Is there any doubt the playoffs are unthinkable
by tharr on Jun 30, 2010 7:04 PM CDT
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Playoff odds are now less than 2%. And while I respect those who refuse to believe we can not turn the season around, the odds tell us everything a prudent man or woman needs to know. We have a very good pitching staff. However, we rank 26th out of 30 teams in runs scored. To make matters worse, we have a losing record against the 3 teams beneath us that we have played. Let's look at some glaring statistics that might help identify where we have problems.
We're 6th in DP hit into and 30th in SB. That should tell us we are terribly slow and that Lou is not using the hit and run very often. We have the 5th lowest sOPS+. And even with Castro and Colvin, we have the 7th highest batters age. The wind blows in 58% of the time at Wrigley and blows out only 26%. Yet we have built a team of bangers.
"We have a fly-ball hitting team and it doesn't really help when the wind is blowing in a lot," Piniella said. "It helps the other team, too, we understand that.
"(But) we don't have the quickest team, so getting the ball up into the air and letting it sail out into the stands or over the stands is good for us."
This should tell us that our reliance on power hitters isn't appropriate. Who constructed this team and why? It reminds me of a basketball team built upon large immobile front court players. The other problem is that those guys demand larger salaries while having a positive impact only 26% of the time.
There is a stat that identifies success in certain situations. The splits are remarkable for the Cubs. In high leverage games we rank 26th. In medium leverage we're 27th. Yet in low leverage games, we rank 4th. Can you say choke?
Two years ago the Reds hired Walt Jocketty. He has helped build a team that leads the Central and has scored the 4th most runs in the majors. He has replaced five position players since he arrived. Their team payroll is $68M versus $146M for the Cubs. Obviously a good GM can work wonders for a team. Contrary wise it shows how a bad GM can cripple the team. Hendry is that bad GM. And while Lou has lost all respect as a manager, the real fault lies with JH. This team needs to embark on a new vision of athletic players who can run, field and hit line drives.
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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I will recommend my comment.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jun 30, 2010 7:16 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
one 14 game winning streak away
just sayin…
"Shut the f*** up" – Derrek Lee. Well said my man, well said.
At this stage
I’d happily accept winning 14 games before the end of the season.
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
As long as they don't have to play the Pirates any more, that should be doable.
The thing about Piniella and power hitters is inexplicable. The wind has blown in at Wrigley far more than it’s blown out over the last decade. I don’t have numbers handy right here, but I seem to recall that it’s a pretty neutral park right now, maybe slightly tilted toward offense, but not necessarily HR.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
We also really don't HAVE power hitters
Soriano’s days of 40 home runs are long gone. Lee’s days of 30 homeruns as well. A normal ARAM is the only true power hitter on this team.
Look at the lineup yesterday
Dome: Career high of 11 homers (clearly not a power hitter)
Fontenot and or Theriot: Please
Byrd: Career high of 20 homers (not a power hitter)
Lee: 30 home run days are behind him
ARAM: 30 home run days are probably behind him
Soriano: 30 home run days a probably behind him
Hill and or Soto: Not really power hitters
Castro: Not a power hitter.
This team apparently isn’t built for speed and it’s built for something that the players who they think are “power hitters” can’t really do anymore. Time to get a GM who can actually build a team and a manager who can adapt to the strengths and weaknesses of that team
Soriano is currently on pace for 27 HR and the second-best OPS of his career...
so to say his 30 HR days are behind him might be a bit presumptuous. Lee hit 35 HR just last year and is on pace for 21 despite a horrible start to the season. So again, I think it’s presumptuous to say his 30 HR days are behind him. Remember just 13 months ago how many people said Lee was done?
I’d say we have three true power hitters (Soriano, Lee, and Ramirez), but two are slumping/hurt this year. We have two other guys with solid pop (Soto and Byrd) but aren’t really power hitters. We have two middle infielders with little/no power. And then we either have a slap hitter (Fukudome) or a power hitter (Colvin) in RF.
Three more games in August.
Wait, no, one of them is on Sept. 1st.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
or hell flies
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
or frozen pigs fly over hell
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Jun 30, 2010 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Why do I think of BBQ
With this comment? HUNGRY!!!
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
Have you flown United?
Believe me. This already happens.
Things work out best for those that make the best out of the way things work out - Coach Wooden
That's what got the Saints a Super Bowl
So there’s no telling what has to happen for the Cubs to make a playoff run.
RIP Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010).
Playoffs have been a foregone conclusion for weeks
Welcome to the party
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Shorter for some than others
I haven’t had much faith in this team since April and that hasn’t changed.
RIP Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010).
Playoffs?
Did you say PLAYOFFS? Playoffs? ….Playoffs?
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 1, 2010 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions
I have to admit, I understand what you're saying.
I had a bad feeling after Opening Day, but I didn’t want to give it too much weight. Now…ugh.
Playoffs?
Don’t talk about playoffs? Are you kidding me? Playoffs? I’m just hoping we win a game. Another game.
Close... I also love this one:
Dennis Green after losing to the Bears in OT
They’re who we thought they were. We played them in preseason — who the hell takes a … But they are who we thought they were! And we let ’em off the hook!
That was better,
And I’d say the ad parody of that was severly disappointing. I mean you have to obviously change the swear words…but it should have been a lot funnier than it was.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 1, 2010 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions
You know what I loved about that comment
Was that he was completely right and we had an unfiltered look into his personality. From my perspective, it was nothing but positive. Here was a guy who was driven to win, a guy who had put together a great game plan, a guy who executed that game plan, but in the end was let down by just a few key mistakes.
He took that loss hard, as he should have, but his feelings, I thought, were completely warrented. So rarely do we get such a naked look into a professional sports figure’s phyche. It was fascinating.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 1, 2010 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Cubs fans have this perception that admitting "this season is over" makes you less of a fan.
It does not. It’s reality. This season’s well over.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
The season is not over
The Cubs chances of making the post-season pretty much is. But the season goes on.
Semantics.
You know what I mean.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Yeah
but my point is there are reasons to watch the team even if they don’t have a chance.
by Josh Timmers on Jul 1, 2010 3:22 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
agreed
the season doesn’t exist within a bubble. At this point if you believe that they can’t make the playoffs you can still watch them to see how the kids develop. I’d imagine the Cubs ability to be a competitive team in the near future will be at least somewhat tied to the development of young homegrown(and cheap) players contributing and making it possible for the Cubs to clear some salary.
---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
Agreed.
There’s a point in seasons like this where I switch from rooting for the team to rooting for certain players. That doesn’t mean I don’t want the Cubs to win – I always do. But individual wins mean next to nothing right now.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
Many have a problem with people declaring the season over before a game has been played
but at this point in the season, it is not disloyal to admit it ain’t happening this season and the team needs to rebuild. I was okay with letting Hendry and Lou have this season to prove this core of players was capable of winning. With the contracts they have there was little else that could be done except let it play out. It is clear now that this core does not have it anymore and it is time to re-tool as best you can.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 1, 2010 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions
I completely agree with you and I think most here do.
I just by now don’t see how bold or inventive it is to say it. this team this year makes me need therapy…
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 2, 2010 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Hendry knows the season is over
as does Lou and the players. Admitting it in public is another thing.
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
Walt Jocketty
while he deserves some credit, lets realize that much of the foundation for that Reds team was there before he got there
He’s made some very good moves, but that was a good situation before he got there
follow me on twitter for fantasy sports analysis @http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer or get the full analysis at www.fantistics.com
by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 1, 2010 7:34 AM CDT reply actions
The point is the future
Of course all chance is gone for 2010. The Cubs and we fans should be thinking about 2011 — more probably 2012 — and a team not built around Lee, Ramirez, Zambrano, etc. That team’s best chance ended in 2008. There’s no sense trying to put it back together. Let’s see if the Cubs have a nerve to take it apart (as much as possible with bad contracts) and construct a team for the next decade..
New guy
I’ve been a long time reader and just recently signed up. I can’t believe the attitude I’m seeing on here. Yes, the Cubs have been playing poorly but that’s no reason to give up on the season. They are only 10 games out of first place and there has been plenty of teams to come back and take the division after being down as many games, most recently the Rockies and the Indians in the movie “Major League”. All I’m saying is that it can be done and I hope all the naysayers don’t try to jump back on the band wagon that the rest of us never got off.
"the Indians in Major League" ???
Hard to be sarcastic in your very first post as the folks here will not know if your are trying to be funny or you are an idiot
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 1, 2010 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Sorry
that was a joke. I was trying to lighten the mood. But seriously, they did play some great baseball towards the end in that movie.
by John McMuffin on Jul 1, 2010 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Tom Berenger was just awful as a "baseball player"
I am not sure which is uglier, his throwing our his swinging.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 1, 2010 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't know
the guy who played Ed Harris was pretty pathetic.
by John McMuffin on Jul 1, 2010 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Berenger was pretty bad
But nothing tops Tim Robbins. That is the worst athlete ever to play an athlete.
On the other hand, Costner and Tom Selleck kicked ass. Supposedly, Costner hit two homers off semi-legit pitching during filming.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
No question Robbins was bad.
He could not break glass with his fastball.
I have never understood why they hire guys who have clearly never played the game to play a ballplayer. Are there so few actors who have played some ball?
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 1, 2010 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Lady, I'm not an athlete. I'm a baseball player. Author: John Kruk
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Jul 1, 2010 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably...
Most actors are also short. I love “The Shield” but Michael Chiklis is like 5’5"
At least Berenger’s character was supposed to be creaky and broken down.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
From wikipedia
Robbins is an avid baseball and hockey fan. He supports the New York Mets and the New York Rangers and frequently attends games. In 1995, Robbins did a series of promos for MSG Network advertising upcoming Rangers games, and has narrated a documentary on the 1969 Mets for SNY. Robbins is a passionate ice hockey player who participates regularly in the New York adult recreational hockey community.
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Jul 1, 2010 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions
still throws like a girl
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 2, 2010 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Worst movie baseball player? Anthony Perkins as Jimmy Piersall
make Tim Robbins look like Juan Marichal.
William Bendix as Babe Ruth is so bad, you begin to wonder if Babe Ruth was actually a very good baseball player.
Babe Ruth is pretty much impossible to cast
You’d almost have to have two different actors — one from 1915-1927 and one from 1927 on.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
I liked Robbins as Nuke.
Perfect combination of naive, young and stupid. He acted well in it and it was a shame he was such a horrid pitcher. Doesn’t take away much from liking the movie or him as an actor to me.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 2, 2010 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions
I liked Robbins fine except when he had to pitch
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 2, 2010 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Charlie Sheen as "Wild Thing" wasn't too bad either.
Not saying his fastball was worth anything, but his form looked better than most actors trying to play pitchers. Dennis Quaid? Not so much.
Sheen played HS ball apparently
so he could look like a ball player. Wesley Snipes look pretty good, too. Dennis Haysbert (Cerrano) looked good swinging the bat, but that throw he makes in the playoff game from the RF wall is just pathetic. It maybe traveled 50 feet in the air.
I thought Quaid looked all right, decent pitching form.
How about the movie *61? I don’t know the actors’ names, but the guy whom played Maris looked pretty good (and a lot like Roger) while the guy who played Mantle was awful. I saw an interview where he said he never played ball … geez, no kidding. And the actor who played Whitey Ford was righthanded, so they had to reverse everything to make him appear lefthanded, including a mirror image Yankees uni.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 3, 2010 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
61 was a great movie.
Blue mountains high .. Blue valleys low
I don't know which way we shall go ..
One summer dream .. one summer dream ..
coda
ELO, 1975
Worf, you're wrong .. Worst all time actor playing a BB player
Michael O’Keefe in “The Slugger’s Wife” .. makes Anthony Perkins look like Derek Jeter.
It played on a DISH Network preview channel a couple days. The premise and acting were beyond belief. But O’Keefe’s banzai hacking at the plate was a thing of hilarity.
Blue mountains high .. Blue valleys low
I don't know which way we shall go ..
One summer dream .. one summer dream ..
coda
ELO, 1975
agreed
Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 1, 2010 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions
You get me Willie Mays Hayes and Jake Taylor
and I’ll listen.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
That's going to be impossible
it was just a movie.
by John McMuffin on Jul 1, 2010 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Really?
Awesome. I thought it would take awhile for me to make friends being the new guy and all.
by John McMuffin on Jul 1, 2010 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions
You hit Worf's sense of humor perfectly.
But you should be warned that there are some here that are only happy about such humor if it is their own. Too bad there isn’t a sarcasm font.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 1, 2010 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions
I love that movie!
"Did you ever wake up with an erection...and find yourself in a massage chair at Brookstone? And you yell to the sales clerk "I'll take it!"' Zach Galifinakis
by R*8 on Jul 1, 2010 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions
I wrote off this team's playoff chances in May.
But I’ve been thinking more about whether this team can compete in 2011.
If Ramirez has a good second half, it might indicate that he can be a decent No. 5 hitter in 2011. The departures of Lilly and Lee will mean about $25 million in savings, and trading Silva in the next month could mean another $12 million. I also see a few others on smaller deals leaving (Theriot, Nady, Fontenot, etc.), so we’re talking about $40 million or so (even after raises to some remaining guys and even without factoring in Z or Kosuke possibly being dealt with SOME small savings).
If all that happens, the Cubs will have about $40 million to spend with the chief needs being a new first baseman, a new second baseman and possibly another starter. I know Al will chime in and suggest we just re-sign Lilly (and maybe a one-year deal through arb would be OK). But for these three spots, I think the Cubs should shy away from anything more than a 2-year deal. I also know that a lot of backup spots will have to be filled, but they’ll have to be filled internally or through the scrap heap. No more Miles-style deals in January when guys like Felipe Lopez can be had for a $1 million in March.
I guess I just see reason to believe the Cubs can compete for the playoffs next year with a few smart, short-term moves. I know there are a hundred what-ifs (Colvin could have a sophomore slump, Soriano could regress again, Cashner might be the next Spellcheck, etc.). But a few good big-money signings to short-term deals could make the Cubs competitive in 2011 as they wait for the kids in Iowa and below to start showing up.
We don't even know how much Ricketts is willing to spend.
Ricketts may be happy to save the money with Lilly and Lee gone, not hand it over to Hendry to go shopping. For all we know he’d like to scale back to $90-$100 Million a year.
Very true.
I’m making a big assumption (and I should have pointed that out). And if Ricketts isn’t willing to maintain payroll, everything changes.
That's a very good point.
That long debate on BCB about Lilly was in my mind incomplete because of that. Getting value and saving payroll is great for the fans if Ricketts puts it back into the team, same with letting Lee go. But it might only be good for Ricketts if he decides to wait a number of years before bringing the payroll level back up again to current levels or higher.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 1, 2010 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions
If Ricketts wants to cut payroll significantly next year ...
that’s all the more reason to explore a Lilly trade, IMO.
well yes but that wasn't the point of what I was trying to say.
If he doesn’t put that savings back into the team in a couple of years, I don’t see this being a win for the fans.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 1, 2010 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
trading Lilly wouldn't be a win?
Well, that would depend on what we get back, wouldn’t it?
Of course it would.
But that’s presupposing they get players in return that perform well for the Cubs or that money saved actually gets put back into the team. I don’t know if he will or won’t, just saying we don’t know yet and I hope we do if a trade is made.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 1, 2010 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
I think we're in agreement.
I’m assuming the money saved not re-signing Lilly will be spent on the team (hence my original post).
But who knows?
Yeah I was thinking exactly that seeing your posts.
And when I debated Lilly with you and others before today, I was thinking all along that I should have shut up because I really don’t think there is much difference at all between us. If we get a good return for Lilly, (whatever the hell that means exactly and man people on here sometimes love to try to pin you down to a figure so they can find a reason to tell you AH! that’s crazy! only THIS number is acceptable), It’s something I would want .I always would want our GM to be exploring for trades for players with this turkey of a team.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 1, 2010 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm sure Ramirez will have a great 2011
It’s his contract year. He has something to play for.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 1, 2010 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions
Unless he's just lost it.
I know what you’re saying, because I remember how Aramis played after the Cubs were done in 2006. But he might not be physically capable of returning to his old form.
You may be right, but I don't think so.
He just turned 32 and I think he still has it in him. I could see a decline if he were 34, 35, but to decline at 31 doesn’t make sense. However, maybe injuries have caught up to him. I certainly think that’s possible.
Also, don’t forget, the way he palyed in Pittsburgh at the end of his time there. The biggest criticism of his game was his defense, but once he’s goten here, hsi defense has been great. I really think it’s a motivation thing with him.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 1, 2010 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
That's certainly possible to me.
I know very well most players perform better in contract years, but this drop is so mindbogglingly huge it has to be an injury or an inability from age to continue.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 1, 2010 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
I hope so, it will increase his market value
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 1, 2010 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't think they have quite as much money as you show
In 2011, the team already has $101M committed to Soriano, Zambrano, Ramirez, Fukudome, Dempster, Silva, Byrd, Grabow, and Samardzija. Then there is arbitration for Marmol, Soto and Marshall.
Even if the team can move Silva, those players will probably cost something over $100M next year. The team would only have 3 establish starter (discounting Gorzelanny here), and as you point out no 1B, and another 13 roster spots to fill.
I think 2011 is another year of retrenching, waiting for more contracts to roll off. Gonzalez and Fielder may be in the 2011-12 FA class, so signing a multi-year deal for 1B just creates another problem. The team should have a better idea by the end of the year of how some of the young pitchers will fit into the majors.
I think the team's chances are next to nothing but that doesn't mean that that sentiment is actionable
Unless someone is offering an excellent deal for some of the Cub players right now, there’s nothing to do except hope that they can somehow find the magic to compete. Honestly, I don’t think there’s anything to do but hope this gets turned around somehow. Form the looks of it, the only guy that the Cubs have that’s going to net anything substantial is Lilly and he’s at best the second best pitcher on the market. I don’ think it’s likely that the Cubs can turn it around, and by, say, July 23, they probably need to scour the market and find out what they can get for what they have.
Yes, I think it’s time for Hendry to go, but not necessarily for the reasons you state. This Cub team has made the playoffs more often under his leadership than at any other time in the last 60+ years. Under his management, the Cubs have lost the tag “Loveable Losers”, which I’ve always hated because it still means you’re a loser.
Hendry needs to go becuase of two things: 1) I think he’s taken the team as far as he can. It’s time to hand the baton to the next guy. Maybe this is the “Doug Collins to Phil Jackson” moment. 2) He’s recklessly spent millions and millions of dollars to unproductive and/or explosive players that is saddling the team with poor investments. In many cases, he’s driven the team into a ditch, but it’s up to someone else to get them out.
But let’s not underscore that this is a pretty talented team that is fabulously underperforming. First and foremost, the blame for this trainwreck of a season starts with Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome, and Zambrano.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 1, 2010 9:37 AM CDT reply actions
I'd agree with a lot of what you said here.
I would say that if you think we’ve lost the Loveable Losers tag currently in other cities, you are probably mistaken.
I like how you point out that the blame for the season starts with Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome and Zambrano. Because as awful and disinterested as Lou has been this year, I don’t believe that another manager would have been able to change this season greatly…some sure, but it’s a turkey. Hendry is responsible for creating this mess, and needs to go. Lou had a hand in it a little and has reacted poorly to manage the mess we have, and needs to go as well.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 1, 2010 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Well, I think we can all agree that there's nothing "Loveable" about this bunch!
Maybe that tag is still alive and well in other cities. But, I do think it’s not so much the case here.
I am well convinced that Hendry has run his course. I honestly believe his tenure has been a huge success. I really do. However, every leader needs to step aside at some point and I think this is the point for Hendry. Even if the next GM will do the same things that Hendry would have done, the fact that it is coming from someone else will have a greater impact. It’s just time and I hope the Ricketts see it that way too.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 1, 2010 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
I like Hendry personally.
He has made a number of good trades, and this team did make the playoffs and had success of course under him. I don’t know the numbers of all his contracts nor have the timeline down on every player to normally debate this much with people that like to get specific…but I do know well the current team is saddled with a lot of long term , high salaried players that can’t perform….and he was the one that traded for or signed them.
It’s time for another vision and GM. I hope as you do that Ricketts has recognized this and has had a short list of GMs he wants, will find one by the end of the year so the GM can start the long process of building a leader and shedding these contracts.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 1, 2010 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, I like Hendry too
Where this team is right now is a Herculan task from where it was in the 90’s when he first got on board. He’s not the only one responsible for that, but he’s a big chunk. He probably had to do that by acquiesing to players along the way, but there’s the other side fo the coin with that, as we now see.
But yes, in total, bravo to Jim Hendry!
by jerry morales rules on Jul 1, 2010 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh I didn't mean to say he was not influenced during this.
Management may have told Hendry you need to sign this player, keep that one, or trade for this player. Ricketts needs to have a thorough review of everyone involved in the front office. I hope since he hasn’t run a team before he is finding someone to make these reviews for him, I don’t see him having the experience to know the best people for the job beyond things like marketing.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 1, 2010 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
He may have, but I don't knwo that.
If upper management told him to do that, that might have an impact on my thoughts here, however, if he really disagreed with it, he should have quit. Seriously.
As for Ricketts, he is a University of Chicago MBA graduate. Though he may not have baseball expertise, I’m sure he has expertise on how to best run an organization. That will serve him well as he relies upon recommendatios from other people as well, but I’m well convinced that he knows how organizational business decision making works best.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 1, 2010 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions
If, under Hendry's watch,
the minor league system had provided any kind of stream of position players, he wouldn’t have had to make so many insane deals. His failing is completely the lack of developing people who can play in the eight positions in the field.
But he was the head of the minor league system
before he became GM.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 1, 2010 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Hendry had a huge advantage over previous GMs
In that the Cubs outspent everyone in the division by 25-40%. He really should have had more success than he did. IMHO
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
I think you have a lot of company with that opinion.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 6, 2010 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Well considering I've still got my Vegas ticket on my bulletin board
I have to say no….emphatically no…I mean I’ve got my life savings of $10.00 invested here. Of course I could have used the lottery as an investment tool but I figure the Cubs should have a better rate of return. Besides we haven’t been mathematically eliminated yet. Until that happens I’m still counting on that ticket paying off.
If the world didn't suck we would all fall off.
Two Words: Fire Sale
Dump as much salary as the market will allow. Get no-trades clauses waived as possible.
Trade everything you can, rebuild in the offseason.
Official MCM Pessimist.
Oh, I'm sorry; did I poke a hole in the echo chamber?
by The Jade Scorpion on Jul 1, 2010 4:55 PM CDT reply actions
Yep
I’d rather watch a team of young players boot the ball around and swing at low/outside ball fours while getting better as opposed to what we have now. Trade them to contenders, take your licks on salary and rebuild. As much as I love Lou, he’s probably done after this season and it would be fun to see what Ryno, once he’s ascended to the throne, can do with a bunch of kids.
"I'm just giving the fireworks guy time to re-load".
~ Former Pitching Coach Billy Connors
As mentioned in other posts
a losing team of ALL kids won’t be drawing. Just sayin.’ Just because the kids are hustling and losing 90+ games, I don’t really think anybody here would be happy. (Re: Baltimore/Pittsburgh)
The chorus of “Cubs are cheap,” “Ricketts is cheap” would be deafening.
It sounds good, and when the Padres 46-million dollar payroll is in first place, seems good, but the Cubs a a friggin major market franchise and should NEVER have fire sales. You can attempt to dump older players and cut some costs, but to field a Triple A product — it’s not as if the Ticket prices are coming down.
Then the chorus of “I’m not paying to see minor leaguers” would follow.
This team has to reload, NOT rebuild with youth and experience.
To field a tiny payroll in the Chicago market is foolish. The White Sox tried that for a while in the 80s’ and that idea was abandoned, eventually.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 11, 2010 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions
I doubt they can ever make .500
How is the “might as well keep Lou, it can’t get any worse crowd” doing? I remain in the minority in believing they had the talent to complete from the start but that is long gone now.
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
I don't think the talent is there, but Lou isn't using it well, either
Starting with Lee and Ramirez locked into 3-4 during massive slumps.
Even with rational management, this team would struggle to get to .500 and score runs. But it wouldn’t have spent the last month looking like the worst team in the National League.
it would
take an act of god for a team that scores 3 runs or less every game to go postseason
or the early-to-mid 1960s Dodgers' starting rotation
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 5, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
I think it's better for this team to just start over.
You have two players, Lilly and Lee, with expiring contracts that can be traded for nice pieces. Why would we hold onto them for an unlikely playoff run that may end very quickly even if we do get in?
It’s time to start over. It’s time to take a new approach to things. It’s time to start building Cub teams the right way. Not with the $, but with baseball smarts. Great teams in all sports have the same thing in common, a core of a few players that carry over year to year with much change on the peripheral. A team like the Twins would be a perfect example. Although, it is hard to imitate the Twins, they provide a good model of low cost winning.
Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup Champions
Duke Blue Devils 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Champions
Who would trade for Derrek Lee right now?
Seriously.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
These are popping up like fruit flies on here.
Trade Dome, Trade Z, Trade Lee, Trade Rami. Sure we are exploring them and should. But man…Hendry isn’t an idiot for being unable to unload the horrible contracts for underperformers.Does anyone really think that he needed someone to write a post for him to realize trading them is a good idea? Guess I should expect it on a blog.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 6, 2010 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions
a good point that so many here seem to fail to understand
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 7, 2010 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions
This is what the Blackhawks are doing.
It’s forced, due to the NHL’s salary cap — but keep the young core, find the role players and keep shuffling them in and out. Worked for the Red Wings, and for the Patriots.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 11, 2010 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions
It's time to trade for the future
Lee
Lilly
Nady
Theriot
Should be priorities 1-4 in dealing for prospects now.
If you can find a taker for these 3
Zambrano
Silva
Grabow
Fukudome
Soriano
It would be time to get out from under their contracts.
If you can get any decent value in return, then you need to deal
Dempster
Byrd
Aramis
and maybe
Gorzy and Sean Marshall
Bottom line is that this current incarnation of the Cubs needs to be torn down and rebuilt.
Clearing off the current placeholders and giving a NEW AND COMPETENT GM the 140 million to rebuild this thing makes way too much sense.
If
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
Was it over when the Germans bombed Peerl Harbor?
The playoffs are still a possibility! I’m not giving up!!
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