Sweet Lou interview at Baseball America

by socalbob on Dec 19, 2006 1:53 PM CST

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/features/262959.html

Nothing real earth-shattering here. I particularly like how he discussed handling Prior and Wood. Give Woody as much time as he needs assimilating to a relief role. And "IF" Prior is healthy it will be a boost the likes of signing a top flight free agent pitcher.

I just have to say it sucks talking about Wood and Prior this way as I really felt we were on the verge of competing every year through 2010. I guess "turning the page" is not all that bad.

Another note--BA comes out with the Cubs rankings on Jan 29th. I'm sure we'll be pretty disappointed with the overall state of our farm system and talent pool of players.

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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Forget Mark Prior

If one thing is clear, it's that the Cubs have finally gotten wise and are not counting on Prior to do much of anything in 2007. People try to keep reading in between the lines whenever Hendry and Sweet Lou speak on the subject of Prior. That's a mistake.

Rommel, you magnificent bastard!! I READ YOUR BOOK!!

by BlueMike on Dec 19, 2006 2:12 PM CST reply actions

Hopefully this means patience for Pie...

"No, no. If you look at my history as a manager, we give young kids opportunities. I like young kids. I like the enthusiasm they bring, the work habits they bring. I'll give guys a lot of chances. The problem is, if they're not ready to perform in that arena, you're almost doing them a disfavor."

by madtown on Dec 19, 2006 3:18 PM CST reply actions

Piniella

I was firmly in the Hire Joe camp, but I have to say that so far Sweet Lou is making me feel better and better about his hiring

now if he does what he says...

keeping mediocrity at bay

by flyball on Dec 19, 2006 4:03 PM CST reply actions

This is exactly how I feel.

The way Piniella has approached the job and the offseason is winning me over. I was certainly willing to wait and see, and so far I've liked what I've seen.

by Al Yellon on Dec 19, 2006 4:23 PM CST up reply actions

Sweet Lou

is 10 X the manager Joe Girardi will ever be. Jim Hendry made a good hire.

Rommel, you magnificent bastard!! I READ YOUR BOOK!!

by BlueMike on Dec 19, 2006 4:26 PM CST up reply actions

How do you really feel??

The one thing I do like is that there is never any question where Mike stands on things..

Well, sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.

by wicubfan on Dec 19, 2006 4:39 PM CST up reply actions

mgr

i too wanted giradi,but settling for sweet lou is just as good.

by NOMAR on Dec 19, 2006 5:11 PM CST reply actions

as far as managers go........

We had baker and whether you like him or not he's gone. Now we have piniella and whether you like him or not he's our manager. If we win hendry will be a hero for signing him and if we lose it will be just the opposite.we shoulda coulda woulda but didnt sign every single major free agent this winter. we got what we got. all this to make a point and that being no matter what manager we have or players--it will all be null and void if we cant stay healthy. we could have had larussa(ws winning manager), giradi etc. last year and we still would have lost. you cant win anything with a big percentage of your main 25 man roster on the dl. there are gonna be injuries but if we can keep them limited we will go a long way next year. the dl has been and always will be the worst enemy.

Here comes the nasty leftie to shut it down in the 9th......Clay Rapada!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Dec 19, 2006 7:29 PM CST reply actions

can't blame it on injuries

a good GM and organization knows that injuries are part of the game. They shouldn't rely on the perfect health of a 25 man roster to win 90 games.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Dec 19, 2006 8:40 PM CST up reply actions

ur putting words in my mouth...

i never said the health had to be perfect. i guess a good gm would have known we were gonna lose d lee, prior,wood, barrett, rusch, etc. any team with as many injuries as we had would have not done good. granted we may have not been any better. this year we have a real good shot at the world series with who we have on paper but if the injury bug starts biting like it has in the past we wont be any better than last year. then we will have to listen to the same ol tune-- piniella and hendry is to blame for us not hiiting or not pitching or for making errors so on and so on.

Here comes the nasty leftie to shut it down in the 9th......Clay Rapada!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Dec 19, 2006 9:07 PM CST reply actions