Any chance at recouping from the Hendry mess.

[Jazz]

IMO, its a foregone conclusion that when this miserable season is over, that Hendry will be out the door. The thing im wondering though is how will we ever be able to salvage the good things about this franchise; (Aramis, Lee, that #3 overall pick, etc..). What needs to happen to actually make this team, well good? Its painfull obvious the philosophy around the team, from top to bottom is very flawed, but can that change?

[BigbadB]

It shouldn't take much.

 

I'd probably start with:

 

1) Overhauling management

2) Get rid of all the current players in exchange for better players

3) Move to a new town

4) Change the name of the team

5) Enter the team into a high school division

6) Play a completely different sport that has a much lower risk of injury

7) Pay will be based on current production, not past history

 

That would be a good start.

[Larry Horse]

It shouldn't take much.

 

I'd probably start with:

 

1) Overhauling management

2) Get rid of all the current players in exchange for better players

3) Move to a new town

4) Change the name of the team

5) Enter the team into a high school division

6) Play a completely different sport that has a much lower risk of injury

7) Pay will be based on current production, not past history

 

That would be a good start.

 

nicely done

[Pinktermite]

Hmmm, I'd settle for bullpen pitchers that can hold a lead and get the ball over the plate without them smacking it. Maybe they'd have what, four or five more wins?

[KingCubsFan]

I'd like to see Hendry go back to running the farm system. Together, Hendry and Wilkin could be really good. I'd also like to see the next GM be someone who has been associated with running the major league team as opposed to another guy promoted from the player development department. No matter what, though:

1. Hendry will be fired at the end of the season

2. A new GM will be hired. His name will not be Billy Beane or Paul DePodesta

3. This board will continue to complain about the new GM, just like Hendry

[Zuzu]

I think we are at least 3 or 4 years away. It is likely to get worse before it gets better. We have a lot of expensive guys who will be earning big $$ while their productivity declines in the next few years. I hope that the impending sale by the Tribune means that Hendry can make no more deals. He simply overpays in most of his deals.

 

The ownership transition in the offseason plus the time to select a new gm means that there is going to be a significant time delay before any productive moves are made to begin reconstructing this team.

[Pinktermite]

I agree with Zuzu, in three or four years things would be better, but they have to have the same philosophy as the Brewers. We have two pretty good players at AAA in Patterson and Pie, this is the time to play these guys if they could just stop thinking they can with with JJ and Mark DeRosa. Oh, the failed ideas. Hendry, for all his good decisions, has three bad ones for every good one to make up for it...

[frostwyrm]

Even if Hendry leaves today we'll need a lengthy recovery period because of all the long backloaded deals. The hangover from huge contracts continues even after they expire because you still have several years of dealing with the negative effects of not having the players you could have signed if big money had not been tied up in bad contracts(see: Vlad Guerrero). I'd say it will probably take til 2012 to fully dig out from under Hendry's legacy. But then it could be worse if the new owner reduces payroll. With an $80M payroll that $19M per year for Soriano becomes crippling, and he gets paid throught 2014.

 

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/4707/picture2lb6.png

[Lockes Eye Scar]

Blanco is signed through 2009? wtf?

[killthegoat06]

Blanco is signed through 2009? wtf?

Are you serious?

[CubColtPacer]

Blanco is signed through 2009? wtf?

Are you serious?

 

Not really-there's a small buyout in 2009. He's signed through next year, and then they almost certainly will let him go (unless he somehow has a career year in 2008, then they might consider it (for right or wrong)).

[Jon]

Blanco is signed through 2009? wtf?

It's a $300,000 buyout.

 

Of course, Blanco will be due for another ridiculous 2-year deal before that season.

[Yestheydo]

Man, are you guys gonna feel silly when they win it all this year.

[sunnydoo]

Man, are you guys gonna feel silly when they win it all this year.

 

If by they you mean the Cleveland Indians, then yes you are correct.

 

1948 to 2007, no reason they should suffer anymore.

[NewUserName]

The Cubs already have 81 million tied into next year and Z and Barrett are free agents. I would say the only hope for improvement will have to come internally.

[killthegoat06]

The Cubs already have 81 million tied into next year and Z and Barrett are free agents. I would say the only hope for improvement will have to come internally.

 

Awesome.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

How quickly the mess can be cleaned depends on how much payroll is allocated by the new ownership.

[Zuzu]

Are any of those final years for Soriano, option years? Or, is he guaranteed through 2014? How about for Lee and Ramirez. Are all of those years guaranteed?

[Derwood]

Methinks the initial poster does not know what recouping means

[TruffleShuffle]

But then it could be worse if the new owner reduces payroll. With an $80M payroll that $19M per year for Soriano becomes crippling, and he gets paid throught 2014.

 

This makes no sense. A new owner is going to come in and slash payroll by at least $20M? For what purpose, to alienate the fans of the team that was just purchased? The Cubs sell out most games and have big media deals; they're not going to shrink their payroll into the territory into the area of a team like the Blue Jays or A's. I understand your role on this board is as unbridled pessimist, but at least try to make some sense while playing this role.

[NewUserName]

How quickly the mess can be cleaned depends on how much payroll is allocated by the new ownership.

 

Truth is this really is a crappy and not overall effective way of building an successful team. Maybe Hendrys spending spree will force the Cubs to start building internally which is a much better and more successful way of building a longterm successful team.

[frostwyrm]

But then it could be worse if the new owner reduces payroll. With an $80M payroll that $19M per year for Soriano becomes crippling, and he gets paid throught 2014.

 

This makes no sense. A new owner is going to come in and slash payroll by at least $20M? For what purpose, to alienate the fans of the team that was just purchased? The Cubs sell out most games and have big media deals; they're not going to shrink their payroll into the territory into the area of a team like the Blue Jays or A's. I understand your role on this board is as unbridled pessimist, but at least try to make some sense while playing this role.

 

[sarcasm]Yeah, you've convinced me. There's absolutely no chance the new owner puts the payroll at $80M.[/sarcasm]

 

 

BTW, I didn't say it was definite or even likely that the payroll would go to $80M, I just pointed out that it's a possibility. And I don't mind being called a pessimist anymore. In the great majority of the times I've been called too pessimistic my negativity proved entirely justified over time, not that I'm happy about it. I just haven't liked the way the Cubs have been run in recent years and can't find much positive to say about it.

[mg420]

The Cubs already have 81 million tied into next year and Z and Barrett are free agents. I would say the only hope for improvement will have to come internally.

 

Awesome.

 

actually i think there are several guys in ther minors who are ready to help the team right now. look at guys like kroeger, fox, epat, pie, hoffpauir, k hill, soto, fontenot, cherry, pignatello and rapada along with guzman and marmol who are already on the 25 man. the major issue is going to be what to do with the big contract guys like izturis, jones, eyre, howry, derosa & blanco.