Why all the Hendry bashing?

[BigbadB]

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!

 

And that's truly sad. I was an optimist about Hendry and this team in 2003. I felt he was brilliant with the farm system and I loved what he started off doing as a GM. While I didn't like a few of the offseason choices (Alfonseca, Estes), I liked the direction the team was headed.

 

Somewhere between 2003 and now, Hendry seems to have a totally different philosophy on how to build a winning team. I believe Baker probably has something to do with it, but putting all that trust in Baker could likely cost both of them their jobs before the end of next season if they don't right the ship soon.

 

I'll never understand the rostering of Jose Macias. I'll never understand the love for Neifi Perez and the ridiculous contract they gave him. I'll never understand their desire for "speed" at the top of the order rather than OBP. I'll never understand their belief that defense is more important than offense. I'll never understand their recent desire to devalue players they wish to get rid of, prior to getting rid of them.

 

The offseason is not over. I expected Hendry to use all that available revenue, along with a plethora of trade bait and put together a strong team this offseason. I never would have guessed that on December 6th, 2005 that John Mabry would be our RF. Not only our starting RF, but our back up RF as well. (Why did Nic Jackson have to get hurt so much?)

 

I'm holding out hope. But, Hendry has frustrated me to the point I have a tough time offering him any support. I've forgiven some of his previous bad choices. This offseason will determine whether I forgive him ever again.

[brfahey]

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.

 

First, I'm glad you know that the only reason Walker is being shopped is becasue the Sox won with speed and defense, even though they really won with pitching. Second, there may be legitimate reasons for not liking the job Hendry has done. However, I get the feeling that the reason many on this board bash him regularly is because he may have a different approach to valuing players than do many here. In other words, there may be philospohical differences. And instead of calling it that and reasonably acknowledging that there's a chance Hendry might know what he's doing, some posters call him names. God knows none of the posters here who disagree with Hendry can be wrong in evaluating a player or mistaken in their approach. Finally, if Hendry refuses to see Walker's worth he's got a ton of company, ie all the other GMs who gave up on the guy. There's no chance none or all of those guys are right, is there? I guess not. That's why they are GMs and we are sitting around posting on a message baord playing at being a GM.

[fearthecubs]

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

 

I have enough of a memory to remember Don Baylor, Andy MacPhail and Ed Lynch.

[imb]

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

 

I have enough of a memory to remember Don Baylor, Andy MacPhail and Ed Lynch.

 

they accomplished as much as this current regime has, too.

[sethuel1]

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

 

I have enough of a memory to remember Don Baylor, Andy MacPhail and Ed Lynch.

 

Hooray! We're mediocre instead of crappy!

[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.

 

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

 

Maybe. If there's little to show after the meetings, then I'll get a little nervous..

[fearthecubs]

 

they accomplished as much as this current regime has, too.

 

Hooray! We're mediocre instead of crappy!

 

You guys can't be serious. Honestly.

[adamb0719]

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?

 

Exactly, you can't blame Dusty for the way things have gone, without looking at why is there. If Hendry had fired Dusty after the season, I would not have the same feeling I have towards in right now.

[Keener98]

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

 

I have enough of a memory to remember Don Baylor, Andy MacPhail and Ed Lynch.

 

So I guess 3 years of winning nothing is Ok to you? Thats fine just keep on accepting mediorcrity and holding nobody accountable. I would think after almost 100 years of not winning a World Series that fans might get tired of waiting, but obviously not.

[rocket]

 

they accomplished as much as this current regime has, too.

 

Hooray! We're mediocre instead of crappy!

 

You guys can't be serious. Honestly.

 

The Lynch/MacPhail/Baylor crew got us 89 wins in 2001 with a lot less talent than the 2003/2004/2005 squads.

[imb]

 

they accomplished as much as this current regime has, too.

 

Hooray! We're mediocre instead of crappy!

 

You guys can't be serious. Honestly.

 

1998. Playoffs. Relatively mediocre after that, excluding a sort of run at the playoffs in 2000.

 

2003, Playoffs. Relatively mediocre after that, excluding a sort of run at the playoffs in 2004.

[fearthecubs]

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?

 

Exactly, you can't blame Dusty for the way things have gone, without looking at why is there. If Hendry had fired Dusty after the season, I would not have the same feeling I have towards in right now.

 

I'm NOT getting into this argument, but I will say that while Baker was hardly impressive last year - his main problem was just pitching management. Losing Prior and Wood to injuries, and Corey imploding upon himself like the sun - that's what made us lose. He got signed to a three year deal, let him finish it. If we suck this year, can him. Hard to blame him for last year though. Bobby Cox himself couldn't help Hollandsworth either if you noticed.

[YearofDaCubs]

 

they accomplished as much as this current regime has, too.

 

Hooray! We're mediocre instead of crappy!

 

You guys can't be serious. Honestly.

You can't be serious. What exactly did you like about 2004 and 2005 that has made you so optimistic about 2006? I suppose the debacle in the clubhouse in 2004 was pretty fun, or maybe the remarkable 4th place finish in the division in 2005. Boy, those were treats for everybody.

[fromthestretch]

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?

 

I'm trying to figure out exactly where goony said that. You're certainly doing a lot of reading between the lines. All he did was explain his reasoning for not being thrilled about the job Hendry has done.

[YearofDaCubs]

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?

 

Exactly, you can't blame Dusty for the way things have gone, without looking at why is there. If Hendry had fired Dusty after the season, I would not have the same feeling I have towards in right now.

I would be a lot more optimistic about 2006 if Baker was fired.

[Keener98]

 

they accomplished as much as this current regime has, too.

 

Hooray! We're mediocre instead of crappy!

 

You guys can't be serious. Honestly.

 

They are very serious. We lucked into the playoffs in 2003 because of everybody else in our division being terrible. We had a good team, and Hendry hasnt built upon that team in the following years. Finishing 4th place behind the Brewers is MEDIOCRE plain and simple.

[goonys evil twin]

However, I get the feeling that the reason many on this board bash him regularly is because he may have a different approach to valuing players than do many here. In other words, there may be philospohical differences. And instead of calling it that and reasonably acknowledging that there's a chance Hendry might know what he's doing, some posters call him names. God knows none of the posters here who disagree with Hendry can be wrong in evaluating a player or mistaken in their approach.

 

I've actually acknowledged that fact quite often. Hendry has vastly different philosophies than I do. But I've acknowledged that there is more than one way to win, and build a winner. I was fine giving Hendry the benefit of the doubt doing things his way.

 

But the results are in from the implementation of his philosophies. He went hard after Baker, and it bit him in the ass, but I'm not even sure he knows it yet. Walks and OBP have been a longstanding problem on this team, and right now they are nowhere near being solved. Jim has had a top 5 payroll but came nowhere near a top 5 team in that time.

 

Neither Jim nor the Cubs deserve the benefit of the doubt. This team and regime has failed far too often for me to sit here and just think everything will be fine in the end. I've seen this show enough to know the odds are not in our favor.

 

Hendry had a chance to build a perennial top 5 team, and he's failed miserably. He has a chance this year to erase much of that failure, but, so far, he hasn't come close to accomplishing that, and there are no signs that he is close to accomplishing that.

 

If you look at this team and are happy with where they are and the direction they are going, good for you. Personally, I want nothing less than a 90+ win season every year (for at least a reasonable stretch of years) several NL Central championships, a couple NL pennants and at least 1 world series win. Andy and his crew have been here for more than a decade and haven't accomplished those goals. I don't feel like I have to sit back and support every move they make, or stay quiet when I disagree, with a track record like that.

[1908]

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.

Some people like to hurl blanket insults about to make their points. I can't stand it either.

[sethuel1]

 

they accomplished as much as this current regime has, too.

 

Hooray! We're mediocre instead of crappy!

 

You guys can't be serious. Honestly.

 

You're right. Ha ha! It sure is fun following a perenially underachieving team! Especially when they show signs of screwing up again and continuing their perenially underachieving ways!

[BigbadB]

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?

 

Exactly, you can't blame Dusty for the way things have gone, without looking at why is there. If Hendry had fired Dusty after the season, I would not have the same feeling I have towards in right now.

 

I'm NOT getting into this argument, but I will say that while Baker was hardly impressive last year - his main problem was just pitching management. Losing Prior and Wood to injuries, and Corey imploding upon himself like the sun - that's what made us lose. He got signed to a three year deal, let him finish it. If we suck this year, can him. Hard to blame him for last year though. Bobby Cox himself couldn't help Hollandsworth either if you noticed.

 

Dusty was signed for 4 years. Baker's main problem was actually plural (problems). Line up cards were, IMO, by far his worst problem last year.

[CuseCubFan69]

I prefer to wait until I see the opening day roster before I comment on Hendry....at least which direction I'll go. I'm positive that I will lean one way or another on that day and he has until then to prove to me that he can put together a winning team. Hendry has many strikes against him with the biggest being the hiring of Baker and he has many plusses like Lee and Ramirez. So until then I'll complain about the re-signing of Perez possibly Macias and applaud any good trade or signing.

[fromthestretch]

Bobby Cox himself couldn't help Hollandsworth either if you noticed.

 

No, but he still managed to win his division for the 14th straight season.

[YearofDaCubs]

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?

 

Exactly, you can't blame Dusty for the way things have gone, without looking at why is there. If Hendry had fired Dusty after the season, I would not have the same feeling I have towards in right now.

 

I'm NOT getting into this argument, but I will say that while Baker was hardly impressive last year - his main problem was just pitching management. Losing Prior and Wood to injuries, and Corey imploding upon himself like the sun - that's what made us lose. He got signed to a three year deal, let him finish it. If we suck this year, can him. Hard to blame him for last year though. Bobby Cox himself couldn't help Hollandsworth either if you noticed.

In all fairness to Dusty he didn't have much to work with thanks in part to Hendry but at the same time he did not properly use what he did have to work with either.

[Keener98]

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?

 

Exactly, you can't blame Dusty for the way things have gone, without looking at why is there. If Hendry had fired Dusty after the season, I would not have the same feeling I have towards in right now.

 

I'm NOT getting into this argument, but I will say that while Baker was hardly impressive last year - his main problem was just pitching management. Losing Prior and Wood to injuries, and Corey imploding upon himself like the sun - that's what made us lose. He got signed to a three year deal, let him finish it. If we suck this year, can him. Hard to blame him for last year though. Bobby Cox himself couldn't help Hollandsworth either if you noticed.

 

Bakers ability(or inability) to fill out a lineup card competantly was a main factor in our problems. Also it was Hendrys fault for thinking Hollandsworth was a starting Of. Most of the people here knew that Holla couldnt handle a starting job, and for Hendry thinking he could is another major strike against him. Hendry has tried riding this pitching staff, and provided a mediocre offense to go along with it, and hes done nothing to improve upon this.

[CubinNY]

Bobby Cox himself couldn't help Hollandsworth either if you noticed.

 

And who signed Hollandsworth?

Who sigend Burnitz?

 

This debate is pointless. And was started by asking a pointless question. Hendry should be bashed for the Cubs past seasons. As should MacPhail, Baker, and the players. I cannot understand why one would feel the need to ask such a question given the state of this organization. Unless you are in to trolling a mesage board.