Bad news from Mike Kiley

[Derwood]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-kiley03.html

 

Some of the unfortunate highlights:

 

There has been speculation about pitching coach Larry Rothschild's status, only because the pitching was considered the team's main strength and failed to meet expectations, partially because of injuries. But Rothschild is expected to be offered a contract to return.

 

Baker reiterated Sunday that he has no expectations of being offered a contract extension next spring. But sources within the organization indicate that Hendry will receive a two-year contract extension next February or March in Arizona. Hendry is then expected to offer a similar extension to Baker.

 

 

The Cubs could have a new double-play combination next year. Nomar Garciaparra isn't expected to be re-signed, and while second baseman Todd Walker's $2.5 million option should be picked up within a week of the World Series conclusion, he might be traded in the offseason.

 

 

And then this Baker nugget:

 

''It was different in our time,'' he said. "If you made mistakes, you weren't going to play. You had more competition for the jobs and more people that could take your job. Now there's not as much competition for jobs. If you're a fair player, you can get a job anywhere.''

[sweetpeteman]

Thank you for ruining my day, Cubs.

 

 

Go screw your selves, I'm going to be a frick'n O's fan first now. At least they have direction.

 

 

And Miggy.

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm going to sit back and see how it unfolds before I jump on the Cubs for a rumor.

[cubbieinexile]

''It was different in our time,'' he said. "If you made mistakes, you weren't going to play. You had more competition for the jobs and more people that could take your job. Now there's not as much competition for jobs. If you're a fair player, you can get a job anywhere.''

 

Doesn't Baker realize he is part of the problem? Baker is the one letting fair players get a job and he is the one stifling competition.

[CuseCubFan69]

''It was different in our time,'' he said. "If you made mistakes, you weren't going to play. You had more competition for the jobs and more people that could take your job. Now there's not as much competition for jobs. If you're a fair player, you can get a job anywhere.''

 

Doesn't Baker realize he is part of the problem? Baker is the one letting fair players get a job and he is the one stifling competition.

 

Fair and below fair. You are very right indeed.

[CubfaninCA]

Good riddance Nomah. TAke the curse elsewhere.

[dalgreen]

What's the surprise? I think a lot of people looked at it realistically and none of this is really news. What one hopes and what one expects are two different things.

[Derwood]

What's the surprise? I think a lot of people looked at it realistically and none of this is really news. What one hopes and what one expects are two different things.

 

nothing we didn't suspect, but you hate to hear these things get closer to confirmation

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Good riddance Nomah. TAke the curse elsewhere.

 

Like Nomar is the reason the teams haven't won. :roll:

[woodprior04]

Good riddance Nomah. TAke the curse elsewhere.

 

Like Nomar is the reason the teams haven't won. :roll:

 

Yeah, let's get rid of Nomar but keep Dusty and Rothschild. That should take care of things.

[Tim]

''It was different in our time,'' he said. "If you made mistakes, you weren't going to play. You had more competition for the jobs and more people that could take your job. Now there's not as much competition for jobs. If you're a fair player, you can get a job anywhere.''

 

Doesn't Baker realize he is part of the problem? Baker is the one letting fair players get a job and he is the one stifling competition.

Doesn't that mean that someone else should manage the team after Baker does things like letting Maddux hit?

[BigbadB]

I'm not sure how anyone can get excited about Nomar leaving. The possibilities of having Neifi back next year dramatically increase once Nomar is gone.

 

While Furcal could be the main reason for letting Nomar walk, Furcal is not under our control. If Nomar walks, Furcal resigns with Atlanta or some other team (The Yankees could use another SS :D ), you end up with Cedeno and some veteran that Dusty will recognize as the better option than some young kid who hasn't proven himself. If Murton wins an outfield job, will Baker really allow for two kids to play everyday?

 

I think not.

 

Dusty has not even once considered batting Murton in the top spots of the order. If Neifi and Perez are back next year, expect more of the same in regards to OBP at the top of the order and Lee with RBI opportunities.

 

There should be no way any discussion about Nomar not coming back should be happening right now. Nomar actually wants to come back. He not only wants to come back, but he'd play where ever the Cuts want to put him.

 

I'm really scared about this coming offseason. I'm afraid OBP at the top of the order will not be addressed. I'm afraid Preston Wilson, Neifi Perez and Jacque Jones will patrol the defense for the Cubs next year. Why am I afraid? Because Cubs management hasn't given me any inkling of reason to believe they will retain the players that should be retained and no inkling of reason to believe they will go out and sign or trade for the guys they should sign and trade for.

 

I'm not even sure Giles is a blip on their radar screen. Would they be so bold to make a play for Abreu? With Baker's desire to play "his" guys, I'm worried Hendry will want to help Baker acquire his guys.

[treebird]

at this point i only follow the cubs because i feel like i have to

 

im actually rooting for them to do the stupidest things possible this offseason, just because it will be hilarious

 

the a's are much more exciting and fun to follow as far as the offseason goes. who knows what the heck is going to happen?

[LoneStarCubFan]

I already know what's going to happen at shortstop. I knew it the minute the list of potenial free agents was posted earlier this year.

 

1. Nomar will walk. As will Neifi. There will be much rejoicing.

 

2. Hendry will give every indication that Cedeno will be the starting shortstop.

 

3. "Proven veteran" Rich Aurilia will be signed to serve as a utility infielder.

 

4. Cedeno will play just OK in spring training but not lights out. Aurilia will play at about the same level as Cedeno.

 

5. Aurilia will start opening day because Dusty wants to "pick the right spots" for Cedeno and "bring him along slowly."

 

6. Rioting will ensue.

[YearofDaCubs]

I already know what's going to happen at shortstop. I knew it the minute the list of potenial free agents was posted earlier this year.

 

1. Nomar will walk. As will Neifi. There will be much rejoicing.

 

2. Hendry will give every indication that Cedeno will be the starting shortstop.

 

3. "Proven veteran" Rich Aurilia will be signed to serve as a utility infielder.

 

4. Cedeno will play just OK in spring training but not lights out. Aurilia will play at about the same level as Cedeno.

 

5. Aurilia will start opening day because Dusty wants to "pick the right spots" for Cedeno and "bring him along slowly."

 

6. Rioting will ensue.

Yes, rioting definitely if that happens. I'm telling you if I was a Cubs player I would start a mutiny. I will have to take years off being a Cubs fan if we are in the same position next year as we were in this one.

[Outshined_One]

3. "Proven veteran" Rich Aurilia will be signed to serve as a utility infielder.

 

:shock:

 

You take that back!!!!

[dalgreen]

I'm not sure how anyone can get excited about Nomar leaving. The possibilities of having Neifi back next year dramatically increase once Nomar is gone.

 

While Furcal could be the main reason for letting Nomar walk, Furcal is not under our control. If Nomar walks, Furcal resigns with Atlanta or some other team (The Yankees could use another SS :D ), you end up with Cedeno and some veteran that Dusty will recognize as the better option than some young kid who hasn't proven himself. If Murton wins an outfield job, will Baker really allow for two kids to play everyday?

 

I think not.

 

Dusty has not even once considered batting Murton in the top spots of the order. If Neifi and Perez are back next year, expect more of the same in regards to OBP at the top of the order and Lee with RBI opportunities.

 

There should be no way any discussion about Nomar not coming back should be happening right now. Nomar actually wants to come back. He not only wants to come back, but he'd play where ever the Cuts want to put him.

 

I'm really scared about this coming offseason. I'm afraid OBP at the top of the order will not be addressed. I'm afraid Preston Wilson, Neifi Perez and Jacque Jones will patrol the defense for the Cubs next year. Why am I afraid? Because Cubs management hasn't given me any inkling of reason to believe they will retain the players that should be retained and no inkling of reason to believe they will go out and sign or trade for the guys they should sign and trade for.

 

I'm not even sure Giles is a blip on their radar screen. Would they be so bold to make a play for Abreu? With Baker's desire to play "his" guys, I'm worried Hendry will want to help Baker acquire his guys.

 

I really don't get it. Dusty has a fetish for veteran players yet our GM feeds his fetish by getting him vets.... and not just vets, but mediocre to bad vets. That's why I always have to criticize Hendry as much as Baker for this ridiculous personnel move. I wish Hendry would do like Jocketty did last off-season. The Cardinals wanted Molina to be the everyday catcher. Jocketty didn't even offer Matheny a cheap contract offer, so Matheny had to leave, and Jocketty didn't go get a veteran who could potentially challenge Molina. He got Einar Diaz. Just don't sign vets, period. Then Baker would have to play Cedeno everyday. Actually, I don't want both Murton and Cedeno starting, but one of them should. I still want high OPS guys in right and left, with Murton being the 4th outfielder and Cedeno playing everyday. Just say no to veteran utility infielders. Actually, I wouldn't mind a double play combo of Freel and Cedeno.

[CuseCubFan69]

3. "Proven veteran" Rich Aurilia will be signed to serve as a utility infielder.

 

:shock:

 

You take that back!!!!

 

Well Perez did save the Cubs 2005....imagine what Aurilia could do in 2006.

[gflore34]

I'm really scared about this coming offseason. I'm afraid OBP at the top of the order will not be addressed. I'm afraid Preston Wilson, Neifi Perez and Jacque Jones will patrol the defense for the Cubs next year. Why am I afraid? Because Cubs management hasn't given me any inkling of reason to believe they will retain the players that should be retained and no inkling of reason to believe they will go out and sign or trade for the guys they should sign and trade for.

 

I'm not even sure Giles is a blip on their radar screen. Would they be so bold to make a play for Abreu? With Baker's desire to play "his" guys, I'm worried Hendry will want to help Baker acquire his guys.

 

If the above becomes reality then, without question, Hendry is worst GM in Baseball possessing one of the poorest Baseball Minds ever seen. Only a blind fool would ignore the Cubs need for higher OBP is such a blatant fashion.

[YearofDaCubs]

I'm really scared about this coming offseason. I'm afraid OBP at the top of the order will not be addressed. I'm afraid Preston Wilson, Neifi Perez and Jacque Jones will patrol the defense for the Cubs next year. Why am I afraid? Because Cubs management hasn't given me any inkling of reason to believe they will retain the players that should be retained and no inkling of reason to believe they will go out and sign or trade for the guys they should sign and trade for.

 

I'm not even sure Giles is a blip on their radar screen. Would they be so bold to make a play for Abreu? With Baker's desire to play "his" guys, I'm worried Hendry will want to help Baker acquire his guys.

 

If the above becomes reality then, without question, Hendry is worst GM in Baseball possessing one of the poorest Baseball Minds ever seen. Only a blind fool would ignore the Cubs need for higher OBP is such a blatant fashion.

With this organization you can expect everything. Hendry didnt exactly help out the OBP category this season when even last year it wasn;t good.

[CubfaninCA]

Giving Nomar 4-6 million next year is just flushing money down the toilet. Just too injury prone and can't play defense anymore.

[gflore34]

Giving Nomar 4-6 million next year is just flushing money down the toilet. Just too injury prone and can't play defense anymore.

 

I agree as much as like what he could do with the bat, why take the risk again on another injury prone player? We all know Wood will spend some time on the DL next season, certainly don't need Nomar joining him. It's a shame because, I believe, a healthy Nomar, over 140-160 games could quite probably dwarf all other NL SS offensively, heck it wouldn't even be that close.

[thedaymen]

 

I agree as much as like what he could do with the bat, why take the risk again on another injury prone player? We all know Wood will spend some time on the DL next season, certainly don't need Nomar joining him. It's a shame because, I believe, a healthy Nomar, over 140-160 games could quite probably dwarf all other NL SS offensively, heck it wouldn't even be that close.

 

But such a player no longer exists.

 

The Cubs have a lot of expiring contracts, I want the house to be cleaned. I think the first priority needs to be getting Dempster taken care of. I'm not sure if he is an unrestricted FA right now, but if he is get him before anyone else offers him a contract.

 

Edited because I stopped paying attention to the Cubs over the weekend and I now realize Dempster was resigned. Good start to the offseason.

[SouthSideRyan]

Giving Nomar 4-6 million next year is just flushing money down the toilet. Just too injury prone and can't play defense anymore.

 

The Cubs have A LOT of money to spend this offseason. I don't want to see another significant dollar spent on the pen, the IF and C besides SS should be set. I want Murton to take one of the OF spots. That leaves a hell of a lot of money for 2 OF positions and SS. Dropping 5M on the potential for the best SS in the NL is not flushing down the toilet, it's a smart move. 5M could be spent on Nomar and Giles and whomever is the latest CF of choice can still be fit in the budget.

[JC]

Giving Nomar 4-6 million next year is just flushing money down the toilet. Just too injury prone and can't play defense anymore.

 

The Cubs have A LOT of money to spend this offseason. I don't want to see another significant dollar spent on the pen, the IF and C besides SS should be set. I want Murton to take one of the OF spots. That leaves a hell of a lot of money for 2 OF positions and SS. Dropping 5M on the potential for the best SS in the NL is not flushing down the toilet, it's a smart move. 5M could be spent on Nomar and Giles and whomever is the latest CF of choice can still be fit in the budget.

 

Ronnie Cedeno drasticly limits the risk of paying $5M for Nomar. Offensively, I take Nomar over Furcal anytime. Of course, I don't need a spunky little speedster at the top of the lineup like Dusty does.