Hendry's Failures...

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=101371:date=Jun 14 2010, 10:24 PM:name=jstraw)-->QUOTE (jstraw @ Jun 14 2010, 10:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=101364:date=Jun 14 2010, 08:54 PM:name=BT)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BT @ Jun 14 2010, 08:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->But when he's constantly doing obviously stupid things, and then, to no one's surprise, those moves blow up in his face exactly like most of us predicted, then perhaps it's time to try something new. That's just my opinion, and maybe I'm wrong.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I think this is exactly what Rapp is looking for. What are the obviously stupid things he's done. I would think if anyone on the site has specific ammunition to point out what an idiot Hendry is, it would be you. Instead of just saying "He fucked up", show your work.

I've done about all the arguing about this I'm going to do, but I think some of the anti-Hendry brigade has some of their facts wrong. Just as an example, Jstraw said:

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->We've also been watching him overpay and offer too many years to replacement level talent year after year.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

From what I can tell, and the info I have might be wrong, but I looked at the entirety of Hendry's free agent signings. I count exactly TWO guys who fit this description. John Grabow and Neifi Perez. It's possible I missed someone, but even guys like Jacque Jones was BETTER than a replacement player when they signed him, and for two out of three years he earned more than he was paid (at least according to fangraphs), so he doesn't fit that description. Guys like Milton Bradley, while being a bad signing, in no way shape or form could be described as "replacement level".

So it's easy to make general complaints about Hendry's record, but I think it gets tougher to do when you have to back it up with specific complaints.


I'll just add two things. Many of you are making the "proof is in the pudding" argument. While I could argue that Hendry's overall track record looks worse than it is because of the way the team performed in 6 playoff games, I would agree the team looks pretty bad right now. But bear in mind, changing the GM is THE most disruptive thing you can do to a team, so you'd better be sure that it's the right move. Also bear in mind that the braintrust that ran the Cubs in 1986 had just as much reason to run Dallas Green out of town as Ricketts has now. I don't think the Cubs were a better team for having done that.
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Ok, Bradley may not be "replacement level" but there is no evidence that the market for Bradley was anywhere near what Hendry gave him.

You don't count a guy like Aaron Miles?
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Don't forget Sweaty Joe Borowski, and almost every other bullpen signing. Maybe replacement level is a poor gauge in the bullpen area where guys regularly vacillate from good, to terrible, to replacement level, to Cubs, to terrible.