I think I just threw up in my mouth..Hendry/Dusty Extensions

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm going to take a sit and wait stance involving Baker. I think he is going to come back in 2006 unless Baker decides he can go elsewhere and save face. I think we'll read a lot of different things about the return of Baker but until I see an actual fact such as Baker signing an extention I'll give MacPhail and Hendry the benefit of doubt. If Baker is signed for an extention....it's pitchfork and torch time.

[biittner77]

I'm going to take a sit and wait stance involving Baker. I think he is going to come back in 2006 unless Baker decides he can go elsewhere and save face. I think we'll read a lot of different things about the return of Baker but until I see an actual fact such as Baker signing an extention I'll give MacPhail and Hendry the benefit of doubt. If Baker is signed for an extention....it's pitchfork and torch time.

 

I agree. I don't see how they can extend Baker at this stage of the game. It represents a PR nigthmare and the columnists will tear the trib to shreads. They'd be better off waiting until the season is over and fewer people are paying attention.

 

Also, does Baker even want an extension? It doesn't seem like he's enjoyed his stay on the North Side.

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm going to take a sit and wait stance involving Baker. I think he is going to come back in 2006 unless Baker decides he can go elsewhere and save face. I think we'll read a lot of different things about the return of Baker but until I see an actual fact such as Baker signing an extention I'll give MacPhail and Hendry the benefit of doubt. If Baker is signed for an extention....it's pitchfork and torch time.

 

I agree. I don't see how they can extend Baker at this stage of the game. It represents a PR nigthmare and the columnists will tear the trib to shreads. They'd be better off waiting until the season is over and fewer people are paying attention.

 

Also, does Baker even want an extension? It doesn't seem like he's enjoyed his stay on the North Side.

 

This is what I'm hoping for. The Cubs say some nice things about Baker and then Baker goes and signs with another team. Speier is named manager.

[KatJ]

For once, I'm gonna use this emoticon... ](*,)

 

I didn't have much hope with regard to Hendry, but you would think that Dusty would at least be required to have some semblance of success (outside of 2003) to get an extension...

 

Ick. On the other hand, the Mariners in 2004 signed Melvin to a one-year extension, and then fired him a couple of months later. But that situation, like with Dusty, would only get rid of a symptom, not the disease. Worse yet, it would get rid of the symptom during the season, which rarely works.

 

Right now I don't care about 2008 anymore. Next year, I'm not spending hours on end in the VWR to get Wrigley games to see these chumps. But I think I can see them in Seattle next year, so I guess that makes me a hypocrite.

[Exile on Waveland]

Complete loss of words.

 

I could understand having Dusty come back next year to finish his contract -- though I'd completely disagree -- but an extension? I never even dreamed that would happen. I figured even if Dusty was back next season, he'd then leave on his own.

 

Seriously, if they give Dusty an extension it will be very difficult for me to even watch games anymore. I can't imagine I'll pay to go to one. I certainly won't put in the same amount of time and emotion that I have recently. It's sad, IU basketball has already alienated me to the point where I hardly care and now the Cubs are about to do the same. At least I have the Colts.

 

OK, so not a complete loss of words.

[halplm]

the only POSSIBLE good I can see come out of this is that fans really do stop going to games... As long as the seats are full, the Trib apparently thinks they can do no wrong...

 

It seems their currently buying into the "you can't build by changing all the time" philosophy... and unfortunately picked the wrong time to do that.

 

And of course, it's never Dusty's fault, they always miss some sign...

[YearofDaCubs]

Who knows maybe Hendry feels that he is reponsible for the season being a disaster and I agree he is one reason why it is. Because he feels responsible maybe he feels that Dusty has been doing a good job and the team tanked because Hendry did not make the right personnel moves. Well, I will tell you that not only is Hendry responsible but so is Baker. He lost his clubhouse last year and did so yet again this year. How is it possible that we had a high turnover ratio from last year yet we still have the same problems in 2005? It's simple, it's Baker. I'm getting so sick of "Dusty quotes" the lack of playing the kids when we are officially out of the playoffs run and his mismanagement. Enough is enough with these clowns.

[TenzilKem]

If Hendry wants to continue with Baker as manager, he has to develop a plan to trade all non-pitching prospects when their value is at its peak. With the Cubs' budget, Hendry will always be able to afford a washed-up vet "insurance policy," and Baker will always find a way to get that vet the majority of the starts. Then the rookie will be sent down to AAA because it's a bad idea to have him rotting on the bench.

 

If you want Baker as your manager, you need to trade Cedeno, Murton, and Pie this offseason. Either make a full, 100% commitment to Baker and his philosophies, or fire him (I vote for firing him, btw). This means providing Baker with veterans for all starting and bench spots.

[CuseCubFan69]

If Hendry wants to continue with Baker as manager, he has to develop a plan to trade all non-pitching prospects when their value is at its peak. With the Cubs' budget, Hendry will always be able to afford a washed-up vet "insurance policy," and Baker will always find a way to get that vet the majority of the starts. Then the rookie will be sent down to AAA because it's a bad idea to have him rotting on the bench.

 

If you want Baker as your manager, you need to trade Cedeno, Murton, and Pie this offseason. Either make a full, 100% commitment to Baker and his philosophies, or fire him (I vote for firing him, btw). This means providing Baker with veterans for all starting and bench spots.

 

Yep, going half way gets the Cubs 75-83 wins. What kind of player could the Cubs get if they group Pie, Hill, Cedeno and Murton up for?

[goonys evil twin]

If Hendry wants to continue with Baker as manager, he has to develop a plan to trade all non-pitching prospects when their value is at its peak. With the Cubs' budget, Hendry will always be able to afford a washed-up vet "insurance policy," and Baker will always find a way to get that vet the majority of the starts. Then the rookie will be sent down to AAA because it's a bad idea to have him rotting on the bench.

 

If you want Baker as your manager, you need to trade Cedeno, Murton, and Pie this offseason. Either make a full, 100% commitment to Baker and his philosophies, or fire him (I vote for firing him, btw). This means providing Baker with veterans for all starting and bench spots.

 

That is financially unfeasible. It can't happen.

 

I think you have to provide him with young bench players, or guys he'll be less likely to give unnecessary playing time to.

 

Instead of Macias and Perez, bring up somebody like Theriot and Fontenot. Don't go out looking for another Todd Hollandsworth for the 4th OF spot, use somebody like Kelton. If age is a requirement, put some consideration into using McClain as the 25th man, to backup 3B and 1B (instead of pretending Macias is an adaquate backup 3B) and provide at least the chance from some power on the bench. Or perhaps if your OF is fixed with other moves, think about using Bacon as the 5th OF, and see if his OBP and SB prowess can translate into a solid pinch hitting/running career.

 

Don't give Dusty the crutches he is so ready to rely on. Don't give him a lefty reliever that for whatever reason is better against righties. Don't give him jacks of all trades who are not only not masters of any, but pretty poor at all of them. If you are planning on using a kid at a certain position, make sure his backup is a kid himself, or perhaps somebody like Jerry Hairston, who Dusty doesn't seem to fond of. Put the onus on Baker to use the proper players. Don't make mistakes elsewhere to counteract the mistake of keeping Baker. Just don't give him access to the garbage can he wants to rummage through.

[YearofDaCubs]

See this is BS. A good manager will make the best of his roster no matter what he has been given. Dusty can't do that and that just shows how inept he is.

[Chocolate Milk]

Yay! More mediocrity! Sign me up!

 

:roll:

 

Edit: I heard this on the Radio and thought, "I bet NSBB just exploded."

[TenzilKem]

That is financially unfeasible. It can't happen.

 

I think you have to provide him with young bench players, or guys he'll be less likely to give unnecessary playing time to.

 

Instead of Macias and Perez, bring up somebody like Theriot and Fontenot. Don't go out looking for another Todd Hollandsworth for the 4th OF spot, use somebody like Kelton. If age is a requirement, put some consideration into using McClain as the 25th man, to backup 3B and 1B (instead of pretending Macias is an adaquate backup 3B) and provide at least the chance from some power on the bench. Or perhaps if your OF is fixed with other moves, think about using Bacon as the 5th OF, and see if his OBP and SB prowess can translate into a solid pinch hitting/running career.

 

Don't give Dusty the crutches he is so ready to rely on. Don't give him a lefty reliever that for whatever reason is better against righties. Don't give him jacks of all trades who are not only not masters of any, but pretty poor at all of them. If you are planning on using a kid at a certain position, make sure his backup is a kid himself, or perhaps somebody like Jerry Hairston, who Dusty doesn't seem to fond of. Put the onus on Baker to use the proper players. Don't make mistakes elsewhere to counteract the mistake of keeping Baker. Just don't give him access to the garbage can he wants to rummage through.

 

First of all, I want to stress that I personally don't want to see Pie, Murton and Cedeno traded. I'd much rather see Baker fired. My basic point is that you should either put your prospects in a position to help your club, or trade them at peak value. Since Baker won't do the former, why not do the latter? If they're not going to get a chance to start for Baker, why not try to deal for another Aramis Ramirez or Derrek Lee?

 

I'm going to assume that the reason you say this plan is financially unfeasible is the cost of playing above-minimum salaries for all 13 non-pitching spots on the 25 man roster. (Since the Cubs have persisted with a 12 man bullpen all year long, I think it's a reasonable assumption that Baker will go that direction next year).

 

I see the financial reasoning behind using guys like Fontenot, Kelton, Bacon and Theriot on the bench. I just don't see Hendry doing it. He will always have room in his budget for the Hollandsworths and Perezes. In a way, the Cubs are hampered by their large budget--small budget teams have no choice but to explore every corner of their farm system for usable talent. The Cubs will probably always have a million or two to spend on their 4th OF and utility IF.

 

It has always been Hendry's SOP to have "veteran insurance" around whenever he's considering giving a rookie substantial playing time. Choi had Karros; Hill had Grudzielanek. You say "If you are planning on using a kid at a certain position, make sure his backup is a kid himself, or perhaps somebody like Jerry Hairston, who Dusty doesn't seem to fond of." But Hendry has never gone without a veteran insurance policy at any position that a rookie was contending for, and, despite the fact Baker's not fond of Hairston, Hairston's still getting more starts than Matt Murton.

 

Neither Hendry or Baker seem to enjoy employing rookies as backups. Earlier this year, Cedeno was doing a good job as a backup infielder. Yet the Cubs decided that they just had to have Enrique Wilson instead. I don't see a team that thinks it's better to go with Wilson over Cedeno taking chances on Kelton, Theriot and Bacon.

 

If a GM has to create some master plan to structure his roster in such a way that it prevents his manager from making bad personnel decisions, he should probably ask himself why he's continuing to employ a manager who keeps making such questionable moves.

[Guest]

Rotowrold.com

 

Ronny Cedeno will work out with coach Chris Speier this week to determine if he'll play second base of shortstop next year.

It sounds like Nomar Garciaparra won't be back for the Cubs next year, so they will need a shortstop. Neifi Perez will likely be at second next year. While it sounds like he's going to be a starter either way, it will be interesting to see how long Dusty Baker sticks with him. Baker, who is on the verge of signing a two-year extension that will keep him with the Cubs through 2008, is known for not playing young guys enough. Sep. 5 - 9:15 am et

That is absolutely, positively the most depressing thing I have ever read. If Baker is extended and Neifi is brought back as a starter in 2006 I will lose all hope that this franchise will ever do anything right. Heck, who am I kidding? I'll lose all hope even if just one of those things happen.

 

I'm lucky I know how to turn on a computer. For work, I just have to know how to type and hit "send."

I'm good with computers. Need an assistant? ;)

[Derwood]

Constructing a roster that is "Dusty Proof" is entirely backwards logic, and flies in the face of keeping Dusty in the first place. Why would Hendry give Dusty an extension, but then have to create a team that his newly rewarded skipper can't screw up? Seems that if he feels Dusty should get more time, then he feels Dusty is doing a good job.

 

Secondly, if he were to fill the roster with rookie backups, I don't think Dusty would do any better a job. In fact, I think it builds in all sorts of excuses for failure (in Dusty's eyes). Dusty would be really unhappy having to manage this team, and would likely peform even worse than he already does.

 

The sad truth is that if Hendry thinks enough of Baker to offer him an extension, he will also consult with Baker to find out who he would like on the team. Perez is guaranteed a spot on this team next year.