Piniella might be Cubs top choice

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce, who's your choice amongst the available candidates?

 

Honestly, I'm not ducking the question, but I'm having a real hard time getting a true handle on any of them. Bochy isn't a candidate _ yet _ but he might intrigue me. I could live with any of the others. I know that's hardly a ringing endorsement, but this group has been tough to get a feel for.

[CubinNY]

Bruce, who's your choice amongst the available candidates?

 

Honestly, I'm not ducking the question, but I'm having a real hard time getting a true handle on any of them. Bochy isn't a candidate _ yet _ but he might intrigue me. I could live with any of the others. I know that's hardly a ringing endorsement, but this group has been tough to get a feel for.

 

I could live with any of these options as well, provided Hendry seriously upgrades the talent on this team. Especially the offense, which has been pretty offensive to me for the past couple of years.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Bruce,

 

Why won't any team look at Dierker? Have you heard if he's just not interested or is there something else?

[inari]

I don't think it's a terrible hire, even though I've been more of a Girardi guy from the beginning. Just gotta hope Lou's reputation as someone that can adapt to his personel holds true.

 

Bruce, what do you think about the possibility of bringing back Todd Walker to play second? Would the Cubs have any interest?

[Andy]

Well i did like the Mariner teams he managed. I never thought he got in the way of them. The really only negative i have heard on him is he is so demanding of his pitchers and doesnt tolerate crap from them. The old school saying 'hitters hating pitchers'....sometime i believe he actually hates them. Obviously he doesnt otherwise he would be a terrible manager. Just perception. Him and Dibble fighting in the locker room is classic.

 

Bruce, Thanks for the insight on Lou a couple pages back. I like hearing one of his strengths is he's adaptable.

 

And....whoa, the Cubs thinking about Soriano in CF? Just whoa. I like it!

It was pretty much gospel in Tampa that he hates young players if he can have an alternative and doesn't understand the importance of OBP, and if you don't believe me listen to him talk on Fox, it's pretty clear that's where he stands.

 

The last thing I want is a white, insane version of Dusty Baker.

[goonys evil twin]

Bruce, what do you think about the possibility of bringing back Todd Walker to play second? Would the Cubs have any interest?

 

I would bet heavily against that one.

[jmajew]

Bruce,

I just want to thank you for answering all these questions. Your insight is really good to get for us fans. Keep up the good work.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce, what do you think about the possibility of bringing back Todd Walker to play second? Would the Cubs have any interest?

 

I would bet heavily against that one.

 

They have no such interest.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

I just want to thank you for answering all these questions. Your insight is really good to get for us fans. Keep up the good work.

 

Always my pleasure. Thanks for having me here.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce, is there any talk on an Arod deal internally, or is that pure speculation by the fans and local media?

 

All speculation at this point.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Why won't any team look at Dierker? Have you heard if he's just not interested or is there something else?

 

The Cubs never mentioned him as part of their wish list. He's got a great gig down there in Houston. I like the guy a lot, as a manager and as somebody who treats the media well. He's one of the nicest guys you could meet, and he's got some good ideas ont the game. It could be that he's no longer interested.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

wouldn't it be smarter to go after pitchers like Westbrook, and 2 other mid level starters than throwing a bundle at Zito or Schimdt? I realize trades would have to be made for Westbrook and oters, but I think that would be far more effective.

 

Fair question. Westbrook is a good name, but I don't know if Cleveland would want to get rid of him.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce love the impromptu chat!

 

Not directed at you necessarily, but answer if you wish. Vernon Wells...could it happen and what would it take?

 

Wells, Dave Roberts and Carl Crawford all will be on the radar screen. It'll depend on what happens with Pierre and others.

[XZero771679666304]

Bruce, if/when the Cubs go after Soriano, will it be as an OF, or could they offer him second base to sweeten their offer?

[USSoccer]

Bruce, do you have any info on the figures Paul Kinzer exchanged with Hendry regarding Ramirez?

[A New Era]

I don't see how Piniella is a really "bad" idea (not targetting anyone specifically but it's been said). . Because if Piniella really wants to win perhaps that means JH and owner ship want to win too. And this is a clue, that they are willing to open up the wallets to bring in some real nice talent.

 

If that's the case. GIVE ME Piniella AND GIVE ME TALENT!!

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce, if/when the Cubs go after Soriano, will it be as an OF, or could they offer him second base to sweeten their offer?

 

They'll at least talk about second base.

[goonys evil twin]

I don't see how Piniella is a really "bad" idea (not targetting anyone specifically but it's been said). . Because if Piniella really wants to win perhaps that means JH and owner ship want to win too. And this is a clue, that they are willing to open up the wallets to bring in some real nice talent.

 

If that's the case. GIVE ME Piniella AND GIVE ME TALENT!!

 

They've always wanted to win, and they've already opened the wallets. The problem is Hendry's ability to use money to acquire quality players.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce, do you have any info on the figures Paul Kinzer exchanged with Hendry regarding Ramirez?

 

No. I was told late today that there is really nothing new to report there. We'll see some back and forth. I expect him to come back.

[goonys evil twin]

Bruce Miles going for the Sports Guys record for marathon chat!

[USSoccer]

I don't see how Piniella is a really "bad" idea (not targetting anyone specifically but it's been said). . Because if Piniella really wants to win perhaps that means JH and owner ship want to win too. And this is a clue, that they are willing to open up the wallets to bring in some real nice talent.

 

If that's the case. GIVE ME Piniella AND GIVE ME TALENT!!

 

They've always wanted to win, and they've already opened the wallets. The problem is Hendry's ability to use money to acquire quality players.

 

Exactly. Hendry wastes about $10-15m in budget per season on players whose roles could be filled for far less. He's spent his budget poorly.

[Deeg]

Bruce, how does the brass view Theriot - any idea? Is he seen as a potential everyday 2B/leadoff candidate, or strictly as a utility guy? He shows more patience than just about anyone else at the big-league level in the organization, and even for a group that doesn't value OBP highly his skills seem like a natural fit for the leadoff spot.

[goonys evil twin]

Bruce, the walk, doesn't Hendry know what it means yet?

[A New Era]

I don't see how Piniella is a really "bad" idea (not targetting anyone specifically but it's been said). . Because if Piniella really wants to win perhaps that means JH and owner ship want to win too. And this is a clue, that they are willing to open up the wallets to bring in some real nice talent.

 

If that's the case. GIVE ME Piniella AND GIVE ME TALENT!!

 

They've always wanted to win, and they've already opened the wallets. The problem is Hendry's ability to use money to acquire quality players.

 

Exactly. Hendry wastes about $10-15m in budget per season on players whose roles could be filled for far less. He's spent his budget poorly.

 

Baker helped Hendry waste that money by reccomending certain players. The question is, will Piniella help Hendry waste that money on crappy "role players". Or will he pressure Jim to go out and get guys like Soriano for a change. I eagerly await the outcome of that answer.

[Rob]

I don't see how Piniella is a really "bad" idea (not targetting anyone specifically but it's been said). . Because if Piniella really wants to win perhaps that means JH and owner ship want to win too. And this is a clue, that they are willing to open up the wallets to bring in some real nice talent.

 

If that's the case. GIVE ME Piniella AND GIVE ME TALENT!!

 

They've always wanted to win, and they've already opened the wallets. The problem is Hendry's ability to use money to acquire quality players.

 

Exactly. Hendry wastes about $10-15m in budget per season on players whose roles could be filled for far less. He's spent his budget poorly.

 

Baker helped Hendry waste that money by reccomending certain players. The question is, will Piniella help Hendry waste that money on crappy "role players". Or will he pressure Jim to go out and get guys like Soriano for a change. I eagerly await the outcome of that answer.

 

That Travis Lee, man, that guy is a ballplayer.