Some optimism about 2007.

[Backtobanks]

I've been a Cub fan for over 50 years and a pessimist for most of them. Being a Cub fan usually includes a lot of "what ifs". In today's Tribune, Phil Rogers takes exception to the fans who are ready to give up on Mark Prior and writes about what his off season regime is going to be this year. What if Wade Miller shows the Cubs something during September and Prior returns to form for next year. If Hendry targets Schmidt during the off season, the rotation would be Zambrano, Schmidt, Prior, Miller, Hill/Marmol/Guzman/Mateo. Using a few young pitchers and Pie/Murton/Cedeno as a trade package might bring an impact bat for the lineup. With Lee back in the lineup everyday, the new starting rotation, and the addition of one more proven impact bat, the Cubs would certainly be contenders next year. I know there are a lot of "what ifs" in my proposal, but there isn't anything mentioned that's out of the realm of possibility.

[C.C.]

I've been a Cub fan for over 50 years and a pessimist for most of them. Being a Cub fan usually includes a lot of "what ifs". In today's Tribune, Phil Rogers takes exception to the fans who are ready to give up on Mark Prior and writes about what his off season regime is going to be this year. What if Wade Miller shows the Cubs something during September and Prior returns to form for next year. If Hendry targets Schmidt during the off season, the rotation would be Zambrano, Schmidt, Prior, Miller, Hill/Marmol/Guzman/Mateo. Using a few young pitchers and Pie/Murton/Cedeno as a trade package might bring an impact bat for the lineup. With Lee back in the lineup everyday, the new starting rotation, and the addition of one more proven impact bat, the Cubs would certainly be contenders next year. I know there are a lot of "what ifs" in my proposal, but there isn't anything mentioned that's out of the realm of possibility.

 

It's nice to see a positive post! They would have to over-pay to get Schimdt in Cubbie Blue. He's already stated he wants to go to Seattle..

[Soriano12]

I see no hope for this team with Fat Jim making the moves.

[Backtobanks]

I see no hope for this team with Fat Jim making the moves.

 

Hendry has a better track record in making trades as opposed to signing free agents. Overpaying for Schmidt shouldn't be a problem with Maddux and Wood off the books. I'm disappointed in some moves Hendry has made, but I refuse to throw in the towel for the next 2 years because Hendry is the GM. Look at the Sox, Williams was considered to be a joke as a GM and now he's a genius. A little bit of luck (the Cubs are due), some health (again they're due), one big FA signing (money is available), and one impact trade (lots of young players as trade bait) and the Cubs are contenders. Don't forget that they will be in a very weak NL Central.

[Soriano12]

I see no hope for this team with Fat Jim making the moves.

 

Hendry has a better track record in making trades as opposed to signing free agents. Overpaying for Schmidt shouldn't be a problem with Maddux and Wood off the books. I'm disappointed in some moves Hendry has made, but I refuse to throw in the towel for the next 2 years because Hendry is the GM. Look at the Sox, Williams was considered to be a joke as a GM and now he's a genius. A little bit of luck (the Cubs are due), some health (again they're due), one big FA signing (money is available), and one impact trade (lots of young players as trade bait) and the Cubs are contenders. Don't forget that they will be in a very weak NL Central.

 

I like the odds of Hendry passing on a meal better than the odds that

he will make the necessary trades to make this team respectable again.

[C.C.]

Look at the Sox, Williams was considered to be a joke as a GM and now he's a genius.

 

Agreed! I remember a time when Hendry was a Genius and Williams was trading away his farm system for worthless players. All my Sox fan couldn't stand the guy before 2005.

[hardcorecubfan]

In that pitcher mix don't forget Marshal. think he is more likely than Hill or Mateo.

 

another positive possiblility is that we have a plethera of candidates for comeback player of the year. Wood, Prior, Miller , Lee. Let's just hope they are all candidates for comeback player of the year next year.

[Soriano12]

Wood, .

 

 

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

too funny

[goonys evil twin]

Look at the Sox, Williams was considered to be a joke as a GM and now he's a genius.

 

Agreed! I remember a time when Hendry was a Genius and Williams was trading away his farm system for worthless players. All my Sox fan couldn't stand the guy before 2005.

 

I don't remember Hendry as Genius.

[CubColtPacer]

Look at the Sox, Williams was considered to be a joke as a GM and now he's a genius.

 

Agreed! I remember a time when Hendry was a Genius and Williams was trading away his farm system for worthless players. All my Sox fan couldn't stand the guy before 2005.

 

I don't remember Hendry as Genius.

 

I think he meant the general perception of him as a genius. After the Hunley for Karros and Grudz deal, the Hill and Beltran for Ramirez and Lofton, the Choi for Lee deal, the signing of Hawkins, Walker, and Maddux, and the Nomar trade (the Barrett trade was one of the best during that time, but doesn't factor in to this because no one knew how to judge at the time)-Hendry was widely considered to be one of the up and coming best GM's in baseball-of course, now that perception has done a 180.

[C.C.]

Look at the Sox, Williams was considered to be a joke as a GM and now he's a genius.

 

Agreed! I remember a time when Hendry was a Genius and Williams was trading away his farm system for worthless players. All my Sox fan couldn't stand the guy before 2005.

 

I don't remember Hendry as Genius.

 

I think he meant the general perception of him as a genius. After the Hunley for Karros and Grudz deal, the Hill and Beltran for Ramirez and Lofton, the Choi for Lee deal, the signing of Hawkins, Walker, and Maddux, and the Nomar trade (the Barrett trade was one of the best during that time, but doesn't factor in to this because no one knew how to judge at the time)-Hendry was widely considered to be one of the up and coming best GM's in baseball-of course, now that perception has done a 180.

 

Thanks and that is what I meant.

[goonys evil twin]

Look at the Sox, Williams was considered to be a joke as a GM and now he's a genius.

 

Agreed! I remember a time when Hendry was a Genius and Williams was trading away his farm system for worthless players. All my Sox fan couldn't stand the guy before 2005.

 

I don't remember Hendry as Genius.

 

I think he meant the general perception of him as a genius. After the Hunley for Karros and Grudz deal, the Hill and Beltran for Ramirez and Lofton, the Choi for Lee deal, the signing of Hawkins, Walker, and Maddux, and the Nomar trade (the Barrett trade was one of the best during that time, but doesn't factor in to this because no one knew how to judge at the time)-Hendry was widely considered to be one of the up and coming best GM's in baseball-of course, now that perception has done a 180.

 

Thanks and that is what I meant.

 

I never heard claims of him as an up and coming best GM. His critics were numerous from day one, even though I chose to ignore them and only focus on the bright side. I think people thought he was capable of being a good GM, but there was never a general perception that he was a genius or close to the elite.

[C.C.]

Look at the Sox, Williams was considered to be a joke as a GM and now he's a genius.

 

Agreed! I remember a time when Hendry was a Genius and Williams was trading away his farm system for worthless players. All my Sox fan couldn't stand the guy before 2005.

 

I don't remember Hendry as Genius.

 

I think he meant the general perception of him as a genius. After the Hunley for Karros and Grudz deal, the Hill and Beltran for Ramirez and Lofton, the Choi for Lee deal, the signing of Hawkins, Walker, and Maddux, and the Nomar trade (the Barrett trade was one of the best during that time, but doesn't factor in to this because no one knew how to judge at the time)-Hendry was widely considered to be one of the up and coming best GM's in baseball-of course, now that perception has done a 180.

 

Thanks and that is what I meant.

 

I never heard claims of him as an up and coming best GM. His critics were numerous from day one, even though I chose to ignore them and only focus on the bright side. I think people thought he was capable of being a good GM, but there was never a general perception that he was a genius or close to the elite.

 

Then we remember things differently.

[Caryatid]

Look at the Sox, Williams was considered to be a joke as a GM and now he's a genius.

 

Agreed! I remember a time when Hendry was a Genius and Williams was trading away his farm system for worthless players. All my Sox fan couldn't stand the guy before 2005.

 

I don't remember Hendry as Genius.

 

I think he meant the general perception of him as a genius. After the Hunley for Karros and Grudz deal, the Hill and Beltran for Ramirez and Lofton, the Choi for Lee deal, the signing of Hawkins, Walker, and Maddux, and the Nomar trade (the Barrett trade was one of the best during that time, but doesn't factor in to this because no one knew how to judge at the time)-Hendry was widely considered to be one of the up and coming best GM's in baseball-of course, now that perception has done a 180.

 

Thanks and that is what I meant.

 

I never heard claims of him as an up and coming best GM. His critics were numerous from day one, even though I chose to ignore them and only focus on the bright side. I think people thought he was capable of being a good GM, but there was never a general perception that he was a genius or close to the elite.

 

Totally disagree. In Chicago, from 2003-2005, this guy could do no wrong in the minds of most fans here. Kenny Williams was constantly being compared to him as the loser of the two in Chicago-bars, sports radio, columnists, everybody was on the Hendry bandwagon. Even those who couldn't stand Baker liked Hendry. It has only been in the last year that the shine has come off Hendry-and its come off quick.

[goonys evil twin]

Totally disagree. In Chicago, from 2003-2005, this guy could do no wrong in the minds of most fans here.

 

Oh, if we're talking about the average call-in radio fan's opinion in Chicago, then I've got nothing to respond with. I was talking about nationwide perception, which I never pegged as anything close to giving him the genius label.

[C.C.]

Look at the Sox, Williams was considered to be a joke as a GM and now he's a genius.

 

Agreed! I remember a time when Hendry was a Genius and Williams was trading away his farm system for worthless players. All my Sox fan couldn't stand the guy before 2005.

 

I don't remember Hendry as Genius.

 

I think he meant the general perception of him as a genius. After the Hunley for Karros and Grudz deal, the Hill and Beltran for Ramirez and Lofton, the Choi for Lee deal, the signing of Hawkins, Walker, and Maddux, and the Nomar trade (the Barrett trade was one of the best during that time, but doesn't factor in to this because no one knew how to judge at the time)-Hendry was widely considered to be one of the up and coming best GM's in baseball-of course, now that perception has done a 180.

 

Thanks and that is what I meant.

 

I never heard claims of him as an up and coming best GM. His critics were numerous from day one, even though I chose to ignore them and only focus on the bright side. I think people thought he was capable of being a good GM, but there was never a general perception that he was a genius or close to the elite.

 

Totally disagree. In Chicago, from 2003-2005, this guy could do no wrong in the minds of most fans here. Kenny Williams was constantly being compared to him as the loser of the two in Chicago-bars, sports radio, columnists, everybody was on the Hendry bandwagon. Even those who couldn't stand Baker liked Hendry. It has only been in the last year that the shine has come off Hendry-and its come off quick.

 

That's the memory I had also. Where did you read anything negative about Hendry in that time span Goon?

[cheapseats]

What if Wade Miller shows the Cubs something during September and Prior returns to form for next year. If Hendry targets Schmidt during the off season, the rotation would be Zambrano, Schmidt, Prior, Miller, Hill/Marmol/Guzman/Mateo.

 

Miller is only signed for this year. He has not looked good during his rehab. I'd count him out of plans for 2007.

[C.C.]

What if Wade Miller shows the Cubs something during September and Prior returns to form for next year. If Hendry targets Schmidt during the off season, the rotation would be Zambrano, Schmidt, Prior, Miller, Hill/Marmol/Guzman/Mateo.

 

Miller is only signed for this year. He has not looked good during his rehab. I'd count him out of plans for 2007.

 

Gladfully count him out for 2007! Get guys that can stay healthy and pitch!

[Caryatid]

Totally disagree. In Chicago, from 2003-2005, this guy could do no wrong in the minds of most fans here.

 

Oh, if we're talking about the average call-in radio fan's opinion in Chicago, then I've got nothing to respond with. I was talking about nationwide perception, which I never pegged as anything close to giving him the genius label.

 

Genius, no-up and coming star: absolutely. Especially after the Nomar trade. I specifically remember Bill Simmons (ESPN writer) lauding Hendry for getting "not only the best player, but the best prospect" in that deal, and using that to point out, along with a number of other points (Lee, Ramirez), that this guy was going to be one of the best GMs in baseball.

[C.C.]

Totally disagree. In Chicago, from 2003-2005, this guy could do no wrong in the minds of most fans here.

 

Oh, if we're talking about the average call-in radio fan's opinion in Chicago, then I've got nothing to respond with. I was talking about nationwide perception, which I never pegged as anything close to giving him the genius label.

 

Genius, no-up and coming star: absolutely. Especially after the Nomar trade. I specifically remember Bill Simmons (ESPN writer) lauding Hendry for getting "not only the best player, but the best prospect" in that deal, and using that to point out, along with a number of other points (Lee, Ramirez), that this guy was going to be one of the best GMs in baseball.

 

The "Genius" label was more from the fans...But generally the public and print media was overally positive about hendry. How could you not be at that time?

[goonys evil twin]

Totally disagree. In Chicago, from 2003-2005, this guy could do no wrong in the minds of most fans here.

 

Oh, if we're talking about the average call-in radio fan's opinion in Chicago, then I've got nothing to respond with. I was talking about nationwide perception, which I never pegged as anything close to giving him the genius label.

 

Genius, no-up and coming star: absolutely. Especially after the Nomar trade. I specifically remember Bill Simmons (ESPN writer) lauding Hendry for getting "not only the best player, but the best prospect" in that deal, and using that to point out, along with a number of other points (Lee, Ramirez), that this guy was going to be one of the best GMs in baseball.

 

Bill Simmons is an absolute moron when it comes to baseball. He's as stuck on the conventional wisdom of a bygone era as any other neanderthal baseball man in the game.

[goonys evil twin]

That's the memory I had also. Where did you read anything negative about Hendry in that time span Goon?

 

I read it a lot, and wrote much of it myself. Hendry has been a tools-hungry fool forever. He ignored the OBP problems forever, and his biggest move ever, signing Baker, was a disaster waiting to happen for a team that was going to rely exclusively on the fragile arms of young pitchers. People who paid attention pointed that out long ago.

[C.C.]

That's the memory I had also. Where did you read anything negative about Hendry in that time span Goon?

 

I read it a lot, and wrote much of it myself. Hendry has been a tools-hungry fool forever. He ignored the OBP problems forever, and his biggest move ever, signing Baker, was a disaster waiting to happen for a team that was going to rely exclusively on the fragile arms of young pitchers. People who paid attention pointed that out long ago.

 

See you are talking about when things starting to go down hill for the Org. when you say fragile young arms, because in 2003 they weren't fragile. And who knew in 2004 they would all start breaking down. Hell in 2004 SI front cover had us winning the World Series.

[goonys evil twin]

That's the memory I had also. Where did you read anything negative about Hendry in that time span Goon?

 

I read it a lot, and wrote much of it myself. Hendry has been a tools-hungry fool forever. He ignored the OBP problems forever, and his biggest move ever, signing Baker, was a disaster waiting to happen for a team that was going to rely exclusively on the fragile arms of young pitchers. People who paid attention pointed that out long ago.

 

See you are talking about when things starting to go down hill for the Org. when you say fragile young arms, because in 2003 they weren't fragile. And who knew in 2004 they would all start breaking down. Hell in 2004 SI front cover had us winning the World Series.

 

Who knew? Nobody knew. But a lot of people predicted it would happen, including myself. The pitching injuries should not have been a surprise because people knew how Dusty treated pitchers and how inconsistent and fragile young pitchers can be. Who cares what SI predicted? You act as if nobody questioned anything Hendry did before 2005, and that's simply not the case. He had his detractors long before this past offseason.

[BigbadB]

And who knew in 2004 they would all start breaking down. Hell in 2004 SI front cover had us winning the World Series.

 

Who knew? Most of the members of this community. It was talked about more often than just any other topic DURING the 2003 season.

 

Feel free to dig through the posts in 2003. You'll find many discussions about the pitching abuse we all saw going on during that season.