Let the Lou Piniella Farewell Tour Begin

After 23 years as a manager and many, many victories, though not a single one of them in the post-season as the manager of the Chicago Cubs, Lou Piniella is retiring at season's end.

Piniella, Jim Hendry, and Tom Ricketts are scheduled to meet with the press at about 4:15.

More to come later on.

Tags: 
Lou Piniella
Submitted by Cubnut on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 2:44pm
Return to Homepage

Comments

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 2:50pm

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/07/...

anyone but Brenly and probably shouldn't go the big name approach like Torre either.

Personally I vote for the World Cup octupus.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 2:55pm

brenley should learn spanish if he hopes to manage again. he's already got skills like cross-cultural and cross-generational communication tools.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 2:59pm

"Piniella, Jim Hendry, and Tom Ricketts are scheduled to meet with the press at about 4:15."

press - "So Lou, are you going to stick around with the club after the season in any capacity?"

lou - "Jesus Christ...look, just ask the players?"

press - "Ummm?"

lou - "Look, I have no explanations. Go ask the players about it. It's their game."

press - "This has nothing to do with..."

lou - "YOU'RE A PIECE OF SHIT! Interview over."

hendry - "Well, that was...interesting. We just signed Lou to a 3-year backloaded deal as a bench coach by the way, 500K, 500K, and 7m."

rickets - "I'd like to thank the media for coming...now who wants my autograph or a picture taken with me?"

Submitted by Ryno
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:01pm

I would like to begin a "Don't pick Ryno" campaign for obvious reasons.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:36pm

Why is that obvious? Ozzie Guillen has not done too bad with the White Sox. Just sayin'...

If Girardi can be bought, fine. Otherwise, it is just re-hashers anyway.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:42pm

ozzie's clubhouse has been a nightmare...he just hasn't had it blow the hell up on him too badly (yet).

there's some people who don't like his drill sergeant meets "hey guy...cool out" bipolar management crap.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 11:27am

Agreed.

But it hasn't blown up yet because they all know Ozzie would probably fucking stab someone... There's something to be said for that.

Just sayin...

Submitted by Jumbo
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 7:17pm

Stalin didn't have to worry about uprisings either.

It's a helluva management philosophy

Submitted by Ryno
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 6:13pm

Actually, the obvious reason is to avoid confusion with my TCR name.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 11:26am

I for one knew that as soon as I read it.

Well-played.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:01pm

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/marlon-byrd...

only player in baseball still associated with Victor Conte

Submitted by navigator
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:21pm

Not only does Marlon Byrd use Conte's products (from his new company SNAC) but Marlon promotes them as an offical "SNAC Athlete."

His pic is in their Gallery
http://www.snac.com/gallery.htm

Submitted by Jace
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:35pm

That's like a who's who of disgraced athletes... It is unbelievable!

Submitted by navigator
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:45pm

Okay. Marlon is a SNAC salesman. Would it really surprise anyone if SNACs are where Tyler Colvin got his new body and kick started his career?

Byrd started using SNACs in 2008

2002-2007

.273 .334 .394 .728 OPS+ 91 (think Ryan Theriot in CF)

2008-Present

.297 .357 .474 .831 OPS+ 115 (All Star)

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:13pm

well, at this point i think the microscope is focused so heavily on conte he doesn't have much of a chance to pump dudes full of PEDs.

drug pusher aspect aside he's been at this for like 30-40 years.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 7:03pm

You are hilarious! In the worst way you want Cub rookies to FAIL so you can continue your single-handed "Dump Tim Wilken" campaign. You have evidence of Colvin juicing? Would it surprise you if he does not?

Most everyone here has acknowledged that just maybe, the "Three C's", have terrific potential.

Except you. Because You can't live with the fact that Wilken might know more than some negative internet NAVIGATOR about baseball. Give it a rest, dude.

Submitted by navigator
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 7:13pm

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 8:27pm

Really? About 1 out of every 4 of your posts has "Teflon Tim" in it.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 1:41am

Even if that were remotely true...so what?

"Teflon" Tim refers only to the fact that at TCR at least, no criticism of Wilken is allowed, he's a saint, but you can slam his picks til they're bloody stumps (Samardzija e.g.). Apparently they drafted themselves.

On the other hand, any and all success in the minor league system is attributable to Wilken even if he had nothing to do with it.

When the draft is over, Wilken switches over to advising Hendry on trades and player acquisitions. When these don't work out, they're all Hendry's fault. Teflon Tim.

That said, I have never advocated getting rid of Wilken. Please show me where I have. He's not even that important a cog, not really in the top management loop, and he's doing better job than Hendry ever did running the draft. But that's not saying much. So, I'll go further and say that if Ricketts ever cleans house and the only guy left is Wilken, I'll be pleased.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 8:44am

""Teflon" Tim refers only to the fact that at TCR at least, no criticism of Wilken is allowed, he's a saint"

it's not that, it's so so not that.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 8:54am

I am pretty sure that I've commented several times on how the Brett Jackson pick was a waste of money, and people went crazy over the Colvin pick and the kid we took first this year.

The idea that Wilken is also doing major league scouting that Navigator keeps pushing is stupid, though.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 9:39am

I think you really need to be specific on who, exactly, "went crazy" over whom you state, considering your appreciation for detail in many postings.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 9:45am

You think incorrectly ; )

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 9:09pm

I know what he is talking about.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 9:56pm

Why isn't he talking about how the 25 lbs of muscle that Theriot added in the off-season made him the all-star he is today?

It's almost like it takes more to hitting a baseball than spending your winter drinking Muscle Milk and pumping iron.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 1:43am

Theriot added 25 lbs of muscle?

Who knew?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 6:18am

All the people with eyes good enough to look at him, or the ability to read.

""This is going to be a great year," an upbeat Theriot said as he reported for spring training. "It's really exciting. I've really worked on gaining some strength this off-season, gaining some weight for longevity. So there are some things I improved on some things that I worked on all off-season. I'm excited to see how that works out."

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 1:44am

No you don't.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 11:30am

Re: Colvin. Nope, it sure as hell wouldn't surprise me, and no one else should be surprised either. I love the kid, but it's SNAC or whatever the next 'barely legal' clinic is we haven't heard of yet.

And as for Byrd's #s, you're exactly right, and he's making no secret about it.

What scares me is this sounds an awful lot like when that reporter found the andro in McGwire's locker, legal now, not tomorrow.

Submitted by Cubnut
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:10pm

David Kaplan reports that retirement story leaked through Piniella's agent to Bill Madden of NY Daily News, who reported it before Piniella could speak to the team.

http://bit.ly/bcgdia

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:10pm

j.stevens up, m.atkins down

...i was going to post the latest "milton bradley is satan"...i mean "carlos zambrano is satan" blurb from paul sulivan's twitter, but whatever...there will be another 2-3 per day until he's traded or gets hit by a truck.

Submitted by Pell Mell
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 5:16pm

For another Greatest Hit, how about B. Rozner trashing his old whipping boy ARam on The Score this morning? Right, Barry, he's only been OPSing about a billion for three weeks, so good timing for your usual ready-fire-aim job.

Then I find out the context was "would or should the White Sox trade for Ramirez?" and of course Rozner's answer was no. Not suggesting the answer should be yes -- just the thought makes me sick -- but only a true chowderhead's chowderhead could look at what the Sox trot out at the hot corner and pronounce it preferable to ARam.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 11:35am

I don't think satan is fair to call either of those fine upstanding millionaires.

Crazy? Overrated? Overpaid?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:20pm

somewhere Zambrano is doing the Snoopy happy dance right now

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 11:36am

HAHAHAAAHAHAHAA LMFAO (mostly for the Snoopy happy dance reference)

Submitted by DC Tom
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:26pm

Good PR move for a team that is more of a publicity and ticket-selling machine than a baseball team. Now instead of three months of "fire Piniella" talk radio, we will be treated to pre-game ceremonies in every road city from here on out and a rush of "voices from Piniella's past" to sing the 7th inning stretch and gush in the TV booth. Classic PR move of redirecting attention away from a flawed and aging team.

I'm speculating that this was to have been announced the day after the All Star game, but that the death of George Steinbrenner caused the delay (and ultimately the leak).

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:32pm

i could be wrong, but after quitting on 2 teams and failing with his latest i think the only people left that likes him is CIN and SEA.

he didn't burn too many bridges (except in TB) but he's not attached his name to anything big-time in quite a while.

he's no bobby "wife beating" cox.

Submitted by DC Tom
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:35pm

Agreed...but the Cubs will milk it for all it's worth.

It certainly beats their other PR option, "Come See Z's Comeback on Anger Management Awareness Day! Anything Can Happen!"

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:43pm

bwhaha

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:42pm

i could be wrong

you are.

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Fans+greet+Lou+...

there was a more recent Seattle love letter when the Cubs returned as well which I can't find.

the comments here like him as well.

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/re...

not saying everyone in Seattle likes him or how he left, but he seems to still held in high regard there.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:21pm

"i think the only people left that likes him is CIN and SEA."

...just saying.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:29pm

bah.

you must have edited it. :)

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:31pm

i dont think you can edit comments once someone replies to it. #14 got to it first.

Submitted by navigator
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:56pm

Piniella did okay managing the regular season. Lou won 2 Central Division Championships and put together 3 winning seasons in a row with this one still in play. Best performance in 50 years.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:16pm

yeah, but it seems the cubs fans are just "done" with him.

the gloss wears off almost every manager after a while, but it seems the fans didn't get what they wanted out of an old fat man again....especially for this pricetag on the field talent.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:22pm

I want the worst hitter in the lineup not to bad third every day...and a guy who belongs in AAA keeping our catcher from playing in the all-star game. I just don't think it's that much to ask.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 11:41am

Don't know about the delay (interesting theory) but I totally agree with the PR aspect. Makes you wonder if Ricketts/Hendry came up with the idea to press Lou into making/announcing his decision now.

But being as objective as a lifer Cub fan can be, doesn't it make sense from a baseball standpoint too? We were already fucking swimming in questions about Lou and Hendry for a while now, and they put it all to rest in one afternoon, Lou's gone at the end of the year and Hendry gets to keep his job at least through the offseason.

Which then makes me wonder, was Lou pushed into this, overtly or otherwise? Hendry tells Lou that Ricketts doesn't want him around but respects him a ton, Lou says I'll retire at the end of the year if you let me leave with some fucking dignity left and don't fire me from the Cubs. Hendry/Ricketts says deal, but you've gotta announce it now so we can interview whoever MacFail doesn't hire in Baltimore...

Random thoughts...

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 2:01pm

Makes a ton of sense Tony,

Allows the Cubs to begin the interview process behind the scenes now. Without any potential blow back and leaks from the press. Or any overt tampering for that matter.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 2:17pm

Well, I think this makes you more prone to tampering accusations since now everyone knows you're actively looking for a manager.

I would hope that Hendry doesn't focus hiring a manager any time soon, at the very least not until the first trade deadline.

Submitted by Cubster
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:26pm

I would like to begin a "Don't pick Ryno" campaign for obvious reasons.
---
Don't pick Ryno's nose.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 11:43am

Zing!

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:00pm

With Brandon Inge going on the DL with a broken hand and Carlos Guillen a good candidate to move from 2B to 3B, how long can Dave Dombrowski withstand the compulsion he must feel to acquire Ryan Theriot? Over/under anyone?

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:19pm

anything to get fontenot more ABs this season to see if he's worth carrying into 2011 is fine with me...even if his 2011 role would be bench.

the options for 2nd are weak internally and they're probably going to want to carry at least one of theriot/fontenot next year.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:27pm

If Fontenot gets more AB's I'll kill myself. He doesn't belong in the major leagues. He's a one-dimensional player who's only talent is growing dumbass facial hair.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:33pm

if we don't keep at least one of baker/fontenot/theriot the club will be out looking to sign 2 guys who can fill the role.

fonte playing a little SS and taking balls there pre-game is just an option i'd rather gamble on than baker...either i'd rather see on the bench.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:39pm

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:33pm.
if we don't keep at least one of baker/fontenot/theriot the club will be out looking to sign 2 guys who can fill the role.

fonte playing a little SS and taking balls there pre-game is just an option i'd rather gamble on than baker...either i'd rather see on the bench.

===============================================

CRUNCH: Darwin Barney will be brought up as soon as one of the three (Theriot/Fontenot/Baker) is moved. That is a lock.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:47pm

yeah, im just looking toward 2011. it seems riot has (hopefully) priced himself out of the club.

i don't see fonte as a starter, but i think he can pull the 1-2m or so he'd make next year into a decent enough deal for a left handed middle IF.

i see baker as expendable at this point.

Submitted by Newport
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 12:43am

Theriot, Fontenot, and Baker are ALL expendable. They all suck.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 11:56am

As much as I'd like to bitch about the seemingly mindless nature of your retort, we need a little more of that, here and in 'Cub-world' in general.

I don't need either fancy stats or scrappy 'intangibles' to figure out that a) Font is a nice bench piece at best b) Theriot's worth goes down as his price goes up c) where the fuck has baker even been?

If Hendry looks at it a little more like you do, maybe a few more aggressive moves get made. Cubs fans of a certain age were seemingly happy for years to simply have somebody swell to root for, with a sporadic division title here or there. Now we want rings like the BoSox got, so a 'feel good' story isn't enough anymore.

I'm as guilty of this as anyone else. Prime example is the DeRosa trade. Tons of people here and elsewhere freaked out because Hendry was trading a leader (which I think DeRo was) etc. etc. but the fact is it was the right baseball move at the time. 2 yrs. of 20/80 out of DeRo was more than anyone had any right to expect, and Hendry got a (semi-) serviceable return.

We fall in love with players and then bitch when the team doesn't win. One of the biggest problems with this fan base has been accepting 'Good Guys' fucking losing for years. I'm not saying dump DLee for a ham sammich because he has a bad April, but I'd at least be listening to offers for my fucking father if he wasn't hitting .250 by the break.

Is DLee going to rebound and get back to solid numbers by the end of the year or is he old and finally washed up??? Fuck, I don't know. These things are what all the 'staff' and 'talent evaluators' get fucking paid for.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 2:07pm

The problem with the DeRosa trade is that it was a salary dump, so we could massively overpay Milton Bradley.

In the end it was a huge downgrade at 2nd and Right-field for the sake of getting "Left-handed".

Partially Lou's fault for constantly bitching about "Handedness". But at some point the GM needs to be the adult. Hendry has always been more of the enabler.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 1:26pm

The only thing Theriot does better than Barney is steal, but Barney is running more lately, and is 10 for 13 SBs on the season. At Tennessee, T. Thomas is 10 for 11 (compared to 13/26 last year) and LeMahieu is 12 out of 17 at Daytona. It's like they're all reading the same job description on the locker-room bulletin board. "2nd base on Cubs: must demonstrate base-stealing ability."

Hak-Ju Lee is not in the conversation for next year, but he's the best base stealer in the organization if you look at steals per game and success rate.

Sandberg will have first-hand knowledge of Barney and Thomas.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:47pm

I think they should find a starting 2b for next year and perhaps plug Darwin Barney in as a backup.

Fontenot and Baker have done nothing to impress anyone. I think the other thing that has to be considered with keeping Fontenot for next season is his salary. He is overpaid at $1 million this season. Bringing him back once again to be a backup 2b for over $1 million is crazy. He's proven he can't be a starter. Backups, with few exceptions, should be around the MLB minimum. Darwin Barney makes sense in that role, much more than Fontenot.

Maybe Barney impresses enough to be in the starting mix. I'm not counting on that though. I like the little I've seen of him but I don't know if he can produce enough offense to start on a team with any aspirations other than simply fielding a team.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:52pm

Submitted by Paul Noce on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:47pm.
I think they should find a starting 2b for next year and perhaps plug Darwin Barney in as a backup.

Fontenot and Baker have done nothing to impress anyone. I think the other thing that has to be considered with keeping Fontenot for next season is his salary. He is overpaid at $1 million this season. Bringing him back once again to be a backup 2b for over $1 million is crazy. He's proven he can't be a starter. Backups, with few exceptions, should be around the MLB minimum. Darwin Barney makes sense in that role, much more than Fontenot.

Maybe Barney impresses enough to be in the starting mix. I'm not counting on that though. I like the little I've seen of him but I don't know if he can produce enough offense to start on a team with any aspirations other than simply fielding a team

===============================================

PAUL N: I think the Cubs will target a 2B in a trade, either as part of the return in a trade deadline deal, or during the upcoming off-season. And then Darwin Barney will be the 2B-SS back-up. I believe Theriot, Fontenot, and Baker will all be gone in 2011,

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 5:07pm

I think you've confused backup with replacement level player. Darwin Barney, nice guy and all, is someone who deserves at bats at 2nd base even less than Koyie Hill does at catcher.

At his current pace, Fountainout is going to be worth about a half a win above replacement, in his limited playing time . Would you rather pay an $800K for a half a win or $0 for 0 wins? That's the choice you're making between Barney and Fontenot.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 12:09pm

This is an interesting question. If that $800K is the last money making the difference between a 3-win 2B and a 2-win 2B, aren't 3 wins more than two and a half???

Say that to say this--I believe in my heart of hearts that some guys are just good bench players (Hollandsworth comes to mind, and there are a bazillion others) and some guys aren't, but spending money on a 'better bench' is something the fucking Yankees would do because they've got money to burn.

It's the same mentality that has led us (most MLB teams) to spending millions upon millions on fucking relievers/closers. What happened to the bullpen being filled with guys who just weren't quite good enough to make the big league rotation?

Do you need DECENT guys on the bench? Absolutely. Can/should at least 1-2 of them be kids who are there to listen to the old heads as much as anything else? Yes. Is it a team-building category concerning stats and wins you need to 'focus on in the offseason' like the fucking rotation? No.

Get a better starting 8 and your bench suddenly isn't the fucking issue anymore. MLB is going the way of everything else, it's like everybody has to get a fucking prize or a ribbon or a pat on the back. Do your fucking job better than the other guy, and you won't be on the bench, you'll earn your trophy.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 12:39pm

There have been studies on roster construction. Whether it's better to evenly spread out the $ or have a stars and scrubs roster.

The teams who evenly spread out the money tend to do better.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Sun, 07/25/2010 - 9:14am

And while I understand the theory, it also depends on how much $ you've got to start with, and decisions you make with it.

"a stars and scrubs roster" is also probably better than a team full of shitty players without an identity and no thump or legit ace because you're worried about how good your bench is. And it can be overdone either way; how great was the Nats' record when Sorry hit 40HR for them, or with Dunn now??

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 2:02pm

In other words, you think Barney IS chopped liver.

Sandberg may not think so. Barney has made Sandberg a nice #1/#2 hitter this year. The team scores runs and wins games. Barney is one hit from being tied for the lead in the 16-team PCL.

And don't confuse that stat with Theriot's leading the NL in singles last year and once or twice before. Good hitters don't always stop at first base. Theriot led in singles in 2009, but was 15th in hits. To put it another way, among players with the most hits in the NL last year, Theriot was 41st in doubles.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 2:24pm

First sentence correct. Remainder, huh?

Barney is slugging .379 in AAA. He has a .337 OBP.

The year Theriot "won" a ML job he had slugged .379 and had a .367 OBP in Iowa.

Barney is Theriot with less walking skill. Neither player should get more than 50 at bats (batting 8th) as a second basemen on a big league roster.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 1:29pm

Barney is a much better glove, so even if he's the exact same hitter as Theriot, it's an upgrade--or he would be, as I said, depending on how many stolen bases you lose.

I doubt that either one of us has had a good look at Barney, but he made the PCL all-star team this year and the SL team last year, so he must be making a favorable impression on somebody. I googled around for evidence of Theriot ever being an all star and didn't find any, except, oddly enough, a story about him not making the team when he was at West Tenn:

Inside The Ivy: Were you surprised to be left off the All-Star roster?

Ryan Theriot: I'm not playing this game to get on all-star teams; I play to get to the big leagues. It would have been fun, but to tell you the honest truth, I needed to spend time with my newborn son. You don’t get a bonus for making the all-star team anyway.

I just don't think the Cubs should be putting money or effort into the middle infield right now, when a year from now there will be several attractive in-house candidates. At the same time, because of Barney, it's not necessary to hold onto Theriot.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:28pm

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 3:19pm.
anything to get fontenot more ABs this season to see if he's worth carrying into 2011 is fine with me...even if his 2011 role would be bench.

the options for 2nd are weak internally and they're probably going to want to carry at least one of theriot/fontenot next year.

=============================================

CRUNCH: The Tigers are probably a match for Ted Lilly and possibly Xavier Nady, too, especially if the Cubs pick up some of their remaining salaries.

Hendry and Dombrowski are good buddies (Dombrowski gave Hendry his first managerial job in pro ball) and Dombrowski seems to always like Cubs players nobody else much wants (Kyle Farnsworth, Neifi Perez, Jacque Jones, et al).

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:32pm

Theriot and the Tigers was part of one of the last interesting things I wrote on here.

http://www.thecubreporter.com/2010/06/03/pote...

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 12:11pm

Yes, while I'm ranting, where the hell have you been young man???

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 11:44am

Another week, tops.

(But isn't it YOU who usually tells US these things?? ;-)

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:43pm

Ricketts has finally spoken and said Hendry will be the GM going into next season:

"Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts thanked Piniella for his service and confirmed that general manager Jim Hendry would remain in his role and be in charge of finding a successor...

"Jim is our general manager full stop and will be our general manager going into next year," said Ricketts, adding that president Crane Kenney also will be involved in the search. "We have a good organization"

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/07/...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:45pm

wow, Hendry gets to hire a third manager. That's incredible.

Submitted by navigator
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:48pm

Ricketts is such a dope!

Eventually all Cubdom will agree with me.

Submitted by navigator
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 5:20pm

Ricketts expounds:

"When we came in to this organization, I said our opening press conference that Day 1 was square one with everyone in the organization," Ricketts said. "I think from that day going forward we had a very good offseason. I think Jim delivered on bringing in some players who contributed a lot to this season, and we had a good offseason, no question.

"I think the second thing that gives me 100 percent confidence in Jim is that we have a good organization. The way you win consistently in baseball is to draft well, to develop players well and to bring those players up to the major leagues to give you the flexibility you need with payroll and trades. I think we have the organization in place. I have the highest confidence in everyone in our organization, and I think that speaks well of Jim."

-ESPN

"I have the highest confidence in everyone in our organization, and I think that speaks well of Jim."

-Tom "Year 1" Ricketts

Love the logic in that quote.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 6:10pm

Stability sounds great, and is a huge change for the organization. However, Hendry needs to do a better job of building rosters if he's going to stay. He can't have a team of sluggers who can't run, don't take many walks, and play mediocre to bad defense to boot. He also can't have so much money wasted on backups - backups that do little to help the team.

After almost 10 years, or however long Hendry has been the GM, I really doubt he's going to change.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 6:14pm

Submitted by Paul Noce on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 5:10pm.
Stability sounds great, and is a huge change for the organization. However, Hendry needs to do a better job of building rosters if he's going to stay. He can't have a team of sluggers who can't run, don't take many walks, and play mediocre to bad defense to boot. He also can't have so much money wasted on backups - backups that do little to help the team.

After almost 10 years, or however long Hendry has been the GM, I really doubt he's going to change.

===========================================================

PAUL: If Hendry is given a $120M payroll budget for 2011 (which I think is likely), he won't be able to sign anybody to long-term mega-bucks contracts. It will be like sending him to a de-tox center, where he'll just have to learn to live without it.

SIGNED FOR 2011:

Does not include signing bonuses not actually paid in 2011

+ has NO TRADE rights in 2011

+ Alfonso Soriano - $18M
+ Carlos Zambrano - $17.875
+ Ryan Dempster - $15M in 2011 (includes $1.5M deferred from 2010)
+ Aramis Ramirez $14.6M (player option)
+ Kosuke Fukudome - $13.5M (only partial NO-TRADE)
Carlos Silva - $6M (SEA pays additional $5.5M)
Marlon Byrd - $5.5M
John Grabow - $4.8M
+ Jeff Samardzija - $2.8M
2011 SUB-TOTAL: $98.275M

ELIGIBLE FOR SALARY ARBITRATION POST-2010:
Jeff Baker (likely non-tender)
Mike Fontenot (likely non-tender)
Tom Gorzelanny ($2.5M est)
Angel Guzman (likely non-tender)
Koyie Hill (likely non-tender)
Carlos Marmol ($4M est)
Sean Marshall ($2M est)
Geovany Soto ($3M est)
Ryan Theriot ($4M est)
PROJECTED 2011 ESTIMATE: $15.5M

AUTO-RENEWAL (PRE-ARBITRATION) POST-2010:
James Adduci
Mitch Atkins
Justin Berg
Esmailin Caridad
Andrew Cashner
Welington Castillo
Starlin Castro
Tyler Colvin
Rafael Dolis
Sam Fuld
John Gaub
Jeff Gray
Micah Hoffpauir
Marco Mateo
Blake Parker
James Russell
Brian Schlitter
Jeff Stevens
Randy Wells
PROJECTED 2011 ESTIMATED SUB-TOTAL: $4M

PROJECTED ESTIMATED TOTAL: $117M+

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 12:14pm

Az Phil-- If we non-tender Guzman do you think we bring him back cheap for rehab?

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 12:29pm

Submitted by Tony S. on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 11:14am.
Az Phil-- If we non-tender Guzman do you think we bring him back cheap for rehab?

=======================================

TONY: Yes. I think the Cubs will very likely non-tender Angel Guzman on 12/12 and then offer him a 2011 minor league contract with a low base salary (maybe $25K per month) with maybe a $150K per month MLB salary if he is added to the 40-man roster at some point in 2011. That way, Gooz can continue his rehab at Fitch Park without having to change facilities or training staff.

The Cubs made a similar offer to Neal Cotts (2009 TJS) after they non-tendered him on 12/12/2009, and he declined the offer, instead signing a 2010 minor league contract with Pittsburgh. I don't know if the Pirates offered Cotts more money or if Cotts maybe just wanted to try his luck with a new organization. (Cotts is on the AAA Indianapolis DL and has yet to appear in a game this season).

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 12:12pm

Wow, you said it WAY better, I wish I would've read yours first.....

Submitted by John Beasley
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 5:49pm

He probably is. But let's not forget you starting bagging on him before he even did a single thing as owner.

Is it because he's white?

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 5:46pm

Did you think he was going to fire Hendry today?

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 6:06pm

No, but I don't think there was a real need to announce that today. Although, if the plan is to keep Bozo running the team, I guess announcing that now quiets down the press.

I think it's a catch-22 as a fan. Yes, the team has been much better under Hendry than any GM in our lifetimes. But the team has had little playoff success and is going backwards now, so there's a legitimate reason, coupled with multiple bad/overpriced contracts, to consider firing him.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 6:08pm

imo, when you get 120-140m to play with and the cubs are where they're at now...phew.

that said, he's got his +'s and successes in trades and blah blah blah...

still...spending all that money and not getting it done has taken down others, quicker.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 6:41pm

Hendry will be gone after this season.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 6:48pm

it sure wouldn't be shocking.

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 6:57pm

I'm definitely also clinging to the hope that this was the "dreaded vote of confidence" that will lead to Hendry's ouster from the organization.

Submitted by rokfish
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 5:04pm

So AZ. Phil if any of the three (Theriot,Lilly,Nady) or all go to Detroit
what would they have that we could get.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 5:25pm

Submitted by rokfish on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:04pm.
So AZ. Phil if any of the three (Theriot,Lilly,Nady) or all go to Detroit
what would they have that we could get.

====================================

ROKFISH: It depends on how much of the remaining salaries the Cubs pay.

LHPs Andy Oliver, Charles Furbush, and Giovanni Soto would probably be the Cubs main targets, but they also may have at least passing interest in AAA guys like 1B Jeff Larish, 2B Scott Sizemore, and/or RH closer Jay Sborz as more-immediate replacements for players who are traded (like Sizemore for Theriot) or who leave via free-agency post-2010 (perhaps Larish as a possible replacement for D-Lee) or to fill a need (bullpen depth).

But again, who the Cubs can get back in any trade they might make would be predicated on how much of the remaining salaries of the traded players the Cubs are willing to pick-up. The more salary the Cubs pay, the better player or players they get back.

Oliver, Furbush, and Soto are probably the main guys the Cubs would target.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 8:01pm

The Cubs should be going out of their way to get Soto. Giovanni Soto being caught by Geovany Soto would at least provide more entertainment than this team currently provides.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 8:17pm

that'd be like dividing by 0. a wormhole would open up swallowing the team. while i'd welcome the payroll relief, i'd like to hang onto colvin, soto, and castro just a little while longer.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 9:49pm

I wasn't saying get rid of Geo Soto, I was saying we should acquire Gio Soto.

Submitted by Newport
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 12:48am

Charles Furbush. FURBUSH.

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 10:11pm

Aren't most of them?

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 5:45pm

http://www.gq.com/entertainment/celebrities/2...

Submitted by Ryno
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 6:14pm

Hendry never had a problem spending money... it was finding good value for that money that is the problem.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 7:38pm

the juggernaut Astros do it again.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 8:11pm

What does the sound of a team mailing it in make?

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 8:20pm

the clicks of laptop keys from the clubhouse setting reservations for winter vacation.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 9:48pm

I spoke too soon. Go Cubs.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 10:03pm

i think aram is back...

Submitted by The E-Man
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 10:45pm

too little and WAY too late.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 10:53pm

Maybe that makes him marketable to Detroit, who has a lot to spend next year (if Ram wants to even be traded).

Submitted by Charlie
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 11:52am

I would think that a number of teams would be interested in Ramirez right now. I hope he can keep it up at least for a few more days, if the Cubs are considering trading him.

But then they have to go look for a third baseman for 2011.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 12:18pm

Nah, I think ARam stays. Just a guess.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 10:53pm

Hopefully he has a huge second half and opts out.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 12:40pm

Hopefully he has a decent second half and plays first base for us next year.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 1:04pm

Why would we want to move ARam to first next season? Has his defense really slipped at third?

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 2:17pm

Dunn at first and Aramis at 3rd sounds OK by me.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 2:27pm

Haven't we learned anything from the awful contracts we've been giving out? Signing Dunn makes little sense. He's not going to a sign a 1 or 2 year deal.

Then again, with his rise in avg. this year, Hendry must see Dunn is having a career year and will be all over him this winter with another horrible contract offer. Let's pray Ricketts reels Big Jim in.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 2:45pm

He's been a consistent .400 obp guy who almost always touches 900 OPS.

Think of him as Ryan Howard without the hype and 1/2 the salary.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 2:54pm

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/acti...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 3:32pm

like the Cubs defense isn't bad enough already...

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 3:34pm

I'm not advocating putting him in CF. How bad can his first base defense be?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 2:28pm

He's never had any range and he's got a .925 fielding percentage. The MLB average is .954.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 1:16pm

Colvin, Castro, Lee, Ramirez, Byrd, Fukudome, Hill, Theriot, Lilly.

Submitted by billybucks
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 1:27pm

Lou has already mentally retired.

Good idea to get Hill (.213 avg, .253 OBP, ZERO HR) in the lineup at the expense of Soto (.400+ OBP, 4HR in last 8 games.)

I know it's a day game, but tomorrow's an off day, Lou.

Read the damn schedule.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 2:08pm

The Cub's are too far out of contention for me to care about stuff like this.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 2:29pm

Because Lou is mentally retarded, not retired.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 3:26pm

How many times this season has he left Lilly in for an inning too long? At least three that I can think of off the top of my head.

Submitted by billybucks
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 3:03pm

I know, but still -- and Hill is currently 0-3 with 3 K's.

I am shocked -- shocked -- to discover that he can't hit.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 3:46pm

Golden Sombrero with winning run on second.

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 3:58pm

couldn't even bunt his way around the dreaded GS...

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 2:57pm

took a late lunch & wangled a pass to the press conference that was to be held this afternoon by the no longer angry pitcher...postponed, supposedly until after tomorrow night's game in which he will supposedly pitch a little...stay tuned

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:32pm

Zambrano to pitch for Triple-A Iowa on Thursday

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-cubs...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 3:32pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/st...

Fredi Gonzalez to be on the short list

just hope it's at least another 3-4 yr contract like the last two.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 3:54pm

I can envision no circumstance in which it makes sense for Theriot to take 2nd there....

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 3:56pm

Huh? He absolutely should have taken second there. They gave it to him, and it takes away a possible force.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:01pm

dave's right on that one, now get Cashner a win for my fantasy team.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:24pm

Yep, my head was up my ass on that one...
It is clear to me that noone wants to win this game...

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:04pm

second inning in a row with runner on second no outs.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:17pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/st...

Sandberg wants the gig.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:18pm

and they blow it again

Submitted by billybucks
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:26pm

I can't imagine anyone in baseball I would less rather have up with a runner on third and less than 2 outs than Fukudome.

Except maybe Koye Hill.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 1:01am

Why not PH with Soto (who strikes out a lot) with 1 out and Fukudome with 2 outs? Oh that's right, you're Lou Pinhead, who's IQ hasn't punched it at 90 in two years.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 8:23am

I am going to guess that it has to do with the fact that you can't pinch hit with a player who is already in the lineup?

Fukudome started, genius.

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 9:48am

Give him a break, Dave, he was probably distracted by trying to find out how D-Lee has abandoned his charity. Tough to do with a 91 IQ.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 9:52am

Yea... we never did get an answer on that one, did we?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 11:02am

No we didn't. I was working during the game, so I made one mistake. Lou has made a season full of them, yet Tito still masterbates thrice daily to his autographed photo.

How about how our president was going to fund his health care bill with windfall taxes on the oil companies? I think we did hear about that by now, haven't we Dave?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 11:24am

How about how our president was going to fund his health care bill with windfall taxes on the oil companies? I think we did hear about that by now, haven't we Dave?

WTF are you talking about? And how is that relevant to anything that you are wrong about here?

Lets just say this - Lou's IQ is high enough to know that you can't swap people in a lineup, or pinch hit people who are already in the lineup.

By the way... still waiting for the evidence on Lee giving up his charity. And still waiting for you answer on why the Cubs are going to pay Cliff Lee's salary.

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 12:20pm

All the douchey things you say to people on this board, and you can't even take it? That's the best you can do? That I love Lou and jerk off to his photo? (It's not autographed, BTW.)

Try to at least spell masturbate correctly next time, genius.

Why aren't you managing in the big leagues? Oh, let me guess, lack of opportunity is the only thing stopping you.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:30pm

Why did they just walk Colvin to get to Castro?

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:34pm

Castro hits right handed, and it sets up the double play maybe.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:35pm

Yeah, I get that, but Colvin hasn't hit at all in the game, and Castro has had 2 doubles.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:48pm

they were setting up a double play with theriot on 2nd bunted over by fontenot.

now why the fuck they wasted fonenot to bunt him over (his first sac in 2 f'n years) in a tie game...well, wtf?

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:54pm

Brenly questioned why not use Dempster to bunt.

They showed a shot in the dugout and Lou was reading a brochure on Del Boca Vista retirement condos.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:40pm

okay lets do this!

BOBBBBBBBBBB HOWWWWWWWWRRRY!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:48pm

and 2 up, 2 on

set a clock to him fucking up a game.

-edit- or him and Stevens in this case.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:51pm

and now it's time to burn through all the pitching...

-edit- well, literally...our last pitcher out of the pen is the 3rd pitcher of the inning.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:52pm

and overmanaging strikes again...tony larussa would be proud

HOU leads by 2. awesome.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:57pm

Stadium half empty.

Looks like a late September in the 70's.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:58pm

i dunno if im shocked or impressed at the lack of garbage being thrown some of these games.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 1:03am

If you can't dump a beer on an opposing outfielder, you sure as hell can't throw garbage on the field.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 4:59pm

Where is that Cub player from the Pepsi commercial who says "See that girl in the stands? She has some great ideas?"

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 1:04am

In theory, it's Alphonso Soriano. Reminds me of the commercial where they had to get someone to say "he traded me for a side of rice pilaf" for Sammy Sosa.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 1:18am

If it was Soriano he would be asking the first baseman how many outs there were and what club was he going to after the game.

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 7:09pm

I thought it was Bobby Scales. Don't ask me why they'd have him in that commercial.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 7:16pm

Couldn't have been Scales, the guy was on base.

~small rimshot~

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 7:19pm

FREE BOBBY SCALES

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Fri, 07/23/2010 - 2:09am

Latest unsubstantiated scuttlebutt is that the Cubs player is an actor. Check out the link below:
http://blogs.vocalo.org/jkaufmann/2010/05/new...

The blog is posted by Justin Kaufmann, a producer on WBEZ radio (local NPR station). Be sure to read the comments also for additional info.

There seems to be "facts" stated without attribution or other authority (e.g., Kaufmann identifies the fact that he is an actor "upon closer inspection" but does no other investigative work -- doesn't he work for a Chicago radio station? Maybe call the Cubs to ask? Then the "actor" is referred to in the comments as a "Mr. Tate" without anyone disclosing how they know that is his name.)

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 07/23/2010 - 10:34am

in the comments if they're believed, it's said the "Cub" was hired as a background actor but could step in if any of the MLB players didn't show up.

which seems to make sense...

had to have been Soriano.

Submitted by Tito
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 5:00pm

The Cubs have left 14 men on base, and it's Lou and Howry's fault.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 5:02pm

i hate it when so few people are at wrigley ronnie woo's annoying ass follows the audio through the inning.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 5:06pm

I remember this guy made the Cubs look completely hapless when he pitched for Toronto... Not a bad move for the Asstrolls to pick him up...

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 5:09pm

...it's getting interesting...4-3, 2 outs.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 5:11pm

theriot refusing to walk

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 5:12pm

wonder who will get up in the pen to pitch?

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 5:13pm

speaking of...with pen guys left to burn for HOU their manager is having a brain fart with this interesting matchup. a lefty vs. baker with a righty ready...now that's brains.

woo...managers.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 5:14pm

randy wells warming up

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 5:13pm

It's in the hands of Jeff Baker the out maker.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 5:16pm

cmon colvin

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 5:17pm

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 5:19pm

is it april yet?

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 5:21pm

Okay, as we have been saying for three weeks now, it is time to PUNT on this season, guys! Enough of all this talk about having a chance. PUNT!

Submitted by billybucks
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 5:21pm

As I said....great move by Lou to sit Soto and get Hill's "bat" into the linup.

Good riddance Lou.

Sheesh.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 8:35pm

If the choice is between Soto and Hill, Lou might not be the problem.

Submitted by Charlie
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 9:36pm

I don't think I understand. Are you saying Soto isn't good either?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 8:58pm

pretty SOP to rest a catcher a day game after a night game and especially nice if he can get 2 days off in a row.

The Cubs season is over too in case you didn't notice, so not sure why the anger. No reason to risk wearing down Soto or getting him injured at this point.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 9:28pm

yeah, hill got played a bit much in june, but overall nothing weird, imo.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 11:44pm

AZ PHIL: Does any of the below youngsters coming in the Tribe trade for DeRo project out to be anything even moderately successful?

(Keep in mind these are all better numbers than John Grabow)

Berg - 5.59 1.5 .225

Stevens - 5.71 1.67 .271

Gaub (AAA) - 6.52 1.79 (BAA ?)

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 12:51am

Submitted by The E-Man on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 10:44pm.
AZ PHIL: Does any of the below youngsters coming in the Tribe trade for DeRo project out to be anything even moderately successful?

(Keep in mind these are all better numbers than John Grabow)

Berg - 5.59 1.5 .225

Stevens - 5.71 1.67 .271

Gaub (AAA) - 6.52 1.79 (BAA ?)

=========================================

E-MAN: Justin Berg was acquired from the Yankees for OF Matt Lawton back in 2006. He projects as nothing more than a journeyman MLB middle-reliever.

RHP Jeff Stevsns was a closer at Loyola Marymount and then for Team USA, and has pitched fairly well at the AAA level, but has struggled versus big league hitters. Stevens was drafted out of LMU by Cincinnati and then was traded to Cleveland for Brandon Phillips, before moving to the Cubs in the DeRosa deal. He might be a candidate to get dropped from the Cubs 40-man roster post-2010.

LHP John Gaub was a hotshot freshman fireballer at the University of Minnesota before blowing out his shoulder, and that hurt his draft status when he was selected by Cleveland as a college junior in the Rule 4 draft in 2006. But he had a couple of impressive years working out of the bullpen for the Indians in "A" ball in 2008 and then at AA and AAA for the Cubs in 2009 (36 H and 80 K in just 60 IP combined between Tennessee and Iowa last season). He got shelled in the AFL post-2009, however (although he was added to the Cubs 40-man roster on 11/20/09), and then he has not been able to throw strikes at Iowa this year. He left the I-Cubs and went home a couple of weeks ago for some undisclosed reason. When or if he will return is unknown at this time. If he doesn't return, he will probably be transferred from the Temporarily Inactive List to the Restricted List.

The third pitcher the Cubs acquired from Cleveland for DeRo was RHP Chris Archer, and he is probably the Cubs 3rd or 4th best pitching prospect right now. He led all Cubs minor league pitchers in strikeouts last season, although he struggled with his control. Then he had problems in the AZ Instructional League post-2009, where he was trying to learn how to pitch-to-contact to cut down on his pitches-per-inning. But he has been outstanding this year, first at Daytona, and then more-recently after his promotion to AA Tennessee. He has improved his control without losing his gas. Barring a catastrophic injury, Archer is a lock to get added to the Cubs 40-man roster post-2010, and is a legitimate MLB pitching prospect.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 8:50am

AZ PHIL: Thanks for the "Berg Correction". I totally had forgotten (and rightfully so) Matt Lawton.

It is good to see, at least from your perspective, that one of the three players received in the trade may have value past the tenure of Jim Hendry.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 1:15am

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/07/...

Confusing bit from Adam Greenburg defending Hendry or not?

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/columns...

" If you're judging Hendry on Milton Bradley, you're being a little shallow. It was a dumb mistake, giving a guy like that a multiyear deal, but he cleaned it up.

If you're still hung up on the money owed to Alfonso Soriano, take a look at his contract. He made $9 million in 2007 and then $13 million the year after. It's $18 million from 2010-14. I wonder why it was structured that way? Food for thought. "

Huh?

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 2:16am

torre will go where the money is. he's not an idiot and is gonna ride this "superstar manager" thing for all it's worth. they were giving him 7m at one point managing the yankee$...i dunno how much LA is paying him, but it's probably at least 5m.

speaking of confusing...that's jon greenberg, not adam.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 8:57am

Torre signed a 3-year $13 million contract with the Dodgers, so just over $4 million a year.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 9:16am

OOOPS! I must have been hit in the head.

/pours one on the curb for Moonlight Graham

X
You may login with either your assigned username or your e-mail address.
The password field is case sensitive.
Loading