Since the season is pretty much over, I thought this might be a good topic to post.  If you could have your pick of any 1 GM and and any 1 manager to take over for the Cubs in 2007, who would it be?  Obviously, this won't happen since McPhail is in charge, but let's pretend that the Tribune actually realizes they own a team and the head guy in charge can't manage a McDonald's.  However, instead of replacing him, they make him fire the GM and manager (which should happen anyway), and tell him if he doesn't field a winning team in 2007 he has to be Neifi Perez's love slave.  So here goes, who do you take?  Note: at this point, it would take Superman more than a year to build a perennial contender out of this year's team, but for arguments sake, who would do it the quickest?

I think for GM, I would take John Schuerholz of the Braves.  15 division titles in a row.  Granted, they only got 1 title out of it, but that 1 title is one more than the Cubs have had in 98 years.  Plus, we seem to make a decent run in the playoffs every 15 years, so I think we would all gladly take that.  He has been able to develop young talent, has kept the farm system stocked, and has been able to put a winning team on the field every year (with this year being the exception), even the years in which they were not favored to win anything.  Plus, he was able to build a stellar pitching rotation, and brought in talent when he needed it.

Choice for manager is tougher.  Leyland is tearing it up, Torre is always steady, and Francona has had good success, along with LaRussa and others.  My choice is also an Atlanta Brave- Bobby Cox.  I think he understands the game extremely well, keeps high standards for his players, and can motivate them (an anti Dusty Baker).  Plus, he had that 15 year streak going.  Again, I know this sounds bad saying it considering they are nearly 10 games under right now, but given the talent, I think they could do the best for the Cubs in the quickest amount of time, despite many other good choices out there as well.

What does everyone think?