ESPN CHAT WITH GARY GILLETTE

[C.C.]

I posted this quesiton and this is what he had to say:

 

cubbiechris (chicago, IL): Is Baker still a Cub in 2007?

 

SportsNation Gary Gillette: (4:04 PM ET ) I don't see him coming back after this season, even if he wants to. There has been lots of speculation in the past year that Baker wanted out--speculation he's denied--but the Cubs will have to do something after this debacle to show they've got hope for 2007.

 

SportsNation Gary Gillette: (4:04 PM ET ) So, unless they make a surprising second-half run--which I doubt--the traditional way of making a statement is bringing in a new manage

[bleedcubbieblue]

I posted this quesiton and this is what he had to say:

 

cubbiechris (chicago, IL): Is Baker still a Cub in 2007?

 

SportsNation Gary Gillette: (4:04 PM ET ) I don't see him coming back after this season, even if he wants to. There has been lots of speculation in the past year that Baker wanted out--speculation he's denied--but the Cubs will have to do something after this debacle to show they've got hope for 2007.

 

SportsNation Gary Gillette: (4:04 PM ET ) So, unless they make a surprising second-half run--which I doubt--the traditional way of making a statement is bringing in a new manage

 

Translation.....if bringing him back means less fannies in the seats, which would mean less money for the bottom line, they they won't. It is all about the benjamins for the Cubune, but the problems with this team run very, very deep, so just getting rid of Johnny B will be a start, but there is so much more to be done. He does need to go, but in no way is this team even close to competing for the NL Central division with a new manager to pilot this train wreck.

 

BCB

[Bruno7481]

I posted this quesiton and this is what he had to say:

 

cubbiechris (chicago, IL): Is Baker still a Cub in 2007?

 

SportsNation Gary Gillette: (4:04 PM ET ) I don't see him coming back after this season, even if he wants to. There has been lots of speculation in the past year that Baker wanted out--speculation he's denied--but the Cubs will have to do something after this debacle to show they've got hope for 2007.

 

SportsNation Gary Gillette: (4:04 PM ET ) So, unless they make a surprising second-half run--which I doubt--the traditional way of making a statement is bringing in a new manage

 

Translation.....if bringing him back means less fannies in the seats, which would mean less money for the bottom line, they they won't. It is all about the benjamins for the Cubune, but the problems with this team run very, very deep, so just getting rid of Johnny B will be a start, but there is so much more to be done. He does need to go, but in no way is this team even close to competing for the NL Central division with a new manager to pilot this train wreck.

 

BCB

 

That is all well and good, but this team needs more changes than just Baker. Getting rid of Baker may be part of the plan, but it isn't going to solve thie problem by itself.

[moorecg]

I posted this quesiton and this is what he had to say:

 

cubbiechris (chicago, IL): Is Baker still a Cub in 2007?

 

SportsNation Gary Gillette: (4:04 PM ET ) I don't see him coming back after this season, even if he wants to. There has been lots of speculation in the past year that Baker wanted out--speculation he's denied--but the Cubs will have to do something after this debacle to show they've got hope for 2007.

 

SportsNation Gary Gillette: (4:04 PM ET ) So, unless they make a surprising second-half run--which I doubt--the traditional way of making a statement is bringing in a new manage

 

Translation.....if bringing him back means less fannies in the seats, which would mean less money for the bottom line, they they won't. It is all about the benjamins for the Cubune, but the problems with this team run very, very deep, so just getting rid of Johnny B will be a start, but there is so much more to be done. He does need to go, but in no way is this team even close to competing for the NL Central division with a new manager to pilot this train wreck.

 

BCB

 

.

 

Baker and the ENTIRE coaching staff needs to go...Speier may get to stay at 3rd, because he hasn't done much wrong...but anyone in the organization in anyway involved with promoting or determining the plate approach of our hitters or the development and approaches of our pitchers needs to go.

 

That is all well and good, but this team needs more changes than just Baker. Getting rid of Baker may be part of the plan, but it isn't going to solve thie problem by itself

Edited June 19, 2006 by moorecg

[C.C.]

But you have to start somewhere and Baker needs to go. The fandom has lost confidence in him. Even if the Cubs wanted him back he's not coming back. Hendry will have his hands full next off season.

[srbin84]

I put it at about 50-50 right now.

[YearofDaCubs]

I have to agree with the comments above. Baker is part of the problem, a problem that should have been gone last year, but hendry is the biggest problem if you ask me. His lack of forsight and inability not to do anything right the past couple of years is troubling. Time to clean house.

[srbin84]

MacPhail is the only one who should stay. Everybody else should go.

[C.C.]

I have to agree with the comments above. Baker is part of the problem, a problem that should have been gone last year, but hendry is the biggest problem if you ask me. His lack of forsight and inability not to do anything right the past couple of years is troubling. Time to clean house.

 

I agree...I find these past two years very troubling because Hendry seemed to have a firm hold on this team in 2003-2004. I think Hendry problem is he falls in love with his players. Rusch and Neifi should've never ever gotten 2 year deals. He should've never counted on Prior and Wood for the past two years. He was slow to get a leadoff hitters....etc. The list goes on and on...

[YearofDaCubs]

MacPhail is the only one who should stay. Everybody else should go.

Actually, I would like to see him go as well. I don't like his philosophy pertaining to free agents, which is a pretty significant problem.

[C.C.]

MacPhail is the only one who should stay. Everybody else should go.

 

That's a joke right?

[srbin84]

MacPhail is the only one who should stay. Everybody else should go.

Actually, I would like to see him go as well. I don't like his philosophy pertaining to free agents, which is a pretty significant problem.

 

I only say he stays because the Cubs are making solid profits.

[YearofDaCubs]

MacPhail is the only one who should stay. Everybody else should go.

Actually, I would like to see him go as well. I don't like his philosophy pertaining to free agents, which is a pretty significant problem.

 

I only say he stays because the Cubs are making solid profits.

I hear ya. I don't see the Trib firing him that's for sure, but as a fan I could care less about the profits, I just want to see winning baseball for crying out loud. As Cubs fans we have it so bad.

[C.C.]

MacPhail is the only one who should stay. Everybody else should go.

Actually, I would like to see him go as well. I don't like his philosophy pertaining to free agents, which is a pretty significant problem.

 

I only say he stays because the Cubs are making solid profits.

 

He has nothing to do with the so-called profits. That would be marketing Director John McDonough. Who should be the only one who's job is safe.

[srbin84]

MacPhail is the only one who should stay. Everybody else should go.

Actually, I would like to see him go as well. I don't like his philosophy pertaining to free agents, which is a pretty significant problem.

 

I only say he stays because the Cubs are making solid profits.

I hear ya. I don't see the Trib firing him that's for sure, but as a fan I could care less about the profits, I just want to see winning baseball for crying out loud. As Cubs fans we have it so bad.

 

Agreed, but at the same time, I don't see myself ever being a fan of a Cubs V.P. under Tribune control.

[Neuby]

Spier and Rothchild can stay the rest should be fired .

[srbin84]

Spier and Rothchild can stay the rest should be fired .

 

EDIT- I misread. Both those guys need to be fired ASAP.

Edited June 19, 2006 by srbin84

[YearofDaCubs]

Rothschild stay? No damn way does he stay, none, zilch, never. The best thing he could have done for us is to become the pitching coach for the Tigers. Rothschild has been abysmal at best, no way do we want him here.

[C.C.]

Spier and Rothchild can stay the rest should be fired .

 

Rothschild has to go also. Chris Spier has done a good job at 3rd base.

[YearofDaCubs]

Spier and Rothchild can stay the rest should be fired .

 

I agree. I was a fan or Rothschild but it's wearing down. I never saw anything special from Spier, but I think a lot of people here like him for some reason.

I think people like him because he has been solid at 3B. Having wavin wendell as your predecessor will do that to ya.

[srbin84]

Spier and Rothchild can stay the rest should be fired .

 

I agree. I was a fan or Rothschild but it's wearing down. I never saw anything special from Spier, but I think a lot of people here like him for some reason.

I think people like him because he has been solid at 3B. Having wavin wendell as your predecessor will do that to ya.

 

Yeah, I'd just rather not keep anyone around connected to Hendry and Baker. It's nothing personal against him, but since he hasn't done anything noteworthy, flush this whole thing down the toliet and start over.

[Bruno7481]

Spier and Rothchild can stay the rest should be fired .

 

Rothschild has to go also. Chris Spier has done a good job at 3rd base.

 

I find the Speier love interesting. How do we know he has done a good job? I'm NOT diminishing his role as a 3rd base coach, I think it is the most difficult coaching job besides the Manager. It is just that beyond getting someone thrown out at home his job flies under the radar.

 

I have no problem with him staying, just not sure how you (you being people outside the organization who aren't privy to the day to day handlings of the club) can evaluate his performance.

 

He's certainly no Wendell....

[srbin84]

Spier and Rothchild can stay the rest should be fired .

 

Rothschild has to go also. Chris Spier has done a good job at 3rd base.

 

I find the Speier love interesting. How do we know he has done a good job? I'm NOT diminishing his role as a 3rd base coach, I think it is the most difficult coaching job besides the Manager. It is just that beyond getting someone thrown out at home his job flies under the radar.

 

I have no problem with him staying, just not sure how you (you being people outside the organization who aren't privy to the day to day handlings of the club) can evaluate his performance.

 

He's certainly no Wendell....

 

Well, he rarely if ever has to make any decisions so it's hard for him to look bad I guess.

[Bruno7481]

Spier and Rothchild can stay the rest should be fired .

 

Rothschild has to go also. Chris Spier has done a good job at 3rd base.

 

I find the Speier love interesting. How do we know he has done a good job? I'm NOT diminishing his role as a 3rd base coach, I think it is the most difficult coaching job besides the Manager. It is just that beyond getting someone thrown out at home his job flies under the radar.

 

I have no problem with him staying, just not sure how you (you being people outside the organization who aren't privy to the day to day handlings of the club) can evaluate his performance.

 

He's certainly no Wendell....

 

Well, he rarely if ever has to make any decisions so it's hard for him to look bad I guess.

 

It's not that, he has plenty of decisions to make when it comes to sending/holding runners etc. I also know that Speier works with the infielders as well. It is just that a lot his work goes unnoticedexcept when he has to send someone home to score.

[srbin84]

Spier and Rothchild can stay the rest should be fired .

 

Rothschild has to go also. Chris Spier has done a good job at 3rd base.

 

I find the Speier love interesting. How do we know he has done a good job? I'm NOT diminishing his role as a 3rd base coach, I think it is the most difficult coaching job besides the Manager. It is just that beyond getting someone thrown out at home his job flies under the radar.

 

I have no problem with him staying, just not sure how you (you being people outside the organization who aren't privy to the day to day handlings of the club) can evaluate his performance.

 

He's certainly no Wendell....

 

Well, he rarely if ever has to make any decisions so it's hard for him to look bad I guess.

 

It's not that, he has plenty of decisions to make when it comes to sending/holding runners etc. I also know that Speier works with the infielders as well. It is just that a lot his work goes unnoticedexcept when he has to send someone home to score.

 

To home plate? Maybe in Prior and Wood sim games.