SB Nation Bay Area - Billy Beane Rumored Candidate For Chicago Cubs General Manager Slothttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2011-08-29T14:50:13-07:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21503102011-08-29T14:50:13-07:002011-08-29T14:50:13-07:00Cubs General Manager Search: Theo Epstein Reportedly On Wish List
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<p>While <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> fans might be worried about losing general manager Billy Beane to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> (or maybe not depending on which fans you ask), the search list appears to be developing into a who’s who of general managers.</p>
<p><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/olney_buster/id/6890937" target="new">Buster Olney recently speculated</a> that the Cubs might consider <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> GM Theo Epstein. Red Sox chairman <a href="http://articles.boston.com/2011-08-28/sports/29938864_1_cubs-larry-lucchino-tom-werner" target="new">Tom Werner quickly shot down this rumor</a> while Epstein offered up a no comment to the report.</p>
<p>It’s entirely possible there really is nothing to report on this and this is just some media speculation to move the dial. At the same time, the Cubs are a marquee franchise and the right job title (President?) and salary might be enough to even convince somebody working for another storied franchise like the Red Sox.</p>
<p>Where does this leave Billy Beane? He remains a marquee name and will no doubt be part of the speculation. With <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> GM Brian Cashman also entering GM free agency, it could be a wild offseason. With a month left in the regular season, rumors will continue to swirl. Some of the leading candidates will be taking part in the playoffs in October leaving action potentially holding off until November.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2011/8/29/2392117/cubs-general-manager-theo-epstein-wish-list-billy-beaneDavid Fucillo2011-08-26T09:50:50-07:002011-08-26T09:50:50-07:00Lack of Stadium Options May Influence Billy Beane's Decision
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<p>With the recent speculation that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> General Manager Billy Beane may be thinking about a change of scenery, one of the main factors in his decision may be the team's need for a change of scenery as well. <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/25/SPQQ1KRV9N.DTL#ixzz1W8mlff7t" target="_blank">John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle</a> made that point on Friday, stating that the lack of options the A's have in regards to a new stadium may play a role in whether or not Beane stays in the East Bay. </p>
<p>"Give me $50 million more" was Beane's promise after the 2003 ALDS, stating that if he had more cash he could turn the A's into a real winner. Well, that $50 million is something we would undoubtedly get in Chicago with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>, or even New York or L.A. depending on Ned Colletti and Brian Cashman's offseason decisions. A's owner Lew Wolff can not give that to Beane, but knows it is not his place to hold Billy back either:</p>
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<p>"I would never inhibit anybody from bettering themselves because of a contract," said Wolff, who had lunch with Beane on Wednesday and said no team has called regarding his GM. "Billy is fantastic and, to me, indispensable. My hope is he will be here a long time. I did promise Billy and all the guys we would have a venue so they would be able to further execute their abilities, and I think that will happen."</p>
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<p>Shea points out that commissioner Bud Selig's three-man committee to research and identify possible locations for the A's relocation has returned little to nothing in the 29 months it has been 'working,' leaving significant doubt that MLB (or even Wolff) is truly serous about getting them a new stadium in the Bay. </p>
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<p>"I'm going to build a new stadium for the A's, and if I'm not, someone will," but he was quick to point out he didn't mean he'd move the club or sell to out-of-town interests, instead mentioning his son, Keith (vice president of venue development) as a possible baton receiver. "We're working every day. If it doesn't happen, we'll go to Plan B, which I don't have."</p>
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<p>Plan B may include finding a new GM soon Mr. Wolff. </p>
<p><i>For more on the A's, head over to <a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/" target="_blank">Athletics Nation</a> to get in on the action. </i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2011/8/26/2386271/lack-of-stadium-options-may-influence-billy-beane-decisionErnie Pomin2011-08-25T02:29:16-07:002011-08-25T02:29:16-07:00Billy Beane Rumored Candidate For Chicago Cubs General Manager Slot
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<p>Current Oakland Athletics general manager and part-time owner Billy Beane might be interested in the vacant general manager position for the Chicago Cubs if the move to San Jose is not approved by Major League Baseball.</p> <p>Tell me if you haven't heard this one. A big team wants to make Billy Beane their general manager.</p>
<p>You probably haven't heard this one in awhile though: Beane might be ready to listen.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/25/SPPT1KRH6F.DTL&feed=rss.athletics&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports</a> that Beane could seriously consider an offer to become general manager of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a>. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> are growing impatient at trying to get approval from Major League Baseball to move to a new home in San Jose. If ownership can't get approval, the team might have to be sold. Sources indicate that Beane would be ready to move on.</p>
<p>The Athletics have struggled for ages, are probably back to square one and are in desperate need of a reboot. They haven't been in serious contention for an American League crown since 2006, and have not finished a season over .500 since then (they were at .500 last year). Unless the team can make a move, it's unlikely that they can improve much in Oakland under the current ownership.</p>
<p>It'd probably be time for Beane to branch off and try his Moneyball tactics elsewhere with a team like the Cubs, who have tried and failed with more traditional approaches (spend spend spend spend!). Chicago did finish in first place twice after going to the bank for big free agents, so Beane would finally be able to utilize resources to pick up big-time free agents along with players who are appealing via the numbers.</p>
<p>That being said, a lot has to fall in place before Beane is ready to go anywhere. A's fans should be troubled but not yet alarmed by this rumor--there are other candidates being circulated as well and the Cubs could very well lean in another direction besides Beane's. And MLB has to reject the San Jose bid--if it does go through, then this little rumor is probably all for naught.</p>
<p>For more on the A's, <a target="_blank" href="http://athleticsnation.com">go to Athletics Nation</a>. For more on the Cubs, <a target="_blank" href="http://bleedcubbieblue.com">Bleed Cubbie Blue is where to go</a>.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2011/8/25/2383435/billy-beane-chicago-cubs-general-manager-gm-oakland-as-athleticsAvinash Kunnath