[Mark Priors Calves]

Bruce,

 

I just wanted to say thanks for all your great work on the Cubs beat.

[LuckyPup]

Bruce,

 

I just wanted to say thanks for all your great work on the Cubs beat.

ditto

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

In a chat session, Bruce, you once agreed with me that the futures of Baker and Hendry are pretty much tied to one another. Do you still feel that way? Personally, I don't see Dusty getting shown the door anytime soon, but there is a lot of speculation (not unexpected) that he may be wearing out his welcome. Thoughts?

 

There's one axiom that goes that a GM gets one manager to fire. Dusty is Jim's first manager. The key pivot point here may be how Dusty uses the kids. Yes, their futures are tied together, but if Jim at some points feels he must fire Dusty (that time inevitably comes for all GMs), he'll be allowed to do it and stay on. The Cubs value Hendry's overall contributions since he came on board 10 years ago.

 

Okay, that being said (and if you have time), do you personally beleive dusty is on his way out?

 

Also, I saw it posted somewhere today that the cubs were no longer looking for a "fix" at the trading deadline, but rather a couple of young guys for the future. Is this true? Is the organization really giving up on this year? ( I think giving up is a bad idea, considering we still have 14 games to play with St. Louis)

 

14 games with the best team in the league might be the reason people are packing it in. I hope this isn't the case though.

[Bruce Miles]

No, I do not believe Dusty is on his way out any time soon. The Cubs believe, with some validity, that the early season record was not his fault, given the injuries. I'm sure the Cubs feel Dusty has turned the attitude around here and has infused an "expectation" of winning (for whatever that is worth _ maybe not much here, but I'm trying to give you some insight as to how the Cubs think. The situation was different with Baylor. At that time, there were people pushing hard for a change. That's not happening here yet.

[JC]

In a chat session, Bruce, you once agreed with me that the futures of Baker and Hendry are pretty much tied to one another. Do you still feel that way? Personally, I don't see Dusty getting shown the door anytime soon, but there is a lot of speculation (not unexpected) that he may be wearing out his welcome. Thoughts?

 

There's one axiom that goes that a GM gets one manager to fire. Dusty is Jim's first manager. The key pivot point here may be how Dusty uses the kids. Yes, their futures are tied together, but if Jim at some points feels he must fire Dusty (that time inevitably comes for all GMs), he'll be allowed to do it and stay on. The Cubs value Hendry's overall contributions since he came on board 10 years ago.

 

I think he is probably a great guy to be around. Nonetheless, I am not a big fan of Hendry's as a GM. Certainly, my opinion is a minority view around here. I just think he has to take some blame for this miserable half season. I hated the organization's offseason approach. To the best of your knowledge, did Hendry dictate most of the offseason strategy, or was he given some specific marching orders (i.e. jettison Sammy, Alou, Farns, Mercker)? Thanks in advance for any response.

[Mizzou]

Bruce,

 

I just wanted to say thanks for all your great work on the Cubs beat.

 

Agreed. I enjoy reading what you write, Bruce.

[minnesotacubsfan]

BRUCE,

 

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CUBS HAVE PLANNED FOR CPATT? DOES HE STILL HAVE A FUTURE HERE?

 

THANX FOR POPPING IN!

[Roast]

No, I do not believe Dusty is on his way out any time soon. The Cubs believe, with some validity, that the early season record was not his fault, given the injuries. I'm sure the Cubs feel Dusty has turned the attitude around here and has infused an "expectation" of winning (for whatever that is worth _ maybe not much here, but I'm trying to give you some insight as to how the Cubs think. The situation was different with Baylor. At that time, there were people pushing hard for a change. That's not happening here yet.

 

*sigh*

 

I dont know how he has turned the attitude. From an outsiders view, it looks like things are in shambles. I hope thats just cause we have a bad view from here.

[indifferent]

In a chat session, Bruce, you once agreed with me that the futures of Baker and Hendry are pretty much tied to one another. Do you still feel that way? Personally, I don't see Dusty getting shown the door anytime soon, but there is a lot of speculation (not unexpected) that he may be wearing out his welcome. Thoughts?

 

There's one axiom that goes that a GM gets one manager to fire. Dusty is Jim's first manager. The key pivot point here may be how Dusty uses the kids. Yes, their futures are tied together, but if Jim at some points feels he must fire Dusty (that time inevitably comes for all GMs), he'll be allowed to do it and stay on. The Cubs value Hendry's overall contributions since he came on board 10 years ago.

 

Okay, that being said (and if you have time), do you personally beleive dusty is on his way out?

 

Also, I saw it posted somewhere today that the cubs were no longer looking for a "fix" at the trading deadline, but rather a couple of young guys for the future. Is this true? Is the organization really giving up on this year? ( I think giving up is a bad idea, considering we still have 14 games to play with St. Louis)

 

14 games with the best team in the league might be the reason people are packing it in. I hope this isn't the case though.

 

Not trolling here and my intention is not to derail a good thread with Mr. Miles, but that's the point. If the Cubs are going to buyers at the deadline, they should do so because they plan on beating the teams they're supposed to beat, not because they entertain thoughts of sweeping the Cards or even taking 3/4 of the games. When is the last time that happened between the Cards and the Cubs?

[Roast]

BRUCE,

 

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CUBS HAVE PLANNED FOR CPATT? DOES HE STILL HAVE A FUTURE HERE?

 

THANX FOR POPPING IN!

 

AHH CAPS LOCK ALERT!!!!!!!!

 

:P

[Post Count Padder]

Hey, Bruce,

 

First off, you've done a nice job as a beat writer. Keep it up.

 

Second, do you think part of the problem this season was Hendry's failure to make a move to replace Alou in left and to improve the pen in the offseason? If you think about it, our big off season moves were trading Sosa and Farnsworth and signing Burnitz and Blanco, who might as well not even take a bat up to the plate. Hairston could've started in left to start the season, but Dusty put Hollandsworth out there. Is it possible that the lack of major league talent obtained in the offseason had something to do with this downward spiral?

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Not trolling here and my intention is not to derail a good thread with Mr. Miles, but that's the point. If the Cubs are going to buyers at the deadline, they should do so because they plan on beating the teams they're supposed to beat, not because they entertain thoughts of sweeping the Cards or even taking 3/4 of the games. When is the last time that happened between the Cards and the Cubs?

 

Exactly, when they are struggling against wild card contenders, it's not realistic to assume the 14 games against the Cardinals are going to be helpful to the Cubs. If they hope to turn this season around, they need to start beating the teams they should be beating, and maybe the Cards series will fall into place.

 

At this moment in time, I just don't see how playing the Cardinals can be a good thing

Edited July 8, 2005 by BleedCubbieBlue81

[minnesotacubsfan]

BRUCE,

 

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CUBS HAVE PLANNED FOR CPATT? DOES HE STILL HAVE A FUTURE HERE?

 

THANX FOR POPPING IN!

 

AHH CAPS LOCK ALERT!!!!!!!!

 

:P

 

HEY, I'M AN ARCHITECT, I HAVE MY CAPLOCKS ON ALLLL DAY...LEAVE ME ALONE

 

:D

[Roast]

Not trolling here and my intention is not to derail a good thread with Mr. Miles, but that's the point. If the Cubs are going to buyers at the deadline, they should do so because they plan on beating the teams they're supposed to beat, not because they entertain thoughts of sweeping the Cards or even taking 3/4 of the games. When is the last time that happened between the Cards and the Cubs?

 

Exactly, when they are struggling against wild card contenders, it's not realistic to assume the 14 games against the Cardinals are going to be helpful to the Cubs. If they hope to turn this season around, they need to start beating the teams they should be beating, and maybe the Cards series will fall into place.

 

At this moment in time, I just don't see how playing the Cardinals can be a good thing

 

I am just saying that there are too many games left with contenders to give up yet.

[Bruce Miles]

The off-season moves were Hendry's call all the way. The major problem was that he was hamstrung by MLB's silly (and blame the players association too) Dec. 7 deadline for offering arbitration to your own free agents. At that time, he wanted to keep Alou, but he still had Sosa on the books and the possibility was real at that time they'd be stuck with Sosa. So there wasn't enough money in the budget.

Mercker's back was an issue, as was his ineffectiveness. They had had enough of Farnsworth.

[Bruce Miles]

Personally, and it's just my feeling, I don't believe Patterson has a future here. If they can somehow build his value back up, they might try to trade him. I think it would be best for him.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

HEY, I'M AN ARCHITECT, I HAVE MY CAPLOCKS ON ALLLL DAY...LEAVE ME ALONE :D

 

Costanza?

 

I am just saying that there are too many games left with contenders to give up yet.

 

Fair enough. I think I read it wrong the first time I read it. My bad.

[sonicdethmonkey0]

No, I do not believe Dusty is on his way out any time soon. The Cubs believe, with some validity, that the early season record was not his fault, given the injuries. I'm sure the Cubs feel Dusty has turned the attitude around here and has infused an "expectation" of winning (for whatever that is worth _ maybe not much here, but I'm trying to give you some insight as to how the Cubs think. The situation was different with Baylor. At that time, there were people pushing hard for a change. That's not happening here yet.

 

bruce, earlier this week on baseball tonight, peter gammons said the cubs were ready to call up pie until he sprained his ankle. if this is true, are you at all concerned that the cubs might be making a mistake by bringing him too early? a lot of people seem to blame patterson's attitude and refusal to change as the main reason he has struggled, but i think that he's plagued by the entire philosophy of this organization: the ultra-aggressive approach when it comes hitting. patterson was already an aggressive hitter, what he really needed to suceed was to be MUCH more selective and get on base so he could utilize his speed. apparently no one ever told him that, and now he's allergic to the BB. with pie being similar to patterson tools-wise, i'm worried. what are your thoughts on the situation?

 

also, i think you should make this your avatar:

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/4633/brucemiles1qn.jpg

 

 

keep up the fantastic work, mr. way-... miles.

[AlwaysaCub]

Bruce,

On a related note to the kids, the Cubs 40 man roster currently stands at 42, so do you know how the Cubs are going to pare that down?

 

Thanks a billion

[Bruce Miles]

Pie would have been up had he not been hurt. The concerns about him are legitimate. That's why I say a real moment of truth is coming for the Baker-Hendry relationship. These young players are bubbling up to the surface. We'll see how they're managed.

[Bruce Miles]

I hope today to find out about the 40-man.

[Bruce Miles]

Cubs tell me they're at 39 on the 40-man. The Borowski, Wilson, Crouthers and Bartosh moves created some room.

[TB_11]

Thanks for the great articles, Bruce.

 

Also thanks for indulging us here on NSBB :D

[Outshined_One]

Cubs tell me they're at 39 on the 40-man. The Borowski, Wilson, Crouthers and Bartosh moves created some room.

 

Is there any news on who the Cubs are selecting from the Orioles system due to the Crouthers retirement?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Last I knew, players on the 60-day DL didn't count against the 40 man roster. If that is true, the roster sits at 39 with my count.