Phil Rogers on Jim Hendry:

[UK1679666180]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-060222rogers,1,695844.column?coll=cs-cubs-utility

 

Under Hendry, and with the backing of Tribune Co. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis FitzSimons, the Cubs' front office is in better shape than it ever has been.

 

Hendry should get his extension immediately, and it should fall to him to decide what to do with Baker.

 

These guys should not have to deal with wait-and-see status. It's not good for the franchise, either, as it makes Hendry appear weak and the organization headed back toward an often directionless past—not exactly what you want when your best player, Derrek Lee, is only one season away from free agency.

 

If Hendry is still as confident about Baker as he was when their first season together almost ended with a trip to the World Series, he should prevail upon him to stop thinking like a free agent and agree to an extension. And if Hendry isn't sure whether Baker is the right manager, then he should postpone his decision until after the season.

 

Does waiting to decide on Baker make Baker and the Cubs look weak & directionless?

 

I haven't seen enough to merit locking up Hendry before this season concludes.

 

Hughes and Wilken are great for the front office, but Rogers mentions "directionless" w/out Hendry, I want to know what direction are they heading in NOW?

 

This is a team with a boatload of FAs coming off a 79 win season, down 10 from the previous season, with a farm system that has gone from one of the elite to average. What does that say about direction?

 

The direction of this team shifted after '03 and it still hasn't recovered.

[Jehrico]

These guys should not have to deal with wait-and-see status. It's not good for the franchise, either, as it makes Hendry appear weak and the organization headed back toward an often directionless past—not exactly what you want when your best player, Derrek Lee, is only one season away from free agency.

 

Who says it's a wait and see? He's assuming the decision hasn't already been made privately to let Baker ride his contract out, and replace him next offseason.

[goonys evil twin]

These guys should not have to deal with wait-and-see status. It's not good for the franchise, either, as it makes Hendry appear weak and the organization headed back toward an often directionless past—not exactly what you want when your best player, Derrek Lee, is only one season away from free agency.

 

Who says it's a wait and see? He's assuming the decision hasn't already been made privately to let Baker ride his contract out, and replace him next offseason.

 

I don't know why the "wait and see" status is bad for the team. Steinbrenner holds Torre's and Cashman's jobs over their heads every year and the team hasn't folded like the Cubs last year.

 

Of all the columns to write, the "sign the GM and manager right now or the team is doomed" column is probably the most pointless. I'd rather read another "the Trib is too cheap to sign the big names" column, which are tired and boring.

[CuseCubFan69]

2003 was a long time ago. I think Mr. Hendry has to prove this team is moving in the right direction and then give him his extension.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Yeah, give him an extension NOW!!!

 

Sub .500 records don't grow on trees you know.

[Jehrico]

Yeah, give him an extension NOW!!!

 

Sub .500 records don't grow on trees you know.

 

They used to. It was called the 90s.

[NCCubFan]

Yeah, give him an extension NOW!!!

 

Sub .500 records don't grow on trees you know.

 

They used to. It was called the 90s.

And the 80s. And the 70s. And.....

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Yeah, give him an extension NOW!!!

 

Sub .500 records don't grow on trees you know.

 

They used to. It was called the 90s.

And the 80s. And the 70s. And.....

 

Yup, Hendry is irreplaceable.

[dalgreen]

Does waiting to decide on Baker make Baker and the Cubs look weak & directionless?

 

I haven't seen enough to merit locking up Hendry before this season concludes.

 

Hughes and Wilken are great for the front office, but Rogers mentions "directionless" w/out Hendry, I want to know what direction are they heading in NOW?

 

This is a team with a boatload of FAs coming off a 79 win season, down 10 from the previous season, with a farm system that has gone from one of the elite to average. What does that say about direction?

 

The direction of this team shifted after '03 and it still hasn't recovered.

 

 

:shock:

[UK1679666180]

Hughes is definitely an asset for this team, despite that Baseball America article. He knows his stuff and is very good in his role as assistant GM to Hendry. The only problem is that his line of thinking runs parallel to Hendry, I'd like to see someone of his stature within the organization run more perdindicular. Pretty much more balance is what I'm getting at.

[CubDad4Ever]

UK, im with your line of thinking on an eclectic front office. Any ideas on a more numbers friendly person , that would fit with Hughes and Wilken two outstanding but "scout" oriented people. Coach L

[ThePenguin11]

I think that holding back on an extension is a very good idea. I believe that Hendry deserves an extension, however if he's extended now, then he can extend Baker. Barry Rozner spoke of this during Mike North's show the other day. For once, I think MacPhail might be making the smart move. He's probably going to make Baker earn the contract based on the team's play in the first half.

 

If the Cubs stink by July then he could still offer Hendry an extension, but Baker would not be in position to get his. If Baker is 5 games up in the WC or by some miracle leading the Central in mid-July, then I'd say you'd probably have to tender him an offer. As much as I tend to dislike Dusty, he probably should get a chance to field a healthy team for half a season.

[Cubfanintheknow]

As many of you may recall, Chicago Bear's GM Jerry Angelo, who was new to the job, felt pressure to extend Dick Jauron's contract after the team's surprising 2001 season. This despite a couple of lousy seasons prior to 2001. Needless to say it turned out to be a pretty dumb move.

 

There's no reason to rush things along. Let the season play itself out.

[Holy Cow]

I think that holding back on an extension is a very good idea. I believe that Hendry deserves an extension, however if he's extended now, then he can extend Baker. Barry Rozner spoke of this during Mike North's show the other day. For once, I think MacPhail might be making the smart move. He's probably going to make Baker earn the contract based on the team's play in the first half.

 

If the Cubs stink by July then he could still offer Hendry an extension, but Baker would not be in position to get his. If Baker is 5 games up in the WC or by some miracle leading the Central in mid-July, then I'd say you'd probably have to tender him an offer. As much as I tend to dislike Dusty, he probably should get a chance to field a healthy team for half a season.

 

I don't like this idea. Just because a good team assembled by Hendry and others manages to win while healthy doesn't mean we should forget about how poorly Dusty has managed it throughout his tenure here.

[UK1679666180]

UK, im with your line of thinking on an eclectic front office. Any ideas on a more numbers friendly person , that would fit with Hughes and Wilken two outstanding but "scout" oriented people. Coach L

 

That's hard to find, numbers guys don't have the pedigree of someone who has coached like Hendry or obviously someone who played the game and if they've started out as scouts, information like that is hard to find as to how they started if they've never played.

 

The Cubs has a numbers guy who reports directly to Hendry (I assume he reports directly to him), I don't know if elevating his say in matters accomplishes anything.

 

You don't need to hire someone like Depodesta (for example) to become an assistant to create more balance, though.