Unfortunately, I think it is Piniella.  If you believe the national media, Joe is not the right fit.

I can't believe I am going to ask this (because I fed you so much crap):  What do you sources say.  I have heard from "a source" that it will be "Sweet Lou".  God help us it this is true.

Pinella is older and lazier and grouchier and paunchier version of Dusty Baker.  Just like Dusty with the Giants and California, Sweet Lou will forever talk about the Yankees and the Gulf Coast of Florida.  He won't really want to be in Chicago.  How on earth Jim Hendry can think he is good fit for the Cubs completely escapes me.  

So far with all the coaching staff being let go. Hendry has made all the right moves.

Here's hoping he continues this small streak.

How quick do you think Hicks contacts Joe?  A better question is which is a better job?  I know the Cubs are special, but Texas is closer to competing.

Thoughts?

Can he blow a managerial hire, too?

With his "timetables" I suspect he can.

do not be shocked if he ends up in the mix.  He has a history (NYY, Texas) of changing attitudes and working with kids......

Washington Nationals -- Jim Bowden interested in talking with Joe Girardi...and most likely others

San Francisco Giants -- Bob Brenly emerging as the favorite

Texas Rangers -- Rudy Jaramillo is probably the leading candidate

San Diego Padres --  ??...Sandy Alderson seems poised to stage a takeover coup and oust Kevin Towers and Bruce Bochy

New York Yankees -- Joe Torre is 66 and speculation is he will retire after the playoffs, especially if the Yankees win the World Series.  Joe Girardi is a Steinbrenner and Torre favorite.

Chicago Cubs -- Joe Girardi, Lou Pinella, Jim Fregosi are the main names seemingly on the table

My guess would be:
Pinella to the Rangers.
Brenly to the Giants
Girardi to the Cubs
Stone to the booth
Foley to prison!

If you think about it logically, Piniella is probably the best short-term fix. The one most likely to get immediate Billy Martin-type results by forcing a sleeping team to wake up. He also gives the organization some needed years of experience, with relative pups in the two positions above him.

That said, Piniella is probably not the best long-term choice. Girardi seems to be a good manager, as he proved, for an up-and-coming team. New school. But I don't see him getting immediate results, so you could have a situation where in a year or two he and Hendry and maybe McDonough too are gone.

Don't overlook Brenly. He at least has had the benefit of seeing this team day-in and day-out for two years. He may be the only one of the three that fully understands how important it is for the Cubs to work pitch counts and get on base more while limiting the opposition's walks. Discipline and fundamentals are secondary to that, though a big second.

I think it's a dead heat between these guys. But if you want to win now, I'd go Piniella. And it sounds like McDonough wants to win now.

"Torre spoke with his friend and former protege Joe Girardi, whose firing as manager of the Florida Marlins was anticipated. It's widely assumed that Girardi will wind up as the Chicago Cubs' next manager.

"He sounded OK," Torre said of their conversation. "He understood that managing is not always based on how well you do." And if Girardi somehow remains unemployed as a manager, Torre would certainly consider rehiring his ex-bench coach -- but only if there's a vacancy on the staff."

Also: this tidbit:

Tony Pena is reportedly in consideration for the Washington Nationals' managerial position.

A.  While Hendry might like Gonzalez and Brenly, he took a pass on each because he is lasered in on one guy, or a couple guys, he really likes.  Maybe Joe Girard, maybe Lou Pinella, maybe somebody else...none of us can be quite sure at this stage.  

B.  Hendry's methodical, dim-witted ways have sabotaged the Cub chances of being in the bidding for a Gonzalez or a Brenly.  You snooze you lose.  

C.  Hendry doesn't think much of Gonzalez and Brenly.  

I just do not know what to say.  Strike ONE on Jim Hendry.  

Get Girardi Hendry.

And all respect to Pete Gammons and his health issues of late, he is wrong more that not.

Never got the feeling Dusty had much input on personnel and there may have been some clashes we don't know about...I'm sure Baker wanted another bopper after Sosa/Alou left bit they never got one really, even after D Lee's injury.

Am sure Girardi could work with Hendry and McDonough to put together a better product and org. than what we've had.

He should be signed sealed and delivered before he gets away...if he goes elsewhere, it will be worse than Furcal but fascinating to see how Hendry & Co try to spin....I don't think from a PR standpoint (not primary, but impt.) they can afford another colossal blunder at this point that enrages the fans when they end up with a "back-up'' manager choice.

Outside pressures=logic=Girardi with three-year deal with option for fourth.

Will be anxious to hear media on him more have heard a few reports he could be prickly with press, here and in Fla?? What has the Marlins beat reporter said?? Paul Sullivan or Teddy Greenstein? Not that it means everything, but Dusty's chilly relationship with Chi media--viz a viz his more cordial rel. in SF--didn't help matters.

If Lou Pinella is hired, I will puke in my shoes.  If Larry Rothschild comes back as Pinella's pitching coach, I will abandon the Cubs for the first time in history until new ownership arrives.  

Lou Pinella is the "Win Now" choice. THIS is the new MANTRA.
He has been successful in every place except in TAMPA including taking a worst to first and WS win with the Reds.

He has the experience and can gain the respect of the multi-millionaire players. For dealing with the FA's that will be signed this off-season and the Lee's/Ram, etc.

This could be a reason Hendry hires him if it happens.

I wouldn't be upset if Girardi is hired - but I DON'T WANT to WAIT ANYMORE if hiring Pinella gets the team to the WS quicker!

Terry Francona? 1st year  w/Sox WS

Grady Little? 1st Yr, Dodgers, Playoffs

Phil Garner - SWITCHED AT ALL STAR GAME, Pennant. These are only recent examples.

Bullshit!

There IS such a thing as a "WIN NOW" manager!

His 2nd season he won the pennant.

He won't make all of the right moves but he'll make far more right than Dusty and he won't be making excuses for his shortcomings nor will he tolerate the same crap from his players.  If he will manage the staff well and leverage the pen then I am totally sold...

Now if this is the Cubs No. 1 guy, then he better have an outstanding offer in front of him by noon tomorrow.  You go balls to the wall for the number one guy here.  Our team is in disarray, don't play coy and silly feeler games with this, Hendry--make him your best offer tomorrow or resign your GM position.

I guess the Cubs thought as much of him to DFA him.

And, I'm sure you wanted to sign Burnitz over JJones, too, right?

If Hendry wanted Girardi, it would be done already.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/baseball/15672616.htm

If you don't think the Cubs upper management aren't looking deeply into the reasons why a potential Manager of the Year candidate was summarily dismissed after one year of a lucrative 3 year contract...by an organization on a tight budget...you are missing something very important here.