Top 3 Managerial Candidates

[ToupeeOnFire]

What is the fascination with Fredi Gonzalez? Is it just because he doesn't have a track record? Is there any evidence that Gonzalez would be better/have a different philosophy from any other shlub the Cubs could hire?

 

Seeing the media begin to pimp Lou Piniella makes me physically ill. He's basically Dusty Baker with lighter skin pigment and a more ornery attitude. Jay Mariotti wrote a piece today basically saying that Piniella should be the top candidate and wondering why he would want to grace the Cubs with his presence (at least that is what I think he said, it's hard to make out the point in one of Jay's rambing, incoherent columns); which just further convinces me that he shouldn't be anywhere near Wrigley in 2007.

 

Out of the three candidates mentioned, I think I honestly would have to say that Bob Brenly would be the most appealing candidate, which is something I can't imagine I would be saying a couple of months ago. Are there any really big negatives with Bob? Well, yeah, there was the World Series debacle; but he actually ending up winning it in the end. He doesn't seem stubbornly old school to me, either. Not like a Dusty Baker or Lou Piniella would be. He also seems to have the right temperment with enough easy-going pleasantness to go along with the fire and discipline needed when the situation demands it (at least from what I can recollect of his Arizona days).

 

Call me crazy, but I think out of all the candidates mentioned, BB would be my choice. Even if those aren't the only candidates and the field is wide open, I would seriously consider Brenly.

[CUBBIEblue16]

Take this for what its worth but...I go to North Park University with Oney Guillen...And he told me that his father Ozzie Guillen said that everything is set up for Sweet Lou to be our manager.

[goonys evil twin]

What is the fascination with Fredi Gonzalez? Is it just because he doesn't have a track record? Is there any evidence that Gonzalez would be better/have a different philosophy from any other shlub the Cubs could hire?

 

Seeing the media begin to pimp Lou Piniella makes me physically ill.

 

 

I don't think there is a fascination. I just think Hendry wanted him, but lost the chance to get him because of his absurdly deliberate handling of the Baker situation. He acted as if the most important thing was treating Baker as an outgoing conquering hero, as opposed to the most important thing being doing what was best for the Cubs.

 

 

But I think part of the like of Gonzalez is that he's not those blowhards that have been mentioned, combined with his history of working with the smartest organization in baseball.

[Southpaw191679666239]

But I think part of the like of Gonzalez is that he's not those blowhards that have been mentioned, combined with his history of working with the smartest organization in baseball.

 

 

He's arguably the "most ready" of the coaches... and won MOY in the minors 3 years (in a row?).

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Take this for what its worth but...I go to North Park University with Oney Guillen...And he told me that his father Ozzie Guillen said that everything is set up for Sweet Lou to be our manager.

 

Because Ozzie has an intimate knowledge of who his rivals are considering for the job?

[Outshined_One]

Man, I just read that the Marlins are supposed to announce Fredi during their conference to fire Girardi. I didn't realize they were that close to hiring Fredi. :(

 

Aren't there rules about interviewing managers when you haven't even released your current one?

[SouthSideRyan]

Take this for what its worth but...I go to North Park University with Oney Guillen...And he told me that his father Ozzie Guillen said that everything is set up for Sweet Lou to be our manager.

 

Yeah but what does that mean in Venezuela?

[soccer10k]

Take this for what its worth but...I go to North Park University with Oney Guillen...And he told me that his father Ozzie Guillen said that everything is set up for Sweet Lou to be our manager.

 

Yeah but what does that mean in Venezuela?

 

:lol: I was going to say the same thing when I saw CUBBIEblue's post.

[CUBBIEblue16]

I sure hope hes wrong... We need Girardi managing this team.

[David]

I sure hope hes wrong... We need Girardi managing this team.

 

Frankly, I want niether one, but Girardi is the less bad choice at this point.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

We do not need Girardi. I'm fairly certain there are better choices than Joe.

[goonys evil twin]

Man, I just read that the Marlins are supposed to announce Fredi during their conference to fire Girardi. I didn't realize they were that close to hiring Fredi. :(

 

Aren't there rules about interviewing managers when you haven't even released your current one?

 

I don't think there are rules against interviewing a potential replacement for a guy still employed by your team. There are rules about talking to guys who currently have jobs.

 

But the point is, Dusty was a lame duck 3 months ago, and Hendry let it fester.

 

I think, in his heart of hearts, Hendry wants Baker managing this team. But he felt pressured to let him walk. Because he was not willing to move on, he put the Cubs behind the 8 ball.

[JWCUB]

Hey Vance, if it were down to BB and Joe, who would you think is a better fit for this team? I know it's not Dierker, but just for the sake of argument.

[goonys evil twin]

Hey Vance, if it were down to BB and Joe, who would you think is a better fit for this team? I know it's not Dierker, but just for the sake of argument.

 

I'd roll the dice on Girardi.

[C.C.]

Hey Vance, if it were down to BB and Joe, who would you think is a better fit for this team? I know it's not Dierker, but just for the sake of argument.

 

I'd roll the dice on Girardi.

 

I agree...What choices are left Brenly or Lou?

[XZero771679666304]

Hey Vance, if it were down to BB and Joe, who would you think is a better fit for this team? I know it's not Dierker, but just for the sake of argument.

 

I'd roll the dice on Girardi.

 

I agree...What choices are left Brenly or Lou?

 

Brenly. Lou may be worse than Dusty.

[goonys evil twin]

Hey Vance, if it were down to BB and Joe, who would you think is a better fit for this team? I know it's not Dierker, but just for the sake of argument.

 

I'd roll the dice on Girardi.

 

I agree...What choices are left Brenly or Lou?

 

Brenly. Lou may be worse than Dusty.

 

 

At that point, what might matter most is who has the shorter contract, and who is most likely to be canned after one year. I have to believe a really bad 2007 means Hendry is gone before 2008, which also probably means a new GM gets to pick his own guy.

[XZero771679666304]

Hey Vance, if it were down to BB and Joe, who would you think is a better fit for this team? I know it's not Dierker, but just for the sake of argument.

 

I'd roll the dice on Girardi.

 

I agree...What choices are left Brenly or Lou?

 

Brenly. Lou may be worse than Dusty.

 

 

At that point, what might matter most is who has the shorter contract, and who is most likely to be canned after one year. I have to believe a really bad 2007 means Hendry is gone before 2008, which also probably means a new GM gets to pick his own guy.

 

I have a feeling that Pineilla may want a long contract, and I don't think Jim is in a position to offer one.

 

I hope.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Hey Vance, if it were down to BB and Joe, who would you think is a better fit for this team? I know it's not Dierker, but just for the sake of argument.

 

I'd probably go with Brenly. I don't like the issues and baggage that belong to Girardi.

 

I'd hope that some of Len's knowlede had at least rubbed off on Brenly and that he might consider things like run expectancy in making decisions.

[goonys evil twin]

Hey Vance, if it were down to BB and Joe, who would you think is a better fit for this team? I know it's not Dierker, but just for the sake of argument.

 

I'd probably go with Brenly. I don't like the issues and baggage that belong to Girardi.

 

I'd hope that some of Len's knowlede had at least rubbed off on Brenly and that he might consider things like run expectancy in making decisions.

 

I wonder how interesting the Len/Bob relationship would be if Brenly got the job.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Hey Vance, if it were down to BB and Joe, who would you think is a better fit for this team? I know it's not Dierker, but just for the sake of argument.

 

I'd probably go with Brenly. I don't like the issues and baggage that belong to Girardi.

 

I'd hope that some of Len's knowlede had at least rubbed off on Brenly and that he might consider things like run expectancy in making decisions.

 

I wonder how interesting the Len/Bob relationship would be if Brenly got the job.

 

I don't know. I'd expect a good relationship at the onset, but if the road got rocky, it would be interesting to see how it would develop.

[Bruno7481]

Hey Vance, if it were down to BB and Joe, who would you think is a better fit for this team? I know it's not Dierker, but just for the sake of argument.

 

I'd probably go with Brenly. I don't like the issues and baggage that belong to Girardi.

 

I'd hope that some of Len's knowlede had at least rubbed off on Brenly and that he might consider things like run expectancy in making decisions.

 

What issues? Him telling Loria to quit yelling at the umpires? It's Girardi's job to communicate with the umpires, not the owner. thats not necessarilly "baggage."

 

I'd also have to have a stronger endorsement of Brenly other than he's sat with a PBP guy the past two years.

 

It probably won't be either one of these guys anyway.

[goonys evil twin]

Hey Vance, if it were down to BB and Joe, who would you think is a better fit for this team? I know it's not Dierker, but just for the sake of argument.

 

I'd probably go with Brenly. I don't like the issues and baggage that belong to Girardi.

 

I'd hope that some of Len's knowlede had at least rubbed off on Brenly and that he might consider things like run expectancy in making decisions.

 

What issues? Him telling Loria to quit yelling at the umpires? It's Girardi's job to communicate with the umpires, not the owner. thats not necessarilly "baggage."

 

I'd also have to have a stronger endorsement of Brenly other than he's sat with a PBP guy the past two years.

 

It probably won't be either one of these guys anyway.

 

I think it's kind of interesting that Girardi's only support in the front office was Loria, and that he ended up not being able to get along with the guy. The "baseball people" wanted somebody else. I have no conclusion with that, just find it interesting.

[FergieJ31]

I'd prefer Brenly but I'd be happy with Girardi too. Girardi had a fine season but he was also the benefactor of some really nice young talent. As others have said I'm a little scared by some things I've read about Giradi, but some of that might just be Loria's smear tactics.

 

I hope Razor Shines is considered, but I really wish Francona would be considered (not gonna happen).

[CubinNY]

Hey Vance, if it were down to BB and Joe, who would you think is a better fit for this team? I know it's not Dierker, but just for the sake of argument.

 

I'd probably go with Brenly. I don't like the issues and baggage that belong to Girardi.

 

I'd hope that some of Len's knowlede had at least rubbed off on Brenly and that he might consider things like run expectancy in making decisions.

 

What issues? Him telling Loria to quit yelling at the umpires? It's Girardi's job to communicate with the umpires, not the owner. thats not necessarilly "baggage."

 

I'd also have to have a stronger endorsement of Brenly other than he's sat with a PBP guy the past two years.

 

It probably won't be either one of these guys anyway.

 

The owner can pretty much do whatever he or she pleases. It is not up to the coach to do anything. Nor should he.

 

The owner signs the checks and gets to yell at whomever he pleases.