Pinella to the Cubs?

[teebone]

Re: Pinella to the Cubs?

Aside from not firing Baker, what has Hendry ever done wrong? I've seen enough complaining, but I don't remember complaints when he brought in Alou, Remlinger, traded **** for Ramirez and Lofton, brought in Karros and Grudz, got Maddux back, traded Choi for Lee, etc.

Yes, he's dumped prospects, traded Sosa, Cruz, and Patterson when they had no value, but those are gambles that just didn't work out. I think Hendry has done an adequate job over the years.

And, in the end, how many GMs are loved by their fans? I can hardly think of one, and plus, where are the Cubs supposed to look for a replacement? If most employed GMs suck, where do we turn to?

The team was constructed poorly and Hendry realized this too late. In 2004, the Cubs were hanging their hat on pitching yet they had slow lumbering guys like Alou, Walker...plus adding Nomar didnt help their defense. Plus they couldnt execute on the little things. If they didnt hit a HR, they wouldnt score. They couldnt manufacture offense. Plus Dustys managing was a problem that was never addressed until it was way too late (in fact never since he was never fired). It was apparent early on that Dusty was a horrible tactical manager and that his biggest strength was that guys played for him but that too changed in 2004.

Also, I now have to really question whether Hendry is now running the team. I had doubts before but his guy was Bochy and it was maintained that it was Hendrys decision. I guess too though that McDonough liked Girardi.

Personally, Im glad about this. I like Lou both tactically and from the standpoint that he's entertaining. I could have lived with Girardi but seeing Leyland win with the Tigers takes me back to the days when Piniella was with the Reds and it reminds me that Piniella can hold his own with anyone.

[poster]

Re: Pinella to the Cubs?

The team was constructed poorly and Hendry realized this too late. In 2004, the Cubs were hanging their hat on pitching yet they had slow lumbering guys like Alou, Walker...plus adding Nomar didnt help their defense. Plus they couldnt execute on the little things. If they didnt hit a HR, they wouldnt score. They couldnt manufacture offense. Plus Dustys managing was a problem that was never addressed until it was way too late (in fact never since he was never fired). It was apparent early on that Dusty was a horrible tactical manager and that his biggest strength was that guys played for him but that too changed in 2004.

That's a good post. I am hot and cold on Hendry. As dalnet said he has done some good things, but he also has had issues like the one's you pointed out above. I just don't understand why this team can't develop and play their talent. It is almost impossible to buy a World Series. This better change with Pinella.

[cjonesfan921]

Re: Pinella to the Cubs?

It's official. Just heard on SportsCenter. 3 years 3 mil per year. To be announced Tuesday.

[IlliniM1ke]

Re: Pinella to the Cubs?

Not a bad move for the Cubs but I can't believe they didn't go for Girardi, IMO he was the perfect person for them.

[GBrushTWood]

Re: Pinella to the Cubs?

I bet the Cubs are thinking that Piniella could be 2007's version of Jim Leyland, Jack McKeon, Ozzie Guillen, et al (i.e. - old salty dog comes in, starting yelling, and inspires the players)

Of course, what they likely fail to realize is that you need sick pitching to do what each of those respective manager's clubs did in the playoffs.

[teebone]

Re: Pinella to the Cubs?

Not a bad move for the Cubs but I can't believe they didn't go for Girardi, IMO he was the perfect person for them.

Honestly, Girardi does make a lot of sense but thats because the Cubs have a lot of young guys. The management probably wants to put more of an emphasis on winning now. Ive also read that the Cubs payroll will be up around 115 million. The last couple of years have been so abyssmal that I can kind of understand where theyre coming from. Apparently toward the end of the season there were a noticeable amount of no shows.

[teebone]

Re: Pinella to the Cubs?

I bet the Cubs are thinking that Piniella could be 2007's version of Jim Leyland, Jack McKeon, Ozzie Guillen, et al (i.e. - old salty dog comes in, starting yelling, and inspires the players)

Of course, what they likely fail to realize is that you need sick pitching to do what each of those respective manager's clubs did in the playoffs.

Its not just pitching though. One of the stamps of a Dusty Baker team, while he has been here, is poor fundamental baseball. I do agree that Leyland may affirm that guys from that time arent over the hill. It was Piniella whose Reds got past the Pirates in 1990 and went on to sweep an As team with a stacked lineup. Those Pirates and Reds teams played some outstanding baseball and were a positive reflection on their managers. So yeah, Piniella and Leyland are linked at some level, I think.

[maidenvoyage]

Re: Pinella to the Cubs?

Honestly, Girardi does make a lot of sense but thats because the Cubs have a lot of young guys.

You must mean in the stands. Dusty Baker hated young guys, which is why the Cubs lineup has been mostly made up of older players.

[SPTO]

Re: Pinella to the Cubs?

It'll be interesting to see how Uncle Lou does. I've never liked his approach with pitchers but from what I heard from him in the ALCS maybe he has changed his tune a little.

[teebone]

Re: Pinella to the Cubs?

You must mean in the stands. Dusty Baker hated young guys, which is why the Cubs lineup has been mostly made up of older players.

Cedeno, Murton, Pie, Bynum, Marshall, Guzman, Hill, Pagano are not young? I agree Dusty refused to play them for selfish reasons but Girardi has esetablished he can work with young players.