Jim Hendry should be Fired - NOW!

[YearofDaCubs]

I'm so sick of this guy! The more I think about the crazy contract he gave Soriano the more I get angry. The guy has been flat out terrible Year after year he assembles mediocre teams with one of the highest payrolls to boot. The sooner he is gone, the better off we will be. Bank on it.

[JeffH]

The sooner he is gone, the better off we will be.

 

Until we hire someone even worse.

[YearofDaCubs]

The sooner he is gone, the better off we will be.

 

Until we hire someone even worse.

That is definitely possible, but I'll take my chances at this point.

[USSoccer]

I maintain my "Fire Everyone Other than Wilken and his scouts" stance. This organization has failed in almost every concievable way since mid 2004. No one should have a job. None of the player development people and maybe 2 of the minor league coaches deserve jobs. Hendry should have been fired after 2006. The consistently terrible players like Eyre, Izturis and Jones should be traded or placed on waivers.

[NomarSammy]

See that is what is funny--you say the consistantly bad players--Jones had 27 HRs last year and Izturis has been just fine this year. Not great, but there are winning teams that have much worse.

 

The problem is that the sum of the cubs parts are much greater than the collective sum of the team. I dont why but there is just no other way to explain it.

[USSoccer]

See that is what is funny--you say the consistantly bad players--Jones had 27 HRs last year and Izturis has been just fine this year. Not great, but there are winning teams that have much worse.

 

The problem is that the sum of the cubs parts are much greater than the collective sum of the team. I dont why but there is just no other way to explain it.

 

Last year is last year. Iztrus is a terrible baseball player and Jones isn't much better.

[NomarSammy]

Why is Izturis a terrible baseball player--other than you just don't like him. Is every major league GM incompetent then because there are sure several players just like Izturis scattered throughout the entire league. It is kind of like the way people blamed Neifi for all of the Cubs problems yet somehow he goes to one of the best teams in the majors and they still find someway to be good despote having him on their team.

 

I am not trying to argue that these guys are great players, but I just feel like too many people around here feel they have easy quick fix answers to solve a complex problem.

[USSoccer]

Why is Izturis a terrible baseball player--other than you just don't like him. Is every major league GM incompetent then because there are sure several players just like Izturis scattered throughout the entire league. It is kind of like the way people blamed Neifi for all of the Cubs problems yet somehow he goes to one of the best teams in the majors and they still find someway to be good despote having him on their team.

 

I am not trying to argue that these guys are great players, but I just feel like too many people around here feel they have easy quick fix answers to solve a complex problem.

 

Izturis is a terrible baseball player because he can't hit worth a damn, can't get on base, doesn't hit for power, and has been declining defensively for the past 3 years. He's wildly overpaid based on his production and ability.

[Soriano12]

Why is Izturis a terrible baseball player--other than you just don't like him. Is every major league GM incompetent then because there are sure several players just like Izturis scattered throughout the entire league. It is kind of like the way people blamed Neifi for all of the Cubs problems yet somehow he goes to one of the best teams in the majors and they still find someway to be good despote having him on their team.

 

I am not trying to argue that these guys are great players, but I just feel like too many people around here feel they have easy quick fix answers to solve a complex problem.

 

#-o #-o #-o #-o #-o

[TruffleShuffle]

there are sure several players just like Izturis scattered throughout the entire league.

 

yeah, and all of them suck

[The Voice of Reason]

Izturis is a terrible baseball player because he can't hit worth a damn, can't get on base, doesn't hit for power, and has been declining defensively for the past 3 years. He's wildly overpaid based on his production and ability.

 

Other than those minor details, he's a huge asset to the Cubs. :roll:

[USSoccer]

Izturis is a terrible baseball player because he can't hit worth a damn, can't get on base, doesn't hit for power, and has been declining defensively for the past 3 years. He's wildly overpaid based on his production and ability.

 

Other than those minor details, he's a huge asset to the Cubs. :roll:

 

Exactly. Other than that he's awesome.

[JeffH]

One could make an argument that, at this point, Cesar Izturis is a better offensive player than he is a defender.

 

That pretty much says all that needs to be said about his value.

[USSoccer]

One thing that cannot be overlooked is that this is one of the worst jobs someone could do with a $100m payroll. It's a team with too many corner OF's, no CF, 3 ridiculously overpaid bullpen guys, a useless SS, an overpaid utility guy that starts, a backup C that makes like 3x what a backup C should make, and a leadoff guy who doesn't walk and who we are going to be paying $20m to when he's 40.

 

The only contracts that make any sense are Lee's and Ramirez's, and in ARam's case he gave the Cubs a ridiculous discount to resign him.

[jersey cubs fan]

One thing that cannot be overlooked is that this is one of the worst jobs someone could do with a $100m payroll. It's a team with too many corner OF's, no CF, 3 ridiculously overpaid bullpen guys, a useless SS, an overpaid utility guy that starts, a backup C that makes like 3x what a backup C should make, and a leadoff guy we are going to be paying $20m to when he's 40.

 

The only contracts that make any sense are Lee's and Ramirez's, and in ARam's case he gave the Cubs a ridiculous discount to resign him.

 

And for a team with too many corner outfielders, I still find it funny that they don't have one natural all around great corner outfielder. They all have very large flaws.

[YearofDaCubs]

Yeah, Izturis is so damn good we really need his bat in the lineup. he has a total of 5RBI's. Just to put that to perspective Pie and Cedeno have 4RBIS and they haven't played in God knows how long. The guy needs to be benched immediately and preferably released or moved but Jimbo won't do that to his pet.

[USSoccer]

One thing that cannot be overlooked is that this is one of the worst jobs someone could do with a $100m payroll. It's a team with too many corner OF's, no CF, 3 ridiculously overpaid bullpen guys, a useless SS, an overpaid utility guy that starts, a backup C that makes like 3x what a backup C should make, and a leadoff guy we are going to be paying $20m to when he's 40.

 

The only contracts that make any sense are Lee's and Ramirez's, and in ARam's case he gave the Cubs a ridiculous discount to resign him.

 

And for a team with too many corner outfielders, I still find it funny that they don't have one natural all around great corner outfielder. They all have very large flaws.

 

Exactly! It's a terribly constructed team. Soriano was signed, and it was said he'd play RF. He started off in CF. He's now in LF. There's no real CF on the roster worth playing. Jones is terrible against LHP. Floyd is too fragile to play everyday. Murton is a LF. Pagan should be a 25th man.

 

In a sane world, Jones would have been traded, Soriano would have been put in RF and told to shut up and deal, and Pie should be the CF. Murton and Floyd should be in LF splitting time, and Pagan would be a fine 5th OF.

 

Instead, we get Soriano in LF underproducing and playing really erratic defense, Jones and Pagan playing CF and not producing, and Floyd, Murton and Jones all playing in RF.

 

Our OF costs us about what, $26m per season on average? Are we getting anywhere near value for that money?

[JeffH]

One thing that cannot be overlooked is that this is one of the worst jobs someone could do with a $100m payroll. It's a team with too many corner OF's, no CF, 3 ridiculously overpaid bullpen guys, a useless SS, an overpaid utility guy that starts, a backup C that makes like 3x what a backup C should make, and a leadoff guy who doesn't walk and who we are going to be paying $20m to when he's 40.

 

The only contracts that make any sense are Lee's and Ramirez's, and in ARam's case he gave the Cubs a ridiculous discount to resign him.

 

Four LF.

 

No CF.

 

No RF.

 

No SS.

 

Two 2B.

 

One catcher that is so bad defensively, that, if he isn't hitting, is one of MLB's worst players.

 

A bullpen full of guys each with his own personal gasoline can.

[YearofDaCubs]

One thing that cannot be overlooked is that this is one of the worst jobs someone could do with a $100m payroll. It's a team with too many corner OF's, no CF, 3 ridiculously overpaid bullpen guys, a useless SS, an overpaid utility guy that starts, a backup C that makes like 3x what a backup C should make, and a leadoff guy we are going to be paying $20m to when he's 40.

 

The only contracts that make any sense are Lee's and Ramirez's, and in ARam's case he gave the Cubs a ridiculous discount to resign him.

 

And for a team with too many corner outfielders, I still find it funny that they don't have one natural all around great corner outfielder. They all have very large flaws.

 

Exactly! It's a terribly constructed team. Soriano was signed, and it was said he'd play RF. He started off in CF. He's now in LF. There's no real CF on the roster worth playing. Jones is terrible against LHP. Floyd is too fragile to play everyday. Murton is a LF. Pagan should be a 25th man.

 

In a sane world, Jones would have been traded, Soriano would have been put in RF and told to shut up and deal, and Pie should be the CF. Murton and Floyd should be in LF splitting time, and Pagan would be a fine 5th OF.

 

Instead, we get Soriano in LF underproducing and playing really erratic defense, Jones and Pagan playing CF and not producing, and Floyd, Murton and Jones all playing in RF.

 

Our OF costs us about what, $26m per season on average? Are we getting anywhere near value for that money?

Not looking at the numbers, I'm assuming we probably have the worst OF in the majors. Poorly constructed team you say? What else is new when you have Jimbo as GM.

[Banedon]

I really hope that when the Cubs get bought this winter, Hendry is booted and the new GM hires his own manager.

[USSoccer]

One thing that cannot be overlooked is that this is one of the worst jobs someone could do with a $100m payroll. It's a team with too many corner OF's, no CF, 3 ridiculously overpaid bullpen guys, a useless SS, an overpaid utility guy that starts, a backup C that makes like 3x what a backup C should make, and a leadoff guy who doesn't walk and who we are going to be paying $20m to when he's 40.

 

The only contracts that make any sense are Lee's and Ramirez's, and in ARam's case he gave the Cubs a ridiculous discount to resign him.

 

Four LF.

 

No CF.

 

No RF.

 

No SS.

 

Two 2B.

 

One catcher that is so bad defensively, that, if he isn't hitting, is one of MLB's worst players.

 

A bullpen full of guys each with his own personal gasoline can.

 

The aggravating thing is that if you look at the individual parts, we have talent. Lee and Ramirez are really good players. Hill, Z and Lilly are pretty good pitchers. Marquis has pitched out of his mind so far. Marshall and Guzman have given the Cubs good starts out of the 5th spot. Murton is a good player working through a slump with erratic playing time. Wuertz has pitched pretty well overall out of the pen, as has Dempster.

 

It's the overall construction of the team coupled with the poor play of a few individuals (Eyre, Ohman, Miller, Barrett and Izturis) and inexplicable in game management by Piniella that has resulted in this suckfest.

[YearofDaCubs]

One thing that cannot be overlooked is that this is one of the worst jobs someone could do with a $100m payroll. It's a team with too many corner OF's, no CF, 3 ridiculously overpaid bullpen guys, a useless SS, an overpaid utility guy that starts, a backup C that makes like 3x what a backup C should make, and a leadoff guy who doesn't walk and who we are going to be paying $20m to when he's 40.

 

The only contracts that make any sense are Lee's and Ramirez's, and in ARam's case he gave the Cubs a ridiculous discount to resign him.

 

Four LF.

 

No CF.

 

No RF.

 

No SS.

 

Two 2B.

 

One catcher that is so bad defensively, that, if he isn't hitting, is one of MLB's worst players.

 

A bullpen full of guys each with his own personal gasoline can.

 

The aggravating thing is that if you look at the individual parts, we have talent. Lee and Ramirez are really good players. Hill, Z and Lilly are pretty good pitchers. Marquis has pitched out of his mind so far. Marshall and Guzman have given the Cubs good starts out of the 5th spot. Murton is a good player working through a slump with erratic playing time. Wuertz has pitched pretty well overall out of the pen, as has Dempster.

 

It's the overall construction of the team coupled with the poor play of a few individuals (Eyre, Ohman, Miller, Barrett and Izturis) and inexplicable in game management by Piniella that has resulted in this suckfest.

It boggles my mind that we as fans see all of these issues with this roster but Lou and Jimbo do not. It's almost common sense to get rid of Eyre and bench Izturis but they can't even see it when it's right in front of their faces. There are so many issues with this team that a complete blow up of the roster might actually be a great idea, but too bad a lot of these guys have NTC's and are overpaid. Thank you Jimbo.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

 

A bullpen full of guys each with his own personal gasoline can.

 

 

The bullpen really eats at me. Eyre and Howry are done. They are old and they were signed to silly contracts. The offense and this bullpen share the burden of a 2-12 record in 1-run games. The bullpen won't get better overnight. It has to be crafted with a mix of young pitchers, a good closer, and an experienced pitcher or two who isn't over the hill.

 

Arizona doesn't have a pitcher in the bullpen over 28-yrs old. Those pitchers have developed or are almost there. Arizona is 15-5 in 1-run games - the best in baseball. The top 5 guys in their bullpen either developed through the system or have spent at least 3 years in the system.

 

As for the Cubs, the only pitcher in the pen even worth bragging about is Michael Wuertz.

[jersey cubs fan]

It boggles my mind that we as fans see all of these issues with this roster but Lou and Jimbo do not. It's almost common sense to get rid of Eyre and bench Izturis but they can't even see it when it's right in front of their faces. There are so many issues with this team that a complete blow up of the roster might actually be a great idea, but too bad a lot of these guys have NTC's and are overpaid. Thank you Jimbo.

 

I think it has to do with Jim's glass half full mentality. The guy seems to put together teams that can win, if a lot of things go right. But he's awful at planning for unexpected, or even expected, setbacks. Lots of teams play through injuries and down years from players. Jim seems to think, "Well, at his best Jacque Jones is a pretty darn good RF" without calculating the odds that he will actually be at this best at any given moment/year. Or, "Izturis was all star caliber for half a season, so we expect him to be all star caliber for us." Jim only thinks about what players can do at their peak, without realizing that peak years don't last forever and are not guaranteed to anybody.

[The Voice of Reason]

Greg Couch talked to Kevin Towers and found his philosophy on building a successfull bullpen differs greatly from Hendry's - his bullpen results differ greatly from Hendry's as well. Think there is a connection?

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/couch/408464,CST-SPT-greg31.article

 

If there is an art to building a bullpen, then San Diego GM Kevin Towers is Rembrandt. So I called him Wednesday night from Wrigley Field while watching Cubs starter Ted Lilly blow the game against Florida before the bullpen, yuck, could blow it for him. They lost 9-0.

 

And when you hear Towers' philosophies about building a bullpen, you see a marked difference from Hendry.

 

Start with this: Batters are hitting .194 against San Diego's bullpen, .254 vs. the Cubs'. That puts San Diego at No. 1 and the Cubs in the middle.

 

''My job gets real easy having a guy like Trevor Hoffman for the ninth,'' Towers said of his closer. ''Because of him, I'm only working from the eighth inning down.''

 

OK, fine, you're modest. How did you build that bullpen?

 

''In the offseason, we always focus on the bullpen first because starters wait for the market to play out and relievers sign a little quicker,'' he said. ''I like strike-throwers. I'm not a big believer that I have got to have one lefty, two lefties, three lefties to face left-handed hitters.

 

''There are very few situational left-handers out there and a much larger inventory of righties who can get lefties out. And if you have a lefty to face a lefty hitter, and he's not successful, then you burn two guys in one inning.''

 

San Diego's bullpen does not include a left-hander.

 

What about power pitchers for late innings?

 

''Velocity is overrated,'' he said. ''There are very few 93-, 94-plus [mph] guys who throw the fastball consistently over plate. I'll take command over velocity any day.''

 

OK, let's add this up. Forget the lefty-to-face-a-lefty-hitter thing. Don't worry about velocity. Get guys who can throw strikes. And because relievers aren't reliable from one year to the next, he said, sign them to short-term deals.