Today's Bruce Miles article: Jacque Jones

[OleMissCub]

Jones is just a healthy Milton Bradley.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Jones is just an unproductive Milton Bradley.

 

fixed

[abuck1220]

Jones is just a healthy Milton Bradley.

 

minus like 30 points in OBP and 40 points in SLG. but yeah, other than that, they're twins.

[YearofDaCubs]

I blame Hendry for this mess and nobody else. He had opportunities to lock up OFers last year. He has the resources to make trades. he already overpaid for Pierre as it is. What does he expect to happen? Does he expect to pull miracle trades every year and fleecing the other teams? As far as I'm concerned Hendry made a lot of promises about improving this team and getting a good RF. When you are the one in need every other team's asking price will be set astronomically high. Good job Hendry, way to drop the ball yet again. I don't even think our payroll is going to hit 100mil wait and see. The Cubs might indeed rob all of us blind.

 

What OF did he specifically miss out on?

Drew, Maggs, Beltran and there were a couple others. Say what you want about injuries and what-not but if we had any of these guys we would be a much better team. The difference between Burnitz and the others was 4-6mil so I don't buy the story that he was handcuffed. And if he indeed was and the higherups didn't want them to spend the extra money what does that tell you about this Organization? Do they really want to win if they are not willing to put up 4-6 mil extra?

 

Well, if you're going to disregard facts, what can I say rather than Ordonez would have been an awful signing.

Oh yeah, and what facts am I disregarding? There were more options available than Ordonez. I suppose most people are expecting Hendry the Moses of GM's to pull a ARam like trade this offseason. Like I said, a little forsight be it a FA signing or trade last year and we wouldn't be having this problem in RF. Unless of course you think Jacque Jones is a good enough player to put us over the top.

[JWCUB]

The bottom line is that the Trib needs to open up the pocketbook. The window of oppertunity is closing IMO. When it is time for raises, do you honestly think the Cubs will keep Prior, Z, and Wood? They will try, on Prior and Z at least. But honestly they will not be able to afford to keep this staff together. IMO they need to try and win at all costs this year. They either need to land Abreu or Manny. I have been a Cubs fan for 22 years now, and I'm tired of losing. The Tribune should be too. After the Sox this year, I'm really burning inside. Abreu or Manny. NOTHING LESS.

[CubfaninCA]

I blame Hendry for this mess and nobody else. He had opportunities to lock up OFers last year. He has the resources to make trades. he already overpaid for Pierre as it is. What does he expect to happen? Does he expect to pull miracle trades every year and fleecing the other teams? As far as I'm concerned Hendry made a lot of promises about improving this team and getting a good RF. When you are the one in need every other team's asking price will be set astronomically high. Good job Hendry, way to drop the ball yet again. I don't even think our payroll is going to hit 100mil wait and see. The Cubs might indeed rob all of us blind.

 

What OF did he specifically miss out on?

Drew, Maggs, Beltran and there were a couple others. Say what you want about injuries and what-not but if we had any of these guys we would be a much better team. The difference between Burnitz and the others was 4-6mil so I don't buy the story that he was handcuffed. And if he indeed was and the higherups didn't want them to spend the extra money what does that tell you about this Organization? Do they really want to win if they are not willing to put up 4-6 mil extra?

 

Well, if you're going to disregard facts, what can I say rather than Ordonez would have been an awful signing.

Oh yeah, and what facts am I disregarding? There were more options available than Ordonez. I suppose most people are expecting Hendry the Moses of GM's to pull a ARam like trade this offseason. Like I said, a little forsight be it a FA signing or trade last year and we wouldn't be having this problem in RF. Unless of course you think Jacque Jones is a good enough player to put us over the top.

 

This has been discussed here on various occasions. The Trib wasn't willing to expand payroll to pay for Drew, Beltran or Maggs. Even if they had the money, I highly doubt they would have wanted Drew @ 5 years or Beltran @ 7.

[BigbadB]

This has been discussed here on various occasions. The Trib wasn't willing to expand payroll to pay for Drew, Beltran or Maggs. Even if they had the money, I highly doubt they would have wanted Drew @ 5 years or Beltran @ 7.

 

Obviously, Jacque Jones is only speculation, but would you be pleased with Hendry's offseason if he goes into 2006 with Jones in RF, Pierre in CF, Murton in LF, Cedeno/Perez at SS and Cedeno/Walker at 2nd with the usual suspects (Ramirez, Lee and Barrett) at their respective positions?

Edited December 13, 2005 by BigbadB

[badgercub]

The bottom line is that the Trib needs to open up the pocketbook. The window of oppertunity is closing IMO. When it is time for raises, do you honestly think the Cubs will keep Prior, Z, and Wood? They will try, on Prior and Z at least. But honestly they will not be able to afford to keep this staff together. IMO they need to try and win at all costs this year. They either need to land Abreu or Manny. I have been a Cubs fan for 22 years now, and I'm tired of losing. The Tribune should be too. After the Sox this year, I'm really burning inside. Abreu or Manny. NOTHING LESS.

 

The problem isn't hte Trib opening up the pocketbook, it is the front office putting together some semblance of a plan and actually following through with it. Hendry way overpaid in prospects for Pierre and now he doesn't have as many chips to acquire the RF they so desperately need. He has the money, but there isn't any FA out there where throwing money at them will solve the problem. (Giles might have solved the problem but Hendry couldn't get it done)

[CubfaninCA]

The bottom line is that the Trib needs to open up the pocketbook. The window of oppertunity is closing IMO. When it is time for raises, do you honestly think the Cubs will keep Prior, Z, and Wood? They will try, on Prior and Z at least. But honestly they will not be able to afford to keep this staff together. IMO they need to try and win at all costs this year. They either need to land Abreu or Manny. I have been a Cubs fan for 22 years now, and I'm tired of losing. The Tribune should be too. After the Sox this year, I'm really burning inside. Abreu or Manny. NOTHING LESS.

 

I doubt Wood's in Chicago in 2007. They should try to deal him now.

[goonys evil twin]

The bottom line is that the Trib needs to open up the pocketbook. The window of oppertunity is closing IMO. When it is time for raises, do you honestly think the Cubs will keep Prior, Z, and Wood? They will try, on Prior and Z at least. But honestly they will not be able to afford to keep this staff together. IMO they need to try and win at all costs this year. They either need to land Abreu or Manny. I have been a Cubs fan for 22 years now, and I'm tired of losing. The Tribune should be too. After the Sox this year, I'm really burning inside. Abreu or Manny. NOTHING LESS.

 

I don't see why they need to expand the payroll anymore, as it just means more raises for guys like Rusch, Neifi and the rest. They have plenty of money available, assuming the $100-105m payroll, to acquire a big time RF. They had plenty of money available in the offseason to greatly improve upon the 2005 team, but as of now it looks like Hendry will just fritter it away on marginal upgrades.

[badgercub]

I blame Hendry for this mess and nobody else. He had opportunities to lock up OFers last year. He has the resources to make trades. he already overpaid for Pierre as it is. What does he expect to happen? Does he expect to pull miracle trades every year and fleecing the other teams? As far as I'm concerned Hendry made a lot of promises about improving this team and getting a good RF. When you are the one in need every other team's asking price will be set astronomically high. Good job Hendry, way to drop the ball yet again. I don't even think our payroll is going to hit 100mil wait and see. The Cubs might indeed rob all of us blind.

 

What OF did he specifically miss out on?

Drew, Maggs, Beltran and there were a couple others. Say what you want about injuries and what-not but if we had any of these guys we would be a much better team. The difference between Burnitz and the others was 4-6mil so I don't buy the story that he was handcuffed. And if he indeed was and the higherups didn't want them to spend the extra money what does that tell you about this Organization? Do they really want to win if they are not willing to put up 4-6 mil extra?

 

Well, if you're going to disregard facts, what can I say rather than Ordonez would have been an awful signing.

Oh yeah, and what facts am I disregarding? There were more options available than Ordonez. I suppose most people are expecting Hendry the Moses of GM's to pull a ARam like trade this offseason. Like I said, a little forsight be it a FA signing or trade last year and we wouldn't be having this problem in RF. Unless of course you think Jacque Jones is a good enough player to put us over the top.

 

This has been discussed here on various occasions. The Trib wasn't willing to expand payroll to pay for Drew, Beltran or Maggs. Even if they had the money, I highly doubt they would have wanted Drew @ 5 years or Beltran @ 7.

 

again, I don't think you can lay this all on the Trib. The Cubs have a top 3 budget. Hendry has to take some of the blame for his failure to put a team on the field that can compete, stay healthy, etc..... Including the decision to keep his boy (Dusty Baker) around.

[abuck1220]

The bottom line is that the Trib needs to open up the pocketbook. The window of oppertunity is closing IMO. When it is time for raises, do you honestly think the Cubs will keep Prior, Z, and Wood? They will try, on Prior and Z at least. But honestly they will not be able to afford to keep this staff together. IMO they need to try and win at all costs this year. They either need to land Abreu or Manny. I have been a Cubs fan for 22 years now, and I'm tired of losing. The Tribune should be too. After the Sox this year, I'm really burning inside. Abreu or Manny. NOTHING LESS.

 

I doubt Wood's in Chicago in 2007. They should try to deal him now.

 

yeah, teams are probably falling all over each other trying to get at wood...his value is sky high right now. he's dependable, cheap, and locked up long term. plus, he doesn't have a no trade clause.

[YearofDaCubs]

I blame Hendry for this mess and nobody else. He had opportunities to lock up OFers last year. He has the resources to make trades. he already overpaid for Pierre as it is. What does he expect to happen? Does he expect to pull miracle trades every year and fleecing the other teams? As far as I'm concerned Hendry made a lot of promises about improving this team and getting a good RF. When you are the one in need every other team's asking price will be set astronomically high. Good job Hendry, way to drop the ball yet again. I don't even think our payroll is going to hit 100mil wait and see. The Cubs might indeed rob all of us blind.

 

What OF did he specifically miss out on?

Drew, Maggs, Beltran and there were a couple others. Say what you want about injuries and what-not but if we had any of these guys we would be a much better team. The difference between Burnitz and the others was 4-6mil so I don't buy the story that he was handcuffed. And if he indeed was and the higherups didn't want them to spend the extra money what does that tell you about this Organization? Do they really want to win if they are not willing to put up 4-6 mil extra?

 

Well, if you're going to disregard facts, what can I say rather than Ordonez would have been an awful signing.

Oh yeah, and what facts am I disregarding? There were more options available than Ordonez. I suppose most people are expecting Hendry the Moses of GM's to pull a ARam like trade this offseason. Like I said, a little forsight be it a FA signing or trade last year and we wouldn't be having this problem in RF. Unless of course you think Jacque Jones is a good enough player to put us over the top.

 

This has been discussed here on various occasions. The Trib wasn't willing to expand payroll to pay for Drew, Beltran or Maggs. Even if they had the money, I highly doubt they would have wanted Drew @ 5 years or Beltran @ 7.

That just tells me that they could give a crap if the Cubs are a winning team or not. This organization is going nowhere with these clowns. They are butchering and removing bricks out of Wrigley Field this year to add a restaurant and more seats yet here we are with probbaly less the payroll than last year.

[OleMissCub]

Jones is just an unproductive Milton Bradley.

 

fixed

 

Bradley WON'T even play but for half the season! He's only played over 100 games TWICE in all his years. Has someone put some special tonic y'alls juice that makes you fall in love with a guy who A) Is a proven headcase and a cancer in the clubhouse and B) averages ONLY 76 games a year!!

 

This would be THE typical Cubs pickup! Just say no!

 

I'm not saying Jones is a better baseball player, but i DO know that he more than likely isn't going to call reporters "uncle tom's" or throw things at fans, scream at umpires, and i DO know that he'll more than likely play OVER 76 games this year.

[CubfaninCA]

This has been discussed here on various occasions. The Trib wasn't willing to expand payroll to pay for Drew, Beltran or Maggs. Even if they had the money, I highly doubt they would have wanted Drew @ 5 years or Beltran @ 7.

 

Obviously, Jacque Jones is only speculation, but would you be pleased with Hendry's offseason if he goes into 2006 with Jones in RF, Pierre in CF, Murton in LF, Cedeno/Perez at SS and Cedeno/Walker at 2nd with the usual suspects (Ramirez, Lee and Barrett) at their respective positions?

 

Nope. The Cubs have the same problem most teams have though cause there aren't many good RF's out there. They need to start producing more hitting talent from within.

[YearofDaCubs]

This has been discussed here on various occasions. The Trib wasn't willing to expand payroll to pay for Drew, Beltran or Maggs. Even if they had the money, I highly doubt they would have wanted Drew @ 5 years or Beltran @ 7.

 

Obviously, Jacque Jones is only speculation, but would you be pleased with Hendry's offseason if he goes into 2006 with Jones in RF, Pierre in CF, Murton in LF, Cedeno/Perez at SS and Cedeno/Walker at 2nd with the usual suspects (Ramirez, Lee and Barrett) at their respective positions?

 

Nope. The Cubs have the same problem most teams have though cause there aren't many good RF's out there. They need to start producing more hitting talent from within.

I totally agree with you but the forsight was lacking 3-5 years ago to solve this problem. Even if we draft an OF now they will not be available for a looong time.

[goonys evil twin]

Jones is just an unproductive Milton Bradley.

 

fixed

 

Bradley WON'T even play but for half the season! He's only played over 100 games TWICE in all his years. Has someone put some special tonic y'alls juice that makes you fall in love with a guy who A) Is a proven headcase and a cancer in the clubhouse and B) averages ONLY 76 games a year!!

 

This would be THE typical Cubs pickup! Just say no!

 

I'm not saying Jones is a better baseball player, but i DO know that he more than likely isn't going to call reporters "uncle tom's" or throw things at fans, scream at umpires, and i DO know that he'll more than likely play OVER 76 games this year.

 

If Jones plays more than 76 games for the Cubs this year, that would be a bad thing.

[JWCUB]

The bottom line is that the Trib needs to open up the pocketbook. The window of oppertunity is closing IMO. When it is time for raises, do you honestly think the Cubs will keep Prior, Z, and Wood? They will try, on Prior and Z at least. But honestly they will not be able to afford to keep this staff together. IMO they need to try and win at all costs this year. They either need to land Abreu or Manny. I have been a Cubs fan for 22 years now, and I'm tired of losing. The Tribune should be too. After the Sox this year, I'm really burning inside. Abreu or Manny. NOTHING LESS.

 

I don't see why they need to expand the payroll anymore, as it just means more raises for guys like Rusch, Neifi and the rest. They have plenty of money available, assuming the $100-105m payroll, to acquire a big time RF. They had plenty of money available in the offseason to greatly improve upon the 2005 team, but as of now it looks like Hendry will just fritter it away on marginal upgrades.

 

That is what is really frustrating about this organization. They have one of the biggest fan bases (if not the biggest) in the world. And yet they still refuse to do what it takes to win. Mark Cuban where are you??????

[BigbadB]

Giles might have solved the problem but Hendry couldn't get it done

 

1. Couldn't get it done.

2. Had no desire to get it done.

3. Didn't recognize Giles value.

4. Giles had no desire to come to Chicago.

5. Giles wasn't as big a priority to Hendry as Furcal or Pierre.

 

Probably a combination from the list above, but his obvious love affair over Furcal and Pierre over Giles seemed pretty apparent to me.

 

I sure hope that someone going to convention gets the opportunity to address Hendry with these questions:

 

1. Giles was obviously the most fitting FA available this offseason. Why didn't you pursue him?

 

2. Nomar expressed interest in staying in Chicago. With his desire to stay and willingness to play any position, why did you kick him to the curb like a stray cat?

[abuck1220]

Jones is just an unproductive Milton Bradley.

 

fixed

 

Bradley WON'T even play but for half the season! He's only played over 100 games TWICE in all his years. Has someone put some special tonic y'alls juice that makes you fall in love with a guy who A) Is a proven headcase and a cancer in the clubhouse and B) averages ONLY 76 games a year!!

 

This would be THE typical Cubs pickup! Just say no!

 

I'm not saying Jones is a better baseball player, but i DO know that he more than likely isn't going to call reporters "uncle tom's" or throw things at fans, scream at umpires, and i DO know that he'll more than likely play OVER 76 games this year.

 

and suck during the majority of them.

[CubfaninCA]

This has been discussed here on various occasions. The Trib wasn't willing to expand payroll to pay for Drew, Beltran or Maggs. Even if they had the money, I highly doubt they would have wanted Drew @ 5 years or Beltran @ 7.

 

Obviously, Jacque Jones is only speculation, but would you be pleased with Hendry's offseason if he goes into 2006 with Jones in RF, Pierre in CF, Murton in LF, Cedeno/Perez at SS and Cedeno/Walker at 2nd with the usual suspects (Ramirez, Lee and Barrett) at their respective positions?

 

Nope. The Cubs have the same problem most teams have though cause there aren't many good RF's out there. They need to start producing more hitting talent from within.

I totally agree with you but the forsight was lacking 3-5 years ago to solve this problem. Even if we draft an OF now they will not be available for a looong time.

 

Its been lacking longer than that. The Cubs rarely produce hitters. What they need to do now is find a way to get Brad Wilkerson or Cliff Floyd.

[OleMissCub]

Ahhh...I see...so we get Milton Bradley and he gets hurt 10 games into the season and so then Dusty can put in whoever becomes the heir-apparent to Gremlin into RF for the rest of the season?

 

People...this is THE CUBS!!! Whenever we depend upon a cost-benefit ratio, it always comes out on the COST side against us. I would normally be optimistic about Bradley because he is very good hitter and would fit great with us....but i'm too cynical these days.

[goonys evil twin]

The bottom line is that the Trib needs to open up the pocketbook. The window of oppertunity is closing IMO. When it is time for raises, do you honestly think the Cubs will keep Prior, Z, and Wood? They will try, on Prior and Z at least. But honestly they will not be able to afford to keep this staff together. IMO they need to try and win at all costs this year. They either need to land Abreu or Manny. I have been a Cubs fan for 22 years now, and I'm tired of losing. The Tribune should be too. After the Sox this year, I'm really burning inside. Abreu or Manny. NOTHING LESS.

 

I don't see why they need to expand the payroll anymore, as it just means more raises for guys like Rusch, Neifi and the rest. They have plenty of money available, assuming the $100-105m payroll, to acquire a big time RF. They had plenty of money available in the offseason to greatly improve upon the 2005 team, but as of now it looks like Hendry will just fritter it away on marginal upgrades.

 

That is what is really frustrating about this organization. They have one of the biggest fan bases (if not the biggest) in the world. And yet they still refuse to do what it takes to win. Mark Cuban where are you??????

 

I think you're missing the point of what I wrote. Ownership isn't the problem. Ownership hasn't been great, but their job is to hire management, and give management a high enough budget to win. They hired Andy, who by all accounts should be a great baseball executive, and they pretty much stayed out of his way, which owners should do. They gave him time, and an ever increasing budget to get the job done, but the results have not been there. The Cubs problem is a management issue, it's not cheap ownership. This isn't the Wirtz family. Over that time Andy has made the franchise much more solid overall, so he's done a good job, for the most part. But they haven't achieved nearly enough success as they should have. So, it's hard to really get pissed at ownership for being cheap, because they aren't, and it's hard to get pissed at them for sticking with Andy, because the team is much better off now than they were before he was hired. The biggest problem has been Andy sticking with Hendry and Baker, and an out-of-date belief system that hasn't brought enough results.

[YearofDaCubs]

Ahhh...I see...so we get Milton Bradley and he gets hurt 10 games into the season and so then Dusty can put in whoever becomes the heir-apparent to Gremlin into RF for the rest of the season?

 

People...this is THE CUBS!!! Whenever we depend upon a cost-benefit ratio, it always comes out on the COST side against us. I would normally be optimistic about Bradley because he is very good hitter and would fit great with us....but i'm too cynical these days.

At the very least we hold on to Patterson and keep him as a 4th OF.

[badgercub]

CubfaninCA, do you think all the blame should be laid at the feet of the Trib? If not, how do you spread the blame around? Believe me, I am not a big fan of the Trib, but they have given management a more than adequate budget to build and put a winning team on the field. I think there is plenty of blame to go around starting with Andy MacPhail, Jim Hendry, Dusty Baker, and even down to the coaches (everyone remember Wendell Kim) and players. MacPhail's tenure has lasted well over 10 years and how many W.S. titles has he brought to the North Side? How many Division Titles? I think the buck stops at MacPhail and Hendry.