The Jim Hendry BandWGN

[CubFanPhilly]

Okay, now that I've come down from cloud 9 a little bit, I'm wondering what we're going to do for a closer. Any thoughts?

 

Would you buy "fewer save opportunities because of larger leads"? :wink:

 

I think its up to Hawkins/Dempster/Farnsworth (in that order).

[treebird]

This deal has all the earmarkings of becoming a longterm disaster for the Cubs. At best, they acquire yet another high-priced, declining, overrated player. Worse still, a 2 month rent-a-player. Even after the deal, the way this team is constructed, their is no gaurentee that they even make the playoffs. No gaurentee Wood and/or Prior are nearly as dominant down the stretch as they were last year. No gaurentee that Zambrano, Clement, Hawkins, and Farnsworth won't be toast by playoff time, due to over use. No gaurentee that Sosa and/or Alou won't be in another prolonged slump, as aging players are apt to do, especially as the year wears on.

Also, no gaurentee, but a VERY likely scenerio, as Garciapopup (no more Fenway monster for cheap fly ball HR's and thats the Sox fans nickname for him, by the way) declines steadily--scouts predict his range will be so lacking in a few short years that he will be forced to move from SS. Many scouts also feel he will have a Boggs-like drop-off in production if he ever changes teams. No gaurentee, but VERY likely that Harris will be a better middle infielder than Nomah, in just a few years. No gaurentee, but Beltran could still develop into a very good, inexpensive late inning RP.

And including Jones is proof that Hendry has a righty fetish. GAURENTEE, Jones was the ONLY lefty in the organization with the potential to be a superstar! On a Mets forum many fans are stating that they are thru with the Mets after their ill conceived dealing of Kazmir. I'm here to say that Jones has more projectability than Kazmir.

Jones for Mentk.? Scary to think what that Minnesota orginazation would do with Hendry's budget.

Speaking of budgets, Hendry has really built a house of cards, with all those millions tied up in old, declining players, while jettisoning a huge chunk of our inexpensive, talented future in exchange. With a payroll blouted with overpayed, old players, 2/3's of their rooster eligible either for free agency or arbitration, the Cubs will not sign their franchise first prime age FA. The Cubs have greatly diminished the likelyhood of a long run of success. Our lower level, minor league talent indicates the pipeline is clogged. We had less of it than most realize. FAR less after today. Hendry has fallen into the same trap that befalls most GM's--drunk with a little success. Many fans now giddy with praise may look back in a few short years and wonder how all those OTHER Cubs fans ever overrated Hendry so. They'll be saying how Hendry had a chance to build something really special and instead dropped the batton.

 

http://www.jenville.com/citizens/uploads/LiamLynch030113.jpg

Whatevah

[Uber]

This deal has all the earmarkings of becoming a longterm disaster for the Cubs. At best, they acquire yet another high-priced, declining, overrated player. Worse still, a 2 month rent-a-player. Even after the deal, the way this team is constructed, their is no gaurentee that they even make the playoffs. No gaurentee Wood and/or Prior are nearly as dominant down the stretch as they were last year. No gaurentee that Zambrano, Clement, Hawkins, and Farnsworth won't be toast by playoff time, due to over use. No gaurentee that Sosa and/or Alou won't be in another prolonged slump, as aging players are apt to do, especially as the year wears on.

Also, no gaurentee, but a VERY likely scenerio, as Garciapopup (no more Fenway monster for cheap fly ball HR's and thats the Sox fans nickname for him, by the way) declines steadily--scouts predict his range will be so lacking in a few short years that he will be forced to move from SS. Many scouts also feel he will have a Boggs-like drop-off in production if he ever changes teams. No gaurentee, but VERY likely that Harris will be a better middle infielder than Nomah, in just a few years. No gaurentee, but Beltran could still develop into a very good, inexpensive late inning RP.

And including Jones is proof that Hendry has a righty fetish. GAURENTEE, Jones was the ONLY lefty in the organization with the potential to be a superstar! On a Mets forum many fans are stating that they are thru with the Mets after their ill conceived dealing of Kazmir. I'm here to say that Jones has more projectability than Kazmir.

Jones for Mentk.? Scary to think what that Minnesota orginazation would do with Hendry's budget.

Speaking of budgets, Hendry has really built a house of cards, with all those millions tied up in old, declining players, while jettisoning a huge chunk of our inexpensive, talented future in exchange. With a payroll blouted with overpayed, old players, 2/3's of their rooster eligible either for free agency or arbitration, the Cubs will not sign their franchise first prime age FA. The Cubs have greatly diminished the likelyhood of a long run of success. Our lower level, minor league talent indicates the pipeline is clogged. We had less of it than most realize. FAR less after today. Hendry has fallen into the same trap that befalls most GM's--drunk with a little success. Many fans now giddy with praise may look back in a few short years and wonder how all those OTHER Cubs fans ever overrated Hendry so. They'll be saying how Hendry had a chance to build something really special and instead dropped the batton.

 

BURN HEEM!

[CubFanPhilly]

This deal has all the earmarkings of becoming a longterm disaster for the Cubs. At best, they acquire yet another high-priced, declining, overrated player. Worse still, a 2 month rent-a-player. Even after the deal, the way this team is constructed, their is no gaurentee that they even make the playoffs. No gaurentee Wood and/or Prior are nearly as dominant down the stretch as they were last year. No gaurentee that Zambrano, Clement, Hawkins, and Farnsworth won't be toast by playoff time, due to over use. No gaurentee that Sosa and/or Alou won't be in another prolonged slump, as aging players are apt to do, especially as the year wears on.

Also, no gaurentee, but a VERY likely scenerio, as Garciapopup (no more Fenway monster for cheap fly ball HR's and thats the Sox fans nickname for him, by the way) declines steadily--scouts predict his range will be so lacking in a few short years that he will be forced to move from SS. Many scouts also feel he will have a Boggs-like drop-off in production if he ever changes teams. No gaurentee, but VERY likely that Harris will be a better middle infielder than Nomah, in just a few years. No gaurentee, but Beltran could still develop into a very good, inexpensive late inning RP.

And including Jones is proof that Hendry has a righty fetish. GAURENTEE, Jones was the ONLY lefty in the organization with the potential to be a superstar! On a Mets forum many fans are stating that they are thru with the Mets after their ill conceived dealing of Kazmir. I'm here to say that Jones has more projectability than Kazmir.

Jones for Mentk.? Scary to think what that Minnesota orginazation would do with Hendry's budget.

Speaking of budgets, Hendry has really built a house of cards, with all those millions tied up in old, declining players, while jettisoning a huge chunk of our inexpensive, talented future in exchange. With a payroll blouted with overpayed, old players, 2/3's of their rooster eligible either for free agency or arbitration, the Cubs will not sign their franchise first prime age FA. The Cubs have greatly diminished the likelyhood of a long run of success. Our lower level, minor league talent indicates the pipeline is clogged. We had less of it than most realize. FAR less after today. Hendry has fallen into the same trap that befalls most GM's--drunk with a little success. Many fans now giddy with praise may look back in a few short years and wonder how all those OTHER Cubs fans ever overrated Hendry so. They'll be saying how Hendry had a chance to build something really special and instead dropped the batton.

 

Possible, of course.

 

But the Cubs just upgraded the biggest black hole on the roster with a guy who's easily one of the 10 best SS in the game (even if you want to include A-Rod). I could argue top five, I think. That's terrific when you've got a shot to contend.

 

Oh, and the compensation picks if the Cubs lose Clement and/or Nomar to FA and the decent prospect they got from Boston should go a long way to re-stocking the farm.

 

CFP

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Speaking of budgets, Hendry has really built a house of cards, with all those millions tied up in old, declining players, while jettisoning a huge chunk of our inexpensive, talented future in exchange. With a payroll blouted with overpayed, old players, 2/3's of their rooster eligible either for free agency or arbitration, the Cubs will not sign their franchise first prime age FA. The Cubs have greatly diminished the likelyhood of a long run of success. Our lower level, minor league talent indicates the pipeline is clogged. We had less of it than most realize. FAR less after today. Hendry has fallen into the same trap that befalls most GM's--drunk with a little success. Many fans now giddy with praise may look back in a few short years and wonder how all those OTHER Cubs fans ever overrated Hendry so. They'll be saying how Hendry had a chance to build something really special and instead dropped the batton.

 

So now Hendry signed Alou and Sosa's deals? Lee, Ramirez, and Wood are far from "old and declining". It's also funny how you talk about Harris, Beltran, and Jones as being future stars, you neglect that we got Boston's 1st Round pick from last year who is ripping up High A. It's also worth noting that neither of the players given up were the only one's of their kind. Lewis is an upper level 2B, Wellemeyer a young RH fireballing reliever, and Sisco is a better prospect than Jones, not to mention Pinto, Marshall, etc. So, the worst case scenario is that we get two first rounders plus Murton for Jones/Beltran/Harris. Add in the fact that we get Nomar for the rest of this year plus an inside track on signing him. I think it's worth it.

[Tim]

This deal has all the earmarkings of becoming a longterm disaster for the Cubs. At best, they acquire yet another high-priced, declining, overrated player. Worse still, a 2 month rent-a-player. Even after the deal, the way this team is constructed, their is no gaurentee that they even make the playoffs. No gaurentee Wood and/or Prior are nearly as dominant down the stretch as they were last year. No gaurentee that Zambrano, Clement, Hawkins, and Farnsworth won't be toast by playoff time, due to over use. No gaurentee that Sosa and/or Alou won't be in another prolonged slump, as aging players are apt to do, especially as the year wears on.

Also, no gaurentee, but a VERY likely scenerio, as Garciapopup (no more Fenway monster for cheap fly ball HR's and thats the Sox fans nickname for him, by the way) declines steadily--scouts predict his range will be so lacking in a few short years that he will be forced to move from SS. Many scouts also feel he will have a Boggs-like drop-off in production if he ever changes teams. No gaurentee, but VERY likely that Harris will be a better middle infielder than Nomah, in just a few years. No gaurentee, but Beltran could still develop into a very good, inexpensive late inning RP.

And including Jones is proof that Hendry has a righty fetish. GAURENTEE, Jones was the ONLY lefty in the organization with the potential to be a superstar! On a Mets forum many fans are stating that they are thru with the Mets after their ill conceived dealing of Kazmir. I'm here to say that Jones has more projectability than Kazmir.

Jones for Mentk.? Scary to think what that Minnesota orginazation would do with Hendry's budget.

Speaking of budgets, Hendry has really built a house of cards, with all those millions tied up in old, declining players, while jettisoning a huge chunk of our inexpensive, talented future in exchange. With a payroll blouted with overpayed, old players, 2/3's of their rooster eligible either for free agency or arbitration, the Cubs will not sign their franchise first prime age FA. The Cubs have greatly diminished the likelyhood of a long run of success. Our lower level, minor league talent indicates the pipeline is clogged. We had less of it than most realize. FAR less after today. Hendry has fallen into the same trap that befalls most GM's--drunk with a little success. Many fans now giddy with praise may look back in a few short years and wonder how all those OTHER Cubs fans ever overrated Hendry so. They'll be saying how Hendry had a chance to build something really special and instead dropped the batton.

Well, you've successfully outlined the worst-case scenario.

 

Now for a dose of reality:

 

1) The Cubs didn't add much, if any payroll through this trade. They got cash back from Boston and apparently don't have to pay any of Gonzo's salary. That should pretty well even things out over the last two months of the year.

 

2) While the Cubs gave up three good prospects, the losses of those players can be rationalized:

 

• Beltran was being beaten out in the pen by Leicester and Welly. We've also got a slew of other righties that can play that role.
  
• Harris is a significant loss, as I've been very excited about him for three years now. But he is more likely to be a solid contributor than a superstar. The Cubs are likely to re-sign Walker and have Ramirez at third, leaving little room for Harris. The presence of Lewis also helps ease the loss of Harris.
  
• Yes, Jones has a huge ceiling. But he's also been completely unable to stay healthy in his time with the Cubs. As for having a "righty fetish", I really can't see where you're coming from. There are a TON of lefties "left" in the system. Sisco, Hagerty, Pinto, Downs, Connelly, Vasquez, Hill and others. In fact, Daytona nearly had an all lefty, all prospect rotation for a while this year.
  
• Murton, who came to the Cubs from the Sox in the trade, can hit. He's probably near the same level of prospect as Harris, but he won't take up a 40 man roster spot for another year, which will be important this winter.
  
• If the Cubs don't re-sign Nomar, they'll almost certainly offer arbitration and receive two first round picks in return. Those picks, when combined with Murton pretty much fully compensate for the loss of Harris, Beltran and Jones.

 

Which means that if Nomar goes elsewhere, we got a rental of Nomar for the low, low cost of Gonzo. If Nomar re-signs, we get one of MLB's best shortstops for the price of a couple of good, but not A+ prospects (and Gonzo).

 

The chances that this becomes a bad deal for the Cubs are pretty minimal unless Nomar's achilles blows out and he spends the rest of the season on the DL. The chances that this becomes a great deal for the Cubs are much, much higher.

Edited July 31, 2004 by Tim

[Outshined_One]

I am still here. I am just wondering about the wiseness of this. Basically giving up Jones, Harris, Beltran, and AGonz for a 2 1/2 month rental.

 

I personally think we overrate Harris. He might end up as a good everyday 2B in the future, yes...but I dunno. Richard Lewis' presence helps. Jones was expendable to a lesser degree, imo, especially since Connolly and Pinto have come on. Jones may well have been better than them in the end, but I think the fact that those guys emerged this year really helped make this decision. Also, being on a rehab stint is not the most positive of things. I'm still completely unsure of where Beltran will end up in three years, though.

 

Heck, we even ended up ADDING a prospect in this deal. That counts for something, imo.

 

I've been aboard this thing since the A-Ram trade, by the way 8)

[Banedon]

From Cubs.com:

 

I'm not usually one to be creative enough to do these four-way deals," he said. "I always call them 'Billy Beane deals.' I'm from the school that it's a hard enough job to do a one-on-one. The potential that it became a three- and four-way was probably at lunch time today."

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

My take on what we gave up:

 

1. Beltran: I like his stuff, but he's a bullpen arm. Other than closers and a few elite set-up men, bullpen guys are a dime a dozen. I'm sure a number of our guys could be converted to fill the same need. Welly and Liecester are likely as good, but don't quite have the same stuff. We can afford to lose him.

 

2. Harris: I hate to lose Harris. He shows remarkable potential for me. I think he will be a nice major leaguer. That being said, Lewis is likely his eqaul...at least in the tools category. You have to give something to get something.

 

3. Jones: This is likely the highest ceiling prospect given up, but he's an A-ball prospect. He likely is at least three years away. I think Murton makes up for losing him. A position player for a pitcher.

 

Also, Murton now gives us three good prospect that could see Wrigley in a few years. Harvey, Pie, and Murton would make a nice outfield in 2007-2008.

[LeftCoastCubFan]

Make room for me. I thought there was zero chance. Just finding a taker for Gonzo shocks me. He picked up Nomar for slightly more (Harris) then it would have cost to acquire Cabrera. Well done Mr. Hendry. =D>

[Jasper]

The chances that this becomes a bad deal for the Cubs are pretty minimal unless Nomar's achilles blows out and he spends the rest of the season on the DL. The chances that this becomes a great deal for the Cubs are much, much higher.

 

=D>

[Crash]

Make room for me. I thought there was zero chance. Just finding a taker for Gonzo shocks me. He picked up Nomar for slightly more (Harris) then it would have cost to acquire Cabrera. Well done Mr. Hendry. =D>

 

The two points of this deal that send it from great to just unbelieveable is that Boston also sent Murton and cash. If the Cubs had just got Nomar for what they gave up it would have been a good deal. But they got a pretty good prospect and they got money to offest the difference in salaries between Nomar and Agonz. How Hendry put this together is just a mystery to me, the man is a wizard.

[davecubsfan]

Hendry did everything we wanted him to do. Some wanted him to get Nomar, and some wanted him to get Cabrera. He did both, even if he only kept Cabrera for a few moments. I never thought I would say this, but I'm more pleased with the job Hendry did this year, than last.

[the sport]

I'd like to counter with a little dose of my own version of reality. Harris' offensive potential as a middle infielder and Jones' potential as a legitimate top of the rotation, lefty stud are light years ahead of Murton's potential impact as a righty hitting, leftfielder. To mention him (we've got about 6 just like him in our orginazation, yet Minaya asked for Harris) as offsetting the lose of any of the three much tougher to fill positions we gave away is hometown wishfull thinking. And draft choices are hit and miss at any level, we traded away two big hits, in recent drafts, in Harris and Jones-- the compentation picks are highly unlikely to fully compensate.

And while I'm at it, from the moment he stepped onto the mound at Mesa, Jones has been a far better prospect than either Sisco or Pinto. Ryan knew who to ask for.

I'd really love to eat crow on this one, but I can't help but notice the contrast in the heavy price we had to pay for a past-his-prime player, with injury concerns with the relatively light price our rivals had to pay for players just entering their prime years in Rolen and Beltran.

[Outshined_One]

Couple of counter-points...

 

-Murton's power potential is probably on par with Brandon Sing and likely lower than Harvey and Dopirak. He's not some guy who's likely to end up as some also-ran on a AAA team. He's still relatively young and could have a good future ahead of him.

 

-While draft choices are hit-or-miss, a good rule of thumb is: the more, the merrier. The best success rates in terms of prospects are in the first two rounds, so it's not like the Cubs' farm system will be taking a huge hit by doing this deal.

 

-I agree, I love Jones as a prospect. Overall, he was probably the best lefty in this organization on the overall scale. I think Minnesota got a great player in him. However, this farm system has had a ton of lefties emerge over the past two and a half years or so. Sisco, Hagerty, Pinto, Connolly, Downs, Pignatiello, and other guys can allow for the void left by Justin Jones to be filled. Also, shoulder injuries for pitchers bother me...so let's just say I'm glad we won't be having to worry about THAT any more.

 

-We didn't pay a heavy price for Nomar. We didn't trade Guzman or Pie. We didn't trade Clement. You say that Houston gave up little to get Beltran, yet they gave up a Top 5 prospect (a catcher, no less!) and a future closer with experience in the majors for him. That move KILLED their bullpen. I'd say we gave up an equivalent to Houston in terms of the overall scale of things (experience, talent, ceilings, etc).

 

Look, the fact remains that our SS production this season has been absolutely abysmal. No one will argue that. Boston could have bent us over a barrel for this one...and yet we were the ones who ended up coming out of this deal smelling like a rose.

 

Barring a catastrophe, this move will solidfy our offense and make our team CONSISTENT. We got a guy who's a contact hitter and doesn't strike out a whole lot. He's perfect for the 2 hole. We got the guy our offense needed.

[Tim]

I'd like to counter with a little dose of my own version of reality. Harris' offensive potential as a middle infielder and Jones' potential as a legitimate top of the rotation, lefty stud are light years ahead of Murton's potential impact as a righty hitting, leftfielder. To mention him (we've got about 6 just like him in our orginazation, yet Minaya asked for Harris) as offsetting the lose of any of the three much tougher to fill positions we gave away is hometown wishfull thinking. And draft choices are hit and miss at any level, we traded away two big hits in recent drafts in Harris and Jones-- the compentation picks are highly unlikely to fully compensate.

And while I'm at it, from the moment he stepped onto the mound at Mesa, Jones has been a far better prospect than either Sisco and Pinto. Ryan knew who to ask for.

I'd really love to eat crow on this one, but I can't help but notice the contrast in the heavy price we had to pay for a past-his-prime player, with injury concerns with the relatively light price our rivals had to pay for players just entering their prime years in Rolen and Beltran.

This will be a fun debate.

 

Let me point out a few things you haven't addressed:

 

1) Jones injury history. This alone makes him a more questionable prospect than others in the organization. From "the moment he stepped on the mound at Mesa", there have been tremendous questions about his ability to last a season. Since then, he's done nothing but raise those doubts to serious concerns. I would put Sisco ahead of Jones at this point for the simple reason that he has proven they can get through a season without injury. And Hagerty has to enter this conversation, too, if we're willing to accept guys that have serious injury concerns. He was looking like he could be the best of all of them before he went down for TJS. But at least you've backpedaled from your ridiculous claim that Hendry doesn't like lefties.

 

2) No real place for Brendan on the Cubs. You really think the Cubs would hand him the 2nd base job over Walker or Grudz in 2005? Especially if the Cubs make the playoffs and do well?

 

3) The presence of Lewis in AA.

 

4) Who the heck are the six guys the Cubs have that are "just like him [Murton]"? I'd love to konw because I think there would be a lot more excitement about the Cubs minor league system if that were the case.

 

5) Draft choices are hit and miss, but it's far too early to say that Harris, Beltran and Jones were hits. Beltran still has significant control issues, Harris has proven nothing at the major league level (though I still love his potential and he's the one I think it hurts to give up) and Jones's shaky health makes him a huge question mark as a "hit" at this point. You act as if those three are sure things, but they are not.

 

6) You keep referring to Nomar as "past his prime". While he is 31 and isn't the player he was when he was 26, it's not like the Cubs just gave up those three players to get Omar Vizquel. Nomar is still one of the top 5 shortstops in the game, by quite a comfortable margin. Considering SS is the hardest position to find that kind of production other than catcher, I think it is reasonable to have to pay that kind of ransom. Besides, even Nomar's decline phase is darned impressive. You check his stats lately?

[WrigleyField 22]

we've got about 6 just like him in our orginazation,

 

Please I would love you see you name them. Harvey and Kelton? Name four more please.

[Tim]

Just to clarify, I realize Beltran wasn't a draft pick.

[UK1679666180]

Despite the Cubs not living up to expectations, not all of us ever got off the Hendry bandwagon.

[Tim]

we've got about 6 just like him in our orginazation,

 

Please I would love you see you name them. Harvey and Kelton? Name four more please.

Kelton has never put up the numbers of Murton over a whole season. Harvey and Dubois, I'll grant. After that...

 

I'm stumped.

[Outshined_One]

Top-rated corner OFs in the Cubs organization whom Murton might not be as good as in terms of overall status...

 

1) Ryan Harvey

2) Jason Dubois

 

...

 

...

 

David Kelton has absolutely sucked down at AAA lately and Kevin Collins needs to show some consistency before I get any hopes up. Dopirak and Sing might end up being moved out to LF, but for now, they're first basemen.

[Crash]

I'd like to counter with a little dose of my own version of reality. Harris' offensive potential as a middle infielder and Jones' potential as a legitimate top of the rotation, lefty stud are light years ahead of Murton's potential impact as a righty hitting, leftfielder. To mention him (we've got about 6 just like him in our orginazation, yet Minaya asked for Harris) as offsetting the lose of any of the three much tougher to fill positions we gave away is hometown wishfull thinking. And draft choices are hit and miss at any level, we traded away two big hits, in recent drafts, in Harris and Jones-- the compentation picks are highly unlikely to fully compensate.

And while I'm at it, from the moment he stepped onto the mound at Mesa, Jones has been a far better prospect than either Sisco or Pinto. Ryan knew who to ask for.

I'd really love to eat crow on this one, but I can't help but notice the contrast in the heavy price we had to pay for a past-his-prime player, with injury concerns with the relatively light price our rivals had to pay for players just entering their prime years in Rolen and Beltran.

 

Sorry but Jones is still a low minor league pitcher with an injury history. He is just as hit and miss as any high draft pick is likely to be. It isn't like he was on the verge of stepping into the rotation next season. He has a lot of potential but pitching prospects flare out all the time. Jones could be very good but he actually turning into a top of the rotation stud is very small (as it is for any minor leaguer).

 

Harris is a nice prospect but he is hardly irreplaceable. Especially considering there really isn't a spot for him in the next several years (Aramis at 3rd and Walker at 2nd). We still have Lewis as a future prospect at 2nd from the Braves deal in spring training.

 

You say Beltran's position is "tough to fill" yet the reason Beltran was avalibe to trade is because we already have two young pitchers who beat him out in his bullpen role (Welly and Leicester). I liked Beltran's stuff but he had two issues that are death for relievers, he gave up lots of walks and lots of homeruns. If he ever gets his control issues worked out he will be good, but the Cubs don't have a derth of hard throwing youngsters in the pen.

 

As for the Cards and Astros paying a "light price" but I don't think that is nessarily true. The Cards ended up paying a light price but that is mostly because the prospects they traded to the Phillies burned out, the same could happen in this trade. As for the Astros, they paid a heavy price and it is part of what doomed them this season. They sent away a good catching prospect and a very good reliever (though probably not the best closer). Their bullpen has been in shambles since then.

 

The Cubs sent away some nice prospects but they didn't mortage the future as you seem to believe and they haven't blown up the payroll. At worst this deal gives us Nomar for a playoff drive and shuffles some prospects around in the system without touching the A+ prospects. At best we get an all-star SS for the next 4 years.

[NCCubFan]

I've been a fan of Hendry since last year, and even more so now. Once again he gets a player that can help make the difference this year and possibly beyond without mortgaging the future. Harris and Jones may well be missed, but they can be replaced. The acquisition of Lewis as supposedly a throw-in in the Cruz trade is looking even bigger now.

 

Last year the Cubs had two glaring holes in the lineup: catcher and shortstop. Catcher was taken care of during the offseason, and now shortstop is a strength. It may not be in time to win the division this year, but WHEN the Cubs win the Wild Card, they'll have a formidable lineup in addition to a great rotation for the postseason.

 

I'll admit Hendry occasionally makes a mistake, as do all GMs (e.g. $4 million to Alf last year), but his good moves easily outweigh his goofs. Even what seems like a questionable move at the time (e.g. acquiring Macias) can work out. Good job, Mr. Hendry; your Executive of the Year award is awaiting.

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

[the sport]

O.K., one last one. Nomah is a .266 hitter outside of Fenway over the last three years. As a matter of fact, his offensive stats over that time frame are little better than KGon's away from home, except for the SO's, of course. And his D is not as good as KGon's. In his prime, his split wasn't nearly as stark. He strikes me as a player who will not age gracefully. Bosox got a bargain contract with him, the next team will overpay. Hundley. Sosa, Alou, Maddux, Hundley, Remlinger-- all huge contracts given to players past their prime (check their stats before and after their last contracts.) Now we want another.

The lefty fetish was a bit tongue and check, but look at this team, do we have a lefty at any position under 30? Hagerty at 23, is in rookie ball, with a + 4 ERA. He came to the Cubs with little experience, that TJ surgery was a particular killer developmentally for a player with his profile. And he's their only real chance at becoming a front of the rotation lefty. But, even before the injury, his stats at Mesa/Boise 2002, were a bit misleading--he gave up a ton of unearned runs and is strictly a two pitch guy. Longshot at being a 2 or 3 at the ML level.

As for the rest....for various reasons, nobody outside of Cubbieland is getting really excited about Sisco (anymore) and Pinto. They will never replace the output of a Clement, where as Jones very well might have exceeded it, down the road. The rest you mentioned are your garden variety, poop tossing lefties.

 

Potential future rotation of:

Prior

Wood

Z

Guzman

Jones

WOW, looked good to me. Nobody in our system has the upside to fill that spot I reserved for Jones, nearly as well, IMO.

 

Lastly, 7 courner O.F.ers

1) Harvey

2) DuBois

3) Hoffpuair

4) Collins

5) Sing

6) Weston

7) Jackson

Their is no drastic differential between Murton and any of these OFer's overall game. And you can throw Mallory, Bacon, Johnson and Valdez in with that group. Laugh all you want, but Weston and Mallory still may be latebloomers. And if Patterson gets pushed off to LF with the eventual arrival of Pie....Murton sure seems like are redundency to me.

Add a Hensley Ramirez or Shoppach and maybe I'm a little more agreeable to the whole idea.

Well, there you have it, bash away.

[Tim]

Well, there you have it, bash away.

I would, but I'm laughing too hard to type much.