Hendry Is Perfect......So Far

[CubsWin]

He has got a long, long way to go, and I really don't know where it is coming from, but so far this off season, Jim Hendry is actually exceeding expectations.

 

I didn't expect Miller to return for so little. I certainly didn't think Wood would sign for less than 3 million. And 5/73 for Ramirez didn't seem very likely either.

 

This guy, who so many have written off, seems like a different man. Is it the departure of MacPhail? Did he consult too much with Dusty on which players Baker would like to see? What in tarnation is goin' on 'round here?

 

In my estimation, Hendry will need the Cubs to make the playoffs this year to win back any amount of the cred he had after taking the team to within 5 outs of the World Series. He's got a lot of work ahead of him if he is going to accomplish that.

[KingCubsFan]

He has got a long, long way to go, and I really don't know where it is coming from, but so far this off season, Jim Hendry is actually exceeding expectations.

 

I didn't expect Miller to return for so little. I certainly didn't think Wood would sign for less than 3 million. And 5/73 for Ramirez didn't seem very likely either.

 

This guy, who so many have written off, seems like a different man. Is it the departure of MacPhail? Did he consult too much with Dusty on which players Baker would like to see? What in tarnation is goin' on 'round here?

 

In my estimation, Hendry will need the Cubs to make the playoffs this year to win back any amount of the cred he had after taking the team to within 5 outs of the World Series. He's got a lot of work ahead of him if he is going to accomplish that.

I don't know how much influence Dusty had, but I found it interesting that Rogers said Ramirez probably wouldn't have been back if Dusty was still the manager.

[rocket]

yes, he's doing good so far.

 

but he's got a long way to go to convert this to even a .500 team.

[A New Era]

I just have to post this any time anyone questions if JH is going to make the moves required to win. Piniella on Fox Final Word. .

 

Said starting pitching is number one priority, says Jim will look to add some at the GM meetings this week

 

Said that a big bat will be looked for, and mentioned Soriano

 

Said Trib has said they will spend what it takes to win

 

Said that Ramirez is a good player and he just wants him to play with passion everyday

 

Said Hendry will look at trades and made it seem like they will move fast, mentioning many times that Jim would like to get things done at GM meetings this week

[USSoccer]

What Hendry accomplished this weekend was to basically start the offseason without one foot in a bucket. Had Aramis walked, he may have resorted to rash, desperate moves, and those don't usually work out.

 

The real key is where he goes from here. We got great value from Ramirez and Wood's contracts-both far lower than most would have thought. We have plenty of cash to throw around.

 

I'd like to see him be procative and strike quickly. The GM meetings are going to be a good place to start.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Regular

Premium

 

Baker didn't have a lot of influence over Hendry on player acquisition.

[Guest]

Wood is really getting 4.75 million - though he would get $3 million of that without signing with the Cubs I suppose.

 

I don't think Jim gets much credit yet. Sort of like a C student - he's done what's he's needed to do to get by so far.

[A New Era]

I'd like to see him be procative and strike quickly. The GM meetings are going to be a good place to start.

 

Thanks Piniella on the final word:

 

Said Hendry will look at trades and made it seem like they will move fast, mentioning many times that Jim would like to get things done at GM meetings this week.

 

. . euphoria. . ::woah::

[CubsWin]

Regular

Premium

 

Baker didn't have a lot of influence over Hendry on player acquisition.

Nice. Thanks for the repost and link. Good to know.

 

Is there a more trustworthy source than Bruce Miles? I don't think so...

[A New Era]

Regular

Premium

 

Baker didn't have a lot of influence over Hendry on player acquisition.

 

This is a point that is hard to prove either way. Hendry could come out and say it. But none of us can really say what is going on in Hendry's mind. There could have been many times Baker had talked to him mentioning things like "playing the game right", or "fast guys" and that could have effected his mental approach to the off-season. I do beleive managers have some effect in that regard. And that's why I think with us having Piniella now, we'll more likely see the "big signings" because that's what Piniella wants, and knows what he needs to win.

[Guest]

Regular

Premium

 

Baker didn't have a lot of influence over Hendry on player acquisition.

 

This is a point that is hard to prove either way. Hendry could come out and say it. But none of us can really say what is going on in Hendry's mind. There could have been many times Baker had talked to him mentioning things like "playing the game right", or "fast guys" and that could have effected his mental approach to the off-season. I do beleive managers have some effect in that regard. And that's why I think with us having Piniella now, we'll more likely see the "big signings" because that's what Piniella wants, and knows what he needs to win.

 

Other than straight from Jim's mouth, this is the best source available.

[UK1679666180]

The roster is still mostly the same roster that won 66 games.

 

The make or break aspect will come with players that weren't on the roster from last year.

 

Bad metaphor time... saying he's been perfect to this stage is about the same as saying that kid has a good chance of winning the race b/c he didn't trip on the way to the starting line.

Edited November 13, 2006 by UK

[CubsWin]

The real key is where he goes from here. We got great value from Ramirez and Wood's contracts-both far lower than most would have thought. We have plenty of cash to throw around.

 

I'd like to see him be procative and strike quickly. The GM meetings are going to be a good place to start.

I couldn't agree more.

[CubsWin]

The roster is still mostly the same roster that won 66 games.

 

The make or break aspect will come with players that weren't on the roster from last year.

 

Bad metaphor time... saying he's been perfect to this stage is about the same as saying that kid has a good chance of winning the race b/c he didn't trip on the way to the starting line.

Yeah, but the way things had been going, a lot of us were expecting him to trip on the way to the starting line. :lol:

 

To expound upon your bad metaphor, this guy who looked like he could barely walk, not only didn't trip on his way to the starting line but looked like Carl Lewis getting there.

 

Let's hope he can run and finish the race as well as he approached the starting line.

[RichHillIsABeast]

I like the return of gunslinger Hendry. MacPhail's departure is was a wonderful thing for him.

[CubsWin]

The roster is still mostly the same roster that won 66 games.

No, its really not.

 

Effectively, the Cubs have added Derrek Lee, Rich Hill and a fully rehabbed Wade Miller who over his last three starts pitched 14.2 innings, striking out 13, allowing 8 hits only 1 of them a HR and posted a WHIP of 1.23 with an ERA of 1.84. I'm not saying he will come close to doing that over the course of a full season, but he has shown that he can be effective. Now all he has to do is stay healthy which has admittedly proven rather difficult for Miller of late.

 

On a lesser note, the Cubs also added the infield options of Cesar Izturis and Ryan Theriot both of whom were late additions to the roster that lost 66 games.

 

I realize you wrote "mostly the same" as the roster that lost 66 games, but the relative additions of Lee, Hill and an effective Miller are fairly major additions that seemingly will impact a team's won-loss record.

[A New Era]

The roster is still mostly the same roster that won 66 games.

No, its really not.

 

Effectively, the Cubs have added Derrek Lee, Rich Hill and a fully rehabbed Wade Miller who over his last three starts pitched 14.2 innings, striking out 13, allowing 8 hits only 1 of them a HR and posted a WHIP of 1.23 with an ERA of 1.84. I'm not saying he will come close to doing that over the course of a full season, but he has shown that he can be effective. Now all he has to do is stay healthy which has admittedly proven rather difficult for Miller of late.

 

On a lesser note, the Cubs also added the infield options of Cesar Izturis and Ryan Theriot both of whom were late additions to the roster that lost 66 games.

 

I realize you wrote "mostly the same" as the roster that lost 66 games, but the relative additions of Lee, Hill and an effective Miller are fairly major additions that seemingly will impact a team's won-loss record.

 

I keep trying to preach that. Good points, and I agree with all of them. I'd like to add on top of that. The cubs are not paying Wood $13 mil and Maddux $9 mil. They have the money to spend to even further improve this team. . . . there is reason for optomism.

[Soriano12]

I'm just gonna avoid posting in this thread.

 

it will lead to no good.

[CubsWin]

I'm just gonna avoid posting in this thread.

 

it will lead to no good.

You just did. :lol:

 

Seriously, though, all view points are welcome.

[A New Era]

I'm just gonna avoid posting in this thread.

 

it will lead to no good.

You just did. :lol:

 

Seriously, though, all view points are welcome.

 

I think he is itching to show a little optomism. But is worried that might "jinx" the team. Am a RIGHT? right, right right right. :lol:

[imb]

2006

C - Barrett

1B - Lee/Mabry/Walker

2B - Walker/Theriot

SS - Izturis/Cedeno

3B - ARamis

LF - Murton

CF - Pierre

RF - Jones

 

2007

C- Barrett

1B - Lee (v.2005 hopefully)

2B - Theriot

SS - Izturiz/Cedeno

3B - Aramis

LF - Murton

CF - TBA

RF - Jones

 

Yeah, he's perfect so far, but the only changes in the lineup that was decidedly awful are Murton hopefully adding some more power and a few hundred more at bats for Lee, which, say he surprises everyone and bounces back to 2005 form, will be good for what? 6 more wins? Theriot is no lock to best Walker's numbers, Izturis isn't likely to improve enough to be useful offensively. Jones will likely decline and who knows what we'll have in CF.

 

Bottom line, Hendry has done well so far, but he has a long, long way to go to redeem himself. In the words of Winston Wolf, let's not start sucking each other's.....well, you know.

[A New Era]

Yeah, he's perfect so far, but the only changes in the lineup that was decidedly awful are Murton hopefully adding some more power and a few hundred more at bats for Lee, which, say he surprises everyone and bounces back to 2005 form, will be good for what? 6 more wins? Theriot is no lock to best Walker's numbers, Izturis isn't likely to improve enough to be useful offensively. Jones will likely decline and who knows what we'll have in CF.

 

However you are forgeting Walker played at 1B alot, not to mention Theroit wasn't even here more than half a year. Honestly, 2006 looked more like this. . .

 

C - Barrett

1B - Mabry. . .Walker. .Nevin. . . . . . . . . Lee

2B - Walker. . . . .Neifi. . . .Theroit. .Cedeno

SS - Cedeno. . .Neifi. . . . . . . . . . . . Izturis

3B - ARamis

LF - Murton. . . . . . .Pagan

CF - Pierre

RF - Jones

 

If we just want to argue specifically the point, are we better RIGHT now. I would say yes. Lee at 1b, Neifi and Cedeno's time at 2B severely brought down that positions overall #s. If you account for that. Yes, maybe Theroit CAN do better. SS was mostely Cedeno not Izturis. And Neifi played many games there, including a bit at 2b aswell. Murton played 144 games in LF. We statistically, should be a bit better. Even just, right now.

[CubsWin]

Bottom line, Hendry has done well so far, but he has a long, long way to go to redeem himself. In the words of Winston Wolf, let's not start sucking each other's.....well, you know.

True that, but who is? No one that I know of is saying its time to celebrate or that his job is done.

 

As far as the 6 wins thing, you forgot the potential impact of a full year of Rich Hill and the addition of Wade Miller as a possible 5th starter. But regardless of how many wins the roster as it stands right now might be able to produce, it likely won't be enough to make the post season and so Hendry has got a lot more work to do. But at least his ability to sign Miller, Wood and Ramirez as cheaply as he has, will give the Cubs that much more money to go out and get the players they still need to win the division.

[Laura]

Tim Marchman / The New York Sun[/url]"]

Accustomed as they have been lately to operatic failure, it must come as a shock to Chicago Cubs fans to find that early in this off-season, the team has already done the three most important things it needed to do, and in a remarkably, perhaps even suspiciously, competent manner. They fired boneheaded skipper Dusty Baker and replaced him immediately with a qualified manager, Lou Piniella; they resigned free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez to a reasonable contract, and they brought back pitcher Kerry Wood on an incentive-based contract that positions him to be the team's closer this coming year. With its decade's allotment of reasonable moves thus exhausted, the Cubs can no doubt be expected to trade ace Carlos Zambrano for Brian Bannister or something along those lines, but in the meantime, the team actually looks to be in good shape. ....

 

 

The Cubs are not a true 96-loss team. They played last year with possibly the worst manager in the game making horrific personnel decisions, with a bad closer, and without Lee for most of the year. Marginal competence from the bench and health from their key players should return them to .500; another couple of uncharacteristically good decisions could put them right on top of a division that may have produced the World Series winner this year, but didn't produce an 85-win team. Or not. They are, after all, the Cubs.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

So he's got last year's team back together and everyone's healthy as of now (sans Prior?). That was the bare minimum.

 

Yes, the team as constructed is probably not a 96-loss team again, but it'd still struggle to be a .500 team.

 

Color me not excited yet. Hendry has the rest of the offseason to improve the team or screw up. I'll be more interested in grading him then.