Lou Piniella the New Cubs Manager

[UK1679666180]

All I've heard about is how intense he is...

 

He's one of the better in-game managers in the game especially with the pen, Leyland and LaRussa are probaboy the best, IMO.

 

Beyond here, there hasn't been any mention of the negatives that he'll probably bring.

[soapy]

So for all those Piniella haters out there, what will it take for you to like this hire or at least think it was a good idea?

 

You have been around long enough to know that it will never happen. If he wins they will say that Lou had nothing to do with it, if he loses it will be all his fault.

Well, forgetting for a moment that what you just said is absolutely absurd, I'd say there are a few things he can do to win me over:

-Take care of the pitchers (especially SP). Don't over tax them. Give them extra days off every once in a while. Take them out of blowout games with their pitch count low, etc.

-Construct reasonable lineups on a regular basis. Please don't bat Izturis second. Platoon Jones.

-Don't give away outs on a regular basis (sacrificing when it's not necessary, which is most of the time).

-Don't become obsessed with playing vets who are of little to no value to the team on a regular basis over younger players with much more potential.

 

If he did the majority of those things, I'd be happy with him.

[Magnetic Curses]

So for all those Piniella haters out there, what will it take for you to like this hire or at least think it was a good idea?

 

You have been around long enough to know that it will never happen. If he wins they will say that Lou had nothing to do with it, if he loses it will be all his fault.

Seriously, when will people stop bitching about this board? It's getting to be a friggin joke. The Cubs lost NINETY-SIX GAMES last year, how happy do you really expect this place to be???

 

don't you know? negative posters on this board are the reason the cubs lost 96 games this year....ultimately, they are the reason that dusty failed. shame on all of you.

[Laura]

I wonder if the low dollar figure per year is because Piniella has some sort of out clause that allows him to go to the Yankees. I hope it's not the case.

 

No out clause, according to Bruce.

 

Bruce Miles / The Daily Herald[/url]"] Piniella gets a three-year contract worth about $10 million with an option for a fourth year. There is no “out” clause for Piniella to leave the Cubs for the Yankees if that job were to open up during the term of Piniella’s deal.

 

[V]eteran observers say Piniella is an extremely prepared manager who knows when players need days off and who isn’t afraid to “call out” a miscreant player. That, too, will be a marked departure from Baker’s approach.

 

Piniella also is said to be adaptable and will make the most of the talent he has. In Seattle’s cozy Kingdome, he allowed the Mariners’ boppers to hit away. When the team moved to more spacious Safeco Field, he tried more to make things happen.

 

As a handler of pitchers, he can be tough on those who don’t throw strikes. While with the Reds, Piniella had most-recent Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild on his staff in the bullpen, and he may rehire Rothschild as the Cubs’ pitching coach.

[cubweiser03]

What are the chances of Von Joshua being next year's batting coach?

 

I just read in todays trib that Lee Elia would consider coming to work with Lou if he is asked. He told baltimore he is a free agent. The man may actually come back to Chicago. If Lou wants him, id say he's coming.

[cubweiser03]

All I've heard about is how intense he is...

 

He's one of the better in-game managers in the game especially with the pen, Leyland and LaRussa are probaboy the best, IMO.

 

Beyond here, there hasn't been any mention of the negatives that he'll probably bring.

 

I too thought he was very good at handling the pen in seattle. To me, this is really what i look for in a manager, how they handle the pen.

[goonys evil twin]

All I've heard about is how intense he is...

 

He's one of the better in-game managers in the game especially with the pen, Leyland and LaRussa are probaboy the best, IMO.

 

Beyond here, there hasn't been any mention of the negatives that he'll probably bring.

 

I too thought he was very good at handling the pen in seattle. To me, this is really what i look for in a manager, how they handle the pen.

 

Pitching changes in general are probably their most important decisions. When to pull the starter, which reliever to use, how to keep guys fresh as well as rested. Dusty was terrible at having a reliever ready in advance, and getting guys regular work. He latched on to his guys and used them until they fell apart. If Lou can get guys warm in time to make a move before disaster strikes, use everybody, and not overuse one or two key guys, he'll have done his job. Too many managers feel they need to do a whole lot of other BS to justify their salaries.

[cubs dane]

Finally a move in the right direction. It feels like 2 seasons since the Cubs have made a significant move to win.

I hope this is the start in upgrading the personal on the field, giving Lou the talent he needs. Spend wisely and this could be the start of something special.

=D>

[BRASKYS SCOTCH]

Will the press conference be streamed anywhere? Thanks in advance.

[Laura]

There's a sticky thread in the Transactions Forum with all the streaming information. We'll be closing this thread and moving the discussion there once the press conference kicks off.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Well...I think Griffey/ARod/RJ/Martinez and so on had a small part in it though?

 

Piniella is a manager I hate more than I love but am pretty indifferent towards. Why I hate this move is because its telling me that the Cubs plan to stay right on the same road they are on. It's disturbing and really makes me want to hate this franchise instead of love it.

 

We will probably sign a big name FA with alot of RBIs to a big contract to make the average fan think we care, then Hendry's fat ass will head over to the DD and hand out contracts to whoever gives him free donuts.

 

This franchise really is in need of a strong, knowledgable, and YOUNG leader. A Paul DePodesta or someone like him (maybe a bit more personality) would be beautiful for us. Like if Grady Fuson wanted this job, there is no way he should not get it. Not over Hendry's fat, blubbering ass.

[Soul]

I never hate on a new guy. Piniella gets the benefit of the doubt just like anyone else should.

 

That said though, if the Cubs are really going to try and trade Zambrano for ARod like the rumors are suggesting, then I've got to wonder where the pitching is going to come from.

 

Piniella had a great experience with ARod last time because that Mariners team was pretty solid-----complete with a Hall of Fame starter anchoring the rotation.

[goonys evil twin]

I never hate on a new guy. Piniella gets the benefit of the doubt just like anyone else should.

 

I don't see the point in giving the benefit of the doubt to people who have a long history from which they can be judged. I hated on Baker before he was signed and never gave him the benefit of the doubt, and I think it's pretty clear I was justified. I don't have the same feelings on Lou, though.

[CuseCubFan69]

Too many managers feel they need to do a whole lot of other BS to justify their salaries.

 

Do you really believe this to be true? I can see micromanaging because that's what they believe in but to justify their salaries....I really don't think so.

[kente777]

Why I hate this move is because its telling me that the Cubs plan to stay right on the same road they are on.

 

I couldn't disagree more. I don't think Hendry is a dummy (I reserve the right to be wrong). I believe he saw the Dusty's lack of leadership and lack of holding players accountable.

 

The hiring of Piniella tells me three things:

 

1) Hendry wants to win now because Piniella has a reputation for being a manager who really wants to win

 

2) He wants to change the lazy clubhouse mentality that seemed to permeate under Dusty's leadership. I can guarentee that Piniella will expect his players to give 110 percent. If they don't, he will get on their a** big time.

 

3) Piniella gives the Cubs a manager that might draw great players (A-Rod for example).

 

Piniella does have a world series under his belt and a great tenure as Seattle's manager.

 

And honestly, do you really think Hendry is motivated to keep things the way they were?? If so, give Baker another contract. Whether or not you like Piniella, the move tells me Hendry wants change and now.

 

Ken

Edited October 17, 2006 by kente777

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Too many managers feel they need to do a whole lot of other BS to justify their salaries.

 

Do you really believe this to be true? I can see micromanaging because that's what they believe in but to justify their salaries....I really don't think so.

 

Okay, replace "justify their salaries" to "feel like they're doing work/doing their job".

[CuseCubFan69]

Too many managers feel they need to do a whole lot of other BS to justify their salaries.

 

Do you really believe this to be true? I can see micromanaging because that's what they believe in but to justify their salaries....I really don't think so.

 

Okay, replace "justify their salaries" to "feel like they're doing work/doing their job".

 

I still don't believe that. IMO a manager has his beliefs and does what he thinks will be successful. Once you start thinking about doing things to justify their salaries or feel like they are doing work then it's time to leave the profession. I understand that many here don't respect managers at all but to say they do these things for these reasons are wrong IMO. My God, if I have 9 guys out there kicking butt I keep them in there unless I'm trying to get others some playing time and keep them from getting injured. In no way shape of form make a move just to justify me being there. That just doesn't make any sense to me.

[goonys evil twin]

Too many managers feel they need to do a whole lot of other BS to justify their salaries.

 

Do you really believe this to be true? I can see micromanaging because that's what they believe in but to justify their salaries....I really don't think so.

 

Okay, replace "justify their salaries" to "feel like they're doing work/doing their job".

 

I still don't believe that. IMO a manager has his beliefs and does what he thinks will be successful. Once you start thinking about doing things to justify their salaries or feel like they are doing work then it's time to leave the profession. I understand that many here don't respect managers at all but to say they do these things for these reasons are wrong IMO. My God, if I have 9 guys out there kicking butt I keep them in there unless I'm trying to get others some playing time and keep them from getting injured. In no way shape of form make a move just to justify me being there. That just doesn't make any sense to me.

 

You aren't a major league manager. It's not at all similar.

 

These guys are making millions to babysit. There's very little teaching, from a manager's standpoint.

[CuseCubFan69]

Too many managers feel they need to do a whole lot of other BS to justify their salaries.

 

Do you really believe this to be true? I can see micromanaging because that's what they believe in but to justify their salaries....I really don't think so.

 

Okay, replace "justify their salaries" to "feel like they're doing work/doing their job".

 

I still don't believe that. IMO a manager has his beliefs and does what he thinks will be successful. Once you start thinking about doing things to justify their salaries or feel like they are doing work then it's time to leave the profession. I understand that many here don't respect managers at all but to say they do these things for these reasons are wrong IMO. My God, if I have 9 guys out there kicking butt I keep them in there unless I'm trying to get others some playing time and keep them from getting injured. In no way shape of form make a move just to justify me being there. That just doesn't make any sense to me.

 

You aren't a major league manager. It's not at all similar.

 

These guys are making millions to babysit. There's very little teaching, from a manager's standpoint.

 

They still have too many things to control like their pitching staff and when to pull them and who to put in. I think winning and job security would count more than trying to justify yourself by making moves just to make them. I just don't see them as being that stupid.

[goonys evil twin]

They still have too many things to control like their pitching staff and when to pull them and who to put in. I think winning and job security would count more than trying to justify yourself by making moves just to make them. I just don't see them as being that stupid.

 

I think they convince themselves that their moves are so important to the team, so they have to make them, which to me, is akin to justifying your salary. They are paid like NFL coaches, whose strategies matter, but don't matter nearly as much.

[CuseCubFan69]

They still have too many things to control like their pitching staff and when to pull them and who to put in. I think winning and job security would count more than trying to justify yourself by making moves just to make them. I just don't see them as being that stupid.

 

I think they convince themselves that their moves are so important to the team, so they have to make them, which to me, is akin to justifying your salary. They are paid like NFL coaches, whose strategies matter, but don't matter nearly as much.

 

Why and how do you know this? Are these just your opinions or are they facts?

[David]

They still have too many things to control like their pitching staff and when to pull them and who to put in. I think winning and job security would count more than trying to justify yourself by making moves just to make them. I just don't see them as being that stupid.

 

I think they convince themselves that their moves are so important to the team, so they have to make them, which to me, is akin to justifying your salary. They are paid like NFL coaches, whose strategies matter, but don't matter nearly as much.

 

 

I'm guessing this is just very poorly worded? Not something I'd expect to hear you say, goony.

[Soul]

I never hate on a new guy. Piniella gets the benefit of the doubt just like anyone else should.

 

I don't see the point in giving the benefit of the doubt to people who have a long history from which they can be judged. I hated on Baker before he was signed and never gave him the benefit of the doubt, and I think it's pretty clear I was justified. I don't have the same feelings on Lou, though.

 

You can't use one example to prove the world. And besides, you have little choice but to give him a shot anyway----unless you're holding out on a huge stockpile of Tribune stock goony.

 

Many Yankee fans hated on Torre when he took the NY job. His record wasn't exactly sparkling. I'd say they were dead wrong.

 

Piniella has had some success. Not saying he will here, but I'll also bet if he doesn't, it won't be all his fault. Especially not with Hendry in the front office.

 

I'm not doing cartwheels over this hiring, but hey whatever I'll give the old guy a chance. Once he proves himself incapable, then I'll start to complain.

[goonys evil twin]

They still have too many things to control like their pitching staff and when to pull them and who to put in. I think winning and job security would count more than trying to justify yourself by making moves just to make them. I just don't see them as being that stupid.

 

I think they convince themselves that their moves are so important to the team, so they have to make them, which to me, is akin to justifying your salary. They are paid like NFL coaches, whose strategies matter, but don't matter nearly as much.

 

 

I'm guessing this is just very poorly worded? Not something I'd expect to hear you say, goony.

 

The baseball managers strategies don't matter as much. Poorly worded.

[goonys evil twin]

I never hate on a new guy. Piniella gets the benefit of the doubt just like anyone else should.

 

I don't see the point in giving the benefit of the doubt to people who have a long history from which they can be judged. I hated on Baker before he was signed and never gave him the benefit of the doubt, and I think it's pretty clear I was justified. I don't have the same feelings on Lou, though.

 

You can't use one example to prove the world. And besides, you have little choice but to give him a shot anyway----unless you're holding out on a huge stockpile of Tribune stock goony.

 

Many Yankee fans hated on Torre when he took the NY job. His record wasn't exactly sparkling. I'd say they were dead wrong.

 

Piniella has had some success. Not saying he will here, but I'll also bet if he doesn't, it won't be all his fault. Especially not with Hendry in the front office.

 

I'm not doing cartwheels over this hiring, but hey whatever I'll give the old guy a chance. Once he proves himself incapable, then I'll start to complain.

 

Prove the world? What does that even mean?

 

I think there are plenty of times when one is perfectly justified in not giving a person the benefit of the doubt.