A Devil's Advocate's defense of Jim Hendry

[Derwood]

I'm pretty sick of seeing 2000 posts a day blasting Jim Hendry. Believe me, he has done a lot of bad things as GM, but there are two points that I wish to defend him on, if only because no one has made the case for him. In the spirit of any good debate, both sides should receive equal time.

 

1. "I can't believe how bad this $95 million team is playing"

 

Let's be fair here. The team that has been on the field the last month is NOT a $95 million team. Since Lee's injury, your basic starting lineup has included Murton, Pierre, Jones, Ramirez, Cedeno, Hairston/Neifi, Walker, Barrett. That's approximately $30 million. The starting rotation has been Maddux, Z, Marshall, Hill, Guzman, around $16.5 million. Another $5.5 mil for the bench and $13.5 for the bullpen and you have had a $65.5 million team on the field for a month. It's not fair to compare this group to other $95 million teams because the big money guys aren't on the field. It is fair, however, to criticize Hendry for overpaying many of these players. So in truth, it's actually a $65 million group of players who are only worth about $50 million.

 

2. "Injuries aren't an excuse/Hendry should have had more depth"

 

Yes, injuries are one excuse for poor play. Little could be expected with 3 rookies in the rotation. An MVP candidate is out of the lineup. These things do matter. Three of the injuries (Miller/Wood/Prior) were known in the off season, and many here bash Hendry for not doing more to compensate. But let's be realistic. The Cubs have over $16.5 million invested in those three pitchers (or about 17% of the payroll). It's unrealistic to expect Hendry to invest that much more money to insure solid starters 1-5. Particularly when it was thought that Wood and Prior would be back in the rotation earlier than they have turned out to be. The Lee injury was a freak thing, not Hendry's fault, and no one in baseball has a bench full of starter quality players that can plug that sort of hole in the lineup. What do people want? By all reports Hendry has tried very hard to trade for a 1B but other GM's aren't stupid. They know the situation we're in here and they can ask very steep prices for marginal players.

 

 

I'm not a Hendry apologist by any stretch. I think he values the wrong attributes in players, I think he bids against himself, and overall this just isn't that good a team. But I thought these two points needed to be addressed.

 

I"m putting my suit of armor on in preparation for the bashing I'm about to take :lol:

[A New Era]

Hendry has relied on Prior and Wood too long. It's his fault all $95 mil of the team is not on the feild (barring Derreck Lee). . It's also his fault Dusty is the Manager, and the orginazation value's "aggressiveness" at the plate over patience, and "catching the ball" over OBP.

 

It's his fault alot of the players on our team have sucky OBP. And his fault that this team falls apart when a key member goes down for 2 months. You seriously think a team like the Braves and Cards would be THIS FAR OUT? No they'd fight and stay around.

 

It's also his fault for giving Perez and Rusch CRAZY money. Now we have a $3 mil pitcher that gives up 5 home runs and 9 earned runs every time he is on the mound and a $3 mil "backup" who is even more horrible this year than he was last.

 

It's his fault for thinking Rusch and Williams were enough to hold the fort until Wood came back. And it's also his fault for not getting another SP when Prior started having problems.

 

So to sum up. I totally disagree with you. Hendry sucks, and I realize that now. I actually used to be a Hendry supporter. But 3 years in a row of Cubs choking under his leadership has made me bitter. .

[YearofDaCubs]

Hendry has been doing a terrible job using that payroll money to fill the roster with good players. He keeps relying upon injury pron players to stay healthy and play for him. What do you expect? Who else, besides Hendry did not expect Wood and Prior to start the season on the DL? He overpaid mediocre players which in turn that money could have been used on other resources. He's done a piss poor job, he never should have gotten that extension and now as fans we will be paying the price for at least the next 2 years. Look at his ridiculous strategy. He is trying to accumulate as many 2B's as possible for who knows what. It's safe to say toolsy, athletic, fast players hasn't done the job so far. He's a terrible GM whose best days are clearly behind him. He hasn't done anything significant in a long time.

[wastra]

Yes. Instead of trying to plan a team with some sort of coehsive strategy, let's just sign Rusch to a two year deal for twice what he's worth already knowing 2 of our 3 good pitchers won't start the year with us.

 

Great excuse.

 

Lee's injury SHOULD hurt the offense. But as much as I am happy to see DLee at first for us, he's not the greatest hitter in the history of baseball, which is what going from a solid offense pre injury to the league's worst as our post injury performance would imply. So either Lee is the greatest hitter in the game, or we were really playing well above our heads prior to his injury.

 

This team is worse than it could be due to injuries to Wood and Prior and Lee. Right now, this team is among the worst in the NL because there is very little built AROUND Prior, Lee, and Wood. And that's all on the GM's shoulders.

 

No one is sayign we should be 10 games over with these injuries. But anyone who claims we should be THIS BAD is just kidding themselves.

[A New Era]

I think one of the overlooked problems is Pierre. Look I thought it was a good move. I mean it was a huge OBP boost over Correy Patterson. Now Pierre is hitting like .209 with .270 OBP or something like that?

 

If he was actually performing to carreer norms we might be a few games higher in the standings.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I think one of the overlooked problems is Pierre. Look I thought it was a good move. I mean it was a huge OBP boost over Correy Patterson. Now Pierre is hitting like .209 with .270 OBP or something like that?

 

If he was actually performing to carreer norms we might be a few games higher in the standings.

 

.229/.268/.288/.556 in 187 PA's

[sweetpeteman]

I think one of the overlooked problems is Pierre. Look I thought it was a good move. I mean it was a huge OBP boost over Correy Patterson. Now Pierre is hitting like .209 with .270 OBP or something like that?

 

If he was actually performing to carreer norms we might be a few games higher in the standings.

 

.229/.268/.288/.556 in 187 PA's

 

I would not be surprised if he never returns to career norms unless he goes to Minnesota where he can do what Guzman did for so many years (and that got him 4/16).

[Derwood]

Hendry has relied on Prior and Wood too long. It's his fault all $95 mil of the team is not on the feild (barring Derreck Lee). . It's also his fault Dusty is the Manager, and the orginazation value's "aggressiveness" at the plate over patience, and "catching the ball" over OBP.

 

It's his fault alot of the players on our team have sucky OBP. And his fault that this team falls apart when a key member goes down for 2 months. You seriously think a team like the Braves and Cards would be THIS FAR OUT? No they'd fight and stay around.

 

It's also his fault for giving Perez and Rusch CRAZY money. Now we have a $3 mil pitcher that gives up 5 home runs and 9 earned runs every time he is on the mound and a $3 mil "backup" who is even more horrible this year than he was last.

 

It's his fault for thinking Rusch and Williams were enough to hold the fort until Wood came back. And it's also his fault for not getting another SP when Prior started having problems.

 

So to sum up. I totally disagree with you. Hendry sucks, and I realize that now. I actually used to be a Hendry supporter. But 3 years in a row of Cubs choking under his leadership has made me bitter. .

 

We don't actually disagree. I was only defending him on the two specific points I made. Everything you said is true.

[A New Era]

Hendry has relied on Prior and Wood too long. It's his fault all $95 mil of the team is not on the feild (barring Derreck Lee). . It's also his fault Dusty is the Manager, and the orginazation value's "aggressiveness" at the plate over patience, and "catching the ball" over OBP.

 

It's his fault alot of the players on our team have sucky OBP. And his fault that this team falls apart when a key member goes down for 2 months. You seriously think a team like the Braves and Cards would be THIS FAR OUT? No they'd fight and stay around.

 

It's also his fault for giving Perez and Rusch CRAZY money. Now we have a $3 mil pitcher that gives up 5 home runs and 9 earned runs every time he is on the mound and a $3 mil "backup" who is even more horrible this year than he was last.

 

It's his fault for thinking Rusch and Williams were enough to hold the fort until Wood came back. And it's also his fault for not getting another SP when Prior started having problems.

 

So to sum up. I totally disagree with you. Hendry sucks, and I realize that now. I actually used to be a Hendry supporter. But 3 years in a row of Cubs choking under his leadership has made me bitter. .

 

We don't actually disagree. I was only defending him on the two specific points I made. Everything you said is true.

 

Oh ok, I was just so ticked about today's game and loosing the way we have been, I needed to vent about Hendry anyway. :lol:

[UMFan83]

Its also the Trib Co's fault for not letting them use more money. They lowered payroll while raising ticket prices and adding capacity. It's not like they are over the luxury tax. They are $20 some million away from it. They make as much revenue as the Red Sox I would guess, if not more. And their market has 4-5 million more then Boston metro. They should be spending more money on this team, but they just dont feel like it.

[NewUserName]

Rusch

Mabry

Perez

Hairston

Bynum

Blanco

Williams

Assortment of Rookie starters

 

This is what Hendry built as the teams depth. It doesnt take a baseball genius to pray for no injuries. Prosecution evidence #1

 

 

Wood

Prior

 

Pitchers Hendry relied on to start 55 to 60 games or he surely would have had at least 1 other viable starting option on the roster. Kind of reverts back to Prosecution evidence #1, so he either thought that those guys in #1 were viable options or he thought Wood and Prior were going to start 60 games. Either way I will put this as Prosecution evidence #2

 

Pierre

Jones

 

Relying on players to perform better than they did last year is never a good idea. Paying high dollars and future and probably at this point better pitching prospects than we have now for it is really not a good idea. Prosecution evidence #3

 

Walker

 

Trying very hard to get rid of. Though to give him credit I am sure he could have given him away. Though to get rid of him to use an option from #1 more is silly. Prosecution evidence #4

 

Coaching staff

 

The fact that the Cubs biggest problem the last 2 yrs and continues to be our inability to get on base and our inability to keep the other team off base. Yet noone, I mean noone is being remotely held accountable for it. To also bring in players that are only going to add to the problem. Prosecution evidence #5

 

Excuses

 

Only poorly run outfits make them. In any well run organization performance is what gets things done. If not they find ways to perform not make excuses for not. Prosecution evidence #6

 

 

In conclusion the only bright spot I find with the Cubs is they do seem willing to give young players opportunities this year. I also believe that is part of why they are struggling. I hope the youngsters dont get scapgoated by management though because in reality the whole team is not performing. I wish they would just go all out and start trading and dfaing everyone that has no future with the Cubs and really go young. My guess is they will probably add a veteran outfielder or SS to help them get to the Wild Card which would than be Prosecution evidence #7

[soccer10k]

Hendry has relied on Prior and Wood too long. It's his fault all $95 mil of the team is not on the feild (barring Derreck Lee).

 

It's Derrek. I'm not being mean. I've seen you type it this way a few times and just figured I would correct you.

 

I do agree with everything you and Derwood said though.

[CubfaninCA]

Hendry has several flaws but,,,,,

 

Nearly half the budget is tied up in the 5 difference makers (Prior, Z, Wood, Lee & ARam). The best 2, (Prior & Lee) have only played 15 games this year. ARam's been horrendous. Blame Hendry for that?

Wood being out is arguable and I"m not goign there.

 

As for "not relying on Prior," I recall nearly everyone being against the Tejada trade.

 

How many teams can "plan" for their best 2 players being out?? How does Boston look w/out Ortiz & Manny? St. Louis w/out Carpenter & Pujols?

 

If the Cubs get rid of ARam and Wood & then the pitchforks will be over that too.

[USSoccer]

Hendry has several flaws but,,,,,

 

Nearly half the budget is tied up in the 5 difference makers (Prior, Z, Wood, Lee & ARam). The best 2, (Prior & Lee) have only played 15 games this year. ARam's been horrendous. Blame Hendry for that?

Wood being out is arguable and I"m not goign there.

 

As for "not relying on Prior," I recall nearly everyone being against the Tejada trade.

 

How many teams can "plan" for their best 2 players being out?? How does Boston look w/out Ortiz & Manny? St. Louis w/out Carpenter & Pujols?

 

If the Cubs get rid of ARam and Wood & then the pitchforks will be over that too.

 

CA, I know you're not happy with Aramis, but if they dumped him the pitchforks would be justified. I'm iffy on Wood coming back, but I would understand letting him walk.

 

I can see the argument you're making, but I think Hendry's failure is more philisophical than anything. I don't think you can win consistently with the kinds of players he prefers.

[Careless]

Its also the Trib Co's fault for not letting them use more money. They lowered payroll while raising ticket prices and adding capacity. It's not like they are over the luxury tax. They are $20 some million away from it. They make as much revenue as the Red Sox I would guess, if not more. And their market has 4-5 million more then Boston metro. They should be spending more money on this team, but they just dont feel like it.

$206 to $179. A big difference, but not as large as the payroll difference.

forbes link

[Jon]

Its also the Trib Co's fault for not letting them use more money. They lowered payroll while raising ticket prices and adding capacity. It's not like they are over the luxury tax. They are $20 some million away from it. They make as much revenue as the Red Sox I would guess, if not more. And their market has 4-5 million more then Boston metro. They should be spending more money on this team, but they just dont feel like it.

$206 to $179. A big difference, but not as large as the payroll difference.

forbes link

The Cubs' operating income of $7.9 million last season doesn't leave that much room for a larger payroll, though. At least not without losing money like the Red Sox are doing.

[CubfaninCA]

Hendry has several flaws but,,,,,

 

Nearly half the budget is tied up in the 5 difference makers (Prior, Z, Wood, Lee & ARam). The best 2, (Prior & Lee) have only played 15 games this year. ARam's been horrendous. Blame Hendry for that?

Wood being out is arguable and I"m not goign there.

 

As for "not relying on Prior," I recall nearly everyone being against the Tejada trade.

 

How many teams can "plan" for their best 2 players being out?? How does Boston look w/out Ortiz & Manny? St. Louis w/out Carpenter & Pujols?

 

If the Cubs get rid of ARam and Wood & then the pitchforks will be over that too.

 

CA, I know you're not happy with Aramis, but if they dumped him the pitchforks would be justified. I'm iffy on Wood coming back, but I would understand letting him walk.

 

I can see the argument you're making, but I think Hendry's failure is more philisophical than anything. I don't think you can win consistently with the kinds of players he prefers.

 

I honestly think Hendry prefers guys like Beltran, Pedro and Millwoods, but his bosses won't let him shell out the money for those guys.

[CubfaninCA]

Its also the Trib Co's fault for not letting them use more money. They lowered payroll while raising ticket prices and adding capacity. It's not like they are over the luxury tax. They are $20 some million away from it. They make as much revenue as the Red Sox I would guess, if not more. And their market has 4-5 million more then Boston metro. They should be spending more money on this team, but they just dont feel like it.

 

Excellent point.

 

When the Trib allows a Cub GM to sign someone the caliber of Beltran or Giles or Pedro or Colon or Vlad, I'll go into shock.

[Soul]

Its also the Trib Co's fault for not letting them use more money. They lowered payroll while raising ticket prices and adding capacity. It's not like they are over the luxury tax. They are $20 some million away from it. They make as much revenue as the Red Sox I would guess, if not more. And their market has 4-5 million more then Boston metro. They should be spending more money on this team, but they just dont feel like it.

 

Excellent point.

 

When the Trib allows a Cub GM to sign someone the caliber of Beltran or Giles or Pedro or Colon or Vlad, I'll go into shock.

 

His name is Derek Lee, but I get your point.

 

Trib Sox, no question. I'm sick of having a faceless entity running my lifelong baseball passion. It's long past time someone own this team who matches the passion of the fans.

[CubfaninCA]

Its also the Trib Co's fault for not letting them use more money. They lowered payroll while raising ticket prices and adding capacity. It's not like they are over the luxury tax. They are $20 some million away from it. They make as much revenue as the Red Sox I would guess, if not more. And their market has 4-5 million more then Boston metro. They should be spending more money on this team, but they just dont feel like it.

 

Excellent point.

 

When the Trib allows a Cub GM to sign someone the caliber of Beltran or Giles or Pedro or Colon or Vlad, I'll go into shock.

 

His name is Derek Lee, but I get your point.

 

Trib Sox, no question. I'm sick of having a faceless entity running my lifelong baseball passion. It's long past time someone own this team who matches the passion of the fans.

 

The Cubs are willing to spend some on their own, but never on anyone from outside the organization. Lee came at a bargain price too. He could have got a lot more, if he tested the FA waters.

[Sammy Sofa]

Lee was a pleasant surprise. Nobody went into picking him up thinking he'd be as good as he ended up being. When was the last time the Cubs sought out a genuine world beater at the top of their game? Nomar's the closest in recent history, and even by then he had established his rep of long and frequent DL stints and sliding defensive skills.

[Monco]

Didn't the Cubs say last year to not count on Kerry Wood this year? That when he came back it would be a bonus. But because Williams and Rusch couldn't get the job done and Prior gets hurt, they use Woods injury as one of the excuses for the failures.

[CubfaninCA]

alou's the biggest signing in recent history.

 

the cubs shouldn't use wood as an excuse. that was the organization's call. the prior & lee excuse is plenty.

[srbin84]

If Hendry doesn't want to deal with Prior's injuries, he can trade him. As long as he keeps him, I'm not going to sympathize. As far as the team currently on the field because of Lee's injury, I blame him 100% for that. He NEVER makes a big trade when it is needed. He just waits and waits until he gets a great deal, even if the team is out of it because of it. This is actually far worse than overpaying right when you need to make a trade because you are trading prospects for nothing of value to your team. Hendry is a worse GM than Baker is a manager. IMO, he's been the main problem with this team since opening day 2004.