I wonder how Baker feels about the Cubs spending money?

[CuseCubFan69]

He must be red in the face now that the Cubs have opened the pocket books up. Imagine if Hendry didn't want to waste the money because he knew that Baker wouldn't be able to do the job? Yeah I know that MacPhail is gone and the Cubs have some money to spend but it makes me wonder if Hendry thought Baker wasn't that good or worth wasting any more time and money on.

[USSoccer]

Baker shouldn't feel anything. He had the most talented Cubs team in history assembled for him in 2004 and came up short.

[Guest]

Baker shouldn't feel anything. He had the most talented Cubs team in history assembled for him in 2004 and came up short.

Most talented of the past 50 years, perhaps (and I must emphasize perhaps), but I don't think it stacked up very well with some early Cubs teams. The only WS-winning Cubs teams had several HOFers on them, and the Cubs teams of the late 20s, early 30s were loaded with guys like Hornsby, Cuyler, and Wilson.

[Backtobanks]

He must be red in the face now that the Cubs have opened the pocket books up. Imagine if Hendry didn't want to waste the money because he knew that Baker wouldn't be able to do the job? Yeah I know that MacPhail is gone and the Cubs have some money to spend but it makes me wonder if Hendry thought Baker wasn't that good or worth wasting any more time and money on.

 

I don't think it had anything to do with Baker. The Tribune saw the empty seats in September and saw the Sox make inroads into their popularity and realized they had to do something. Also, the rumored sale of the Tribune might have something to do with it.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think the rash of spending has more to do with MacPhail being gone than anything else. MacPhail was part of the in group of baseball owners led by Selig that preached fiscal responsibility. MacPhail likely could have spent like this before but in the end his loyalty and friendship with Selig kept him from going into the statosphere in regards to contracts. With MacPhail out of the way, Hendry is left to do as he pleases.

[CuseCubFan69]

Baker shouldn't feel anything. He had the most talented Cubs team in history assembled for him in 2004 and came up short.

 

You have to look through his eyes though soccer.

[jiml60]

He should have thought about his future with the Cubs when he was penciling in Neifi! in the #2 slot everyday.

 

Who cares what he thinks...good riddance.

[biittner77]

He feels the same way Ed Lynch did When he was traded to the last place Cubs from the eventual World Champion Mets.

[Derwood]

I think the rash of spending has more to do with MacPhail being gone than anything else. MacPhail was part of the in group of baseball owners led by Selig that preached fiscal responsibility. MacPhail likely could have spent like this before but in the end his loyalty and friendship with Selig kept him from going into the statosphere in regards to contracts. With MacPhail out of the way, Hendry is left to do as he pleases.

 

Well MacPhail has been linked to the commissioner job when Selig steps down, so yes, it would probably not be in his best interest to assume that title as a "big-spending, large market" guy.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

It's not like Dusty's teams didn't have a large payroll.

[Derwood]

It's not like Dusty's teams didn't have a large payroll.

 

or a lineup with Walker, Lee, Ramirez, Alou, Sosa and Barrett in it

[abuck1220]

everybody should cut dusty some slack...after all, he was working with a $24 mil payroll last year.

[A New Era]

everybody should cut dusty some slack...after all, he was working with a $24 mil payroll last year.

 

Huh?

[Derwood]

everybody should cut dusty some slack...after all, he was working with a $24 mil payroll last year.

 

Huh?

 

sarcasm

[CubsInNC]

everybody should cut dusty some slack...after all, he was working with a $24 mil payroll last year.

 

Huh?

 

sarcasm

 

 

I'd say the results compared to those from a majority of $24mil payroll teams, but those blasted Marlins and their 99-cent payroll even out did us.....

[frostwyrm]

I wonder how Don Baylor feels. He won 88 games with a $64M team that had more holes than a 10 lb. block of swiss cheese.

[jjgman21]

I wonder how Don Baylor feels. He won 88 games with a $64M team that had more holes than a 10 lb. block of swiss cheese.

 

Donsty Baykler? there was a difference? it just goes to show what domination in one aspect of the game can do for a team. for that Cubs team, it was a totally dominant bullpen.

 

 

 

I've always felt Dusty got exactly what he wanted from Hendry and that was one of the problems all along. Dusty cried that he needed a lefty starter, he got Estes. he cried he needed veterans and the team was stacked with crappy veterans. he cried he needed pitching depth and he got Dempster, Rusch, LaTroy, and Remlinger. he cried he needed defense and speed and he got Jones and Pierre.

 

if Dusty had asked for the right things, I think Hendry would have gotten them for him. Dusty didn't ask for the right things.