Hendry should get an extension...

[Burtonbell]

According to Lou Piniella. Yuck.

 

“The sale of this ballclub could go on for quite a while,” Piniella said. “I’ll tell you this, Jim is really professional to work with and he knows his baseball. And he’s done a really nice job here.”

 

He forgot to add he gives ridiculous contracts to players he competing against himself for.

 

 

 

 

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/02/piniella-hendry.html

[shnsajax]

As much as people dislike Hendry and while I agree some of his contract have not been good, we could be a lot worse off.

[erik316wttn]

As much as people dislike Hendry and while I agree some of his contract have not been good, we could be a lot worse off.

 

I don't buy this argument as a defense. We could be one hell of a lot better, too.

[David]

As much as people dislike Hendry and while I agree some of his contract have not been good, we could be a lot worse off.

 

 

We should be a lot better off.

[treebird]

let's extend him a letter of resignation to sign

[Bruce Miles]

I may have to columnize on this later in the week, but the Cubs probably have little choice but to extend Hendry. The ownership situation is up in the air, and it's not likely to be resolved until sometime next year. Someone will have to oversee the free-agent and trade market next fall and winter. If the Cubs manage to get to the playoffs and go far this year, Hendry likely will be extended by whomever owns the team anyway. He's respected within the game to begin with. I'll have a few other twists and possibilities for you guys to chew on. Just some speculation on my part. But I'd look for Jim to be around for 2009 and maybe beyond.

[anabiono]

I may have to columnize on this later in the week, but the Cubs probably have little choice but to extend Hendry. The ownership situation is up in the air, and it's not likely to be resolved until sometime next year. Someone will have to oversee the free-agent and trade market next fall and winter. If the Cubs manage to get to the playoffs and go far this year, Hendry likely will be extended by whomever owns the team anyway. He's respected within the game to begin with. I'll have a few other twists and possibilities for you guys to chew on. Just some speculation on my part. But I'd look for Jim to be around for 2009 and maybe beyond.

 

man, it is like christmas around here

[KingCubsFan]

Overall, Hendry is pretty mediocre. He's made some good trades, some bad trades, some bad signings. He's got some serious flaws, but overall he's not as bad as a lot of this board thinks he is. It's funny that a lot of people criticize him for wasting money, but just imagine where we'd be if we signed some of the players a lot of people on this board wanted (i.e. Drew, Schmidt, etc.)

[Larry Horse]

As much as people dislike Hendry and while I agree some of his contract have not been good, we could be a lot worse off.

 

He's spent almost 600 million during his time in charge. The Cubs still have the longest professional sports streak with no championship. "We could be a lot worse off"?

[cbbryan]

As much as people dislike Hendry and while I agree some of his contract have not been good, we could be a lot worse off.

 

He's spent almost 600 million during his time in charge. The Cubs still have the longest professional sports streak with no championship. "We could be a lot worse off"?

 

Is Hendry to blame for all 100 years? The amount of time since the last WS championship has little to do w/ Hendry's performance as GM. The only years that effect his grade as a GM are the ones when he actually held the job!

[frostwyrm]

I may have to columnize on this later in the week, but the Cubs probably have little choice but to extend Hendry. The ownership situation is up in the air, and it's not likely to be resolved until sometime next year. Someone will have to oversee the free-agent and trade market next fall and winter. If the Cubs manage to get to the playoffs and go far this year, Hendry likely will be extended by whomever owns the team anyway. He's respected within the game to begin with. I'll have a few other twists and possibilities for you guys to chew on. Just some speculation on my part. But I'd look for Jim to be around for 2009 and maybe beyond.

 

I don't understand. Hendry pays top dollar for every bit of productivity you see on the field. Anybody can do that. I would think that businessmen would want more bang for their buck.

[wvcbxl]

I may have to columnize on this later in the week, but the Cubs probably have little choice but to extend Hendry. The ownership situation is up in the air, and it's not likely to be resolved until sometime next year. Someone will have to oversee the free-agent and trade market next fall and winter.

 

So basically Hendry will get extended by default, because there's noone around to make any other decision.

[TruffleShuffle]

I may have to columnize on this later in the week, but the Cubs probably have little choice but to extend Hendry. The ownership situation is up in the air, and it's not likely to be resolved until sometime next year. Someone will have to oversee the free-agent and trade market next fall and winter. If the Cubs manage to get to the playoffs and go far this year, Hendry likely will be extended by whomever owns the team anyway. He's respected within the game to begin with. I'll have a few other twists and possibilities for you guys to chew on. Just some speculation on my part. But I'd look for Jim to be around for 2009 and maybe beyond.

 

sweet, i look forward to another five years of failure from the professional franchise that is most synonymous with the word

[Bruce Miles]

I may have to columnize on this later in the week, but the Cubs probably have little choice but to extend Hendry. The ownership situation is up in the air, and it's not likely to be resolved until sometime next year. Someone will have to oversee the free-agent and trade market next fall and winter.

 

So basically Hendry will get extended by default, because there's noone around to make any other decision.

 

They have little other choice at this point. The new owner probably won't be in place until the next calendar year. Where are you going to get a different GM before a new owner is in place? Who would take the job, not knowing if he's going to be around in less than a year? And if Hendry turns in three playoff appearances since 2003, that will be seen as success by a lot of people, many of them potential buyers. So it's conceivable he could stick around a lot longer than just next year.

[BigbadB]

Who would take the job, not knowing if he's going to be around in less than a year?

 

Oh, alright. I'll do it.

[Larry Horse]

As much as people dislike Hendry and while I agree some of his contract have not been good, we could be a lot worse off.

 

He's spent almost 600 million during his time in charge. The Cubs still have the longest professional sports streak with no championship. "We could be a lot worse off"?

 

Is Hendry to blame for all 100 years? The amount of time since the last WS championship has little to do w/ Hendry's performance as GM. The only years that effect his grade as a GM are the ones when he actually held the job!

 

I guess I didn't make my point clear.

 

He's spent 600 million and they still don't have a World Series title.

[David]

As much as people dislike Hendry and while I agree some of his contract have not been good, we could be a lot worse off.

 

He's spent almost 600 million during his time in charge. The Cubs still have the longest professional sports streak with no championship. "We could be a lot worse off"?

 

Is Hendry to blame for all 100 years? The amount of time since the last WS championship has little to do w/ Hendry's performance as GM. The only years that effect his grade as a GM are the ones when he actually held the job!

 

I guess I didn't make my point clear.

 

He's spent 600 million and they still don't have a World Series title.

 

I wouldn't hold him to that standard, what with the volatile nature of playoffs and all that. But at least giving us a chance to win one with multiple 90+ win teams in a division that we should absolutely dominate with our payroll (not just hope to eek out a title with 85-89 wins).

 

If this team was winning 90+ (if not 95-100) games consistently over his tenure and making the playoffs (as the type of team that would go in as favorites, not an also ran like we have been many times) just about every year, I'd have a hard time blaming the GM for any failures in the postseason. The problem is, Hendry isn't doing that.

[Vanilla Ice]

To be fair to Lou, what is he supposed to say about his boss?

[mul21]

I may have to columnize on this later in the week, but the Cubs probably have little choice but to extend Hendry. The ownership situation is up in the air, and it's not likely to be resolved until sometime next year. Someone will have to oversee the free-agent and trade market next fall and winter. If the Cubs manage to get to the playoffs and go far this year, Hendry likely will be extended by whomever owns the team anyway. He's respected within the game to begin with. I'll have a few other twists and possibilities for you guys to chew on. Just some speculation on my part. But I'd look for Jim to be around for 2009 and maybe beyond.

 

I don't understand. Hendry pays top dollar for every bit of productivity you see on the field. Anybody can do that. I would think that businessmen would want more bang for their buck.

 

Not so sure I agree with this. He has overpaid in some instances (Soriano, Marquis) but has gotten some deals done at below market value (Lee, Ramirez) in key spots so the overspending isn't quite so glaring. I really don't see anything he's done contract wise that has crippled their ability to go out and improve. Some of the reliever's contract were a little pricey, but it's not like he gave Carl Pavano $20 mil a year.

[frostwyrm]

I may have to columnize on this later in the week, but the Cubs probably have little choice but to extend Hendry. The ownership situation is up in the air, and it's not likely to be resolved until sometime next year. Someone will have to oversee the free-agent and trade market next fall and winter. If the Cubs manage to get to the playoffs and go far this year, Hendry likely will be extended by whomever owns the team anyway. He's respected within the game to begin with. I'll have a few other twists and possibilities for you guys to chew on. Just some speculation on my part. But I'd look for Jim to be around for 2009 and maybe beyond.

 

I don't understand. Hendry pays top dollar for every bit of productivity you see on the field. Anybody can do that. I would think that businessmen would want more bang for their buck.

 

Not so sure I agree with this. He has overpaid in some instances (Soriano, Marquis) but has gotten some deals done at below market value (Lee, Ramirez) in key spots so the overspending isn't quite so glaring. I really don't see anything he's done contract wise that has crippled their ability to go out and improve. Some of the reliever's contract were a little pricey, but it's not like he gave Carl Pavano $20 mil a year.

 

We have 8 guys getting $102M in 2009. You don't think that's a problem?

[Warpticon]

Jim should pursue the extension option. Have you seen his hairline lately?

[burnt out cubbie fan]

As much as people dislike Hendry and while I agree some of his contract have not been good, we could be a lot worse off.

 

He's spent almost 600 million during his time in charge. The Cubs still have the longest professional sports streak with no championship. "We could be a lot worse off"?

 

Is Hendry to blame for all 100 years? The amount of time since the last WS championship has little to do w/ Hendry's performance as GM. The only years that effect his grade as a GM are the ones when he actually held the job!

 

I guess I didn't make my point clear.

 

He's spent 600 million and they still don't have a World Series title.

If you really want to go with money spent, how much have the cubs made since he has been GM? How much has their profit grown since he has been GM? How much has the team increased in value since he has been GM?

 

I'm not saying he's a messiah or anything but saying he's spent 600 million dollars isn't a good argument imo.

[Soul]

I'm not saying he's a messiah or anything but saying he's spent 600 million dollars isn't a good argument imo.

 

Agreed. The primary argument against Jim is that he hasn't won enough games, and hasn't won a championship, even though he has had plenty of time to do so.

 

...and that's an argument I find to be pretty simple, and very compelling. He just hasn't won enough, period -- regardless of the money spent.

[JonnyRed]

As much as people dislike Hendry and while I agree some of his contract have not been good, we could be a lot worse off.

 

I don't buy this argument as a defense. We could be one hell of a lot better, too.

 

Please elaborate...My questions isn't necessarily just for you, but I find many people on this board who rip into Hendry without providing better alternatives for moves he should have made.

[JonnyRed]

As much as people dislike Hendry and while I agree some of his contract have not been good, we could be a lot worse off.

 

He's spent almost 600 million during his time in charge. The Cubs still have the longest professional sports streak with no championship. "We could be a lot worse off"?

 

Is Hendry to blame for all 100 years? The amount of time since the last WS championship has little to do w/ Hendry's performance as GM. The only years that effect his grade as a GM are the ones when he actually held the job!

 

I guess I didn't make my point clear.

 

He's spent 600 million and they still don't have a World Series title.

 

On the contrary, he has committed nearly $600M, and as we all know the Cubs will have at least 2 World Series trophies by the time that money is spent.

 

Hendry has put together a team with 3 all-star position players (along with a two-time Japan MVP), a Cy Young contender and for the first time in my lifetime we're seeing a nice group of prospects making an impact. This is a team built to win...now the players and Lou have to take the next step.