Kendall evaluation

[UMFan83]

OK, one word to sum up Kendall's performance with the Cubs thus far, pathetic.

 

Yes, he is 1-15 with the Cubs thus far (so far he has a chance to better the starts of Koyie Hill, 1-16, and Rob Bowen, 1-23, but not by much). Yes he grounds everything in sight, but what I'm also worried about is his defense. We knew going in that his defense was going to be subpar, but I didn't realize it would be this bad. Can't throw out a runner to save his life, has trouble blocking balls it seems, drops a lot of pitches.

 

Furthermore, his inability to get on the same page as Z last night was frustrating. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt I guess because its the first time he has caught Z, but you could tell Z was getting so frustrated by his game calling out there, Z was not focused. Meanwhile, Koyie Hill has seemingly adapted to Z's game almost seamlessly.

 

Am I making unfair assumptions based on a handful of games here? I'm sure he won't play this bad this entire season, but I don't think he was any sort of upgrade for the Cubs this year. I know several posters will say that they knew that going in, but I was holding out hope that a change of scenery would bring him back some of his old self.

[AI]

Here's an evaluation...

 

...he's finished.

[badger1679666666]

I just don't get what Hendry sees in certain people. I mean he's not a stupid person. What could possess him to think Kendall would be a good move over using Soto and Hill?

[kente777]

I just don't get what Hendry sees in certain people. I mean he's not a stupid person. What could possess him to think Kendall would be a good move over using Soto and Hill?

 

one word -- VETERAN. Hendry thinks we need another vet for the playoff push -- even if that veteran is on the downside of his career. But that is the difference between us and Hendry....Hendry doesn't see him on the downside...and that ladies and gentlemen, is very sad AND the main reason the Cubs haven't won a World Series since 1908.

 

Ken

[pitchcs]

I just don't get what Hendry sees in certain people. I mean he's not a stupid person. What could possess him to think Kendall would be a good move over using Soto and Hill?

 

one word -- VETERAN. Hendry thinks we need another vet for the playoff push -- even if that veteran is on the downside of his career. But that is the difference between us and Hendry....Hendry doesn't see him on the downside...and that ladies and gentlemen, is very sad AND the main reason the Cubs haven't won a World Series since 1908.

 

Ken

 

 

I understand what you're saying, but Jim Hendry is not the reason we haven't won a WS since 1908.

[Soriano12]

Lay off Kendall, he is a veteran. Look at his career numbers. He gives you everything out there. We need a vet down the stretch..he simply does things every night that don't appear in the box score.

[kente777]

I just don't get what Hendry sees in certain people. I mean he's not a stupid person. What could possess him to think Kendall would be a good move over using Soto and Hill?

 

one word -- VETERAN. Hendry thinks we need another vet for the playoff push -- even if that veteran is on the downside of his career. But that is the difference between us and Hendry....Hendry doesn't see him on the downside...and that ladies and gentlemen, is very sad AND the main reason the Cubs haven't won a World Series since 1908.

 

Ken

 

 

I understand what you're saying, but Jim Hendry is not the reason we haven't won a WS since 1908.

 

I'm not saying that.....what I am saying is that Hendry's philosophy is why the Cubs haven't won -- his philosophy being to hire crusty old vets at the end of their career (for dirt cheap) and hoping they have some sort of resurgence.

 

I will say, though, that the jury is still out on Kendall after only a few games -- but right now, it's not lookin' too good.

 

Ken

[CyHawk_Cub]

He's a gamer & a winner......according to Hendry's magic 8 ball & mixed-bag of anecdotes. This was an obviously "blah" acquisition; just wish Soto would've gotten a longer look before deciding he just can't be trusted for the last part of the season. Note to Jim: the deadline doesn't end until 7/31/07, meaning, what compelling reason was there to get Kendall so far in advance of the deadline?

[Sammy Sofa]

If we're stuck with him, hopefully last night proved to the right people that Hill needs to catch Z. They've clearly got a "thing" going on the field.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm sure he won't play this bad this entire season, .

 

I don't know why you would think that.

 

Jason Kendall is done. He had a nice career. But he's a catcher, and catchers age fast and become useless rather quickly. He had one terribly gruesome injury that took a major toll on his abilities and probably accelerated his decline. And that's in addition to the normal wear and tear catchers take. He's 33 with over 13,000 innings logged behind the plate. The fact that he's got a nice career AVG and OBP means very little at this stage. But Gary Hughes saw him do reasonably well in a couple games so Hendry is convinced he'd got plenty left.

[JonnyRed]

Kendall sure hasn't set the world of fire (I thought he was hitting better of late in Oakland, which we haven't seen), but do we really want to make a push for the playoffs with Bowen/Hill/Soto/Blanco? I still prefer Kendall. He has the experience we need down the stretch. Let's just hope he finds his bat soon.

[Sammy Sofa]

So should we throw a 65-year-old out there that's had "experience down the stretch?"

 

Stick a fork in him.

[Soriano12]

Kendall sure hasn't set the world of fire (I thought he was hitting better of late in Oakland, which we haven't seen), but do we really want to make a push for the playoffs with Bowen/Hill/Soto/Blanco? I still prefer Kendall. He has the experience we need down the stretch. Let's just hope he finds his bat soon.

 

Sarcasm right? Right? :?:

[Skyballer]

The trade sucks, but I won't blame Hendry. It was a sell low, high reward tht could've worked real nicely. Unfortunately it didn't.

It was a smart move that didn't pan out.

[TruffleShuffle]

Let's just hope he finds his bat soon.

 

yeah, he could find it by searching out Marty McFly and hitching a ride in his DeLorean back to 1999

[jersey cubs fan]

Kendall sure hasn't set the world of fire (I thought he was hitting better of late in Oakland, which we haven't seen), but do we really want to make a push for the playoffs with Bowen/Hill/Soto/Blanco? I still prefer Kendall. He has the experience we need down the stretch. Let's just hope he finds his bat soon.

 

I would be happy making a push with Soto as the primary catcher. What sort of stretch run experience does Kendall have? He's been on terrible teams most of his career. This team doesn't need experience. It needs productivity.

[jersey cubs fan]

The trade sucks, but I won't blame Hendry. It was a sell low, high reward tht could've worked real nicely. Unfortunately it didn't.

It was a smart move that didn't pan out.

 

I don't understand the first part and can't figure out how you can defend the second part.

[Warren Brusstar]

I just don't get what Hendry sees in certain people. I mean he's not a stupid person. What could possess him to think Kendall would be a good move over using Soto and Hill?

 

one word -- VETERAN. Hendry thinks we need another vet for the playoff push -- even if that veteran is on the downside of his career. But that is the difference between us and Hendry....Hendry doesn't see him on the downside...and that ladies and gentlemen, is very sad AND the main reason the Cubs haven't won a World Series since 1908.

 

Ken

 

Hendry's inability to see Kendall's downside is the main reason the Cubs haven't won a World Series in almost 100 years?

 

:shock:

[Soriano12]

The trade sucks, but I won't blame Hendry. It was a sell low, high reward tht could've worked real nicely. Unfortunately it didn't.

It was a smart move that didn't pan out.

 

 

It was terrible move laughed at by many at the time it happened. It was never a smart move.

[jersey cubs fan]

Hendry's inability to see Kendall's downside is the main reason the Cubs haven't won a World Series in almost 100 years?

 

:shock:

 

The decision making process by Cubs' personel people is the main reason the Cubs have won. It's highlighted in this instance by a GM who ignores issues like age and how it can negatively affect a player, especially a catcher who is already showing signs of nearing the end.

[Soriano12]

The only hope I hold out is that Piniella will throw this "crap" out, unlike the Dustman who held onto Hendry's garbage like a precious treasure. Although, I do remember reading Piniella will tolerate an anemic bat behind the plate in place of defense, but Kendalls defense is nothing to write home about either. Just please don't offer a new contract to this crap...please.

[Warren Brusstar]

What I want to know is why the Cubs have absolutely no faith that Soto can be a serviceable major league catcher. Because it's pretty clear that's the case.

 

There's no other way to explain his lack of playing time after Barrett went down last year. Nor their apparent urgency to acquire Kendall immediately after deciding that Bowen wasn't the answer. They won't even give him a chance. That's just nuts. At this point, what could possibly be lost by playing Soto every day for the next two months?

[Skyballer]

The trade sucks, but I won't blame Hendry. It was a sell low, high reward tht could've worked real nicely. Unfortunately it didn't.

It was a smart move that didn't pan out.

 

I don't understand the first part and can't figure out how you can defend the second part.

Every GM takes a risk when they make a trade or sign a free agent. It's the GM's job to determine the risk and reward. We gave up a fricken dfa'd catcher and mid-level prospect so there is virtually no risk. As far as reward goes, He hit well just last season an through his career so there is high reward. It was a risk worth taking, I don't remeber anyone blaiming Hedry when he resigned Lee just to get a broken wrist.

[moorecg]

Not to derail this Hendry/Kendall bashing party....but hes only started 5 games guys...Pujols first fiave games with the birds this year he got 1 hit.......he's a 3-4 outting away from being the being solid.

[Soriano12]

Not to derail this Hendry/Kendall bashing party....but hes only started 5 games guys...Pujols first fiave games with the birds this year he got 1 hit.......he's a 3-4 outting away from being the being solid.

 

Good point. Because Kendall and Pujols project to have similiar offensive numbers at this point in their career.