How come Hendry gets a free pass?

[bobbyd20]

And all of the anger is directed toward Dusty. This is by no means an attempt to defend Dusty as the lineup he put out there Friday made me think he is actively trying to get fired.

 

Let's look at some of the things Hendry has done. He made two great trades getting Lee and Ramirez. Other than that, I haven't been impressed. His signings are a collection of mediocre role players and guys two to three years past their prime. And the development of the farm system (especially from a position player standpoint) has been a complete joke.

 

When I look at this team, I can't imagine how the payroll is nearly $100 million when there are so many bad players on this team.

 

Here's what Hendry did during this past off-season -

 

Howry - good move

Eyre - decent move, paid too much as evidence by Eyre saying his agent didn't even counter Hendry's first offer

Pierre - typical Cub acquisition, no patience at the plate for a leadoff hitter, looks to be past his prime

Bynum - terrible

resigning Rusch - if this would have been one year for $1 million ok - but locking him in for 2 years at around $10 million is just a terrible contract when you could have a youngster do the same job

resigning Neifi - terrible - see Rusch description

Jacque Jones - 3 years, $15 million...for a guy that should be a platoon outfielder...another awful signing given the terms

 

To me that adds up for 2 for 7 in the off-season for Hendry...that's not acceptable for a team that had so many needs to address in the off-season.

 

What does everyone think? What am I missing about Hendry that makes people think he is going a good job?

[srbin84]

I'm not sure. I know a lot of people here were big Hendry supporters, but I think even those people are beginning to change their minds. He probably gets a pass from management because they don't know any better.

[BigbadB]

There were a lot of bad offseason moves and non moves by this organization, but the worst one was Hendry's extension.

[cubfan1955]

I just wonder if Hendry ever looks at himself in the mirror and says, "I don't have a freaking clue as to how to assemble a major league roster"?

 

Hendry gets credit for actually 3 decent deals, Lee, Aram, and dumping Hundley on the Dodgers. I know for a fact he didn't initiate the Lee deal and I doubt he did the Aram and Hundley deals.

 

The Nomar deal looked bad with Nomar but we did get Murton so I'll give him props for that.

 

$100 million dollar payroll for this team certainly won't look good on Jim's resume. Not that he needs a resume! :cry:

[srbin84]

I just wonder if Hendry ever looks at himself in the mirror and says, "I don't have a freaking clue as to how to assemble a major league roster"?

 

Hendry gets credit for actually 3 decent deals, Lee, Aram, and dumping Hundley on the Dodgers. I know for a fact he didn't initiate the Lee deal and I doubt he did the Aram and Hundley deals.

 

The Nomar deal looked bad with Nomar but we did get Murton so I'll give him props for that.

 

$100 million dollar payroll for this team certainly won't look good on Jim's resume. Not that he needs a resume! :cry:

 

I can't blame Hendry this year. Two of his top 3 starters haven't even pitched yet, and we don't even know if/when they will. So it's not really a 100 million dollar team nor a very talented one, despite the names we control.

[Backtobanks]

And all of the anger is directed toward Dusty. This is by no means an attempt to defend Dusty as the lineup he put out there Friday made me think he is actively trying to get fired.

 

Let's look at some of the things Hendry has done. He made two great trades getting Lee and Ramirez. Other than that, I haven't been impressed. His signings are a collection of mediocre role players and guys two to three years past their prime. And the development of the farm system (especially from a position player standpoint) has been a complete joke.

 

When I look at this team, I can't imagine how the payroll is nearly $100 million when there are so many bad players on this team.

 

Here's what Hendry did during this past off-season -

 

Howry - good move

Eyre - decent move, paid too much as evidence by Eyre saying his agent didn't even counter Hendry's first offer

Pierre - typical Cub acquisition, no patience at the plate for a leadoff hitter, looks to be past his primeBynum - terrible

resigning Rusch - if this would have been one year for $1 million ok - but locking him in for 2 years at around $10 million is just a terrible contract when you could have a youngster do the same job

resigning Neifi - terrible - see Rusch description

Jacque Jones - 3 years, $15 million...for a guy that should be a platoon outfielder...another awful signing given the terms

 

To me that adds up for 2 for 7 in the off-season for Hendry...that's not acceptable for a team that had so many needs to address in the off-season.

 

What does everyone think? What am I missing about Hendry that makes people think he is going a good job?

 

Everybody was after him to sign Furcal at $13 million per year for 4 years. Furcal is making Pierre look great. The signing of JJ has been explained numerous times. He had to offer that to sign him, but if Pie progresses as expected, JJ will be traded after this season with the Cubs eating part of his salary. Reading these posts everyday certainly doesn't give me the impression that Hendry is getting a free pass.

[srbin84]

Agreed. This thread would have been much more timely last year, when there was still a Hendry love fest going on amongst most Cub fans.

[CubinNY]

 

What does everyone think? What am I missing about Hendry that makes people think he is going a good job?

 

Everybody was after him to sign Furcal at $13 million per year for 4 years. Furcal is making Pierre look great.

 

Not everybody. In fact, I don't know how many people were. I know I wasn't.

 

I have no idea why the Cubs were trying to plug a hole they didn't have, while at the same time neglecting the need for a big back.

 

As to the topic of this thread, I don't think Hendry gets a free pass.

Edited May 7, 2006 by CubinNY

[cubfan1955]

I just wonder if Hendry ever looks at himself in the mirror and says, "I don't have a freaking clue as to how to assemble a major league roster"?

 

Hendry gets credit for actually 3 decent deals, Lee, Aram, and dumping Hundley on the Dodgers. I know for a fact he didn't initiate the Lee deal and I doubt he did the Aram and Hundley deals.

 

The Nomar deal looked bad with Nomar but we did get Murton so I'll give him props for that.

 

$100 million dollar payroll for this team certainly won't look good on Jim's resume. Not that he needs a resume! :cry:

 

I can't blame Hendry this year. Two of his top 3 starters haven't even pitched yet, and we don't even know if/when they will. So it's not really a 100 million dollar team nor a very talented one, despite the names we control.

This year is just a continuing downward spiral from the previous two.

 

Hendry resigned Neifi for two years. Signed Rusch for two years. He traded for Bynum? He traded for Hairston whom, I'd never have thought possible, has sunk below Neifi in the talent department. He was trying his hardest to trade Todd Walker (imagine this team without Walker...shudder). Jones, Pierre...

 

Imagine this team if he would have seriously went after Tejada and Beltran in the free agent market after the 03 and 04 season. Yes, Beltran had adown year last year but he's looking pretty good lately for the Mets.

[srbin84]

I just wonder if Hendry ever looks at himself in the mirror and says, "I don't have a freaking clue as to how to assemble a major league roster"?

 

Hendry gets credit for actually 3 decent deals, Lee, Aram, and dumping Hundley on the Dodgers. I know for a fact he didn't initiate the Lee deal and I doubt he did the Aram and Hundley deals.

 

The Nomar deal looked bad with Nomar but we did get Murton so I'll give him props for that.

 

$100 million dollar payroll for this team certainly won't look good on Jim's resume. Not that he needs a resume! :cry:

 

I can't blame Hendry this year. Two of his top 3 starters haven't even pitched yet, and we don't even know if/when they will. So it's not really a 100 million dollar team nor a very talented one, despite the names we control.

This year is just a continuing downward spiral from the previous two.

 

Hendry resigned Neifi for two years. Signed Rusch for two years. He traded for Bynum? He traded for Hairston whom, I'd never have thought possible, has sunk below Neifi in the talent department. He was trying his hardest to trade Todd Walker (imagine this team without Walker...shudder). Jones, Pierre...

 

Imagine this team if he would have seriously went after Tejada and Beltran in the free agent market after the 03 and 04 season. Yes, Beltran had adown year last year but he's looking pretty good lately for the Mets.

 

I totally agree with you on Tejada. I thought that contract was a steal when it was signed. Beltran is overpaid, but the Cubs need to make a move like that at some point. It's frustrating to watch a bad GM because you know you're baseball smarter than him, but there's nothing you can do about it. Hopefully he gets fired next year.

[CubinNY]

I can't blame Hendry this year. Two of his top 3 starters haven't even pitched yet, and we don't even know if/when they will. So it's not really a 100 million dollar team nor a very talented one, despite the names we control.

 

That statement is ridicilous. Hendry knew both Wood and Miller wouldn't be back until May at the earliest. And I don't know how you can possibly call Miller the 3rd best pitcher when he hasn't thrown one inning in a Cub uniform.

 

The Lee injury just magnifies the ineptitude displayed this off-season. I don't think I am some sort of baseball genius, nor do I think others who post on here are any smarter than Hendry, but many, many of us dearly wanted Hendry to do something to address the offensive shortcomings of this team. Instead, he over-paid for middle relief, traded three decent pitchers for Slappy, and signed JJ, Neifi, and Rusch to contracts.

 

It wasn't hard to predict what is happening now. Not hard at all.

 

Hopefully for all our sakes, Hendry does something smart to address the Cub's needs in June well before the trading deadline. He can't afford to wait.

[XZero771679666304]

I just wonder if Hendry ever looks at himself in the mirror and says, "I don't have a freaking clue as to how to assemble a major league roster"?

 

Hendry gets credit for actually 3 decent deals, Lee, Aram, and dumping Hundley on the Dodgers. I know for a fact he didn't initiate the Lee deal and I doubt he did the Aram and Hundley deals.

 

The Nomar deal looked bad with Nomar but we did get Murton so I'll give him props for that.

 

$100 million dollar payroll for this team certainly won't look good on Jim's resume. Not that he needs a resume! :cry:

 

I can't blame Hendry this year. Two of his top 3 starters haven't even pitched yet, and we don't even know if/when they will. So it's not really a 100 million dollar team nor a very talented one, despite the names we control.

This year is just a continuing downward spiral from the previous two.

 

Hendry resigned Neifi for two years. Signed Rusch for two years. He traded for Bynum? He traded for Hairston whom, I'd never have thought possible, has sunk below Neifi in the talent department. He was trying his hardest to trade Todd Walker (imagine this team without Walker...shudder). Jones, Pierre...

 

Imagine this team if he would have seriously went after Tejada and Beltran in the free agent market after the 03 and 04 season. Yes, Beltran had adown year last year but he's looking pretty good lately for the Mets.

 

Beltran will never be worth 2/3 of what he is making.

 

Tejada I agree with.

[cubfan1955]

I just wonder if Hendry ever looks at himself in the mirror and says, "I don't have a freaking clue as to how to assemble a major league roster"?

 

Hendry gets credit for actually 3 decent deals, Lee, Aram, and dumping Hundley on the Dodgers. I know for a fact he didn't initiate the Lee deal and I doubt he did the Aram and Hundley deals.

 

The Nomar deal looked bad with Nomar but we did get Murton so I'll give him props for that.

 

$100 million dollar payroll for this team certainly won't look good on Jim's resume. Not that he needs a resume! :cry:

 

I can't blame Hendry this year. Two of his top 3 starters haven't even pitched yet, and we don't even know if/when they will. So it's not really a 100 million dollar team nor a very talented one, despite the names we control.

This year is just a continuing downward spiral from the previous two.

 

Hendry resigned Neifi for two years. Signed Rusch for two years. He traded for Bynum? He traded for Hairston whom, I'd never have thought possible, has sunk below Neifi in the talent department. He was trying his hardest to trade Todd Walker (imagine this team without Walker...shudder). Jones, Pierre...

 

Imagine this team if he would have seriously went after Tejada and Beltran in the free agent market after the 03 and 04 season. Yes, Beltran had adown year last year but he's looking pretty good lately for the Mets.

 

Beltran will never be worth 2/3 of what he is making.

 

Tejada I agree with.

 

Sometimes you just have to pay the piper and overpay to fill a need. If you had a choice between Beltran in CF and Pierre which would you go with. And beside if they had paid for Beltran maybe they couldn't afford the contracts given out to Rusch, Neifi, and Jones. Win Win...

[Laura]

I don't think he gets a free pass unless you're talking about from MacPhail.

 

Agreed. This thread would have been much more timely last year, when there was still a Hendry love fest going on amongst most Cub fans.

 

A lot of people here haven't been happy with Hendry and his overall philosophy for much longer than last year.

[srbin84]

I can't blame Hendry this year. Two of his top 3 starters haven't even pitched yet, and we don't even know if/when they will. So it's not really a 100 million dollar team nor a very talented one, despite the names we control.

 

That statement is ridicilous. Hendry knew both Wood and Miller wouldn't be back until May at the earliest. And I don't know how you can possibly call Miller the 3rd best pitcher when he hasn't thrown one inning in a Cub uniform.

 

The Lee injury just magnifies the ineptitude displayed this off-season. I don't think I am some sort of baseball genius, nor do I think others who post on here are any smarter than Hendry, but many, many of us dearly wanted Hendry to do something to address the offensive shortcomings of this team. Instead, he over-paid for middle relief, traded three decent pitchers for Slappy, and signed JJ, Neifi, and Rusch to contracts.

 

It wasn't hard to predict what is happening now. Not hard at all.

 

Hopefully for all our sakes, Hendry does something smart to address the Cub's needs in June well before the trading deadline. He can't afford to wait.

 

I was talking about Wood and Prior as top 3 starters, unless you think Prior is a number 4 or 5. My only beef with him is not trading Prior. He screwed up majorly there and messed up the whole season by doing it...if there was a chance to get Abreu or Tejada for him that is. I'm not going to blame him for not giving Furcal 13-14 million a year or signing Giles when I don't believe we ever had a chance to sign him. I don't know what else was out there. Last year, I had a long list of complaints though. This year, there wasn't much out there offensively and he blew the one opportunity he had to get it (trading Prior).

[YearofDaCubs]

No free pass here. More of the blame falls on Hendry this year because he didn't do enough in my eyes to make this team competitive. How many times are we supposed to rely on our injury prone pitchers? How come we didn't sign another starter instead of Rusch? Jock Jones? I thought even Hendry wouldn't be that dumb but I should have known better.

[NCCubFan]

I think any free pass Hendry had expired after the 2004-05 offseason, when his sole strategy for improving the Cubs seemed to be addition by subtraction (begging anybody to take Sosa and Farnsworth off our hands for next to nothing in the name of chemistry).

[TB_11]

Hendry used to get a free pass from some because fans could always rest on the injuries excuse - if Wood, Prior, Aramis, Nomar etc were healthy this team would be competitive. However those who used to feel that way last year (myself included) have soured on him, IMO, based on the list of moves listed in previous posts.

[srbin84]

I think any free pass Hendry had expired after the 2004-05 offseason, when his sole strategy for improving the Cubs seemed to be addition by subtraction (begging anybody to take Sosa and Farnsworth off our hands for next to nothing in the name of chemistry).

 

I'd also like to add being braindead with regards to the closer situation and thinking Hawkins would be effective in the role.

[RynoRules]

 

What does everyone think? What am I missing about Hendry that makes people think he is going a good job?

 

Everybody was after him to sign Furcal at $13 million per year for 4 years. Furcal is making Pierre look great.

 

Not everybody. In fact, I don't know how many people were. I know I wasn't.

 

I have no idea why the Cubs were trying to plug a hole they didn't have, while at the same time neglecting the need for a big back.

 

As to the topic of this thread, I don't think Hendry gets a free pass.

 

Anyone who thinks JH gets a "free pass" on this bd. either just got here or hasn't been paying attention.