Fox Sports grades Cub off-season a D / SI gives them B

[Sterling30]

I wonder what the grade would have been if they had outbid the Dodgers for Furcal and then see him immediately have minor knee surgery?

 

Plus, how many Cub fans hanging out in sites like this one truly would have kept the minor procedure in perspective? Hendry would be getting skewered.

[goonys evil twin]

I dont think the Cubs "OVERPAID" for anyone. When it comes to Eyre, Howry, and Jones, Cubs got a bargin. Other teams were offering these guys more money and more years than what the Cubs got for them.

 

Not true. The Cubs outbid KC's reported offer to get Jones, which was a terrible mistake because he's a crappy rightfielder who doesn't deserve more than $2-3m for 1 year as a platoon guy.

[EricG]

I dont think the Cubs "OVERPAID" for anyone. When it comes to Eyre, Howry, and Jones, Cubs got a bargin. Other teams were offering these guys more money and more years than what the Cubs got for them.

Overpaid for Neifi Perez, and Rusch. One year contracts to Preston Wilson or Burnitz would have been better than 3 years to Jones. Overpaying for relievers coming off good years is too common.

[TheDude]

I find it hard to believe that the stated goal of the organization is to contend within the division. I know MacPhail mentioned that one time in a recent article, but I'm pretty confident his goal is to build a WS team.

 

I think they'd like to win the WS, but they've said over and over that their plan was to build a team to contend within the division (or similar phrases). They've never shown any desire to build a dominant team, rather one that could enjoy some success if everything works out right.

 

It's called the "goodenough" philosphy and it will work on occasion, 1998 and 2003 ,but is not a way for a big money organization to build a championship calibur team.

 

I rank your "goodenough" myth right up there with the myth that Cardinal fans are the most knowledgeable in baseball.

It's not a myth it is a philosophy esposued by Jim Hendry.

 

Every year he says something to the effect of, "Well, I think we are good enough to compete within the division".

 

Don't believe me? You can look it up.

 

This is just wordsmithing. 'compete for the division' is the same thing as 'win the WS' or any other such phrase. I too file the "goodenough" concept as a total myth.

[Flames24Rulz]

I dont think the Cubs "OVERPAID" for anyone. When it comes to Eyre, Howry, and Jones, Cubs got a bargin. Other teams were offering these guys more money and more years than what the Cubs got for them.

Overpaid for Neifi Perez, and Rusch. One year contracts to Preston Wilson or Burnitz would have been better than 3 years to Jones. Overpaying for relievers coming off good years is too common.

 

and i also think that Hendry could have got Eyre and Howry for cheaper than he signed them.

[goonys evil twin]

I find it hard to believe that the stated goal of the organization is to contend within the division. I know MacPhail mentioned that one time in a recent article, but I'm pretty confident his goal is to build a WS team.

 

I think they'd like to win the WS, but they've said over and over that their plan was to build a team to contend within the division (or similar phrases). They've never shown any desire to build a dominant team, rather one that could enjoy some success if everything works out right.

 

I think the fact that they are top 5 in payroll year in and year out shows they have a desire to win the WS. Now, whether the GM is competent enough to put together a WS team is a whole other debate. But I am 100% confident that Hendry is doing everything he can to get us to a WS. I don't think anyone can debate that. We can debate his moves all day long but not his desire for a WS. And I know everyone is sick of excuses, but injuries really have killed us the last 2 years.

 

The payroll just shows ownership's commitment. Andy and Jim have repeatedly talked about the "contend in the division" stuff. They have shown a commitment to try and build teams that will compete with Houston and STL, and have never shown any desire to build the best team possible. When they had chances to make big splashes they've shied away, and have always been looking for marginal improvements. They are largely satisfied with what they have done, and don't think the team needs much help to be contenders. They aren't hungry for a 95-100 win team, they just want a team that will hang around by year's end. They don't risk failure while going for greatness, they settle for stable mediocrity repeatedly.

[baseball7897]

Well Neifi is a solid "BENCH PLAYER" considering he can play 3rd, ss, 2nd base with good defense. He might of been offered more money and years by another team.

[goonys evil twin]

This is just wordsmithing. 'compete for the division' is the same thing as 'win the WS' or any other such phrase. I too file the "goodenough" concept as a total myth.

 

Myth? It's been shown to be true over and over with this group. They didn't want to get in a bidding war with Giles. They didn't want to add Tejada with AGonz around, they didn't look at Vladdy because they thought their OF was settled.

 

Compete for the division is not the same as win the WS. It's not. It's a clear difference in strategy. The Cubs want to win enough to be in the playoff hunt late in the season, and hope for the best, instead of try and dominate and maximize their chances for the WS. They want several stable mediocre veterans who they know will give you mediocre performances, instead of aggressively adding difference makers to the roster. This is no myth. It's their stated plan.

[goonys evil twin]

Well Neifi is a solid "BENCH PLAYER" considering he can play 3rd, ss, 2nd base with good defense. He might of been offered more money and years by another team.

 

Except that other better bench players signed for less this offseason.

[baseball7897]

May I ask who these other guys are?

[goonys evil twin]

May I ask who these other guys are?

 

Grab any list of free agent signings.

[nick23]

This is just wordsmithing. 'compete for the division' is the same thing as 'win the WS' or any other such phrase. I too file the "goodenough" concept as a total myth.

 

Myth? It's been shown to be true over and over with this group. They didn't want to get in a bidding war with Giles. They didn't want to add Tejada with AGonz around, they didn't look at Vladdy because they thought their OF was settled.

 

Compete for the division is not the same as win the WS. It's not. It's a clear difference in strategy. The Cubs want to win enough to be in the playoff hunt late in the season, and hope for the best, instead of try and dominate and maximize their chances for the WS. They want several stable mediocre veterans who they know will give you mediocre performances, instead of aggressively adding difference makers to the roster. This is no myth. It's their stated plan.

 

Well, I'll just take your warning to heart and say I disagree with your opinion. Whether we agree or disagree with their philosophy of building a team, I think their goal every year is to win a WS. I think Tejada is overrated anyway so the decision to not sign him in 03 is fine with me. If Prior closes out game 6, or Wood shows up for game 7 the Tejada decison turns out to be correct. We had a good enough team to win it in 03 and 04 imo. It just didn't happen.

[baseball7897]

Goony's evil twin, Im asking you who these guys are, if their is someone who was a better option than Neifi i would like to no.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Goony's evil twin, Im asking you who these guys are, if their is someone who was a better option than Neifi i would like to no.

 

Find a backup infielder, just about any of them, and they are a good bet to be better than Neifi. The only player worse offensively than Neifi last year was Patterson, and Neifi doesn't have age or past success on his side to go with his plus defense. He hinders the team with his presence on the roster, even moreso because of our manager. Myself, at the time Neifi was signed I advocated acquiring a SS and letting Cedeno have Neifi's role.

[RynoRules]

This is just wordsmithing. 'compete for the division' is the same thing as 'win the WS' or any other such phrase. I too file the "goodenough" concept as a total myth.

 

Myth? It's been shown to be true over and over with this group. They didn't want to get in a bidding war with Giles. They didn't want to add Tejada with AGonz around, they didn't look at Vladdy because they thought their OF was settled.

 

Compete for the division is not the same as win the WS. It's not. It's a clear difference in strategy. The Cubs want to win enough to be in the playoff hunt late in the season, and hope for the best, instead of try and dominate and maximize their chances for the WS. They want several stable mediocre veterans who they know will give you mediocre performances, instead of aggressively adding difference makers to the roster. This is no myth. It's their stated plan.

 

Didn't Billy Beane say its his job to get a team together that makes the playoffs, and the rest is dumb-luck? if you subscribe to that philosophy - and I believe that many on this bd. do - how can you fault JH for focusing on winning the div. as opposedto the WS?

 

Not saying I agree, just wondering.

[EricG]

Goony's evil twin, Im asking you who these guys are, if their is someone who was a better option than Neifi i would like to no.

Ladies and gentleman, meet Jim Hendry.

Edited January 18, 2006 by EricG

[Transmogrified Tiger]

This is just wordsmithing. 'compete for the division' is the same thing as 'win the WS' or any other such phrase. I too file the "goodenough" concept as a total myth.

 

Myth? It's been shown to be true over and over with this group. They didn't want to get in a bidding war with Giles. They didn't want to add Tejada with AGonz around, they didn't look at Vladdy because they thought their OF was settled.

 

Compete for the division is not the same as win the WS. It's not. It's a clear difference in strategy. The Cubs want to win enough to be in the playoff hunt late in the season, and hope for the best, instead of try and dominate and maximize their chances for the WS. They want several stable mediocre veterans who they know will give you mediocre performances, instead of aggressively adding difference makers to the roster. This is no myth. It's their stated plan.

 

Didn't Billy Beane say its his job to get a team together that makes the playoffs, and the rest is dumb-luck? if you subscribe to that philosophy - and I believe that many on this bd. do - how can you fault JH for focusing on winning the div. as opposedto the WS?

 

Not saying I agree, just wondering.

 

I think there's a difference in the comparison. Beane was saying that you build the best team that you can, and once you get in the playoffs you hope it works out. Goony's point about the organization is that they aren't striving for that best possible team, they play it safe(see Baker's moves, Hendry's veterans v. difference makers, all in Goony's previous posts) so that they'll be competitive in the division.

[USSoccer]

Goony's evil twin, Im asking you who these guys are, if their is someone who was a better option than Neifi i would like to no.

 

they have a better option on their roster right now, if all you want is a utility IF who can play defense and can't hit. Jerry Hairston would/could fill that role for less money, and give you signifigantly better offensive production.

 

Perez had an OBP under .300. In about 500 or 600 AB's. Think about this. He's bad unless he only plays the last 2 innings in a defensive role only, and maybe gets a pity start every couple weeks.

 

And for the right to enjoy below replacement level production, they paid $5m over 2 years.

[gflore34]

Goony's evil twin, Im asking you who these guys are, if their is someone who was a better option than Neifi i would like to no.

 

they have a better option on their roster right now, if all you want is a utility IF who can play defense and can't hit. Jerry Hairston would/could fill that role for less money, and give you signifigantly better offensive production.

 

Perez had an OBP under .300. In about 500 or 600 AB's. Think about this. He's bad unless he only plays the last 2 innings in a defensive role only, and maybe gets a pity start every couple weeks.

 

And for the right to enjoy below replacement level production, they paid $5m over 2 years.

 

You've got a point, the whole problem with Neifi is how Baker utilizies him. In the proper role he's as good an option as any but, over the last two seasons Baker as shown an inability to correctly utilize the skills of a player.

[baseball7897]

I do agree with Jim Hendry's moves. Jim has made some great moves trading that bum Hundley for Grudz. and Karros both led the Cubs into the playoffs. He traded Choi for Lee, Got Murton in the Nomar deal, Ramirez for Jose Hernandez. So to bash Jim hendry for the moves he has made is ignorant. It is easy to second guess Jim Hendry's moves, im not accusing anyone on this site, but most people dont realize what Jim has done as the GM for the Cubs.

 

Would you rather have MacPhail or how about Lynch? The choice is obvious if you ask me.

[Bgbird68]

I do agree with Jim Hendry's moves. Jim has made some great moves trading that bum Hundley for Grudz. and Karros both led the Cubs into the playoffs. He traded Choi for Lee, Got Murton in the Nomar deal, Ramirez for Jose Hernandez. So to bash Jim hendry for the moves he has made is ignorant. It is easy to second guess Jim Hendry's moves, im not accusing anyone on this site, but most people dont realize what Jim has done as the GM for the Cubs.

 

Would you rather have MacPhail or how about Lynch? The choice is obvious if you ask me.

 

Do you know what all three have in common?

[USSoccer]

I do agree with Jim Hendry's moves. Jim has made some great moves trading that bum Hundley for Grudz. and Karros both led the Cubs into the playoffs. He traded Choi for Lee, Got Murton in the Nomar deal, Ramirez for Jose Hernandez. So to bash Jim hendry for the moves he has made is ignorant. It is easy to second guess Jim Hendry's moves, im not accusing anyone on this site, but most people dont realize what Jim has done as the GM for the Cubs.

 

Would you rather have MacPhail or how about Lynch? The choice is obvious if you ask me.

 

Hendry has had 2 straight poor offseasons. You cannot give him a free pass based on a couple of deals made 3 years ago or more. If anything, it highlights just how terrible 20044 and 2005's offseasons were, since Hendry has shown himself to be capable of taking advantage of salary dumps and arb eligible players like Ramirez and Lee, and aquired them for very little. To have him go from relatively shrewd decision maker, to clueless dope is really troubling.

 

Also, Hendry has allowed the farm system he built to be misused to the point where it's nearly useless to call up young position players, or fresh bullpen arms, since his manager won't use either properly, and then their prospect value plummets.

 

Finally, your last point is irrelevant, as MacPhail and Lynch wouldn't be your only choices to replace Hendry. There are plenty of really capable people who would be able to run the team more effectively than endry has the last 2 years.

[baseball7897]

Well you cannot just blame Hendry for the farm system it was a mess when he arrived. He has rebuilt it somewhat, but there is still alot of work to do. If anytihing it has been bad coaching down on the farm.

[USSoccer]

Well you cannot just blame Hendry for the farm system it was a mess when he arrived. He has rebuilt it somewhat, but there is still alot of work to do. If anytihing it has been bad coaching down on the farm.

 

He built it into a top 5 system as of 2002-3. That's more than somewhat. It's no longer a top 5 system, and it's not just because Z and Prior aren't in it anymore. It's because we've passed over deserving young players and trashed their value until we've had to give them away, and because we've neglected to propely scout latin america and asia, and finally, and most importantly, you choose to build your system around ceiling and toolsy players.

 

and the Cubs have some excellent minor league coaches. They can't prevent, for example, Cruz having his value wrecked by being misused by Baylor and Baker, and then traded for peanuts relative to his previous value.

[goonys evil twin]

Well you cannot just blame Hendry for the farm system it was a mess when he arrived. He has rebuilt it somewhat, but there is still alot of work to do. If anytihing it has been bad coaching down on the farm.

 

I don't have much to complain about Jim Hendry the minor league coordinator. My problem is with Jim Hendry the GM. They are two very different jobs.

 

Although in hindsight, maybe I gave Hendry the minor league coordinator far too much credit for his work in building up a farm system that relied so heavily on toolsy players and seemingly ignored production. But he was a part of the resurgence in the farm nonetheless, and deserves credit. That just hasn't translated to his GM work.