Why all the Hendry bashing?

[JonnyRed]

I love reading through all the hot stove talk, but it's getting tiresome to hear all of the Hendry bashing going on. Hendry is like all GMs, they win some deals and lose others. I personally think his wins of stealing D-Lee and A-Ram for essentially nothing far outweigh his bad moves (trading Willis, signing Rem and Hawkins, etc.). He's been at the helm of our best 3 year period in the last 25 years, and if we stay healthy and make the expected moves this offseason, I'm confident that we'll be in the playoff race next year as well. Let's have a little faith guys....we have some $$$ and there are still plenty of players available in FA and trades.

[illiniguy]

I wish I had your optimism, at this point I think we might get 5th in the division.

[CubinNY]

I love reading through all the hot stove talk, but it's getting tiresome to hear all of the Hendry bashing going on. Hendry is like all GMs, they win some deals and lose others. I personally think his wins of stealing D-Lee and A-Ram for essentially nothing far outweigh his bad moves (trading Willis, signing Rem and Hawkins, etc.). He's been at the helm of our best 3 year period in the last 25 years, and if we stay healthy and make the expected moves this offseason, I'm confident that we'll be in the playoff race next year as well. Let's have a little faith guys....we have some $$$ and there are still plenty of players available in FA and trades.

 

save your time and energy and try not to wonder such things.

[YearofDaCubs]

The Cubs do not deserve the benefit of the doubt. So you are saying these past 3 years have been the best in a long time? I don't think so. I will give you 2003 but if anything 2004 and 2005 have been very dissapointing. Last year we were 4th place in the division. To me that doesn't signal a very good team. The Cubs as of now already have missed out on players who would've made a difference. Hendry upgraded the bullpen and even though you can make a case that he overpaid for unproven pitchers I will applaud him for that because our bullpen was one of our weakness. We still haven't done anything on the offensive side. Sure, Hendry has made some nice trades in the past but what has he done lately? In my eyes not enough to get us back into the playoffs. I know it's still early but I am not going to give the Cubs the benefit of the doubt until I start to see some results. People were saying last offseason it was early well that didn't work out so well. He also signed Rusch and Perez who in my opinion were terrible signings. Rusch to me is redundant and Perez is going to block Cedeno from playing because of the abysmal manager we currently have.

[Keener98]

I love reading through all the hot stove talk, but it's getting tiresome to hear all of the Hendry bashing going on. Hendry is like all GMs, they win some deals and lose others. I personally think his wins of stealing D-Lee and A-Ram for essentially nothing far outweigh his bad moves (trading Willis, signing Rem and Hawkins, etc.). He's been at the helm of our best 3 year period in the last 25 years, and if we stay healthy and make the expected moves this offseason, I'm confident that we'll be in the playoff race next year as well. Let's have a little faith guys....we have some $$$ and there are still plenty of players available in FA and trades.

 

Thats not saying much with this franchise. That excuse sounds so much like Baker or Hendry himself, and Im so sick of hearing it. Who cares the Cubs have had their best 3 yr period in 25 years? This team in 2003 was on the verge of being quite good, and since all they have done is go backwards. Im not a Hendry basher, but he is to blame along with Baker. The Perez and Rusch signings were pretty ridiculous this offseason. Hendry has not done anything the past 2 offseasons so far to warrant him getting faith from fans.

[goonys evil twin]

In short:

 

You can't judge a GM on a deal by deal basis. You have to take into account the hole team's performance. The Cubs have won 88, 89 and 79 games under Jim's watch as GM. And it's not like he came into this team blind, having been asst GM for a while and working elsewhere in the organization prior to that gig. He has had a top 5 payroll throughout his time as well, so the sub par finishes are inexcusable.

 

The Cubs have had consistent problems holdings this team back for several years, primarily, the hitters don't take walks, which keeps down their OBP, which keeps down their runs scored, which keeps down their win totals. And Jim hasn't done much to improve that glaring weakness.

 

Also, he's focused on positions that are not glaring holes, while seemingly ignoring the one position on the team that does not currently have 1 potential in house candidate to fill the spot and possibly provide adaquate production, RF.

 

I don't like Jim's methods or results. This team is terribly inefficient.

[wade]

As a generally optimistic, my team can do no wrong, homer I feel qualified to answer this.

 

I am scared to death that my favorite team in baseball, one who currently has some really good players and pitchers on it, will not be able to make the playoffs next year. There are serious holes on this team right now. Even if bullpen, RF, starting pitchers, CF, SS, and leadoff are all labled as the same as far as importance of need goes, so far the only things "fixed" are bullpen and starting pitching. Two spots where at least decent options were already available in house.

 

EDIT- And, I have echoed three other guys while typing this!

[Keener98]

In short:

 

You can't judge a GM on a deal by deal basis. You have to take into account the hole team's performance. The Cubs have won 88, 89 and 79 games under Jim's watch as GM. And it's not like he came into this team blind, having been asst GM for a while and working elsewhere in the organization prior to that gig. He has had a top 5 payroll throughout his time as well, so the sub par finishes are inexcusable.

 

The Cubs have had consistent problems holdings this team back for several years, primarily, the hitters don't take walks, which keeps down their OBP, which keeps down their runs scored, which keeps down their win totals. And Jim hasn't done much to improve that glaring weakness.

 

Also, he's focused on positions that are not glaring holes, while seemingly ignoring the one position on the team that does not currently have 1 potential in house candidate to fill the spot and possibly provide adaquate production, RF.

 

I don't like Jim's methods or results. This team is terribly inefficient.

 

I knew it wouldnt take long before Goony was speaking out :D Agreed with everything you said. The Cubs definition of a successful 3 year period is quite pathetic if they or people consider the last 3 years as a success.

[fearthecubs]

I love reading through all the hot stove talk, but it's getting tiresome to hear all of the Hendry bashing going on. Hendry is like all GMs, they win some deals and lose others. I personally think his wins of stealing D-Lee and A-Ram for essentially nothing far outweigh his bad moves (trading Willis, signing Rem and Hawkins, etc.). He's been at the helm of our best 3 year period in the last 25 years, and if we stay healthy and make the expected moves this offseason, I'm confident that we'll be in the playoff race next year as well. Let's have a little faith guys....we have some $$$ and there are still plenty of players available in FA and trades.

 

It's more than tiresome, I can't stand it. Some people have the memory of a goldfish, and have the art of knee-jerk reactions mastered.

[imb]

I love reading through all the hot stove talk, but it's getting tiresome to hear all of the Hendry bashing going on. Hendry is like all GMs, they win some deals and lose others. I personally think his wins of stealing D-Lee and A-Ram for essentially nothing far outweigh his bad moves (trading Willis, signing Rem and Hawkins, etc.). He's been at the helm of our best 3 year period in the last 25 years, and if we stay healthy and make the expected moves this offseason, I'm confident that we'll be in the playoff race next year as well. Let's have a little faith guys....we have some $$$ and there are still plenty of players available in FA and trades.

 

It's more than tiresome, I can't stand it. Some people have the memory of a goldfish, and have the art of knee-jerk reactions mastered.

 

The memory of a goldfish? Cant say that I've ever heard that one.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I just realized exactly how depressing it is that this has in fact been the best 3-year run for this franchise in my lifetime. WOW!

[fearthecubs]

In short:

 

You can't judge a GM on a deal by deal basis. You have to take into account the hole team's performance. The Cubs have won 88, 89 and 79 games under Jim's watch as GM. And it's not like he came into this team blind, having been asst GM for a while and working elsewhere in the organization prior to that gig. He has had a top 5 payroll throughout his time as well, so the sub par finishes are inexcusable.

 

The Cubs have had consistent problems holdings this team back for several years, primarily, the hitters don't take walks, which keeps down their OBP, which keeps down their runs scored, which keeps down their win totals. And Jim hasn't done much to improve that glaring weakness.

 

Also, he's focused on positions that are not glaring holes, while seemingly ignoring the one position on the team that does not currently have 1 potential in house candidate to fill the spot and possibly provide adaquate production, RF.

 

I don't like Jim's methods or results. This team is terribly inefficient.

 

You've really convinced yourself that you'd make a better GM, haven't you?

[rocket]

A lot of people say that even the best GMs make bad signings and moves. Well, the flip side to that is, even bad GMs make signings or trades that work out for them.

 

Overall, Hendry has done little to impress me, and the results speak for themselves. What pushed me over the edge is his absolute refusal to see Walker's worth. It's idiotic that he's getting rid of one of the best hitting 2nd baseman in the game and one of the bright spots in our lineup because last year's champions won only because of their speed and defense. I don't think he's a very bright GM. Sorry. And just because you think differently, it doesn't make you some sort of renegade, or someone who sees the light while everyone has no legit reason for disliking him. And frankly, that line of thinking is way more tiresome than Hendry bashing.

Edited December 6, 2005 by rocket

[ThePenguin11]

'Jim Hendry stinks. The Cubs were better off without him.'

 

Um, no.

 

 

The Cubs wouldn't be anywhere without him.

 

They have a large payroll - in large part because he made it happen.

 

They have had their most successful 3-year stretch in many, many years whether you like it or not.

 

If not for Dusty's mishandling of the great players that Hendry has acquired, the results should have been even better in the win column.

 

Take a look around. How many GM's around the league are better than him? Not that many. He's doing his best. Save the blame for Dusty - he's the one who's managed to screw it up with the best ensemble of Cubs talent since Santo, Banks and Williams shared a field.

Edited December 6, 2005 by ThePenguin11

[CubfaninCA]

I love reading through all the hot stove talk, but it's getting tiresome to hear all of the Hendry bashing going on. Hendry is like all GMs, they win some deals and lose others. I personally think his wins of stealing D-Lee and A-Ram for essentially nothing far outweigh his bad moves (trading Willis, signing Rem and Hawkins, etc.). He's been at the helm of our best 3 year period in the last 25 years, and if we stay healthy and make the expected moves this offseason, I'm confident that we'll be in the playoff race next year as well. Let's have a little faith guys....we have some $$$ and there are still plenty of players available in FA and trades.

 

Good post. People need patience. I bet the Cubs make a good pickup by the end of the week.

[YearofDaCubs]

I love reading through all the hot stove talk, but it's getting tiresome to hear all of the Hendry bashing going on. Hendry is like all GMs, they win some deals and lose others. I personally think his wins of stealing D-Lee and A-Ram for essentially nothing far outweigh his bad moves (trading Willis, signing Rem and Hawkins, etc.). He's been at the helm of our best 3 year period in the last 25 years, and if we stay healthy and make the expected moves this offseason, I'm confident that we'll be in the playoff race next year as well. Let's have a little faith guys....we have some $$$ and there are still plenty of players available in FA and trades.

 

It's more than tiresome, I can't stand it. Some people have the memory of a goldfish, and have the art of knee-jerk reactions mastered.

And exactly what kind of memory do you have? I find some of these optimistic posts more tiresome and less realistic than others.

[wade]

I love reading through all the hot stove talk, but it's getting tiresome to hear all of the Hendry bashing going on. Hendry is like all GMs, they win some deals and lose others. I personally think his wins of stealing D-Lee and A-Ram for essentially nothing far outweigh his bad moves (trading Willis, signing Rem and Hawkins, etc.). He's been at the helm of our best 3 year period in the last 25 years, and if we stay healthy and make the expected moves this offseason, I'm confident that we'll be in the playoff race next year as well. Let's have a little faith guys....we have some $$$ and there are still plenty of players available in FA and trades.

 

It's more than tiresome, I can't stand it. Some people have the memory of a goldfish, and have the art of knee-jerk reactions mastered.

 

The memory of a goldfish? Cant say that I've ever heard that one.

 

You did, you just forgot.

[Keener98]

I love reading through all the hot stove talk, but it's getting tiresome to hear all of the Hendry bashing going on. Hendry is like all GMs, they win some deals and lose others. I personally think his wins of stealing D-Lee and A-Ram for essentially nothing far outweigh his bad moves (trading Willis, signing Rem and Hawkins, etc.). He's been at the helm of our best 3 year period in the last 25 years, and if we stay healthy and make the expected moves this offseason, I'm confident that we'll be in the playoff race next year as well. Let's have a little faith guys....we have some $$$ and there are still plenty of players available in FA and trades.

 

It's more than tiresome, I can't stand it. Some people have the memory of a goldfish, and have the art of knee-jerk reactions mastered.

 

Are you kidding me? What is it that we are supposed to remember exactly? That the team finished behind the damn Brewers this last year? Or how about the fact that we havent won even 90 games in this so called best 3 yr period? Just tell me exactly what we are supposed to remember please? Also how is it knee jerk when it is a trend? Some people need to take their blue sunglasses off and see that this team has not done anything the last 3 years to warrant faith in Hendry.

[imb]

I love reading through all the hot stove talk, but it's getting tiresome to hear all of the Hendry bashing going on. Hendry is like all GMs, they win some deals and lose others. I personally think his wins of stealing D-Lee and A-Ram for essentially nothing far outweigh his bad moves (trading Willis, signing Rem and Hawkins, etc.). He's been at the helm of our best 3 year period in the last 25 years, and if we stay healthy and make the expected moves this offseason, I'm confident that we'll be in the playoff race next year as well. Let's have a little faith guys....we have some $$$ and there are still plenty of players available in FA and trades.

 

It's more than tiresome, I can't stand it. Some people have the memory of a goldfish, and have the art of knee-jerk reactions mastered.

 

The memory of a goldfish? Cant say that I've ever heard that one.

 

You did, you just forgot.

 

what were we talking about?

[wade]

In short:

 

You can't judge a GM on a deal by deal basis. You have to take into account the hole team's performance. The Cubs have won 88, 89 and 79 games under Jim's watch as GM. And it's not like he came into this team blind, having been asst GM for a while and working elsewhere in the organization prior to that gig. He has had a top 5 payroll throughout his time as well, so the sub par finishes are inexcusable.

 

The Cubs have had consistent problems holdings this team back for several years, primarily, the hitters don't take walks, which keeps down their OBP, which keeps down their runs scored, which keeps down their win totals. And Jim hasn't done much to improve that glaring weakness.

 

Also, he's focused on positions that are not glaring holes, while seemingly ignoring the one position on the team that does not currently have 1 potential in house candidate to fill the spot and possibly provide adaquate production, RF.

 

I don't like Jim's methods or results. This team is terribly inefficient.

 

You've really convinced yourself that you'd make a better GM, haven't you?

 

At this point, he's convinced me, too.

[Diffusion]

If not for Dusty's mishandling of the great players that Hendry has acquired, the results should have been even better

 

Who appoints the manager?

[ThePenguin11]

I love reading through all the hot stove talk, but it's getting tiresome to hear all of the Hendry bashing going on. Hendry is like all GMs, they win some deals and lose others. I personally think his wins of stealing D-Lee and A-Ram for essentially nothing far outweigh his bad moves (trading Willis, signing Rem and Hawkins, etc.). He's been at the helm of our best 3 year period in the last 25 years, and if we stay healthy and make the expected moves this offseason, I'm confident that we'll be in the playoff race next year as well. Let's have a little faith guys....we have some $$$ and there are still plenty of players available in FA and trades.

 

Good post. People need patience. I bet the Cubs make a good pickup by the end of the week.

 

I bet they make two or three. After all, the meetings just started yesterday.

[nick23]

In short:

 

You can't judge a GM on a deal by deal basis. You have to take into account the hole team's performance. The Cubs have won 88, 89 and 79 games under Jim's watch as GM. And it's not like he came into this team blind, having been asst GM for a while and working elsewhere in the organization prior to that gig. He has had a top 5 payroll throughout his time as well, so the sub par finishes are inexcusable.

 

The Cubs have had consistent problems holdings this team back for several years, primarily, the hitters don't take walks, which keeps down their OBP, which keeps down their runs scored, which keeps down their win totals. And Jim hasn't done much to improve that glaring weakness.

 

Also, he's focused on positions that are not glaring holes, while seemingly ignoring the one position on the team that does not currently have 1 potential in house candidate to fill the spot and possibly provide adaquate production, RF.

 

I don't like Jim's methods or results. This team is terribly inefficient.

The only problem I have with this is fisrt of all, the bullpen was a glaring hole in my opinion. He had to act fast with the bullpen signings because more than likely those guys were going to be the first to go. I think he was correct in that assesment. Hendry knew there were going to be a lot of options for the outfield via trade. As we're seeing now , that is the case. As for him going so hard after Furcal, It reminds me of a couple of years ago when Tejada was available. We didn't go after him because we had AGon(in house candidate). That turned out to be the wrong move. Now I'm not comparing Furcal to Tejada by any means, but maybe Hendry is just not confident enough with Cedeno to not pusue other options at SS.

[sethuel1]

In short:

 

You can't judge a GM on a deal by deal basis. You have to take into account the hole team's performance. The Cubs have won 88, 89 and 79 games under Jim's watch as GM. And it's not like he came into this team blind, having been asst GM for a while and working elsewhere in the organization prior to that gig. He has had a top 5 payroll throughout his time as well, so the sub par finishes are inexcusable.

 

The Cubs have had consistent problems holdings this team back for several years, primarily, the hitters don't take walks, which keeps down their OBP, which keeps down their runs scored, which keeps down their win totals. And Jim hasn't done much to improve that glaring weakness.

 

Also, he's focused on positions that are not glaring holes, while seemingly ignoring the one position on the team that does not currently have 1 potential in house candidate to fill the spot and possibly provide adaquate production, RF.

 

I don't like Jim's methods or results. This team is terribly inefficient.

 

You've really convinced yourself that you'd make a better GM, haven't you?

 

What difference does it make how Goony would be as a GM? The bottom line is that this team has holes that aren't being filled, which it's the GM's responsibility to do.

 

That, coupled with the fact that we've missed the playoffs each of the last 2 years with a top 5 (I believe) payroll, and there's no way to can qualify Jim Hendry's recent tenure as anything other than a disappointment.

[St.Paul Cub]

I think the expectations are totally different now that we actually have a core group of players that can be the foundation for success. 2003 wasn't a charmed year like 1984, 1989, or 1998 this team looked like it actually was primed for a dominant run. As such everyone is impatient and that's understandable. At the same time every thread that begins to discuss a rumor usually goes off into Hendry bashing in less than 6 posts.

 

My thought is it's pointless to start bashing until the moves have or haven't been made. I like the relief pitcher signing because while we have young arms in the pen, by and large they haven't done crap. I think Rusch has some value. I can only rationalize the Neifi signing in my mind as Cedeno is going to start at 2B and Perez is just a security blanket in case he fails badly. I'm still reserving judgement until after I see who are OFs, SS, and 2B are.