor your contract salary through 2024 but you're no longer the manager. Then make that public, let some time pass. Then hire whomever you want. The way Jed and the FO waited in secret for CC's contract to officially end, meet him in secret, then Jed flies to FL on Sunday to deliver the news to Ross, one day before his "official" firing and Craig's hiring just stinks. Many Cub fans think because of CC hiring that money is going to flow and every free agent and their family will come to Chicago. I hope not, I know as a fan that doesn't seem very supportive. If CC is such a great manager, I've argued he's better due to experience, then give him a similar situation - roster and see what happens. I also wonder if some players and future front office people won't come because of this Ross firing? Anyhow I hope the big free agents sign elsewhere, though before Ross' firing I had hoped for either Ohtani or Yamamoto and that your Brewers don't have a fire sale. I like seeing a strong central division. Hope Murphy can bring the team together and succeed in 2024. Mahalo

Aloha tm, the articles I were reading on Monday brought up issues between small vs large market teams. I didn't think it was relevant to the discussion about "swooping" in and hiring Craig C once he was officially no longer employed. I'll find it because the author's point was that with all the "advantages" "small" market teams have and the Cubs never acting like a "larger" market team, this transaction showed they, the Cubs are finally acting like a "big" organization. For me, I don't care about small or big, principles, character and integrity are important. So, I feel for Ross and Cub fans as well as the Craig and Brewer fans current situation. All I know is that many I've spoken with or articles I've read, including not from Chicago are saying how amazing this deal is, no one saw it coming. Let's tell you how Hoyer kept it quiet, etc. I personally don't find it amazing and think it gives baseball a bad name. As I said previously, had Craig taken the year off, be with family then come back next year and Chicago doesn't extend Ross and interviews Craig... that's okay with me I can roll with it and that's for any managerial candidate. But right now we're told, the FO had to pounce on this once in a lifetime chance. I don't buy it. Good luck to your Brewers. Mahalo!

Aloha AK, have to let you know, I've had many a disagreement with Ross decisions, bp management, lineups and so forth. As I mentioned, if Craig C took the next year off and the Cubs FO said no extension, I'd be alright with them contacting Craig. I just think practice wise, this doesn't look good and even if Ross isn't my favorite manager, he's a person too. Take care now! Mahalo!

Aloha tm, the point I was trying to make was what the Chicago and other large "market" teams were saying about small vs larger market teams. And that putting all of that aside be it if one is for it or not, the structure that is, I was trying to focus strictly on what happened with Ross' firing and Craig C's hiring. I am a fan of the game. Was with it through college, have friends with various organizations, including the Oakland A's where I am (they are about to leave). I also have folks with the Giants. So I understand a little about the dynamics of the different markets. But again, I was trying to look only at what happened with Ross. BTW if Ross let's say were the more accomplished manager and he became a "free agent" and your Brewers through private back channel communications hired him and fired Craig C, I'd be just as passionate as I am now. I don't like conducting business this way. I don't care what the excuse is just to hire someone. And to be clear I'm not upset at Craig C, but with my Cub's FO for offering the job in the first place. Take care now. Mahalo!

Aloha Team Canada, thank you. I was surprised by RoyHobbs comments about Craig C. In that I always thought Milwaukee was good at manufacturing runs, playing small ball as part of the mix. With my Cubs I was so frustrated with swing or miss approach, no plate discipline. Only relying on the long ball. For the first month of 2023, it was refreshing to see Cub players stealing and running bases, hitting sac flies, moving runners. Don't get me wrong, a homer is nice but so are well placed singles, doubles, getting walks, sac flies. Hope your Brewers are competitive this next season. I like having a strong central division, it makes the other teams better. I do wish we played more against our division like before. Mahalo!

Aloha Brewer fans, this will probably shock you all as Monday was for me, a Cub fan. This move has not sat well with me. Let me explain: I understand that "small market" teams like the A's, your Brewers, Rays and so forth are afforded certain "advantages" to equal out the "playing field." Be it if I agree with this system or not, on the flip side there are Chicago writers saying that "finally" the Cubs FO, specifically Hoyer is acting like a "big market" executive with this move to get Craig C. We can debate who is the "better" manager. I have no problem saying Craig C is because of his years of experience. Ross never managed and imho was brought in to manage a declining Cub core then into a rebuild. I also don't fault Craig C for taking the money, which to me is a lot for a manager but it's a free country. Where I have a problem is how my Cubs FO treated Ross, for good or bad, after publicly praising him for the rollercoaster of a season, when it looked like they were out of it, then July August they made a tremendous push and were contenders. I've had my differences with Ross and voiced them with other Cub fans but I don't hold him responsible or fully for players going cold in the last month of the season. He dealt with all kinds of issues, mainly health and underperformers to get them back into the race. I expected him back in Chicago for 2024 and Craig C in NYC or staying in Milwaukee. Thus, staying in the "dark" til Craig finished his "tenure" so Jed could talk to him privately, back channel, then swoop in and hire him at the same time firing Ross doesn't make me happy. If Craig took the season off in 2024, my Cubs let Ross finish out his contract and then Jed talks to Craig, fine. I'm okay with that and still fans on both sides would be vocal about it but it's above board as they say. But the way this played out and I'm told to accept it, is how business in the MLB is conducted, well I don't like it. Thank you in advance for allowing a Cub fan to come here and let you know that not all of us are happy about this as many of us believe in principles, honor, integrity. In a demented way, forgive me Cubs, I hope Milwaukee hires Ross and takes your Brewers to the WS. Okay, I'm going to therapy now, lol! I wish your organization well and in hiring another manager. Mahalo!