Jim Hendry Appreciation Thread

[CoolHandLuke]

Does anyone think the Cubs are on the precipice of a dynasty?

 

Hendry's best acquisition in recent years was Piniella, (thanks Bruce Miles for the article yesterday. It really changed my mind about sweet Lou). But that might just be a contrast effect from the dark days of Dusty.

 

His second best was Lilly. But Lilly had a career year this year. Let's all hope he can keep it up in the post season and beyond.

 

Marquis was about what we all expeceted since May.

 

DeRosa was another good signing, but he had another career year at age 32.

 

We all know abut Soriano, how can you not like the guy? However, we won't be liking his contract in two or three years (if you like it now).

 

The thing about Jim is that in order for his teams to do well he needs to have far too many career years from too many guys. In ballance he had a good offseason, but in total he's been a very mediocre GM with a very mediocre record, and spent a lot of money to do so. Unfortunately for us, he's likely to be around for a few more years hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

 

There is very little doubt in my mind that this is the Brewer's division for the next several years.

[CubColtPacer]

Does anyone think the Cubs are on the precipice of a dynasty?

 

Hendry's best acquisition in recent years was Piniella, (thanks Bruce Miles for the article yesterday. It really changed my mind about sweet Lou). But that might just be a contrast effect from the dark days of Dusty.

 

His second best was Lilly. But Lilly had a career year this year. Let's all hope he can keep it up in the post season and beyond.

 

Marquis was about what we all expeceted since May.

 

DeRosa was another good signing, but he had another career year at age 32.

 

We all know abut Soriano, how can you not like the guy? However, we won't be liking his contract in two or three years (if you like it now).

 

The thing about Jim is that in order for his teams to do well he needs to have far too many career years from too many guys. In ballance he had a good offseason, but in total he's been a very mediocre GM with a very mediocre record, and spent a lot of money to do so. Unfortunately for us, he's likely to be around for a few more years hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

 

I completely agree with this statement. Hendry is very mediocre, and a big reason why is that he is reactive. He reacts to a need and tries to fill it. A great G.M. knows what his future needs are going to be and makes sure to fill it beforehand to get the best value and player. Hendry waits until the need is there without backup plans, and by then there aren't nearly as many options to fill that need, and you get trades like the Monroe and Trachsel deals. I think Hendry is overall a pretty decent talent evaluator, and everybody says that he's a good salesman. He just has a hard time seeing the big picture, and until he does he won't be able to rise above being mediocre.

[jjgman21]

Does anyone think the Cubs are on the precipice of a dynasty?

 

Hendry's best acquisition in recent years was Piniella, (thanks Bruce Miles for the article yesterday. It really changed my mind about sweet Lou). But that might just be a contrast effect from the dark days of Dusty.

 

His second best was Lilly. But Lilly had a career year this year. Let's all hope he can keep it up in the post season and beyond.

 

Marquis was about what we all expeceted since May.

 

DeRosa was another good signing, but he had another career year at age 32.

 

We all know abut Soriano, how can you not like the guy? However, we won't be liking his contract in two or three years (if you like it now).

 

The thing about Jim is that in order for his teams to do well he needs to have far too many career years from too many guys. In ballance he had a good offseason, but in total he's been a very mediocre GM with a very mediocre record, and spent a lot of money to do so. Unfortunately for us, he's likely to be around for a few more years hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

 

this is exemplary of how I think Hendry criticism goes too far. make no mistake about it, I think he should be fired, but every team that makes the playoffs has to have a couple of guys having career years or at least out performing expectations to make the playoffs. at the same time, few teams with as many performances below expectations manage to make the playoffs (Z, Barrett, basically the entire outfield).

[CubColtPacer]

Does anyone think the Cubs are on the precipice of a dynasty?

 

Hendry's best acquisition in recent years was Piniella, (thanks Bruce Miles for the article yesterday. It really changed my mind about sweet Lou). But that might just be a contrast effect from the dark days of Dusty.

 

His second best was Lilly. But Lilly had a career year this year. Let's all hope he can keep it up in the post season and beyond.

 

Marquis was about what we all expeceted since May.

 

DeRosa was another good signing, but he had another career year at age 32.

 

We all know abut Soriano, how can you not like the guy? However, we won't be liking his contract in two or three years (if you like it now).

 

The thing about Jim is that in order for his teams to do well he needs to have far too many career years from too many guys. In ballance he had a good offseason, but in total he's been a very mediocre GM with a very mediocre record, and spent a lot of money to do so. Unfortunately for us, he's likely to be around for a few more years hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

 

There is very little doubt in my mind that this is the Brewer's division for the next several years.

 

I wouldn't say that for sure. Most of their young players are not going to get much better because they started out so well this year. I don't know if they have too much room to expand payroll after they have gone from 27 to 70 million in the last 3 years.. In 2-4 years they might have to trade off some of their talent because it will be so expensive to keep Fielder, Braun, Gallardo, Hart, etc. intact even during their arbitration years.

[C.C.]

Does anyone think the Cubs are on the precipice of a dynasty?

 

Hendry's best acquisition in recent years was Piniella, (thanks Bruce Miles for the article yesterday. It really changed my mind about sweet Lou). But that might just be a contrast effect from the dark days of Dusty.

 

His second best was Lilly. But Lilly had a career year this year. Let's all hope he can keep it up in the post season and beyond.

 

Marquis was about what we all expeceted since May.

 

DeRosa was another good signing, but he had another career year at age 32.

 

We all know abut Soriano, how can you not like the guy? However, we won't be liking his contract in two or three years (if you like it now).

 

The thing about Jim is that in order for his teams to do well he needs to have far too many career years from too many guys. In ballance he had a good offseason, but in total he's been a very mediocre GM with a very mediocre record, and spent a lot of money to do so. Unfortunately for us, he's likely to be around for a few more years hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

 

There is very little doubt in my mind that this is the Brewer's division for the next several years.

 

Which is what we said in 2003 and the W.Sox in 2005. Baseball changes in a blink of an eye.

[UMFan83]

Does anyone think the Cubs are on the precipice of a dynasty?

 

Hendry's best acquisition in recent years was Piniella, (thanks Bruce Miles for the article yesterday. It really changed my mind about sweet Lou). But that might just be a contrast effect from the dark days of Dusty.

 

His second best was Lilly. But Lilly had a career year this year. Let's all hope he can keep it up in the post season and beyond.

 

Marquis was about what we all expeceted since May.

 

DeRosa was another good signing, but he had another career year at age 32.

 

We all know abut Soriano, how can you not like the guy? However, we won't be liking his contract in two or three years (if you like it now).

 

The thing about Jim is that in order for his teams to do well he needs to have far too many career years from too many guys. In ballance he had a good offseason, but in total he's been a very mediocre GM with a very mediocre record, and spent a lot of money to do so. Unfortunately for us, he's likely to be around for a few more years hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

 

There is very little doubt in my mind that this is the Brewer's division for the next several years.

 

Exactly, with some consistancy on offense (sure to be helped by a full season of Weeks and Braun) and improved pitching, this team is scary good for years.

[CUBZ99]

Does anyone think the Cubs are on the precipice of a dynasty?

 

Hendry's best acquisition in recent years was Piniella, (thanks Bruce Miles for the article yesterday. It really changed my mind about sweet Lou). But that might just be a contrast effect from the dark days of Dusty.

 

His second best was Lilly. But Lilly had a career year this year. Let's all hope he can keep it up in the post season and beyond.

 

Marquis was about what we all expeceted since May.

 

DeRosa was another good signing, but he had another career year at age 32.

 

We all know abut Soriano, how can you not like the guy? However, we won't be liking his contract in two or three years (if you like it now).

 

The thing about Jim is that in order for his teams to do well he needs to have far too many career years from too many guys. In ballance he had a good offseason, but in total he's been a very mediocre GM with a very mediocre record, and spent a lot of money to do so. Unfortunately for us, he's likely to be around for a few more years hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

 

There is very little doubt in my mind that this is the Brewer's division for the next several years.

 

The Brewers dont' have the pitching to win the division.

[UMFan83]

Does anyone think the Cubs are on the precipice of a dynasty?

 

Hendry's best acquisition in recent years was Piniella, (thanks Bruce Miles for the article yesterday. It really changed my mind about sweet Lou). But that might just be a contrast effect from the dark days of Dusty.

 

His second best was Lilly. But Lilly had a career year this year. Let's all hope he can keep it up in the post season and beyond.

 

Marquis was about what we all expeceted since May.

 

DeRosa was another good signing, but he had another career year at age 32.

 

We all know abut Soriano, how can you not like the guy? However, we won't be liking his contract in two or three years (if you like it now).

 

The thing about Jim is that in order for his teams to do well he needs to have far too many career years from too many guys. In ballance he had a good offseason, but in total he's been a very mediocre GM with a very mediocre record, and spent a lot of money to do so. Unfortunately for us, he's likely to be around for a few more years hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

 

There is very little doubt in my mind that this is the Brewer's division for the next several years.

 

Which is what we said in 2003 and the W.Sox in 2005. Baseball changes in a blink of an eye.

 

I definitely didn't say that. Their starters were Garland (in peak years), Buehrle (in peak years), Contreras (over the hill), El Duque (over the hill) and Freddie Garcia (over the hill). Their lineup was never that great, and contained little to no young talent that you could count on improving and being dominant. The White Sox had young talent in the minors, but none of them proved that they could be good in the pros (and haven't except for Chris Young and Josh Fields, but even they are nowhere near the talent of Braun, Fielder, Weeks, etc). I expected them to contend for another 2-3 years because of their pitching, but not for a stretch of 5-6 years like the Brewers will have coming up.

 

The only thing that can stop the Brewers from dominating is not getting enough starters to develop.

[David]

The only thing that can stop the Brewers from dominating is not getting enough starters to develop.

 

Those players pretty much performed as well as you could expect them to this year. I mean, how much more can Braun and Fielder do (I guess people did say this about Pujols after his first year, too, though)? Guys like Hardy and Weeks and some of their other players might do a little better, but this'll be offset by the almost inevitable dropoffs in the guys who were awesome for them this year.

 

On top of that, like you said, they don't yet have the starting pitching, and in a few more years, they will have to lock up guys like Fielder and Braun, and who really knows if they can afford that without the players taking a discount?

 

I could easily see them performing the way they did this year for the next couple of years. It's up to the Cubs to fill some more holes this offseason (obviously depends a lot on how quickly the ownership situation is wrapped up) to try to take charge of this mediocre division.

[Sammy Sofa]

Does anyone think the Cubs are on the precipice of a dynasty?

 

Hendry's best acquisition in recent years was Piniella, (thanks Bruce Miles for the article yesterday. It really changed my mind about sweet Lou). But that might just be a contrast effect from the dark days of Dusty.

 

His second best was Lilly. But Lilly had a career year this year. Let's all hope he can keep it up in the post season and beyond.

 

Marquis was about what we all expeceted since May.

 

DeRosa was another good signing, but he had another career year at age 32.

 

We all know abut Soriano, how can you not like the guy? However, we won't be liking his contract in two or three years (if you like it now).

 

The thing about Jim is that in order for his teams to do well he needs to have far too many career years from too many guys. In ballance he had a good offseason, but in total he's been a very mediocre GM with a very mediocre record, and spent a lot of money to do so. Unfortunately for us, he's likely to be around for a few more years hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

 

There is very little doubt in my mind that this is the Brewer's division for the next several years.

 

The Brewers dont' have the pitching to win the division.

 

The Brewers have a very good and very cheap core of their team that they can easily build off of.

[The Voice of Reason]

Which of his points do you disagree with?

 

I'll go with "all of them".

 

Interesting.

 

So you think the Cubs won't come to regret the three year $21 million contract they game Marquis and aren't concerned about his 6.21 ERA in September.

 

Aren't the least bit concerned with Dempster's 9.82 ERA in September.

 

Don't think the backloaded contracts Hendry handed out may limit flexibility in the future.

 

Will be satisfied with a 85 win season if the Cubs don't make a deep playoff run.

[Backtobanks]

Ok, I'm going to give Jim Hendry appreciation for one thing in this thread.

 

Yes, he did spend a lot of money in the 2006 offseason. The big thing was though, he spent it on the right players! There were a ton of horrible contracts thrown out last season. Here is what Hendry did:

 

got the best second baseman on the market, but didn't pay him anywhere near that level.

 

got the best outfielder on the market

 

got the second and sixth best pitchers on the market, and avoided every disaster in the pitching market (for those who are understandably upset about Marquis's contract, think about having Padilla, Eaton, Igawa, Scmidt, or Zito's contracts instead). If you look at the pitching market and look at the 1 year deals, they either were hometown deals or they were absolutely awful pitchers. Most of the long-term deals failed as well, and the only person that you could say Hendry missed on was Gil Meche.

 

got the best bench player by quite a bit on the market for an affordable price.

 

A lot of teams threw around money, but the Cubs were the only team to significantly improve through free agency. The Cubs overpaid for some productive players, but they got the best players. Most teams overpaid for bad players.

 

The Hendry mistakes are well known and some of them are still continuing. The reason they needed such a major overhaul in 2006 was because of Hendry's mistakes. At the same time, if he hadn't done a brilliant job picking the right players to give contracts to in the 2006 offseason the Cubs wouldn't be in the playoffs now.

 

In fact, let's not even look at the total value of the players. Did any team get more value for their money then the Cubs last offseason?

 

Don't forget the resigning of Zambrano and Ramirez. How many other GMs could have resigned them for below market value. A big part of that was his relationship with these players.

[Backtobanks]

Does anyone think the Cubs are on the precipice of a dynasty?

 

Hendry's best acquisition in recent years was Piniella, (thanks Bruce Miles for the article yesterday. It really changed my mind about sweet Lou). But that might just be a contrast effect from the dark days of Dusty.

 

His second best was Lilly. But Lilly had a career year this year. Let's all hope he can keep it up in the post season and beyond.

 

Marquis was about what we all expeceted since May.

 

DeRosa was another good signing, but he had another career year at age 32.

 

We all know abut Soriano, how can you not like the guy? However, we won't be liking his contract in two or three years (if you like it now).

 

The thing about Jim is that in order for his teams to do well he needs to have far too many career years from too many guys. In ballance he had a good offseason, but in total he's been a very mediocre GM with a very mediocre record, and spent a lot of money to do so. Unfortunately for us, he's likely to be around for a few more years hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

 

There is very little doubt in my mind that this is the Brewer's division for the next several years.

 

The Brewers were the popular pick for this year. The Cubs have a solid mix of vets and kids and should be competitive for a few more years with this team. With their prospects and a big budget, there is no reason they can't continue to be competitive for the forseeable future.

[C.C.]

Does anyone think the Cubs are on the precipice of a dynasty?

 

Hendry's best acquisition in recent years was Piniella, (thanks Bruce Miles for the article yesterday. It really changed my mind about sweet Lou). But that might just be a contrast effect from the dark days of Dusty.

 

His second best was Lilly. But Lilly had a career year this year. Let's all hope he can keep it up in the post season and beyond.

 

Marquis was about what we all expeceted since May.

 

DeRosa was another good signing, but he had another career year at age 32.

 

We all know abut Soriano, how can you not like the guy? However, we won't be liking his contract in two or three years (if you like it now).

 

The thing about Jim is that in order for his teams to do well he needs to have far too many career years from too many guys. In ballance he had a good offseason, but in total he's been a very mediocre GM with a very mediocre record, and spent a lot of money to do so. Unfortunately for us, he's likely to be around for a few more years hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

 

There is very little doubt in my mind that this is the Brewer's division for the next several years.

 

The Brewers dont' have the pitching to win the division.

 

The Brewers have a very good and very cheap core of their team that they can easily build off of.

 

That "Cheap" core won't be cheap for long. I just hope they keep Yost.

[Tracer Bullet]

One other thing...for all the Hendry bashers: Who would you want to see replace Hendry? Really, how many GMs out there do a consistently above average job? Maybe a half dozen?

 

First name that comes to mind is Paul DePodesta. Maybe he can get his old team to give up some of those young players like Kemp, Billingsley, Loney, etc that are such trouble makers.

 

DePodesta was a GM for a total of 2 years. That hardly qualifies as "consistently above average."

 

That is my problem with people that constantly complain about Hendry and how easy it would be to replace him with a better GM. Sure, potentially there are better GMs, but the names that keep getting thrown around are terrible. DePodesta? Hendry has had more success than Depodesta.

 

I was responding to the first question. I don't care much about hiring someone with a consistent track record as a GM. I want someone I think will do well.

 

Your last sentence is only correct in that Hendry has had 5 years and DePo had 2. The success of the LAD in the year of DePo was fired was mostly his team. DePo made some very good moves for the Dodgers. His firing was stupid - his replacement is much worse.

[Guest]

One other thing...for all the Hendry bashers: Who would you want to see replace Hendry? Really, how many GMs out there do a consistently above average job? Maybe a half dozen?

 

I've said it before, I think Logan White is the best avail. GM. If you gave me the choice of the potnetial unknown of White and the expected results of Hendry, I'd go with White.

 

Yes, this.

[NewUserName]

I was at Dodgerblues.com this morning or yesterday. They had a poll of which were the worst moves made so far by Ned Colleti. The stupid signing of Juan Pierre didnt even make the top five.

 

 

So as bad as I think Hendry has been it surely could be a lot worse.

[Guest]

I was at Dodgerblues.com this morning or yesterday. They had a poll of which were the worst moves made so far by Ned Colleti. The stupid signing of Juan Pierre didnt even make the top five.

 

 

So as bad as I think Hendry has been it surely could be a lot worse.

 

Trading Joel Guzman for Julio Lugo

Signing Brett Tomko

Re-signing Nomar Garciaparra for 2 years

Letting Greg Maddux sign with the Padres

Signing Randy Wolf for $8 million

Signing Jason Schmidt for $47 million

Picking up Esteban Loaiza and his bloated '08 contract

 

I gotta say signing Pierre longterm is worse than signing Tomko or Wolf for 1 year. And either way, signing Juan Pierre is always better than trading for him and giving up Renyel Pinto, Ricky Nolasco and Sergio Mitre.

[SouthSideRyan]

 

And either way, signing Juan Pierre is always better than trading for him and giving up Renyel Pinto, Ricky Nolasco and Sergio Mitre.

 

1/6M, Pinto, Nolasco, and Mitre for Pierre is better than 5/45 for Pierre.

[jjgman21]

 

And either way, signing Juan Pierre is always better than trading for him and giving up Renyel Pinto, Ricky Nolasco and Sergio Mitre.

 

1/6M, Pinto, Nolasco, and Mitre for Pierre is better than 5/45 for Pierre.

 

the problem in that trade is looking more and more to be one of opportunity cost than of losing out on a trade because of the performance of the players.

 

in other words, the Marlins really haven't gotten as much out of those three as many would like to make them out to be, but it was over paying in prospects for a bad player. much of the value of prospects is based on reputation, and all three of those pitchers were decent to very good prospects that could have and should have fetched more.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Does anyone think the Cubs are on the precipice of a dynasty?

 

Hendry's best acquisition in recent years was Piniella, (thanks Bruce Miles for the article yesterday. It really changed my mind about sweet Lou). But that might just be a contrast effect from the dark days of Dusty.

 

His second best was Lilly. But Lilly had a career year this year. Let's all hope he can keep it up in the post season and beyond.

 

Marquis was about what we all expeceted since May.

 

DeRosa was another good signing, but he had another career year at age 32.

 

We all know abut Soriano, how can you not like the guy? However, we won't be liking his contract in two or three years (if you like it now).

 

The thing about Jim is that in order for his teams to do well he needs to have far too many career years from too many guys. In ballance he had a good offseason, but in total he's been a very mediocre GM with a very mediocre record, and spent a lot of money to do so. Unfortunately for us, he's likely to be around for a few more years hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

 

There is very little doubt in my mind that this is the Brewer's division for the next several years.

 

The Brewers were the popular pick for this year. The Cubs have a solid mix of vets and kids and should be competitive for a few more years with this team. With their prospects and a big budget, there is no reason they can't continue to be competitive for the forseeable future.

 

A lot also hinges on the new owners and any management/philosophy changes. It's a likely scenario that Cubs spending keeps pace with the talent of Milwaukee's youth until they start losing guys like Fielder and Braun to the AL.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Which of his points do you disagree with?

 

I'll go with "all of them".

 

Interesting.

 

So you think the Cubs won't come to regret the three year $21 million contract they game Marquis and aren't concerned about his 6.21 ERA in September.

 

Aren't the least bit concerned with Dempster's 9.82 ERA in September.

 

Don't think the backloaded contracts Hendry handed out may limit flexibility in the future.

 

Will be satisfied with a 85 win season if the Cubs don't make a deep playoff run.

 

No, I said I disagreed with the points he made, please don't try to make my argument for me.

 

Marquis was a necessary evil. 2006 showed that we can't just hope for the best with multiple young players in the rotation(for several reasons) and expect to be competitive. 3/21 is a stiff price for Marquis, but 33% of the way through the contract he's proved one of the better gambles, and with the way the market has gone it wouldn't be a surprise that he's considered appropriately or underpaid after a couple offseasons.

 

Dempster is fine. He had a horrible month. So did Bob Howry in may. He's not going to be completely lock down, but we knew that going in and he's paid appropriately. Bob Cook is really over dramatizing Dempster's performance.

 

The point about backloading hurting the team is a weak one. First of all, if the new owner spends money, it's a moot point. If he doesn't, then we were screwed anyway. The contracts with the most severe backloading are the shorter ones to the likes of Marquis and DeRosa rather than Ramirez or Zambrano. It's silly to think that the team will be forced to unload someone like Hill or Marmol(who will either not be arbitration eligible or first year by the time Marquis, Howry, Eyre, DeRosa, etc. are through with their contract) because of those middling FA deals. Never mind the fact that forecasting payroll problems 3 years in advance is a fruitless exercise for many reasons, not the least of which is that we don't know who's going to be available as a cost-effective option from within. Who saw Theriot as our everyday SS this year after the collapse in 2004?

 

And finally, the "trying to buy a world series" gimmick is cliche and tired. The Cubs aren't even close to being at the top of the payroll ladder, and their run this year is heavily influenced by their own system with players developed by the team or traded for with those players.

[NewUserName]

I was at Dodgerblues.com this morning or yesterday. They had a poll of which were the worst moves made so far by Ned Colleti. The stupid signing of Juan Pierre didnt even make the top five.

 

 

So as bad as I think Hendry has been it surely could be a lot worse.

 

Trading Joel Guzman for Julio Lugo

Signing Brett Tomko

Re-signing Nomar Garciaparra for 2 years

Letting Greg Maddux sign with the Padres

Signing Randy Wolf for $8 million

Signing Jason Schmidt for $47 million

Picking up Esteban Loaiza and his bloated '08 contract

 

I gotta say signing Pierre longterm is worse than signing Tomko or Wolf for 1 year. And either way, signing Juan Pierre is always better than trading for him and giving up Renyel Pinto, Ricky Nolasco and Sergio Mitre.

 

 

Thanks I couldnt remember them and the poll was gone when I went back.

 

Now that I have reread them signing Pierre is probably worse than a couple of those moves. Funny how the guy who runs that site doesnt have the Pierre signing higher.

[KingCubsFan]

One other thing...for all the Hendry bashers: Who would you want to see replace Hendry? Really, how many GMs out there do a consistently above average job? Maybe a half dozen?

 

I've said it before, I think Logan White is the best avail. GM. If you gave me the choice of the potnetial unknown of White and the expected results of Hendry, I'd go with White.

 

Yes, this.

As well as Logan White has done as a farm director, I'm not sure how well this translates into being a good GM. Our current GM who everyone bashes was hired when he was the farm director of the #1 farm system in baseball. I'm not sure how well these skills translate from one job to another.

[CubinNY]

One other thing...for all the Hendry bashers: Who would you want to see replace Hendry? Really, how many GMs out there do a consistently above average job? Maybe a half dozen?

 

I've said it before, I think Logan White is the best avail. GM. If you gave me the choice of the potnetial unknown of White and the expected results of Hendry, I'd go with White.

 

Yes, this.

As well as Logan White has done as a farm director, I'm not sure how well this translates into being a good GM. Our current GM who everyone bashes was hired when he was the farm director of the #1 farm system in baseball. I'm not sure how well these skills translate from one job to another.

I don't necessarily disagree with your sentiment, but I don't think the Cubs ever had the #1 farm system in baseball. I could be wrong though.