Looks like Piniella's the guy.......

by Peoria Matt on Oct 14, 2006 6:27 AM CDT Comment 33 comments

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/deluca/96509,CST-SPT-deluca14.article

Article says Hendry was overruled on Bochy.

Well let the Uncle Lou era begin.

Also says Hendry was overruled on Bochy. ...................................................
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This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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They'll never learn, will they?

by VS on Oct 14, 2006 6:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Fantastic! The Cubs, it appears

don't mind throwing more cash at an overpriced mgr than most of their everyday players......I'm disturbed as I still support Hendry; though it appears his foot is digging deeper in his grave with the Cubs.

Girardi is slipping away, and doubtful to return in 2-4 yrs when Pinella quits or is fired

by LuisSalazar on Oct 14, 2006 6:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh,

So I guess settling for one of the best coaches in the game is horrible. I wanted Girardi, not Lou, but that's not going to happen. Lou is OK with me. He's the only manager in the game that has won at as many places as he has. All GM's will tell you he's one of the best in the game. I value their opinions over fans' any day of the week. He's won a lot of games in his career with all kinds of different teams. I don't care what his philosophy is if it wins us games. It's won a bunch of games for him in his career. As I keep saying, I don't know if he's the best coach or best fit for the job, but he's a good manager. And if you don't think he's at least a pretty good manager, I would suggest everyone stay off the kool-aid. With his past record of success, and the fact we play in a very mediocore central division, with the addition of two big-time FA's there's a chance we could be contenders right away. If our payroll increases to 115 million that's been rumored, we have plenty of money to land Soriano or Lee, as well as a very good FA starting pitcher like Zito, or Schmit, or that Japanese dude. Don't get me wrong guys, I'm not saying he's some unbelieveable coach, but he's sure not a bad one either. My hope of getting Girardi is over unfortunately. It's time for Hendry to step up and get us a very good FA pitcher and middle-of-the-order hitter.

by Macy on Oct 14, 2006 7:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is so wrong...

... I can't even begin to deconstruct it, but I will point out that Tony LaRussa has been a winner at as many places as Piniella, and for a longer period of time.

Are you one of Lou's relatives?

by Al on Oct 14, 2006 7:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

Girardi's. I didn't realize Lou was the worst manager in history.

by Macy on Oct 14, 2006 7:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmmmm...

-a guy well respected by a lot of GM's
-most GM's will tell you he's one of the best in the game
-a guy who has won a lot of games

Are we talking about Dusty Baker or Lou Pinella here? I see hiring Pinella as rehiring Baker, only crankier.

I'm not dogging you; but there are as many reasons as it is right to hire Joe Girardi (or somebody else) for this job as there are reasons NOT to hire Pinella for short and long-term future of this organization. I've said it before-if they hire Pinella, Hendry and the Cubs are essentially throwing everything into the next 2-4 years, and likely at the expense of the future. Anything less than a WS win will be deemed failure, after which Pinella will walk away from an organization that will again be 'starting over' without a foundation that has just been mortgaged over its preceding few years. Obviously, anything is worthwhile if if means a WS winner....that seems a pretty steep hill to climb right now.

by LuisSalazar on Oct 14, 2006 7:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I

guess you didn't read my post completely. I said Girardi's my top choice, but Hendry won't offer him. I've never wanted Lou or anyone else over Girardi. And I could care less if you think your dogging me. Do you think I would have posted that and not expect everyone to critisize me? And Girardi wasn't my top choice, just because of the obvious bias I have with him.

by Macy on Oct 14, 2006 7:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did read your post

and, as I said, I'm not dogging you. I've seen that your allegiance is with Girardi first. While I am pro-Girardi as well, the my comments above are not made pro-Girardi, rather why Pinella is not the right choice here for the short or long-term future. Your comments regarding Pinella are not untrue; they are the very arguments that will be made by the Cubs and all of Pinella's people when he is hired in Chicago. For many other reasons, as posted here and other places by many people, I believe that Pinella is NOT the right guy for the situation that we are in. All I can hope for is that I am forced to eat my words and we are all celebrating a WS winner in the next 2-3 years......that's a whole lot of hoping.

by LuisSalazar on Oct 14, 2006 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough...

And I think Hendry is missing out on something very good by not offering Girardi. I'm not sure if there's ever been as good of a candidate for the Cubs' job as Girardi.

by Macy on Oct 14, 2006 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

On that...

... I will agree with you 100%.

by Al on Oct 14, 2006 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did you ever....

think that what happened in Florida my be the reason that Joe apparently is not getting the Cubs job?

I predict that when everything is said and done, there will be stories coming out of that situation which will make it clear why the Cubs did not hire him.

Curious Al: Are you not the same guy who backed Dusty. Maybe it is you who is wrong on Lou....

he hath no fury like a cubs fan scorned

by timeforachange on Oct 14, 2006 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

C'mon now....

Curious Al: Are you not the same guy who backed Dusty. Maybe it is you who is wrong on Lou....

I don't think there were too many people anywhere who were not encouraged and excited to see Dusty come to town....and over his first two years he made good on what was expected. Dusty seemed to self-destruct-which doesn't mean he's not a good baseball mind and cannot succeed somewhere else. Not rushing to Al's defense....but again, I think many were in favor of hiring Dusty-and obviously the quick turnaround he and Hendry provided, it did look like a good move for a while.

Dusty's situation 4 years ago and Lou's situation are completely different. They are 2 different individuals in different stages of their careers at the time of considering Cubs managerial options.

by LuisSalazar on Oct 14, 2006 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not the point....

What I was trying to say is that even a candidate like Baker, who most (including myself) thought was a slam dunk can turn out bad.

I am not a big Lou fan. However, I am not sure why there is so much outrage over him getting the job.

he hath no fury like a cubs fan scorned

by timeforachange on Oct 14, 2006 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In large part...

... it's because Piniella represents, in terms of lineup construction, use of pitchers, and use of young players, EXACTLY THE SAME THINGS that we bitched about Baker doing!

All this talk about him being a "winner" ignores the fact that within a month of his being hired, everyone here would wonder why he was batting Cesar Izturis second. Or misusing his bullpen. Or benching Matt Murton vs. the "tough righties".

Dusty Baker came here as a "winner" too, remember.

by Al on Oct 14, 2006 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's interesting and noteworthy to see

HOW much outrage there is about hiring Pinella. THat, to Hendry, SHOULD raise some red flags. There is not one single candidate whom everyone will love/support; Having said that, while everyone is not pro Girardi, pro-Brenly, pro-Bochy, if any one of those guys got the job, I think you'd see most Cubs fans quiet down and support those guys-because any of those guys may be able to do a decent job here and their own intentions are not questioned.

With soooo much question about Pinella and concern for where he is in his career, I don't think that when Hendry hires him that all of the Cub faithful will jump on board and back him completely. The reasons why have been outlined over and over-and I'll stand by my defenses.

I think that when you're hiring a candidate who brings as much question and controversy when you hire him, both you (Hendry) and he (Pinella) had better be ready for the biggest microscope. I don't think Pinella will be given the traditional 'honeymoon period' that most others would be.

by LuisSalazar on Oct 15, 2006 7:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did back Baker...

... and when it became clear that I was wrong, I admitted so and changed my mind. I am always open to changing my mind, if I can be shown clearly how & why I'm wrong, and it's done in a reasonable fashion.

But I don't think I'm wrong about Piniella.

by Al on Oct 14, 2006 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope

you're wrong about Piniella if he ends up getting the gig.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus on Oct 14, 2006 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

While I share in the emotional roller-coaster...

...that has been this Cub managerial search that seems to have dragged out longer than a particularly feisty season of American Idol, and while I admit some trepidation at the idea of Lou Piniella being the manager, I still can't get that suicidal about his hiring until I see what kind of roster Hendry gives him.

I ultimately tend to agree with what Maddog wrote, that managers are a crapshoot to an extent. Piniella does not necessarily mean we are doomed anymore than Joe Girardi unequivocally means we are turning this ship around. The evidence is there that Piniella can win, be it via extremely good luck, act of God, or perhaps some modicum of skill.

And when he is hired, as it now appears inevitable, I will give him a clean slate and a fair shake, and hopefully, our collective impression of him will be dead wrong, and he'll be at the helm when this team finally breaks the yoke of 99 years.

But I will give him the chance when he is hired, and I hope everyone else here will do the same. He won't get near as long a leash as Girardi, and that is perhaps unfair, but it is what it is, and I won't boo him on Opening Day.

I'll wait until at least May.

Honestly, I don't care who's managing as long as we win. Piniella might actually be the guy, as crazy as this idea sounds, and Girardi might just be all wrong. I doubt that is the case, but I'm more than willing to be wrong and am in fact wanting to be wrong, if and when Sweet Lou's press conference comes around next week.

hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Oct 14, 2006 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

the manager will not matter much if the roster does not change much. As a coach myself I know that sometime you can only go as far as the horses you're given to work with are truly capable of.

by airweino on Oct 14, 2006 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Girardi for Manager!!!

I think Girardi is the best fit for this team. He is a former Cub, had a great season managing in Florida, in spite of having a crappy team. This guy will give Cubdom the boost it needs. It might take us a little bit to turn it around, but I'm tellin you this guy is the answer. He is cheaper, Cubdom will rally behind him, as will the players in my opinion. Hiring Girardi is the right thing to do and will give this team a new look and energy!!

by etsucub on Oct 14, 2006 1:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Florida

didn't have a crappy team. They had a lot of young and inexperienced players, but so many of those guys were highly touted prospects and known to be full of potential.

I could have told you having guys like Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez would have helped our team a ton. It's a shame Florida will be reluctant to trade anyone but Willis and possibly Cabrera.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus on Oct 14, 2006 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A good point and something that is overlooked...

...Girardi was given quite the green squad, but it was like being given an inexperienced Navy SEAL squad, rather than a bunch of buck privates who don't know which way to point their rifles.

Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, Josh Willingham, and let's not forget Mr. Cabrera and his 1.000+ OPS leading the charge offensively.

And then there's Josh Johnson, Dontrelle, Anibal Sanchez, Scott Olsen. Girardi was given a far more talented squad than Dusty was last year.

And by and large, Girardi's team stayed healthy. Ours did not. A healthy Cub team and perhaps Dusty is still here.

And Colossus, I'd be thrilled if we could work out a deal for Cabrera. It'd be almost like adding a Pujols to the team.

hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Oct 14, 2006 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We have the pieces

to get Cabrera. Hill and Pie would be the first two they'd want, then you have to consider that we don't have any highly touted position players left to give. We'd use Cabrera in LF, so in theory, we could afford to deal Murton (who they'd love to get even if they'd turn around and trade him somewhere else) but that could be very risky bc then we'd have to sign a CF FA for sure and the guys out there now aren't long term solutions (1-2 years at best). So keeping Murton would be great. They'd want Moore since he can play 3B even though he isn't ready to be an everyday player.

It then would be young pitching. We'd have to give up Marshall and a young relief guy. Guzman wouldn't do it, Ryu showed some stuff out of the bullpen this year so maybe him. That would give us:

Hill
Pie
Marshall
Ryu
Moore

Who knows if that would do, most likely not. I think the best thing to do would be to work out a deal for both Willis and Cabrera. We'd have to give up a lot more than five guys, but I'd be willing to send them Prior and cash if that would get it done and stop us from giving up a young guy or two that's shown potential and isn't injured all the time.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus on Oct 14, 2006 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It all depends on how available Cabrera...

...really is.

And there will be other teams falling all over themselves to land Caberea, teams with stacked farm systems like the Dodgers.

The Dodgers could surpass any deal the Cubs could offer by ponying up Andy LaRoche, Matt Kemp, perhaps even Andre Ethier. They also have a sizeable hole at third base so the need is there.

hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Oct 14, 2006 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Florida wasn't a crappy team

thanks to Larry Benifast and his top shelf farm system and shrewd trades over the past winter. Girardi walked into a very nice situation actually. Now Fredi Gonzalez gets to be the benefactor.

by BlueMike on Oct 14, 2006 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least get the words right

its BEINFEST and BENEFICIARY

It's cool we like the same junk and stuff- Phillip J. Fry

by smwojoz on Oct 15, 2006 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

WTF?

I personally find all this hype about Pinella being the next manager, and that it's all a done deal, crap. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm calling BS! Pinella may very well end up the next manager of the Chicago Cubs, but all this talk of it being a done deal plays right into the gullible nature of the overly dramatic fans.

The sky isn't falling, The sky isn't falling!!!

85% of the world's working and the other 15% come out here (to Wrigley). --Lee Elia

by southerncubbie on Oct 14, 2006 1:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If...

Sweet Lou is indeed the next choice, I would imagine the Cubs would wait until his gig doing the ALCS was over. Detroit wins today, announcement tomorrow?

Lou!

"Babe Ruth is dead, just throw strikes!"

by Goat Whisperer on Oct 14, 2006 2:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe the Cubs need Lou's fire...

After seeing the laziest team I have ever put my eyes on this season. Shouldn't it at least be brought up that the Cubs need someone that is going to at least hold people responsible for how they play? Ozzie Guillen said and I agree that when you watch his club you don't see anyone dogging it. When they single, they run hard so that they may possibly advance on a bobble or even get into the fielder's head and maybe rush a play. You didn't see that under Dusty Baker. He was more worried about keeping his rep as a players manager. Lou brings that to this club!! Don't get me wrong I want Girardi more than anyone but Lou is one of the best managers to ever be in this game. He is the only manager in the history of baseball to lead teams to wire to wire finishes.(Reds 1990, Mariners 2001) That year Seattle tied the Cubs record for wins in a season (116). He is only 28 wins away from being the 19th most winning manager in history.

by Cubs hate me on Oct 14, 2006 2:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Disagree

The Cubs do need someone to fire them up, however, it's not like they're a very talented team playing below expectations. The 2006 Cubs were simply a bad team, with a few decent to good players. Girardi also holds his players accountable, and for the kind of situation the Cubs face (rebuilding and the like), I'd say he's the best choice.

by Perkins on Oct 14, 2006 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stop the Hysteria

Complaining about things that haven't or may never happen is beyond the pale in any sane argument for or against Lou.

"Babe Ruth is dead, just throw strikes!"

by Goat Whisperer on Oct 14, 2006 8:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Pinella will be named Cub manager

no later than this Tuesday. That much I am confident in predicting. He's the guy. He's always been the guy. The "pursuit" of Joe Girardi and Bob Brenly and Bruce Bochy wasn't really a pursuit at all. For whatever reasons, Hendry doesn't care for Girardi. Maybe it's professional assessment, maybe it's a personal thing. Will never know. Brenly and Bochy never stood a chance in this thing.

My opinion? Hendry has been thinking Sweet Lou for months.

by BlueMike on Oct 14, 2006 10:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Can we quote you on this?

Because I don't think this is over by any means. I do agree on one thing -- within a day of the end of the NLCS, Hendry will name someone. I think he wants someone in place before the WS begins.

by Al on Oct 15, 2006 4:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs