Jim Hendry Fired By Cubs
by Al Yellon on Aug 19, 2011 10:43 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs News
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As you no doubt know by now from various tweets, Cubs GM Jim Hendry has been fired after nine years on the job. Assistant GM Randy Bush takes over on an interim basis.
I am writing this from my phone at Wrigley, so I'll keep this brief, let you all talk and post more after the game.
The simple truth is, it was and is time for a new direction. I'm glad Tom Ricketts is taking that new direction.
Have at it. More from me later.
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Well it appear that way
from the outside looking in . I thought Ricketts would allow Hendry to finish out 2011 . If I were q I would be looking over my shoulder 24/7 .
Quade
How does this change Quade’s job security? If a GM is brought in from outside the organization Quade goes? If Bush is given the perm position does he keep Quade?
It changes it because a large part of the reason for HENDRY not to fire Quade
was that to do so would be to admit he made a mistake. If Hendry had been allowed to stay, it was more likely that he would keep Quade on. Now Quade’s only hope is that someone from outside the organization takes a look at the job he’s done and concludes that what the Cubs really need is more from him. That seems unlikely.
by Orval Overall on Aug 19, 2011 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions
A new GM
especially one hired from outside the organization, is going to want a manager loyal to him. I’d be shocked if Quade is back next season.
by Josh Timmers on Aug 19, 2011 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree
Now that Rickets has indicated the new GM will likely be from the outside, I’m sure the new GM will want to hire his own manager. So Quade is now a lame duck. He won’t be let go until the new GM is hired, but he almost certainly won’t be retained once that happens.
I supported giving Quade a shot, but he clearly has failed. At the end of last season I saw him as a no-nonsense, back to basic fundamentals type who didn’t micromanage, but also wasn’t afraid to get on/bench a player for not hustling, etc. I must have miss-read him or he changed, because this season he’s been full on nonsense. From the crazy names, to disciplining his best player while letting Sorriano’s selfish play go, etc. Overall he just seems to be in over his head. One of Hendry’s failures was not making sure Quade had some coaches with MLB experience. I hope this is the first move of a complete rebuild of the MLB team – but that means more painful seasons in the near future.
Josh77 – I know you’re the minor league expert here – does the Cub’s minor league system need overhauled too? I know the major league club is in terrible shape, but my impression is that the minor league system is ran fairly well.
by zeeeep on Aug 19, 2011 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
Well said. Req'd
I also was OK with Quade based on what we saw last year (Although I preferred Ryno), but this year he has not been the same.
I haven't been impressed
with the way Fleita has run the minor league system during his tenure. Besides the fact that we graduate very, very few prospects, and besides the fact that fundamentals are essentially absent in guys from our system (because you could blame some of that on whomever brought in the players) the handling of promotions and self-evaluation seems to be a clusterfudge.
DEJESUS!!!
It is and it isn't
I think Wilken actually has a good eye as scouting director, but this year was really the first year the reigns were taken off, so he definitely deserves to stay if possible.
On the other hand, the farm system overall has no coherent strategy for developing players. When guys do make it the bigs, they lack fundamentals and, especially, plate discipline. Developing pitching I know is a total crapshoot but the lack of positional players over the past 15 years while Hendry was largely in charge speaks volumes. It was a large part of why he needed to go.
The sun is up. They sky is blue. It's beautiful, and so are you. Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play? ~Lennon & McCartney
by SouthWabashSoul on Aug 19, 2011 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions
if hendry hired bush
he has to go to, anyone that even knows hendry has to go, from the asst GM to the peanut vendor
by roman the Greek2 on Aug 19, 2011 10:58 AM CDT reply actions
Bush is just an interim guy...
I’m shocked Bush actually accepted the position, but he probably needs to add it to his resume worse than being loyal to his friend.
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Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions
better to get some work in at the role
than have no experience at it in the future.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Bush has been a GM before.
Nothing he can to do in the next month and a half can do anything to increase his chances of being the Cubs full time GM. I’m sure Hendry told him it was ok, but I’m still surprised he’s doing it.
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Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
as Harry Caray would say
“they’re dancing in the streets in cubdom”
by roman the Greek2 on Aug 19, 2011 11:00 AM CDT reply actions
Wow.
I didn’t think Ricketts had the guts. I’m so happy.
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 19, 2011 11:05 AM CDT reply actions
senorgato does not approve
Two Words: Salty Saltwell
by Unclemike on Aug 19, 2011 11:24 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Who is senorgato?
The sun is up. They sky is blue. It's beautiful, and so are you. Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play? ~Lennon & McCartney
by SouthWabashSoul on Aug 19, 2011 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Ask Don't Hate The Player...
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Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions
The greatest baseball mind of our generation
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
by DTJchris on Aug 19, 2011 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
"Don't hate the player..hate the game!"
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
State high point count: 4/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 19, 2011 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions
But TJ said knew Jim would be back.
You mean TJ was wrong?!?!?
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
So did I.
And I’m pleased as punch that I was wrong.
Actually I didn’t say I knew he would stay, but I was pretty sure 2012 was going to be more of the same.
It appears it won’t be
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by Nunyabidness on Aug 19, 2011 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions
definitely agree that we need a "fresh" approach to running the Cubs
Now let’s get a the best GM out there.
If you think you've seen it all...just wait!
by CubFanSince1970 on Aug 19, 2011 11:09 AM CDT reply actions
Can Hendry take Soriano with him?
Soriano's Contract: Approximately one dollar for every pitch in the dirt that he swings at.
About time
Waiting for the Angels to announce Tony Reagins has been canned next. Assembling expensive underperforming teams should be a fireable offense.
Witty .sig goes here.
If I were Angel fan as opposed to a Cub fan....
… and I’m a little bit of an Angel fan livinghere and having my wife root for the Angels, I’d be more pissed than Cub fans are over performance. Reagins has been a disaster.
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Actually he was let go on July 22nd or told he would not be retained
Timing, Cubs finalized the draft signings, but stood pat in trading any big names besides a part time player who’s contract was up, but also within weeks of the report that Ricketts met with Gillick
A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight
Ricketts is slowly gaining some momentum.
Great news.
'Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.'
wrong guy
you guys can dump on Jim Hendry all the want, however he lead us to back to back post seasons. He did what he was told with the contracts and at the time everyone loved the moves. Goodbye Jim it was a great run.
by silkman on Aug 19, 2011 11:11 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs
Great run?
he had a top 5 payroll and turned that into 3 playoff appearances and a .500 overall record in 9 years. A top 5 payroll should accomplish much more than that. I’m glad that Hendry put together a few playoff teams but overall, he underachieved.
by uptowncub on Aug 19, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
Not completely his fault
Hendry isn’t the reason Soriano and Zambrano were massive failures after their contracts were given to them. When they were signed, Cubdom cheered from the heavens. Little did we know those 2 contracts would weight the entire franchise down.
by rbarnold2626 on Aug 19, 2011 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Little did we know...
Hendry would let their failures keep us from doing anything worthwhile since signing them. The Cubs failures under Hendry are not limited to Soriano and Zambrano.
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Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions
When Sori signed
He was already 30 and signed for 8 years. I do remember people questioning a deal for that many years.
Ricketts said the search for a new GM "effectively begins today" and that Bush would not be a candidate. He said there was no timeline or deadline for naming a successor.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 19, 2011 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions
The Soriano signing was John McDonough.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
Let's make this clear.
Hendry signed Soriano to what he thought was a six-year deal. McDonough tacked on the extra two years.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
But if the failure of those contracts over the last three years weren't completely his fault
Then he shouldn’t get complete credit for the successes those contracts reaped in the early years. He was a mediocre GM- we can do better. Given our situation, every GM should want to have this job so we should be able to bring in a top flight talent
Thank you Jim Hendry
for your dedication and efforts in trying to bring a championship to the Cubs. Thank you for being classy even as we ripped you apart. We hope your successor can accomplish the goals set out with the assistance of some of the organizational pieces you’ve put in place. If so, we’ll gladly give you credit where it is due.
We know you will not be out of a job for long. So long and good luck.
The sun is up. They sky is blue. It's beautiful, and so are you. Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play? ~Lennon & McCartney
by SouthWabashSoul on Aug 19, 2011 11:12 AM CDT reply actions 30 recs
no crying in baseball!
OR in executive management who had his authority, had his money and had his time. Jim did an average job, comparably speaking because Cubs front office since the 1930’s have been putrid.
A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight
this is tasteless and unnecessary
You’re making fun of him for showing emotion at his farewell press conference? Why? What’s the point?
by Orval Overall on Aug 19, 2011 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 8 recs
you may think so but at this level it is always results
the same on the field of play as this metaphor points out. Hendry did a fair job, his overall record was .500, he had all the money and authority to bring results and he did not meet the expectations—-that is all. He has my personal respect but you don’t pound about his inadequacies for months even years, and then when he is displaced say,
oh by the way sorry we were so cruel….
Now I expect class and loyalty at this level, not so much personal loyalty but loyalty to the organization and position and role one is doing. Hendry’s style was doing the right thing to the person that was sometimes perceived as a fault to the objective of winning the WS.
Ultimately this is about accountability to results. Jim didn’t measure up at this point and there is no crying in baseball.
A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight
Funny, that sounds a lot like what Hendry said
He said that in professional baseball you’re measured by how many ballgames you win; we didn’t win enough ballgames in recent years; so I can’t argue with change. He also added that far better men than him have lost their jobs in pro baseball for the same reason.
I still don’t see where any of that justifies mocking him for showing emotion and choking back a couple of tears. You’re just arguing that the change was warranted, which no one disagrees with. That doesn’t mean the change should be classless or tacky.
by Orval Overall on Aug 19, 2011 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 9 recs
funny how metaphors are intepreted differently
unlike Endrick’s cartoon of Snoopy dancing for joy as a metaphor of glee and happiness or even dancing on someone’s grave…this one insinuates that I am yelling at you to get results, and you are crying because your feelings are hurt.
The aforementioned post admitted that Jim tried hard (as did Madonna trying to make her play) but Hanks’ character is yelling at her to make the damn play, not merely try.
SouthWabash was saying that we know Hendry tried hard but we ripped him for not getting results….we didn’t rip Hendry for the kind of person he was, but that his decisions didn’t result in a championship—-Bartman included!
The thing I am saying is that when there is a change like this, it is not about feelings, Hendry was and will remain well paid, he will land on his feet, but let us not cry that a decision was finally made. No crying in baseball is about being tough and not crying when you don’t get the results you want even if you tried hard. Try harder or simply get the damn results.
A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight
nice justification....
i wish Jim Hendry had as much skill to put a World Series together as he class…
also technically he wasnt crying in baseball because at that point he’d been fired and wasnt in baseball…so your picture is mean spirited, rude and not true.
I can barely
understand nearly everything you write, but at least you generally have a point. This time I can still barely understand what you are saying, but it is clear you were being an insensitive jerk.
DEJESUS!!!
It is funny.........
How you cant try and justify your post when you don’t even have your facts straight. That’s not Madonna he was yelling at. Go back and brush up on your facts before you make a statement.
Mocking him for crying is beyond tasteless and shows no class
The guy literally gave his heart, signing Lilly while in the hospital, and his soul to this team. His every move was made trying to better the team. They obviously didn’t all work out, but Hendry is much more of a man than you’ll ever be.
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by BeerCub on Aug 19, 2011 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
He didn't LITERALLY give the Cubs his heart and soul.
That would be physically and morally dangerous.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Aug 19, 2011 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I LITERALLY died laughing when I read this
HaHaHa……………………………………………………………………………………….
"All of us are in the gutter...some of us are looking at the stars." Oscar Wilde
by Tingham on Aug 19, 2011 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Nicely played!
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
Rec'd
Almost all of us wanted him gone at this point. Have some class and give the guy some credit for trying to do the job, and for being a human being who deserves some decorum when it is time to leave.
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
by vonde6 on Aug 19, 2011 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Does anyone have a link to video of the presser?
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Never mind. Found it at WGN.com.
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
He was a decent guy and a decent GM for sure
and he got the Cubs to the playoffs three times. he was loyal to a fault and handled this with class and dignity. but it was time to make a move.
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
I agree completely
Hendry really was a classy guy. He tried to do things the right way, and he handled himself with aplomb. Still, it was absolutely time to shake things up. Accountability, as Ricketts says, is something we haven’t had in a while. Hendry has some bad contracts on his head, and now he’s paying for it. No hard feelings, moving along, and hopefully getting closer to a WS!
Always check the words with the red squiggly line. They mean you probably screwed up.
by KennardHusker on Aug 19, 2011 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions
That being said...
He still made some pretty bad judgment calls from 2009-2011. He traded a lot away just so the Cubs could acquire Milton Bradley based on one seasons’ success. And this was after the team had won 96 games with a primarily right-handed lineup. His tweaking made things worse. In 2011, he traded away a lot of the Cubs young talent to acquire Garza which was questionable at best. Garza has gotten better but this acquire cost too much. Also, let’s look at the fact that he never hesitated to hire Quade. Quade then proceeded to bring in a staff of minor league coaches. And if you look at the minors, where is our pitching depth? The Cubs used to have quite a bit of pitching come through the minors and now they are digging desperately for anything out of their system and free agency. It was time for a change in management. He needed to go. Was he the sole problem? No. Did he have some success? Yes, of course, but at the cost of producing future teams through trades and bad spending.
by IowaHoosier on Aug 19, 2011 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Dang straight.
The most successful GM in Cubs history. Thank you, Jim.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 19, 2011 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
I don't know about that...
The Cubs made two World Series appearances during Charles ‘Boots’ Weber GM tenure—1935 & 1938.
by IowaHoosier on Aug 19, 2011 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
Yeah, Hendry isn't even close to the most sucessful
And he pales in comparison to what Green accomplished, having a LOT less to work with.
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 19, 2011 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions
+102465984528968314678913469713657819657819
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
State high point count: 4/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 19, 2011 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Hendry finished with a 749-748 record with the Cubs as GM
That recent hot streak actually did mean something!
does this date to today...or back in July?
by cozmotaylor123 on Aug 19, 2011 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
He finished today so...........................
Chiefs Chat: chiefs.sportsblog.com
by Nunyabidness on Aug 19, 2011 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions
but it was official July 22nd, No?
or was he told on july 22nd that he would be fired and has until signing day to run the ship?
Ricketts now
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
A hunch...
This will not be the only news relative to front office changes we’re going to hear. And I suspect on-field transitions are in the offing as well. Otherwise this would not be happening.
Yes, I know, in other news a dog bit a man and water is reported to be wet…
Q, Kenney, Bush.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
The odds of that got better.
Quade, almost certainly. Bush, more than likely, after the season. Kenney, who knows?
"Culure of accountability"
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
accoubtability
And Ricketts….is hell freezing over?
Two Words: Salty Saltwell
by Unclemike on Aug 19, 2011 11:27 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
*accountability
Two Words: Salty Saltwell
by Unclemike on Aug 19, 2011 11:27 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Curious to see what the next domino will be.
I don’t want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it.
by cub in louies nest on Aug 19, 2011 11:18 AM CDT reply actions
Search
“focus on people outside the organization”.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Ricketts said the search for a new GM “effectively begins today” and that Bush would not be a candidate. He said there was no timeline or deadline for naming a successor. Ricketts said he would consult “industry veterans” in his search and that the new general manager would report directly to him.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 19, 2011 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions
focus on
“plyer development.”
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Player development
Yeah it should. Boston Red Sox anyone?
or Rays
or Rangers
or Phillies
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
I included them
in a previous list. Definitely.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
And they should be
I found it interesting that Z’s latest meltdown came in Atlanta on the night Bobby Cox’s number was retired. Really highlighted the enormous gap between the organizations. On one side you have the perennial contender honoring a strong leader who commanded respect. On the other side you have a perennial loser with a player having a complete meltdown and completely disrespecting the game, the manager, the team, himself, etc.
Hendry never reported to Kenney
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Source?
"Crane Kenney is president of the club, and serves as Hendry’s boss."
From:
Let me know if you have other sources. Hopefully you’re right about this, I’m rooting for it. I won’t feel comfortable with our management team until either Kenney’s gone or if he’s been assigned to another position (not named President) where it’s clear he has no influence on any baseball decision whatsoever, including payroll.
Multiple sources
Over the years- Scott Nelson, Gary Hughes, Randy Bush, Ron Santo, Randy Hundley, Rick Sutcliffe, Jody Davis, Keith Moreland, Bob Dernier and Hendry himself.
I find it interesting that Ricketts would make it sound like having the GM report to him is something new. Maybe he wasn’t aware of it, who knows? That would explain some things.
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so did that mean that Hendry
Didn’t always report to Tom all the time?
Two Words: Salty Saltwell
by Unclemike on Aug 19, 2011 11:29 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Hendry
seemed like a really nice person. I hope he is able to find another job in baseball, perhaps one more suited to his strengths. He had a lot of positive qualities and abilities, I hope he is able to find a position in baseball that puts these to good use and makes him happy.
DEJESUS!!!
Very classy exit
By Hendry. Makes sense to get new Gm but what they’re not saying is that 2012 will be a bridge year in which they are highly unlikely to win. Since it was also last year of Hendry’s contract, makes sense to get new guy to build for future beyond 2012.
wjat
Never thought I’d seen this day….Al and others that felt that Ricketts wouldn’t fire Hendry, I owe u an apology….you guys were right……this is a great day for Cubs fans….I honestly haven’t felt this good since 2003…..this team does hold people accountable…I am proud of this team and I have renewed faith and trust in Ricketts…..maybe he isn’t a bad owner….
Rejoice!!! Hendry is gone!!! Feels goodman!!!
Two Words: Salty Saltwell
by Unclemike on Aug 19, 2011 11:23 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
ugh....stupid swype....what i posted in the other thread
Two Words: Salty Saltwell
by Unclemike on Aug 19, 2011 11:23 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Ricketts
Candidate will have to be somebody who has “worked with the new tools” and “sabermetrics stuff is important but it’s just a piece, we’re not running a baseball organization with a computer.”
Good answer
Use the new tools, but not exclusively. There are still guys that sabermetrics can’t pinpoint. And this is coming from a guy who is very Sabermetric-friendly.
translation (partial)
Looking at bad pitches is now permitted.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Hendry went out classy.
Good luck to you in your future endeavors Jimbo.
by The Old Mack From Way Back on Aug 19, 2011 11:30 AM CDT reply actions
Summing it up as I heard
GM will be responsible for baseball operations and report to Ricketts directly, meaning that Ricketts will be splitting the organization reporting (accountability) where the business side (including rebuilding Wrigley footprint/property), Kenny appears to be.
Accountability = results=overall objective=ultimately WS contender=WS champion
New GM will be a modern person who brings with him/her the tools of today’s baseball including new sabermetrics, but also come from a winning program (to import the knowledge of culture and means)
Emphasis will be on player development…emphasis will be on player development..emphasis on winning consistently….free agency will be done on a strategic basis.
A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight
reinforce consistency of Cubs culture
reinforce, pride, respect and tradition
A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight
under spent on amatuer signings in the past
The new GM is the best allocation of resources to win and win in the future.
A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight
just between Jim and I until the last couple of days
no good day for this kind of news, good timing for team (coming back) and Jim and me.
A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight
as I thought, clean, corporate and methodical
7-10 days leak was cover to make sure that the press was not overwhelming at Wrigley today until they were in control. The leak on the Wrigley rebuild was cover as well. Hendry remained loyal and respectful as did Ricketts but this was always in the cards. Ricketts and club will go to player development, that is the smart money but the Cubs organization is not built that way—-had always been trade and sign.
A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight
Ivy,
I’m not trying to take a cheap shot at you. I think you are a reasonably intelligent guy and, from what I can gather, have spent some time in the business world (recognizing that one can be whatever one wishes to be on the internet) but you’ve just got to get someone to edit your posts before you hit the “Post” button. I even think you have a good baseball mind but some of the things you say are so overwhelmed with grammar, spelling, and syntax errors that it’s really hard to take them seriously let alone make sense of them.
And so it goes.
Can I be Batman?
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
Sweet
I’ve always wanted to be a billionaire playboy by day and a masked vigilante by night.
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
or vice versa
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
A Billionaire vigilante
and a masked playboy?
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
that's not really necessary.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 19, 2011 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions
so ignore it...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 19, 2011 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
drew is all about decorum around here
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 19, 2011 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions
He's worried that Jim's kids read BCB and will get their feeling hurt.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 19, 2011 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Now let the speculation begin
A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight
Hendry deserves some credit
He stayed on to help with the draft signing. He provided transition period. He helped with the initial response to the situation. He made a classy exit. Good luck in the future J.H.
by mixandmatch on Aug 19, 2011 11:52 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Yep.
I thought the decision to stay through the trading deadline and the signing period was actually a good one, even though I disagree with Hendry’s (in)activity at the deadline.
"Sometimes you eat the bar and sometimes..."
It had to be done, the Cubs need a fresh start.
Fix the Offensive Line
by touchdown bears on Aug 19, 2011 12:01 PM CDT reply actions
POP THIS MF'N CORK
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
DRINKS ALL AROUND
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Aug 19, 2011 12:06 PM CDT reply actions
I'm saving my champagne
for the day Soriano’s contract comes off the books. Or the WS Championship. Whichever comes first.
Yeah, probably the contract, right?
"Sometimes you eat the bar and sometimes..."
Friedman
will extend him
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Yeah. No he won't
Chiefs Chat: chiefs.sportsblog.com
by Nunyabidness on Aug 19, 2011 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably the contract
And come on…Just one bottle of champagne? Us alcoholics, and I’m looking at you Shoe, have way more than one bottle of champagne.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Aug 19, 2011 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Not being a man of means, I have only one champagne bottle.
I’ll open up the whiskey, though. Care for some?
"Sometimes you eat the bar and sometimes..."
It is not likely that a new guy would keep the current coaching staff, BUT...
I still worry a strong finish would give Ricketts bright ideas about keeping Bush and Quade.
Ricketts
already mentioned that Bush will NOT be a candidate for GM and the decision on Quade will be on the new GM.
The new GM will be from outside the organization as it should be.
I would just like to say that Jim is a classy guy and worked hard. He was very emotional as anyone would be. It was time for a change.
Wow. Thanks for the 9 years and good luck in future, Jim.
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
I like Jim, sad to see this is how it ended. I really thought he was going to bring the Cubs a WS
Does this open the door for Sandberg as manager?
HOLY CRAP.
First the draft and now this.
Behold the wrath of the Ricketts!!!
Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.
Say what you like about Jim Hendry, his good bye press conference proves that he is a class act.
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Yes it did.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
Just shut up.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
Damn you Cubs
I was just starting to become quite disinterested & now you suck me back in b/c I am so happy with the news
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 19, 2011 12:29 PM CDT reply actions
And Just like Quade
the new guy is still going to be handcuffed by a couple really big contracts mediocre players.
We need to sign someone who can build a farm system, and maybe in three years we can be competitive
Chicago Cubs - Arizona Cardinals 168 combined years and no rings
I guess I'm a masochist
He's also walking into more than 50 million dollars to spend in the offseason.
A solid farm system, and a phenomenal draft.
I beg to differ on that.
Ricketts said the search for a new GM "effectively begins today" and that Bush would not be a candidate. He said there was no timeline or deadline for naming a successor.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 19, 2011 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions
All your wishing doesn't make it any more true.
You got one out of three though. Good job.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
You're welcome.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Same to you.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions
why cant we be friends?
I'm a happy panda.
by jesus christos on Aug 19, 2011 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions
i just took some crazy anti depressants, man
I'm a happy panda.
by jesus christos on Aug 19, 2011 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Why do you think they're going to have $50 million to spend and our farm system is "solid"?
We have some injuries this year, and we didn’t really have a single player available in our minor league system that was close to being ready to step in and help at all.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 19, 2011 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
^this^
Ricketts said the search for a new GM "effectively begins today" and that Bush would not be a candidate. He said there was no timeline or deadline for naming a successor.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 19, 2011 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions
One year makes a big difference in the readiness of prospects...
We have a few pitchers who could come and fill in now if needed, which we did not have to start 2011.
Also, big steps forward by some top prospects this year, and some incredible young kids in the system that will be fun to watch develop.
Great draft caps us off as a low teens farm system, not great, but good depth and some potential in the lower minors with some fill ins in the upper minors.
Who do you think are the players that next year will make a difference
to consider it a solid farm system? B/c right now I don’t think it is a solid farm system this year.
Ricketts said the search for a new GM "effectively begins today" and that Bush would not be a candidate. He said there was no timeline or deadline for naming a successor.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 19, 2011 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Its not a top heavy farm system
it lacks much in the way of impact ready players for next year. arguably b-jax and if you want to consider cashner as a possibility. its a much more interesting farm system in the lower levels for sure. it also lacks a top 5 type prospect that is a sure fire thing. and its on the way up.
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
Because it's so heavily weighted towards...
high schoolers and IFAs, we won’t know what they’ve done recently will mean for 2 years minimum. The gains by Struck and Whitenack, don’t make up for the losses by Whitenack, Jackson and McNutt. What other pitchers are you saying can “fill in now” if they’re needed?
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Struck could spot start in 2012, Whitenack will be back and available towards the end of next year
Mcnutt could be a 2012 September call up if he progresses well (his issues these year were blisters and rib problems, he didn’t lose his ‘stuff’).
The top of our system is not overly impressive with pitching, I agree, however there is a LOT of depth. We signed some really incredible talent in the last two years between IFA and the draft, and I expect our system to have a major breakthrough in the next 1.5 years.
Let's see...
$14.6 from Aramis, $10 million from Peña, $4.8 from Grabow, $13.5 from Fukudome. That’s 42.9 right there, add in whatever buyout is worked out with Z and your awful close to $50 million.
And I think you have an issue with the difference between a farm system and a AAA team.
LOL....so you're banking on Aramis and Pena not coming back....
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 19, 2011 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions
If they do, then you are still spending money on them...
Is that that hard to grasp? And I really hope Aramis is back.
In that case...
they have infinity amounts of $ to spend. I like this line of thinking!
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 19, 2011 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Nope... not what I'm saying at all...
but twist my word however you’d like.
I’m shocked you don’t grasp this concept.
You miss him don't you?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 19, 2011 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Minus...
the raises for the arbitration eligible, Marshall, Marmol, etc… It’s nowhere near $50m, and that’s even letting you add in your crystal ball on Zambrano. Heck, why not do it for Soriano too while you’re at it?
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
^this^
Ricketts said the search for a new GM "effectively begins today" and that Bush would not be a candidate. He said there was no timeline or deadline for naming a successor.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 19, 2011 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I didn't even include Z in the 42.9, I just said Z will make it closer to 50
Sori has nothing to do with that. That’s an idiotic comparison.
You just did it again.
They might get anywhere near $50m if they can get rid of both of them. You’re the one making ignorant and idiotic claims, not me.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
It's great that you're backing down from your original "more than $50m"
Maybe you’ll actually get down to reality sometime if you keep going.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
The Cubs owe $72M to SIX players (Sori, Z, Dem, Byrd, Marmol, Marshall… plus Rami buyout, and $2M owed to Silva) next year. You can’t count on the Cubs getting any relief from Z… if they do, that’s a bonus.
That’s $66M less than this year’s payroll…. so I guess technically the new GM has that to “spend”… though that comes with 19 roster spots to fill.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Also...
who really knows how they actually accounted for Pena’s money.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't remember where...
but IIRC, one of the “Bruces” posted that, while the Cubs split it into three different payments to Pena (signing day, start of ST, another due in Nov or Dec this year), that all the money was accounted for in this year’s payroll.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
This is correct, I believe.
It was a 3M bonus paid on last years payroll, 4M on the 2011 payroll and a 3M amount to be paid in December of 2011 that counts against this year, or something to that effect?
Yeah... that's what I remember reading.
And I remember it because I was doing some research thinking about what they will have available for 2012 (and thinking they might owe Pena money… but turns out they won’t).
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Whether or not they owe him money...
it’s unclear how they actually accounted for it via the payroll. I really hope it all goes towards 2011’s payroll, which was still $10m lower than it was in 2010. Cot’s still has it listed as $5m paid this year and $5m paid in 2012, but they include the whole $10m as part of the $134m for this year’s payroll. Try to stay away from the sharp implements when you consider that number and how few wins it got us.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Read it again...
there’s a comma after arbitration eligible players, not a colon. He gets a big raise over his 2011 salary.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Sorry, read that in a rush and didn't catch how you actually wrote it.
You’re right though, 3.5M increase or so in 2012 for Marmol.
He goes from $3.2 to $7m
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Marshall goes from $1.6m to $3.1m.
Still worth it, but it’s not insignificant.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions
I also think some money is coming off the books from Silva
I had $50 million in my head as well, but I’ll acknowledge that my numbers did not include arb salaries.
The one thing I do know is that they don’t have enough dough to plug all of the holes that they have
Solid.... financially? "Solid", in that it actually exists physically?
There isn’t a whole lot of reason to call our system “solid” at the moment. There seems to be one player with above-average-MLB-player as a likely outcome at the moment.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
I didn't think they'd actually do it
Here I’ve been busy with work and I missed this.
RIP Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010) and Ron Santo (February 25, 1940-December 2, 2010).
If you disagree with me in any way, you are wrong.
Jim Hendry didn’t do as well as most Cubs fans wished he did.
He didn’t do as badly as most Cubs fans thought he did.
He was a stand-up guy, straight shooting. Sure, he made mistakes, but he also assembled teams that got to the playoffs twice. He brought excitement to the Northside.
I’m not sorry to see him go – I think it was time. But I am not going to kick him on the way out. Good luck to you, Mr. Hendry.
I think I speak for everyone here when I say, "Wait, what the hell are you talking about?"
by Ross on Aug 19, 2011 12:37 PM CDT reply actions 16 recs
Exactly
"I've got a head full of whiskey and some bad ideas" - Scott Holt
by Ihatethecards on Aug 19, 2011 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
very well said
I think that sums up how many of us feel. I hate to see anyone lose their job but he needed to go. I just never expected Ricketts to do it based on his comments at the beginning of the season.
wccubfan
Perfectly said
Now its time to move onward and lets hope upward. There are some bad contracts on the books and lets hope we dont jump into any additional ones. The Cubs are unlikely to be compettitive next year, lets hope the new GM has the blessing to take a longer view, as it appears Ricketts already has.
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
Well put.
I have been critical of Hendry just like many. The MB signing to me was the beginning of the end. The last 3 years he has swung and missed. That being said, he got the bar raised in Chicago and that is why we rightly expect more.
Thanks for your work Jim. But it is a new era.
Very well said
He did a lot of good things, and did some stupid things (or was told to do stupid things and didn’t object strenuously enough).
He will be with another organization by the time the Winter meetings are over, in some sort of advisory position.
Ricketts showed that he was able to evaluate the situation and make a decision. This gives me more faith that he can make more good decsions in the future. By making the annoucement now, he lets everybody line up over the next eight weeks and he gets to set the pace for the winter hiring season.
It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??
by Invalid User on Aug 19, 2011 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Rec'd
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
Like others, I'm so glad to be wrong.
But this is just the beginning. Let’s see what else Ricketts has up his sleeve. If Randy Bush stays on at GM, that won’t be much different than having Hendry around.
It’s a good start. Now keep it going, Tom.
"They sell every ticket to every game, win or lose!" - Tom Ricketts
by bluemagic9 on Aug 19, 2011 12:41 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Randy Bush won't be GM
Refer to a quote I posted earlier.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 19, 2011 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
For the first year...
… it won’t be much different than having Hendry around, regardless of who the new GM is. The 25-players who make up the Cubs are a dysfunctional group, a poorly assembled baseball team. And that isn’t going to change overnight. But the first step is the key to the hope for a major change, and that it is to be celebrated.
I think I speak for everyone here when I say, "Wait, what the hell are you talking about?"
but baby steps
Ricketts said the search for a new GM "effectively begins today" and that Bush would not be a candidate. He said there was no timeline or deadline for naming a successor.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 19, 2011 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
hell of a way to wake up
i am now a happy panda
I'm a happy panda.
by jesus christos on Aug 19, 2011 12:42 PM CDT reply actions
Just relieved
and happy that this chapter is finally over.
Let’s hire from outside and get some new blood.
My Short List
Billy Beane
Brian Cashman
Chicago Cubs - Arizona Cardinals 168 combined years and no rings
I guess I'm a masochist
Cashman
I don’t see what everyone likes about him. He has a virtusally limitless budget to play with. Where is the evidence that he can succeed with actual payroll limitations?
Unlimited bdgets do no win games
you need chemistry too
Chicago Cubs - Arizona Cardinals 168 combined years and no rings
I guess I'm a masochist
The Chicago Cubs should not have payroll limitations.
If you need a GM that can succeed with payroll limitations, it’s a very short list and few of them are actually available.
Cashman can succeed in a big market. He’s had to do a lot more than just spend the Boss’s money to make the Yankees a perennial winner. I’m not saying for sure they should hire him, but there is no better available candidate with a track record than Brian Cashman.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions
From now on
Soriano, Pujoles, Fielder I don’t care what your name is, or what your credentials are. No more 8 year contracts for anyone over 30 years old. I think max out at 4 years and being willing to re up with anyone worthy but lets not get trapped again
Chicago Cubs - Arizona Cardinals 168 combined years and no rings
I guess I'm a masochist
If he leaves because Hendry was fired then
too bad. I’d rather have no Hendry than Maddux.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
This makes me sad
Adios Greg Maddux
Numbers may not lie, but they don’t tell the whole truth (and nothing but the truth), either. -- Doug Glanville
Wow
Ricketts said the search for a new GM "effectively begins today" and that Bush would not be a candidate. He said there was no timeline or deadline for naming a successor.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 19, 2011 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions
You don't know that?
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Do not jump to conclusions
Ricketts will try very hard to keep him. I am sure it depends a lot on who the new GM is and who else (if anyone) leaves.. I am going out on a limb and say it is 50/50.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 19, 2011 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
You would hope its 50/50
Its obvious by Hendry sticking around since July 22 there isn’t bad blood and he handled it very well in the presser. Ricketts seems to have done well by him and given him a decent out so hopefully there is no reason for Maddox to leave because he is mad. He may want to follow Hendry out of loyalty but there isn’t much you can do about that.
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
I don't Maddux would be mad
He knows that people who fail, however well intentioned and however much he liked them, will lose their jobs. It is just that he has a very unique role and has spend a lot of time working with various people in the organization so what he wants to do going forward is going to depend on who the new GM is and other personal changes.
I am somewhat hopeful knowing that Ricketts will try hard to keep him. I am still not a Ricketts fan ,but some things we agree on.
http://www.videosurf.com/video/oh-my-gosh-it%27s-greg-freakin%27-maddux-127454906
I
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 19, 2011 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions
That doesn't seem much of a limb.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
wouldn't mind Ben Cherrington from Boston
I'm just a dude who likes talking to other dudes about other dudes.........in a straight way.
by tj.hendricks on Aug 19, 2011 1:02 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Jim Hendry is a good man.
Stand up guy and very classy. He stumbled professionally and getting fired goes with the territory of the job, but on a personal level, he’s top notch. I’d by him a beer if I saw him in a bar.
Adieu, Jim!
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie" -- Tony Montana
I am sure he is a good guy who built many good relationships within baseball.
But a new direction needed to be taken.
I am shocked
and frankly thought Ricketts would save the money and wait.
Thanks Tom.
Your best move yet.
Many of you are confusing the “nice guy” with his crap teams HE ASSEMBLED and that underperformed for three years straight!
One year woud not cut it in my job or many of yours.
He was a bottom third GM in the #3 US market.
His recent deals stunk, including Sori, Z, and many that we have seen here. He screwed up many times with managing waiver deals, managing the 40-man roster, draft approvals (Hayden Simpson?), and this is on the financial backs of the Season Ticket holders – the de facto Board.
So, get your heads out of the clouds and have a beer with the newly unemployed Jim Hendry.
Give me an asshole who wins one World Series in my lifetime.
by The E-Man on Aug 19, 2011 1:17 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I wonder if deep down he regrets turning the team over to his buddy.....
A decent year with a good manager might have saved his job.
I believe this MAJOR miscalculation led to this.
Indeed
What STARTING player now would be playing on a contender?
Castro? Byrd? Maybe?
Ramirez. Soto.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Ramirez as
a starter I can buy. Soto, sometimes.
Soto's current line
w/13 Hr’s and a .238 avg, I’d think he would still back up on at least half the contending teams in baseball.
Although, I am too lazy to look them all up.
Look where Soto is on this list.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Not just sometimes...
there’s few playoff contenders with BETTER catchers than Geovany Soto. Look up their catchers and then you’ll find out. There might be one or two that have a better full time catcher than Soto. That’s just how bad catchers are right now, especially with Mauer and Posey hurt for most of the year and guys like Victor Martinez and Carlos Santana moved off catcher so frequently.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
That is surprising
that Soto is 8th on the MLB list. Thanks. I couldn’t possibly have guuessed things were so catcher-challenged this year!
UGH.
The day of Johnny Bench is surely over.
Surprising but cool :)
Ricketts said the search for a new GM "effectively begins today" and that Bush would not be a candidate. He said there was no timeline or deadline for naming a successor.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 19, 2011 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions
It's actually a few less teams than I thought...
since Arizona are contenders, and they’re set. The Tigers and Braves are set, too.
The Indians are running out Lou Marson and the Giants are playing Eli Whiteside. Don’t look up those guys’ numbers unless you want to lose your lunch. The Brewers, Rangers and Angels don’t have a catcher worth talking about, and Russell Martin’s been worthless since April.
There are teams that wouldn’t make a lateral move or small upgrade with a catcher at this point like the Phillies (Ruiz), Cardinals (Molina), maybe the Red Sox with Saltalamacchia.
Like him or not, Soto’s better than or equal to all but three contending team’s catchers in 2011.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks.
Wow. The thin catcher ranks. Of course Posey was right up there w/Molina as kings of the NL. But I thought Russell Martin was killing it and even got named to the AS team.
We had a shot at Weiters, although the Cubs picked behind McFail that year IIRC. Although Jason Hayward was still on the board.
Tyler Colvin was our man, though!
We drafted Vitters over Wieters, not Colvin.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
This would make an interesting fanshot
Ricketts said the search for a new GM "effectively begins today" and that Bush would not be a candidate. He said there was no timeline or deadline for naming a successor.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 19, 2011 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions
The Red Sox, in fact...
just called up hot-hitting AAA catcher Ryan Lavarnway to help their offense with Ortiz and Youkilis injured. Saltalamacchia and Varitek are good, but they’re just not cutting it for them. I would love the for the Cubs to trade Soto to them instead… especially if they could get Lavarnway in return.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Salty is back to slumping this month.
Through May-June-July he was probably the best hitting catcher in MLB, although admittedly as a part-timer.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
Salty and Varitek
are the worst hitters on the red sox. Every time they come up the city of Boston cringes.
Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008
...which is why it's not a bad idea to see what they'd give up to get their hands on Soto.
Soto + green monster would be fun. Lavernway might be even better, but there’s a chance he won’t stick at C. The Red Sox don’t have the luxury of waiting out a prospect since they’re a playoff team right now with potential holes on the MLB roster piling up. They are one of those smart teams it’s dangerous to trade with, but even smart teams do stupid things when they get desperate.
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by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Depends on the team
There are a number of guys who could start on a contender if you had the rest of the team around them. Soto would arguably be an upgrade for the Yankees. soto is 238/423/744 which is better than either cevelli or martin. ramirez would be an upgrade for the brewers or cards at third. byrd would be better than morgan in center, etc. dempster would be an upgrade over the yankees no. 4 as he would be over the Sox no. 4 right now.
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
Maybe the point should be
the contending teams are doing fine without our “talent”?
Except for the Brewers and Mighty Casey?
Oh, and the 5-1
Garza trade will of course be interesting to follow.
Although I'm never happy to see ANY man or woman lose their jobs, but,...
it was time. Farewell Jim Hendry.
Fire Jim Hendry. Injuries aren't the problem.
by Easy Ed on Aug 19, 2011 1:22 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
New Team President
Hopefully Clown Kenney will be the next to go. Speaking of which … Kenney posed for a new portrait:
"You know what they do in Philadelphia when the game is rained out? They go to the airport and boo the bad landings." — Bob Uecker.
"Sometimes they boo loud enough to wake up the air traffic controllers." — Me.
by The Underground Conservative on Aug 19, 2011 1:36 PM CDT reply actions
Kinda sophmoric, no?
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 19, 2011 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Two weeks to kickoff
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 19, 2011 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
13 days, to be exact.
But who’s counting?
I AM. I AM COUNTING DOWN EVERY MINUTE. ON WISCONSIN.
Twitter: @brandonrifkin
Blog: The Hot Glove || Heckler: The Heckler
by Schwa on Aug 19, 2011 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Northwestern and Wisconsin
in the Big Ten Championship game!
Oh…wait…are they in the same conference now?
No, they're not - and they should be
Because it could be a good geographical rivalry.
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 19, 2011 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes but then they
could not meet in the BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP game!
Wherein the winner would go on and lose to whatever S.E.C. or PAC 10 team they would play :(
Actually, UW has been very good in bowl games the last 15 years
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 19, 2011 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Post Season Bowl Record:
Wisconsin 11-11
Very Cub like.
Actually, better.
Since 1993
10-6
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 20, 2011 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Any other Badgers around here?
Where has dmlichte gone? I miss him.
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
State high point count: 4/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 19, 2011 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Clown Kenney
Nickname official bestowed on the idiot by Steve Rosenbloom of the Tribune. It stuck, because that’s pretty much what he is. A clown.
"You know what they do in Philadelphia when the game is rained out? They go to the airport and boo the bad landings." — Bob Uecker.
"Sometimes they boo loud enough to wake up the air traffic controllers." — Me.
by The Underground Conservative on Sep 4, 2011 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions
If...
…the only thing Kenney’s in charge of is putting together those little books of Cubs history that they now hand out to new prospects in lieu of actual baseball culture… I’d be OK with him sticking around, but I suspect he’s a bit more involved with the team than that. Hopefully he’s nowhere close to the GM interviews or he may queer any potential deal, what with him spraying “holy” water all over the place.
Ricketts again reiterated that the GM is responsible for all baseball operations....
Kenney is only running the business side…calm the hell down.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 19, 2011 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions
"queer"?
When did that become an acceptable verb?
--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions
About 500 years ago:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/queer
…
queer
[kweer] adjective, -er, -est, verb, noun
…
verb (used with object)
7.
to spoil; ruin.
8.
to put (a person) in a hopeless or disadvantageous situation as to success, favor, etc.
9.
to jeopardize.
…
Origin:
1500–10; perhaps < German quer oblique, cross, adverse
Yeah, sure.
--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Since you mentioned it...
Most dictionaries (like dictionary.com which is just an aggregate) aren’t “trusted” in the linguistic community. The Oxford English Dictionary is one of the only truly “trusted” dictionaries. That’s not to say those usages are wrong—there really is no right and wrong. Dictionaries are just reflections of the spoken language. If people are saying it a certain way, it will be recorded as such. That’s not to say the usage is “right” or that it’s “wrong” or that it will or won’t offend people.
I'm assuming OED has the same or similar definition.
However, they’ve gone behind a pay wall. To “queer the deal” is a fairly common expression, I’m just surprised that it was interpreted as some sort of an epithet.
Oh I definitely wasn't saying you could or couldn't use it.
I’m just making the point that people can’t make definitions the end-all be-all of arguments. There’s a lot more to a word then the definition a dictionary gives.
so in 2010 Rocketts said it was day 1 and the history no longer mattered
now he is handing our little booklets of the history
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can block a Chuck Norris round house
Ditka's mustache can kill two stones with one bird
It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money! - Irish toast.
slcathena is my wonder twin, and our battle cry is "Twinners rooting for the Winners (by which I mean Starwin and Darwin)"
Irony at its best... booklets on 100+ years of losing.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
Ricketts
This is why you give Ricketts a chance. Despite moronic chatter on the sports radio stations, Ricketts has come in as a professional, assessed the organization and is making changes. He wants to build a contender for the long term and that is done on the farm. So he gave Hendry a chance to step out of the Tribune shadow and it failed. Now this GM pick is the biggest move of the Ricketts ownership thus far.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
by vin23 on Aug 19, 2011 2:01 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Does this mean the Cubs will promote Quade to GM at seasons end, and he can hire Hendry as Manager?
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can block a Chuck Norris round house
Ditka's mustache can kill two stones with one bird
It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money! - Irish toast.
slcathena is my wonder twin, and our battle cry is "Twinners rooting for the Winners (by which I mean Starwin and Darwin)"
I am in no way besmirching the man
but Hendry just wasn’t a very good GM. I believe there were a couple of years and a few transactions where he was able to catch lightening in a bottle that falsely showed flashes of greater ability than he actually had. But on the whole he was given the keys to the kingdom and wasn’t able to put together a consistently successful team and never put the team in a position to consistently succeed as well. He never seemed to have the ability to be forward thinking and make moves that would help the Cubs in the long run. Rather he would rely on veteran talent to string together a good season or two then watch as the team fell apart following mediocre success.
If Ricketts is able to bring in either a GM with a history of success or perhaps a ‘young’ up-and-coming baseball exec that is highly regarded among their piers and widely believed to have the ability to be a successful GM then the Cubs are better off. As others have said, Hendry seems like a good man and a stand up guy, but baseball is a business and he just wasn’t able to put a good product together on the field given his almost limitless resources. As long as Ricketts gets the right GM, the Cubs are a better team today than they were yesterday, or have at least set into motion the possibility for a brighter future for the organization.
Having said all that, I do wish Hendry nothing but the best with what ever the future may hold for him and good luck with where ever you may land.
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
by DTJchris on Aug 19, 2011 2:39 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Jimbo's a nice guy according to all accounts
Very loyal to his bosses and his players, good relations with the media, and no doubt loved being part of the Cubs organization. But ultimately I think he was in over his head as GM, and the past couple years exposed his flaws.
I think you’ll see him resurface somewhere as a scout or an assistant executive type. Would be interesting if he joins old boss AndyMac in Baltimore.
Good point.
A McFail reunion would not surprise me one bit.
Hendry's problem
is that he never seemed to have a long term plan. His band-aid approach was designed to plug holes short term, and in the case of guys like Bradley and Grabow and Soriano it backfired. There were too many embarrassing incidents like Sosa, Z, and Bradley, the result of an overly permissive culture. He was too nice a guy for his own good.
Well, I'd agree
and his plan was to keep butts in the seats and have a winner that put tickets always in demand.
Some of us here (i will inxlude myself) realized there was a tiny window that ended in 2008 as the out-of-line, NTC contracts plus age, would make that window shut quickly.
It did, and Milton Bradley helped speed things along as the dominoes fell one after the next.
Hendry had NO plan after that, as you say. Game over.
The next three years have just been bad.
I certainly cannot recall (citing a great org in our own Division) three straight years of crap with the Cards, and not having a major shake-up happen.
My theory has always been that Hendry was afraid of confrontation
You could see it in the way he caved in on contract and trade demands. Jody Davis was benching kids in Boise last year for called 3rd strikes for chrissakes. Yet Hendry kept that guy employed all season. The Z , Sosa, Bradley, Lou situations.
It all just seemed to be the work of a guy who was scared to deal with situations head on.
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
Hallelujah!
I’m shocked as I really thought he was staying. I’ll give Ricketts credit. Maybe he had a slow start but this is a great year for signing IFA’s and draft picks and now this.
Considering the fact that I don’t expect much from the Cubs next year, I do even care if Quade hangs around one more year.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
Thoughts and what was learned or revealed
Most significant was the date July 22nd, a Friday following an off day and a week after the ASB when the Cubs were 20 games under .500. But Hendry and Ricketts agreed to keep this decision under wraps through August 16th when the draft signings were completed. Ricketts mentioned that it was something Jim was talented at.
Ironically both men lived with the knowledge for almost a month (27 days) but Ricketts was actually revealing “tells” when asked by Nightengale “until I change my mind” and “any future announcements regarding Hendry would be premature”.
The other items was that Ricketts and family were quite deliberate, they allowed Hendry one and half seasons to be WS competitive but the results were not going to happen. Furthermore is the stated philosophy (along with money paid out this year in draft bonuses, plus the investment into Mesa and Dominican Rep’s facility) that in house player development is going to be the course.
Thus a completely different GM is going to have to come to Chicago, not one that is trade and sign free agents but someone with patience and ability to actually develop talent that is found.
I thought his statement about developing a Cub culture, from the bottom up is important.
What should we all expect. An experienced GM, possibly someone from one of the following organizations; Alt, NYY, BoSox, Phila, LAD, StL, AZ, TB, Oak. The thing is Ricketts wants it all, someone knowledgeable of the new metrics, someone from a winning culture and someone from programs that develop from within—who also happens to be experienced.
I also think that Quade’s days are numbered. He won’t be simply kicked out the door for he was placed in a low possible of succeeding but also he is not a MLB manager. The question is not whether Sandberg is going to be asked to come back the question is when? He meets what Ricketts wants, a club that is developing home grown talent and also knows and embodies a Cub tradition.
All this feeds to the bigger deal, but one that is now on the back pages, rebuilding Wrigley. Ricketts knows he needs a buzz on the field to develop support for his Wrigley financing.
As for free agents, I think Ricketts said that any signing (significant) must be strategic, (not stop gap) and so I doubt next year we will see any big deals. In fact I think we will see addition by subtraction and making room for players ready to ascend.
Now we shall see who is picked?
A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight
I agree with all of this.
I hope it’s exactly what ends up happening.
Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008
I agree with everything but the Sandberg part.
A new GM is going to make the hire… and he may already have his preference.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
Pujols and Fielder
never were realistic. It would just have perpetuated the long term contracts that contributed to this mess.
The market may be down, but Ricketts’ stock has gone up exponentially today.
but it couldn't have gone much lower
for many of us
Ricketts said the search for a new GM "effectively begins today" and that Bush would not be a candidate. He said there was no timeline or deadline for naming a successor.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 19, 2011 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Let's hope we have a debate
Let’s hope we have a debate in a few years if the Cubs win with the farm system he has helped to rebuild if he deserves a ring if we win like they had somewhere else over a recently canned GM a few years ago. Might have been a different sport.
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
Wait, what?
Wait, what?
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
State high point count: 4/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 19, 2011 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Nice
Nice
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
I don't know why she always repeats herself.
I don’t know why she always repeats herself.
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
State high point count: 4/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 19, 2011 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Beats me
Beats me but it’s especially confusing when it’s followed with incoherent statements.
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
No kidding.
No kidding.
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
State high point count: 4/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 19, 2011 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Goodbye Jim.
You did the best you could under the circumstances, and I know while the Cubs came close several times while you were GM, they fell short of the ultimate prize. That being said, you truly put your heart and soul into the Cubs, and I hope you find a new baseball-related job soon.
You truly deserve a World Series.
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
State high point count: 4/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 19, 2011 5:11 PM CDT reply actions 7 recs
I do believe that the man cared
He deserved to be “released” with a certain amount of respect.
“He meant well” – a lot of times, I feel like I would settle for having that on my tombstone.
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
This goes to show
How you can easily put too much weight on all of the interviews and official statements, etc., that happen over the course of the year. The crowd that tried to read those tea leaves thought that no moves would be made. But moves were made.
I appreciate the way that Ricketts stayed professional the whole time. He is plainly a man who makes a plan, then executes it, instead of shooting off his mouth, and spending a lot of time tending to self-inflicted wounds.
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
by vonde6 on Aug 19, 2011 5:28 PM CDT reply actions 6 recs
Jim Hendry seems like a good man, so, in a way, I'm sad to see him fired.
However, the nature of the business is such that “your record speaks volumes”.
IMO, Hendry committed three major sins:
1. Trying to be a “friend” to the players. He was their boss and he needed to act the part. Coddling guys like Z has backfired in a big way.
2. Giving in to Lou’s demands. Lou demanded that Hendry produce a LHB, power-hitting RF where none existed. The results were Dome and Gameboard. ’Nuff said.
3. Not creating a strong enough farm system.
I do think that he has had more than enough time to create a better farm system than the Cubs have, so a change is definitely warranted.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Aug 19, 2011 5:36 PM CDT reply actions 6 recs
I think you have those "three sins" exactly correct.
He gave in to a lot of Dusty Baker’s whims, too.
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Definitely turn this one green.
--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Aug 19, 2011 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Ahhhh
If only he had found that LHB, power-hitting RF. A guy can daydream, can’t he?
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
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