Credit to Jim Hendry

[Clapp]

I'm just sick of all the blame on Hendry for the 09 season. That was a 90+ win team 9 times out of 10. We just had about everything outside of Lee and Lilly go wrong. But on paper, it was there. And I'm telling you people and have been for a couple years... Lou is playing a huge part in some of these moves. Now, you can of course then get pissed at Hendry for not sacking up and telling the old man to shut the fuck up.

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=73740:date=Jan 1 2010, 01:08 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Jan 1 2010, 01:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->And I'm telling you people and have been for a couple years... Lou is playing a huge part in some of these moves. Now, you can of course then get pissed at Hendry for not sacking up and telling the old man to shut the fuck up.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I completely agree. Hendry had the same problems with Dusty before him as well. At some point though, Hendry needs to be his own man and make his own decisions. Maybe he'll get that chance somewhere else if the upcoming season is another disappointment.

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=73743:date=Jan 1 2010, 02:22 PM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Jan 1 2010, 02:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=73740:date=Jan 1 2010, 01:08 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Jan 1 2010, 01:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->And I'm telling you people and have been for a couple years... Lou is playing a huge part in some of these moves. Now, you can of course then get pissed at Hendry for not sacking up and telling the old man to shut the fuck up.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I completely agree. Hendry had the same problems with Dusty before him as well. At some point though, Hendry needs to be his own man and make his own decisions. Maybe he'll get that chance somewhere else if the upcoming season is another disappointment.
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And Piniella will make more in salary next year than Marlon Byrd.

[cherp]

Hendry's next job likely will be running a scouting organizaiton for a club, maybe with an Assistant GM designation...and that's probably a role he'd excel in.

[Rappster]

<!--quoteo(post=73749:date=Jan 1 2010, 02:44 PM:name=cherp)-->QUOTE (cherp @ Jan 1 2010, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Hendry's next job likely will be running a scouting organizaiton for a club, maybe with an Assistant GM designation...and that's probably a role he'd excel in.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

OK...it's time.

Shut it.

[dk123]

Only WE may insult our GM.

[cherp]

<!--quoteo(post=73875:date=Jan 2 2010, 10:54 PM:name=dk123)-->QUOTE (dk123 @ Jan 2 2010, 10:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Only WE may insult our GM.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I think Hendry is a decent GM. I think he's a very good scout. He'd be great in a role of running a scouting organization. Whenever his time is up with the Cubs (and I am not advocating for that - I don't genuinely believe they'd be better off without him) my guess is he gets a big scouting job with a top tier organization.

[Andy]

I would think it would be pretty poor judgement for a GM to NOT consult closely with his coaches as to the players they're interested in going after.

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=73881:date=Jan 3 2010, 07:19 AM:name=Andy)-->QUOTE (Andy @ Jan 3 2010, 07:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I would think it would be pretty poor judgement for a GM to NOT consult closely with his coaches as to the players they're interested in going after.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Of course it is, but it needs to be a collaborative effort, and a GM also needs to have his own ideas from time to time as to how to construct a roster. It seems that every offseason Hendry defers to his manager on the big issues. Maybe I'm interpreting things incorrectly though.

[BT]

<!--quoteo(post=73887:date=Jan 3 2010, 09:22 AM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Jan 3 2010, 09:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=73881:date=Jan 3 2010, 07:19 AM:name=Andy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Andy @ Jan 3 2010, 07:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I would think it would be pretty poor judgement for a GM to NOT consult closely with his coaches as to the players they're interested in going after.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Of course it is, but it needs to be a collaborative effort, and a GM also needs to have his own ideas from time to time as to how to construct a roster. It seems that every offseason Hendry defers to his manager on the big issues. Maybe I'm interpreting things incorrectly though.
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I agree to an extent, but I think the meme that Pinella conjured up a need for a lefty hitter is overstating the case. Virtually every wrap up of our dismantling by the Dodgers included the fact that they never once even had to get a lefty reliever up in the bullpen. It was somewhat a universal thought that the cubs were too right handed in 2008.

And Clapp is spot on, by the way. I'll be interested in hearing baseball prospectus's wrap up of the 2009 year, as all of their projections had the Cubs running away with the division. If PECOTA thought Hendry had put together a 90 win team, it will be interesting to see how they call him an idiot for the resulting season.

[cherp]

<!--quoteo(post=73893:date=Jan 3 2010, 11:23 AM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ Jan 3 2010, 11:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I agree to an extent, but I think the meme that Pinella conjured up a need for a lefty hitter is overstating the case. Virtually every wrap up of our dismantling by the Dodgers included the fact that they never once even had to get a lefty reliever up in the bullpen. It was somewhat a universal thought that the cubs were too right handed in 2008.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

BT - I dont think it is untrue that the team was too RH laden - but the problem was that Lou made getting a RH run producer to hit in the middle of the lineup every day the team's biggest priority - via his statements to the public. Hendry picked up on that - but then he went out and got Milton Bradley.

Bradley just isn't what Lou wanted - for many reasons. Let's ignore the doucheyness for a bit. I think we all agree that if he was just a douche, but a douche who hit .320/.450/.600 with 45 HR and 130 RBI that he'd be embraced as the best douche in the land.

First off, the every day thing is a problem. Bradley has NEVER played what we would call a full season. The most he ever played was 141 games, then 126 as a DH, then last season 124 with the Cubs. It goes downhill from there - 101, 98, 96, 77, 75 and 61. (I'll leave out his rookie season). So in 9 seasons, he didn't play a full season. Hendry heard Lou say they needed to get more LH, but didn't give him a guy who gave them a great chance of that due to durability.

Second, the middle of the order thing... My assumption always was that they wanted a bat to hit between Lee and Aramis. Maybe I am wrong, but I felt that was what they wanted. So I'd look at power, the power needed to hit somewhere between 3 and 5. I'll measure power with both HR and SLG%. Milton has had only 1 20 HR season (hitting in Texas). He also had a 19 HR season. Other than that, not much. He averages (excluding his rookie year) 13 HR per year. His SLG% is better, but still nothing amazing. He's only slg .500+ in 4 of his 9 seasons. That's just not a guy who you can put in the middle of the order with confidence.

I am guessing Hendry saw Milton's 2007 and 2008 seasons and took those as a strong trendline that he could bet on (over .300/.400/.500 in those two seasons). That's not the worst logic in the world. It just didn't work out.

Third, I think Hendry and Lou forgot one of the biggest assets and liabilities the Cubs have - the fans. I'm not talking about you guys - but the vast majority of the 3mm+ who come through the turnstyles and the millions at home who are like them. They have a passion for the "cubbies" and for likeable guys. Guys who play to the fans are much more likely to be tolerated if they don't deliver at the dish. Guys who don't play to the fans will get JaqueJonesd or LatroyHawkinsd. They get Pattersond or Pied. This is not a race thing. Cubs fans love Dlee. They love Aramis. And they have good reason to. They love Sammy and Ernie - and Billy and Fergie. But if you don't play to the fans, you won't get the benefit of the doubt with them.

Now, back to the doucheyness - the fact that this guy is now on his 8th team in 11 years, including his 5th in his last 4 years, despite putting up serviceable #s as a switch hitter who can really play all over the OF is amazing. It's an indictment of what a fucking prick he has to be. The fact that it is said that there was a celebration in the locker room, lead by the veteran leadership when they heard that Milton wouldn't be back is even a bigger indictment. This is the one that I don't know how Jim missed.

[ruby23]

<!--quoteo(post=73908:date=Jan 3 2010, 10:10 PM:name=cherp)-->QUOTE (cherp @ Jan 3 2010, 10:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=73893:date=Jan 3 2010, 11:23 AM:name=BT)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BT @ Jan 3 2010, 11:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I agree to an extent, but I think the meme that Pinella conjured up a need for a lefty hitter is overstating the case. Virtually every wrap up of our dismantling by the Dodgers included the fact that they never once even had to get a lefty reliever up in the bullpen. It was somewhat a universal thought that the cubs were too right handed in 2008.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

BT - I dont think it is untrue that the team was too RH laden - but the problem was that Lou made getting a RH run producer to hit in the middle of the lineup every day the team's biggest priority - via his statements to the public. Hendry picked up on that - but then he went out and got Milton Bradley.

Bradley just isn't what Lou wanted - for many reasons. Let's ignore the doucheyness for a bit. I think we all agree that if he was just a douche, but a douche who hit .320/.450/.600 with 45 HR and 130 RBI that he'd be embraced as the best douche in the land.

First off, the every day thing is a problem. Bradley has NEVER played what we would call a full season. The most he ever played was 141 games, then 126 as a DH, then last season 124 with the Cubs. It goes downhill from there - 101, 98, 96, 77, 75 and 61. (I'll leave out his rookie season). So in 9 seasons, he didn't play a full season. Hendry heard Lou say they needed to get more LH, but didn't give him a guy who gave them a great chance of that due to durability.

Second, the middle of the order thing... My assumption always was that they wanted a bat to hit between Lee and Aramis. Maybe I am wrong, but I felt that was what they wanted. So I'd look at power, the power needed to hit somewhere between 3 and 5. I'll measure power with both HR and SLG%. Milton has had only 1 20 HR season (hitting in Texas). He also had a 19 HR season. Other than that, not much. He averages (excluding his rookie year) 13 HR per year. His SLG% is better, but still nothing amazing. He's only slg .500+ in 4 of his 9 seasons. That's just not a guy who you can put in the middle of the order with confidence.

I am guessing Hendry saw Milton's 2007 and 2008 seasons and took those as a strong trendline that he could bet on (over .300/.400/.500 in those two seasons). That's not the worst logic in the world. It just didn't work out.

Third, I think Hendry and Lou forgot one of the biggest assets and liabilities the Cubs have - the fans. I'm not talking about you guys - but the vast majority of the 3mm+ who come through the turnstyles and the millions at home who are like them. They have a passion for the "cubbies" and for likeable guys. Guys who play to the fans are much more likely to be tolerated if they don't deliver at the dish. Guys who don't play to the fans will get JaqueJonesd or LatroyHawkinsd. They get Pattersond or Pied. This is not a race thing. Cubs fans love Dlee. They love Aramis. And they have good reason to. They love Sammy and Ernie - and Billy and Fergie. But if you don't play to the fans, you won't get the benefit of the doubt with them.

Now, back to the doucheyness - the fact that this guy is now on his 8th team in 11 years, including his 5th in his last 4 years, despite putting up serviceable #s as a switch hitter who can really play all over the OF is amazing. It's an indictment of what a fucking prick he has to be. The fact that it is said that there was a celebration in the locker room, lead by the veteran leadership when they heard that Milton wouldn't be back is even a bigger indictment. This is the one that I don't know how Jim missed.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Stop wasting your time here, no one gives a shit about what you think. You're a fucking douchebag, go away.

[Coldneck]

Well said Cherp. I agree.

[ruby23]

<!--quoteo(post=73920:date=Jan 4 2010, 08:28 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Jan 4 2010, 08:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Well said Cherp. I agree.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I didn't even read what he posted, he's a fuck and he's opinions and posts (well thought out or not) are pointless here. He's an internet troll, a phony, and clearly a social imbecile. He should go away, it's pretty simple.

[dk123]

<!--quoteo(post=73915:date=Jan 4 2010, 08:00 AM:name=ruby23)-->QUOTE (ruby23 @ Jan 4 2010, 08:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=73908:date=Jan 3 2010, 10:10 PM:name=cherp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cherp @ Jan 3 2010, 10:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=73893:date=Jan 3 2010, 11:23 AM:name=BT)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BT @ Jan 3 2010, 11:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I agree to an extent, but I think the meme that Pinella conjured up a need for a lefty hitter is overstating the case. Virtually every wrap up of our dismantling by the Dodgers included the fact that they never once even had to get a lefty reliever up in the bullpen. It was somewhat a universal thought that the cubs were too right handed in 2008.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

BT - I dont think it is untrue that the team was too RH laden - but the problem was that Lou made getting a RH run producer to hit in the middle of the lineup every day the team's biggest priority - via his statements to the public. Hendry picked up on that - but then he went out and got Milton Bradley.

Bradley just isn't what Lou wanted - for many reasons. Let's ignore the doucheyness for a bit. I think we all agree that if he was just a douche, but a douche who hit .320/.450/.600 with 45 HR and 130 RBI that he'd be embraced as the best douche in the land.

First off, the every day thing is a problem. Bradley has NEVER played what we would call a full season. The most he ever played was 141 games, then 126 as a DH, then last season 124 with the Cubs. It goes downhill from there - 101, 98, 96, 77, 75 and 61. (I'll leave out his rookie season). So in 9 seasons, he didn't play a full season. Hendry heard Lou say they needed to get more LH, but didn't give him a guy who gave them a great chance of that due to durability.

Second, the middle of the order thing... My assumption always was that they wanted a bat to hit between Lee and Aramis. Maybe I am wrong, but I felt that was what they wanted. So I'd look at power, the power needed to hit somewhere between 3 and 5. I'll measure power with both HR and SLG%. Milton has had only 1 20 HR season (hitting in Texas). He also had a 19 HR season. Other than that, not much. He averages (excluding his rookie year) 13 HR per year. His SLG% is better, but still nothing amazing. He's only slg .500+ in 4 of his 9 seasons. That's just not a guy who you can put in the middle of the order with confidence.

I am guessing Hendry saw Milton's 2007 and 2008 seasons and took those as a strong trendline that he could bet on (over .300/.400/.500 in those two seasons). That's not the worst logic in the world. It just didn't work out.

Third, I think Hendry and Lou forgot one of the biggest assets and liabilities the Cubs have - the fans. I'm not talking about you guys - but the vast majority of the 3mm+ who come through the turnstyles and the millions at home who are like them. They have a passion for the "cubbies" and for likeable guys. Guys who play to the fans are much more likely to be tolerated if they don't deliver at the dish. Guys who don't play to the fans will get JaqueJonesd or LatroyHawkinsd. They get Pattersond or Pied. This is not a race thing. Cubs fans love Dlee. They love Aramis. And they have good reason to. They love Sammy and Ernie - and Billy and Fergie. But if you don't play to the fans, you won't get the benefit of the doubt with them.

Now, back to the doucheyness - the fact that this guy is now on his 8th team in 11 years, including his 5th in his last 4 years, despite putting up serviceable #s as a switch hitter who can really play all over the OF is amazing. It's an indictment of what a fucking prick he has to be. The fact that it is said that there was a celebration in the locker room, lead by the veteran leadership when they heard that Milton wouldn't be back is even a bigger indictment. This is the one that I don't know how Jim missed.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Stop wasting your time here, no one gives a shit about what you think. You're a fucking douchebag, go away.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What a strange coincidence. This is the exact thing Hendry said to Milt.