Baker and Hendry...back for more?

[Bgbird68]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-cub11.html

 

I get sick to my stomach just reading this crap.

 

Especially how "valuable" Neifi is.

[CuseCubFan69]

That's funny...when you evaluate Jones numbers quickly they don't look good but you have to look at the whole career. Who's the one that is looking at the numbers too quickly Jim because it's not me.

 

Extentions for Baker and Hendry would be a good idea IMO. I liken it to not being able to move Alex Gonzalez or Alou and just keeping them around while Tejada/Vlad were available. This team is going to be stuck with the Baker contract and end up getting Bruce Kimm back to manage because the good choices will not be available when Bakers contract expires.

[E.J.]

Why do these guys deserve extensions? For netting us 4th place last year? For getting lucky 3 seasons ago that the Cardinals and Astros had big injury problems, and making it to the playoffs? How about making Hendry and Dusty show they are worthy of a contract extension before just handing them out. This organization drives me nuts sometimes.

[Balsa]

Also, what's this crap about Hairston improving in the second half?

 

Pre-All Star:

 

.276/.361/.400

 

Post-All Star:

 

.241/.303/.329

 

HUH?

[CuseCubFan69]

Also, what's this crap about Hairston improving in the second half?

 

Pre-All Star:

 

.276/.361/.400

 

Post-All Star:

 

.241/.303/.329

 

HUH?

 

You have to look at his whole career. He hit like 760 in Little League.

[USSoccer]

Also, what's this crap about Hairston improving in the second half?

 

Pre-All Star:

 

.276/.361/.400

 

Post-All Star:

 

.241/.303/.329

 

HUH?

 

I think Rocket Sauce is correct in saying they are probably basing their opinion on that game he had 2 great catches in (and subsequently got hurt on one of them, IIRC). That was probably the "improvement"-their perception of him changed.

[JC]

Jim indicaated that 79 wins was unacceptable.

 

Finally, we can agree on something.

 

Are these comments surfacing from the caravan stops? If so, the convention should be a hoot.

[Too Tall]

We'll look at it like we do players.''

 

That pretty much sums it up...

[Balsa]

Mum’s the word: It’s possible the Cubs will give Jim Hendry a contract extension in the coming weeks.

 

That's Bruce Miles. He also mentions that...

 

...The Cubs expressed happiness with Hairston’s second half in 2005. They obtained him a year ago from Baltimore in the Sammy Sosa trade...

 

Which is what I was referring to.

[UK1679666180]

I agree with the concept of not firing them prematurely, but I disagree with offering them up a contract prematurely as well.

 

They've earned the right the be here next year, they haven't done enough to extend the deal.

 

I'd let '06 dictate whether or not they should be back and that includes 90+ wins and a playoff berth as the starting guidelines.

 

Speed up the winning process by allocating financial resources away from the farm system towards winning in the short-term, start winning please.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Fire 'em. Now.

[UK1679666180]

Mum’s the word: It’s possible the Cubs will give Jim Hendry a contract extension in the coming weeks.

 

That's Bruce Miles. He also mentions that...

 

...The Cubs expressed happiness with Hairston’s second half in 2005. They obtained him a year ago from Baltimore in the Sammy Sosa trade...

 

Which is what I was referring to.

 

I'm glad a reporter/writer asked the question about Patterson being rushed (in particular skipping Daytona/Zisk) as a potential reason why it didn't work out. Also, I'm glad that Bruce did give the timeline of Patterson during his 1st 2+ years in the system. As someone who doesn't believe a player should jump a level with the exception of Boise (as it's Short-Season), I don't think you can say, "well at the time you wanted him to skip Daytona and now you're saying it was wrong".

 

There's reasoning behind everything, I wouldn't chalk Patterson up to bad luck and not try and learn from it either.

Edited January 11, 2006 by UK

[Bruce Miles]

What surprises me is that topic of extensions surprises anybody. We've been writing it for months. The only subtle change here, and I wrote it at the winter meetings, is that Hendry is likely to be extended this spring. The Baker extension will come later, if at all, and there's nothing to say he'll even accept it. Hendry will have some time to play with _ to see how the team performs _ before he offers an extension to Baker. A poor start gives him an out.

Looking at the entire picture, the Tribune Co. likes Andy MacPhail. He's presided over a division of their bloated conglomerate that's actually made money. Those same people who like Andy MacPhail also like Jim Hendry _ a lot. Andy MacPhail thinks the world of Jim Hendry as a person and a GM. If MacPhail gave Ed Lynch 5 1/2 years, he's going to give Hendry at least that.

[UK1679666180]

They were definitely too patient with Lynch as well, although as an orgranization, they were at a different stage compared to now. They were truly rebuilding at that time, they had to rebuild the worst farm system in MLB and one of the least talented ML rosters around 95.

 

I have no problem w/MacPhail as far as what he has accomplished, including his tenure as GM. I'm sure being that it's been 10 years, he's disappointed they haven't won a title and that does reflect on him and maybe his stagnet nature as far as holding on too long with Lynch.

[CubinNY]

I cannot express in words how much the though of Dusty Baker's contract extension pains me.

 

I am not pleased with Hendry's personnel moves the past two off-seasons, but what Baker has done with the talent given to him should have warrented a firing at the end of last season. Talk of an extension seems ridiculous to me.

[TheDude]

Why do these guys deserve extensions? For netting us 4th place last year? For getting lucky 3 seasons ago that the Cardinals and Astros had big injury problems, and making it to the playoffs?

 

If you're going to use that logic, then the counter-argument easily surfaces, 'The Cardinals and Astros got lucky the Cubs had serious injury problems the last 2 seasons.'

 

So that won't work.

 

On topic, nobody should be surprised that Hendry will get an extension. Hendry is not a bad GM. Like most GMs, he's made the right and wrong moves and is just about 50/50 overall.

 

Baker on the other hand should not get premature extension talks. He hasn't earned it, and his greatest asset as a manager couldn't save the face the of the franchise from a shameful falling out.

 

I want to see where the Cubs are in August before even blinking at a Baker extension. For Baker, it should be 90 wins or bust, and any even then, an extension shouldn't last more than 2 years. Hopefully, he doesn't want it.

[Balsa]

I like the idea of extending Hendry, but what I don't like is the seemingly automatic following on an extension for Dusty. I'm not so sure it follows, especially, as Bruce mentioned, if the season starts out with a sputter.

 

I really don't like the way Hendry talks up Neifi! and Jerry the Lesser and then continues on without mentioning Todd Walker. It's really a shame. So that's two players we'll be trading away for nothing. At least Hendry was ready to embellish Corey's talents a bit to raise his trade value.

 

What's happening to Walker is a crime. Especially if Neifi! replaces him.

[DesMoinesCub]

I know I lot of people on here are wishing Baker and Hendry to be gone. I understand your points. I am not a fan of Baker for many reasons.

 

However, the bashing of Hendry has me confused...a little.

 

I know everyone, including myself, is disappointed that we didn't/can't land big name FA's. However, we have been able to keep a lot of the guys we want from reaching free agency.

 

People complain about his overpaying. Sometimes you need to overpay to make the club better. There is no doubt in my mind we are a better team this year then last.

 

I have read many posts about how hard Jim works, and how he is always trying to "make the team better". I like how he takes responsibility for the failure of last years team.

 

I know people will point to this player and that player and have negative remarks about this or that, and that is fine. What else could he have possibly done for RF this year? Remember it takes two teams to make a trade, so don't say he could have gotten Dunn, Abreau, etc.

 

Again, I know I will get blasted for some of my thoughts, but that is what this board is for...discussions. I am just as disappointed as everyone that the Cubs have not been that good. The Cubs made a run in 2003 when the Cards and Astros were injured. The last two seasons have not been the most healthy for the Cubs either.

 

Again, blast away...

[JeffH]

What else could he have possibly done for RF this year?

 

Giles would have been ideal. Perhaps that wasn't feasible, but the Cubs apparent disinterest was disappointing.

 

The overpay for Neifi was unfortunate.

 

I would have looked for some cheaper bullpen options, but I'm optimistic about Howry and Eyre.

[Banedon]

I think the Sun Times may be jumping the gun the Baker extension a smidge, though all the papers sseem to be reporting the Hendry extension is likely forthcoming.

 

Hendry likely won't discuss an extension for Baker until he gets one himself. Both are in the final years of their contracts, although Hendry is considered a good bet to return, while Baker's future is murkier.

[TheDude]

What else could he have possibly done for RF this year?

 

Giles would have been ideal. Perhaps that wasn't feasible, but the Cubs apparent disinterest was disappointing.

 

The overpay for Neifi was unfortunate.

 

I would have looked for some cheaper bullpen options, but I'm optimistic about Howry and Eyre.

 

Giles was never an option. That one isn't on Hendry. And the market for middle relievers was high this year, and Hendry knew it. He paid the market price for 2 of the best. They were good acquisitions at this point.

 

Neifi is overpaid.

[DesMoinesCub]

I believe Giles was never an option.

 

If Giles showed interest in the Cubs, then it is Hendry's fault for not going after him. I just didn't think Giles would ever be a Cub and didn't get my hopes up.

 

And...Neifi is overpayed. I agree with that.

[JC]

I think we should be careful to avoid misinterpreting renewed annoyance as surprise. If its the topic du jour in the media, its going to be discussed here with many of the feelings previously expressed rehashed.

 

I will say that it doesn't surprise me that the Trib brainstrust is enamored with MacPhail and Hendry. Its a great example why professional sports team ought not be corporately owned.

[CubinNY]

What else could he have possibly done for RF this year?

 

Giles would have been ideal. Perhaps that wasn't feasible, but the Cubs apparent disinterest was disappointing.

 

The overpay for Neifi was unfortunate.

 

I would have looked for some cheaper bullpen options, but I'm optimistic about Howry and Eyre.

 

Giles was never an option. That one isn't on Hendry. And the market for middle relievers was high this year, and Hendry knew it. He paid the market price for 2 of the best. They were good acquisitions at this point.

 

Neifi is overpaid.

 

Giles was never an option because Hendry never targeted him or because you say so?

 

Hendry was the first to sign middle relievers to bloated contracts, he set the market.

 

Saying Eyre and Howry are two of the best middle releivers is like saying the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Malibu are two of the best small size passenger cars made in America. It might be true but that doesn't make them good. Middle relievers are middle releivers for a reason.

[TheDude]

Giles was never an option because Hendry never targeted him or because you say so?

Neither. He was never an option because he didn't want to leave San Diego. Talks of NY were smoke screens. Giles was staying all along.

 

Hendry was the first to sign middle relievers to bloated contracts, he set the market.

So you don't think a GM is in the business of knowing and anticipating the market of the sport? He did not set the market, he anticipated it and jumped on the players he wanted early. This is good business.