Swipe at Dustbags Cubs??

[WrigleyinEngland]

"I didn't know what the talent level was here," Piniella said of a team that went 66-96 last season. "I'm learning the talent level here ... and I'm beginning to recognize there's a lot of work to be done.

 

"I didn't talk about wins and losses. I talked about how I expect them to play when the umpire says 'Play Ball.' "

 

He had an early message to his players, one that he hopes changes the tone of Chicago's spring training.

 

"You know what? You want a job?" Piniella said. "Go out and earn one."

 

This snippet is after the team meeting that took place. The first statement about the talent level got me thinking. Is he talking about players not having the effort and desire or is this a swipe at management that the players we have assembled are clearly not good enough?. In previous statements he's talked about how grateful he is to Hendry for spending and aquiring talent yet he now seems dis-pleased with what he sees. Part of me thinks that this might just be Lous pep talk and rally cry but i wonder wheather we are actually getting an honest insight in to what baker had assembled these last few years (letting guys take it easy and not earn thier spot) and the general apathy that surrounded the team.

 

I take it the last statement is aimed at guys like Cedeno,Moore,Theriot and Pie. This is going to be one hell of a ride with Lou and i can see some Vets suffering. This isn't going to be Bakers chill out pad any longer. I don't think guys like Prior can expext to ease back in to things, if you're not producing he's going to get you out of here, watch out Mr Dempster that Kid K behind you!!! 8-)

[Tracer Bullet]

I wouldn't be surprised if the last comment was aimed at Jones, Floyd, and Murton too.

[C.C.]

I wouldn't be surprised if the last comment was aimed at Jones, Floyd, and Murton too.

 

Why do you think Murton? He seems like a hard worker...

[pitchcs]

I wouldn't be surprised if the last comment was aimed at Jones, Floyd, and Murton too.

 

Why do you think Murton? He seems like a hard worker...

 

Hard worker, sure....but he still has to earn it in Piniella's eyes.

[Amazing_Grace]

The more I hear from Piniella, the better I like him. I think his comments are more about the fact that the players are not playing good baseball and smart baseball than about the "talent" level of players in terms of running speed, bat speed, power, etc. To me, this seems like a signal that Dusty's wrongheaded philosophies and lack of coaching important fundamentals like plate discipline and throwing strikes have left the team as a whole in a woeful state.

 

He's realizing that he and his staff have a lot of work to undo everything that Dusty did and change the lackidazical attitude that Dusty inspired in his players. The hardest thing to change in any organization is the culture.

[Banedon]

I wouldn't be surprised if the last comment was aimed at Jones, Floyd, and Murton too.

 

Why do you think Murton? He seems like a hard worker...

 

Hard worker, sure....but he still has to earn it in Piniella's eyes.

 

Maybe, but I don't think he expected any different. They brought in Floyd to compete for that job. I don't think Murton has exactly been resting on his laurels or anything.

[Dirt Dog Sparly]

He's realizing that he and his staff have a lot of work to undo everything that Dusty did and change the lackidazical attitude that Dusty inspired in his players. The hardest thing to change in any organization is the culture.

 

QFT

[Abe Frohman]

I doubt Lou was talking to anyone in particular with the "you want a job, earn it," comment. I think it is great, and will get the best out of everybody on the team.

 

I am impressed with Soriano and the way he showed up to camp early to work on his OF play. That tells me that he is doing everything possible to secure a job - which we all know is his with the huge contract. That is professional, and everyone on the team should be like that (if they aren't, I have no idea).

 

So far, I love what I hear from Piniella.

[CuseCubFan69]

The Country Cub is now closed!

[NCCubFan]

The Country Cub is now closed!

Freudian slip? :lol:

[C.C.]

The Country Cub is now closed!

 

Yep! And it's about time

[A New Era]

Basically this just sums down to. Lou is a damn good manager, and he knows exactly what to say to motivate his team. He's smart, he knows his stuff.