Phil Rogers writes a column that actually makes sense

Or at least doesn't make me laugh out loud at its absurdity.

about 2 years ago Shanghai Badger 50 comments 1 recs |

Comments

What about that made sense to you?

I read it this morning and shook my head at its utter inanity. BTW, per Bruce Miles the Cubs have “vehemently” denied the report that they have already made a deal to move to Florida for spring training.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2009 2:08 PM CST reply actions

Ok, not the whole column

But the fact that not much seems to have changed.

Graded on a scale against his other material, that’s stellar.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Dec 10, 2009 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

…but this is the same old Phil Rogers tripe. What does he want the Ricketts to do? Back dumptrucks full of cash into the lobby of that hotel in Indianopolis and tell Hendry to start spending it? The Cubs are a team saddled under a pile of massive contracts in a bad economy. This situation with Bradley is virtually unsolvable. Ricketts just spent the last 2+ years raising the money to buy the team and hacking through the sales process. This isn’t a freaking video game. It’s going to take some time to work through this mess. Columns like this just reinforce how out of touch Rogers is.

Oh, and about the Granderson thing – one good thing Rogers HAS done lately is tell us that one of the pieces Detroit was demanding was an ML-ready centerfielder. Well, the Cubs don’t have one of those (sorry, Fuld doesn’t count) and the Yankees did. So, bing bam boom, game over.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Dec 10, 2009 3:15 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I suppose

BUT THERE’S NOTHING GOING ON!

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Dec 10, 2009 3:18 PM CST up reply actions

Too true.

Yesterday, I found myself thinking, “Man, I wish there was a baseball game to listen to right now.”

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Dec 10, 2009 3:27 PM CST up reply actions

Here you go.

Linky

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2009 3:28 PM CST up reply actions

Sweet, thanks.

I will check that out.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Dec 10, 2009 3:34 PM CST up reply actions

Good luck.

I couldn’t get the media player to load.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2009 3:35 PM CST up reply actions

Hm, it seems to work for me.

I’ve used it before to listen to a few of the concerts they’ve posted.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Dec 10, 2009 3:38 PM CST up reply actions

Enjoy, then.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2009 3:44 PM CST up reply actions

Mark DeRosa???

The minute Rogers mentions Mark DeRosa in a column, I stop reading.

by VFTB Matt on Dec 11, 2009 12:31 PM CST up reply actions

Just becuase they are not denying it,

doesn’t mean it can’t happen. I thought the article made the higher level point well – the first 30 days of the Ricketts regime has been at best flat, and to harsher critics disappointing.

It does come across that Ricketts is more focused on Spring Training sites, triangle buildings, and in-park advertising - than the product on the field. Case in point, he could have bailed Hendry out of the MB fiasco by writing a check – he chose not to.

I think it is too early to label all these moves as bad, because there is more time available and they all can turn more positive.

But as of today? I’m disappointed on the issues (on the sides of those issues) he has focused on in his first 30 days.
.

"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14

by BatCubFan on Dec 10, 2009 3:22 PM CST up reply actions

I find a reporter judging "30 days"...

… of a regime that could last decades, to be pointless at best, and dumb at worst, and given that it’s Rogers, it’s “at worst”.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2009 3:24 PM CST up reply actions

So you are going to wait decades before you comment on Ricketts?

Why? There is plenty of evidence right in front of us.

Billboards in bleachers, higher ticket prices, potential uprooting of ST location, not helping Hendry out of the MB mess, triangle building planning, …

None of these are necessarily bad, and they each can be potentially turned more positive in the next 30 day period. But for the ffist month – I give him a D-

"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14

by BatCubFan on Dec 10, 2009 4:43 PM CST up reply actions

There's a middle ground between "30 days" and "decades".

30 days is hardly enough time to pronounce the Ricketts regime as a disappointment, as Rogers did.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2009 4:50 PM CST up reply actions

The guy writing the article is not

the only person disappointed with Rickett’s first month.

"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14

by BatCubFan on Dec 10, 2009 4:55 PM CST up reply actions

Clearly.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Dec 11, 2009 8:18 AM CST up reply actions

LOL - what product on the field?

It’s freakin’ December 10!!! You want him to call batting practice or something?

Improving the spring training facilities helps the team.

The Triangle Building will help the team.

In-park advertising generates revenue – which helps the team.

And writing a check to release Milton Bradley wouldn’t help anything. The money would still be committed and the Cubs couldn’t do a damn thing with it.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Dec 10, 2009 3:32 PM CST up reply actions

He could have solved,

the MB situation with a stroke of a pen, freed up his GM to sign a CF and other improve the “product on the field” moves. Yes, he would have had to invest $12M or so to do that.
Instead he is choosing that the triangle building is a higher priority. His team, his choice, not the one I would make.

"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14

by BatCubFan on Dec 10, 2009 4:38 PM CST up reply actions

from earlier this week:

…the Ricketts group are business people before anything else. Admittedly, they’re fans but don’t necessarily know much about the intricacies of running a sports team. I think they have and will continue to behave as students/passive observers in 2010, lest they be labeled overzealous, amateurish, micromanagers. Unfortunately, this means a complete status quo not only in management (Lou, Hendry), but in philosophy. The reality is that the Ricketts probably only have a vague philosophy (the Boston model, if you will), and, at least in the short term, wouldn’t really know how to implement anyway. At the same time, Hendry probably thinks his best chance of keeping his job beyond 2010 is to tread water next year, and aim small (but miss small—say 85 wins). Getting credit for a revamped farm system is probably the best way Hendry could impress the new owners (it’s a critical facet of the Boston model, after all).

Rogers’ observation about an apparent lack of change in the short term is probably right. The Boston model may well be a reason why the Ricketts would want to move to Fla. in the first place.

by Andronicus on Dec 10, 2009 10:01 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, he's probably right that....

…there won’t be a lot of immediate changes. He’s wrong to imply that that’s somehow a failure. This rebuilding thing is going to take some time – certainly a lot more time than a frickin’ month.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Dec 11, 2009 8:27 AM CST up reply actions

i don't blame the Ricketts

for being risk averse during their first year; it’s certainly refreshing to see owners with patience and an interest to rebuild from the ground up. that said, i think Hendry may have made a mistake in not offering Castro in the CG negotiations. CG could have been a piece able to bridge a ‘win-now’ philosophy in 2010 and a forward thinking youth movement in 2011. There’s a reasonable chance Castro won’t even be the frontrunner be the Cubs SS of the future 24 months from now.

by Andronicus on Dec 11, 2009 11:03 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I think Curtis would have put a lot of people's minds at ease.

I’d certainly feel better about the team with him on it. But it really looks like Detroit wanted a major-league-ready centerfielder in the deal, and I’d guess Austin Jackson was just way too good for them to pass up.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Dec 11, 2009 11:29 AM CST up reply actions

Scherzer was the centerpiece of the deal, IMO

Detroit had a definite need for a SS. The Tigers are looking at Juan Pierre now in case Jackson is not ready to start…

by Andronicus on Dec 11, 2009 12:06 PM CST up reply actions

Hm, interesting.

Hadn’t heard that.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Dec 11, 2009 12:07 PM CST up reply actions

Where are you getting your information?

The Triangle Building isn’t even under construction yet. How is it a “higher priority” than the “product on the field” – which, again, isn’t on any field right now. Not to mention it’s Jim Hendry’s job to build the roster, not Ricketts. I’m not saying the Cubs new ownership isn’t going to make any mistakes but, so far, they appear to be doing their jobs – looking into improving the team’s facilities and exploring revenue streams that could help the team as well.

Also, what does this $12M figure mean? Milton Bradley is still owed roughly $21 million.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Dec 11, 2009 8:26 AM CST up reply actions

I think the $12m figure...

… comes from the idea that the Cubs would take Burrell in return for Bradley; both are going to make $9m in 2010, so that’s kind of a sunk cost, the Cubs figure they have to pay that to somebody next year.

It’s the $12m in 2011 that’s wrecking chances at this deal. If not for that, I suspect he would have been traded already.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 11, 2009 8:42 AM CST up reply actions

OK, I thought he was referring to releasing Milton outright.

If he’s referring to the Burrell trade then this is another case of ridiculous fan impatience. I think Ricketts may still sign off on that deal if it’s the Cubs only option for trading Milton. Hendry may still be pursuing other – probably quite desperate – deals.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Dec 11, 2009 9:02 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

Those who think this is over are mistaken.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 11, 2009 9:12 AM CST up reply actions

Nothing is over
Until we decide it is
Per John Blutarsky

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Dec 11, 2009 9:33 AM CST up reply actions

I have one question for Phil Rogers...

…if he just paid 800+ million for the club, would he give Hendry more money to go after players after what he has seen?

I highly doubt it.

Phil still doesn’t have the right dosage on his medication.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Dec 10, 2009 2:38 PM CST reply actions

Again, it's relatively speaking

And I am damn bored

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Dec 10, 2009 2:55 PM CST up reply actions

Bored? Then write haikus
It will stimulate your mind
At least, I think so

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2009 3:20 PM CST up reply actions

A fair response Al
I could delete this fan shot
But there is ’cussion

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Dec 10, 2009 3:23 PM CST up reply actions

Do you think that Phil
Rogers could write whole columns
In haiku? I sure don’t.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2009 3:25 PM CST up reply actions

The fact that he writes
Whole columns in English is
Truly astounding

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Dec 10, 2009 3:30 PM CST up reply actions

What’s more amazing
Is that a major paper
Still employs Rogers

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2009 3:34 PM CST up reply actions

Or that I could reach
A level of boredom to
Link to his writing

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Dec 10, 2009 3:43 PM CST up reply actions

Then FIRE Hendry

The owners trust him to make decisions or they don’t. If they don’t, fire him, and sooner is better than later. A Granderson deal was the chance to fill an important position that has been a problem since Lofton left at the end of 2003. Letting it go to meet one year’s salary target was an opportunity wasted. It looks like 2010 is another year slipping into the trash heap.

by ClarkFan on Dec 11, 2009 9:53 PM CST up reply actions

Well

this really is on Hendry to be honest. The contracts of Soriano, “Z”, Dempster, Dome, and the famous one: Milton has tied this team into no moves is not so good news.
This is the team, barring a miracle that someone takes Bradley.
I get a kick out of Hendry " there will be a lot of trades I feel this winter meetings" Really.
Jimbo you should be working16 hour days.

by Grockcubs on Dec 10, 2009 3:05 PM CST reply actions

Yes, Hendry has all the accountability,

but Ricketts is the only guy on the face of the earth that can help him recover from at least some of those mistakes.

What are the alternatives? He is letting Hendry twist in the wind and likely put a terrible team out there in 2010. Ricketts is certainly not a “winning is the highest priority” guy.

"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14

by BatCubFan on Dec 10, 2009 4:53 PM CST up reply actions

The 2010 Cubs won't be terrible.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Dec 11, 2009 8:31 AM CST up reply actions

That's not enough

I am sick of a lifetime of “waiting until next year.”

by ClarkFan on Dec 11, 2009 9:55 PM CST up reply actions

He probably is working 16-hour days.

Hendry’s work ethic has never been a problem.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Dec 11, 2009 8:28 AM CST up reply actions

The column is long on speculation

Which, is what column’s are for. I just laugh at the belief that the Cubs should have driven home the Granderson deal. Would have been nice to have him, but it never ceases to amaze me that columnists don’t recognize that there are other teams involved. And, those other teams may have their own best interests at heart.

by Nibbles on Dec 10, 2009 4:00 PM CST reply actions

What's even more amazing...

…is that Rogers himself pointed out the day before that the Tigers were requiring an ML-ready centerfielder in the deal. So the Cubs really didn’t have much of a chance to begin with.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Dec 11, 2009 8:33 AM CST up reply actions

For the first time in years, I happen to agree with Phil.

I’ve been extremely disappointed by the moves the Ricketts have made to start the ownership reign. Raise prices, obviously NOT going into the team on the field is first and foremost. Upgrading the ladies rooms? BFD. I want the team to be able to go after quality players when they are available. Lee is a free agent after next year and ARAM can opt out after next year, and I’d guess they will if they see no moves to improve the team. The Ricketts say they are Cubs fans, but it doesn’t look like they are willing to improve the team, simple as that. If the move to Florida, then you know they only care about the dollars and not the team.

by cubswin on Dec 10, 2009 6:48 PM CST reply actions

"...only care about the dollars and not the team."

Really?

If he only cared about the dollars and not the team, don’t you think he could have found a few other places to invest $800M? Question his sanity for doing so if you want, but I don’t think it’s fair to say he doesn’t care about the Cubs.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 10, 2009 8:25 PM CST up reply actions