Leo Mazzone To Go To Baltimore

[SouthSideRyan]

Swiped from BTF via the Cumberland Times in Cumberland, MD.

 

No way," he said. "My only other aspiration is to be Sam's pitching coach. After that, we'll be done."

 

The time for Perlozzo, who has interviewed for the Seattle Mariners job as well as the Orioles' position twice, to manage in the big leagues is drawing near, according to Mazzone.

 

"It's going to happen," he said. "There is no doubt in my mind or the minds of anybody in the big leagues. Sam is going to be a manager, and a (darn) good one at that. And like I said, I'll be his pitching coach, and after that? We'll be done."

 

So unless all of your arguments was that the Cubs should've hired Perlozzo as the manager in the past couple weeks, your anger is misplaced.

[USSoccer]

Jesus Christ. I hae no faith in hendry anymore.

 

But, he is sitting back quietly with his cards close to his vest as the world slips right on by.........

 

Just like it did last season. Or maybe I'll get yelled at again for thinking Hendry has to get everything done by a certain time...

You're backwards on this one, though. He moved to fast to re-up with Larry.

 

Touche.

 

But if he's moving too fast on one hand, and the end result is a bad decision, and moves too slowly on the other, and the result ends up the same, what does that mean then?

 

Is Hendry capable of making sound decisions about the future of the team?

 

Example:

 

He risked Aramis going to FA by waiting until opening day to extend him. He also waited until every key FA OF was signed before signing the worst option available. His offseason consisted of 2 moves: trading Sosa and signing Burnitz. What was he doing the rest of the time?

[USSoccer]

Swiped from BTF via the Cumberland Times in Cumberland, MD.

 

No way," he said. "My only other aspiration is to be Sam's pitching coach. After that, we'll be done."

 

The time for Perlozzo, who has interviewed for the Seattle Mariners job as well as the Orioles' position twice, to manage in the big leagues is drawing near, according to Mazzone.

 

"It's going to happen," he said. "There is no doubt in my mind or the minds of anybody in the big leagues. Sam is going to be a manager, and a (darn) good one at that. And like I said, I'll be his pitching coach, and after that? We'll be done."

 

So unless all of your arguments was that the Cubs should've hired Perlozzo as the manager in the past couple weeks, your anger is misplaced.

 

I don't think expecting Hendry to even inquire about his availability is too much to ask.

[stitchface]

I'm not mad that they didn't get mazzone, just that they re-upped an absolutely worhtless pitching coach. this team desperately needs someone to manage the pitching staff.

[SouthSideRyan]

Swiped from BTF via the Cumberland Times in Cumberland, MD.

 

No way," he said. "My only other aspiration is to be Sam's pitching coach. After that, we'll be done."

 

The time for Perlozzo, who has interviewed for the Seattle Mariners job as well as the Orioles' position twice, to manage in the big leagues is drawing near, according to Mazzone.

 

"It's going to happen," he said. "There is no doubt in my mind or the minds of anybody in the big leagues. Sam is going to be a manager, and a (darn) good one at that. And like I said, I'll be his pitching coach, and after that? We'll be done."

 

So unless all of your arguments was that the Cubs should've hired Perlozzo as the manager in the past couple weeks, your anger is misplaced.

 

I don't think expecting Hendry to even inquire about his availability is too much to ask.

 

Do you want Hendry to inquire about the availability about every top of the line coach/manager/player/prospect in baseball?? And how does anyone know that it wasn't widely known that Mazzone wasn't available short of the O's?

[USSoccer]

Swiped from BTF via the Cumberland Times in Cumberland, MD.

 

No way," he said. "My only other aspiration is to be Sam's pitching coach. After that, we'll be done."

 

The time for Perlozzo, who has interviewed for the Seattle Mariners job as well as the Orioles' position twice, to manage in the big leagues is drawing near, according to Mazzone.

 

"It's going to happen," he said. "There is no doubt in my mind or the minds of anybody in the big leagues. Sam is going to be a manager, and a (darn) good one at that. And like I said, I'll be his pitching coach, and after that? We'll be done."

 

So unless all of your arguments was that the Cubs should've hired Perlozzo as the manager in the past couple weeks, your anger is misplaced.

 

I don't think expecting Hendry to even inquire about his availability is too much to ask.

 

Do you want Hendry to inquire about the availability about every top of the line coach/manager/player/prospect in baseball?? And how does anyone know that it wasn't widely known that Mazzone wasn't available short of the O's?

 

The answer to your first question is: Yes. Yes yes yes. Yes a million times over. If it could make the Chicago Cubs a better baseball team I expect him to do anything and everything in his power to make the team better, and if he isn't, he has no business being the General Manager of this team. Let him go be the GM in Tampa Bay if he's not willing to go the extra mile for the most loyal fans in any sport, and for his players. That includes inquring about the availability of the best pitching coach in the game at some point durint the week in which the NY Yankees were first given permission to talk to him. He went from the Yankees, to the O's. That's 2 teams. Why didn't Hendry make a stupid phone call to his agent and say "Hey, we have Maddux, Prior and Zambrano. Is Leo interested? We'll pay him much more than the $200k he's getting right now."

[USSoccer]

And SSR, if you say "How do you know he didn't make a phone call", well, let me put it to you this way. The Chicago Cubs have not had serious interest in a signle marquee name over the past 2 seasons other than Greg Maddux, and his marquee status is debatable. If Hendry or the Cubs were interested, one of the beat guys would have picked up on that interest, and thusly reported it.

[frostwyrm]

I remember Jim was awful quick on the phone last year when Neifi became available.

[USSoccer]

Let me clarify my frustration: I didn't expect Hendry to be able to sign him, especially given the fact that he had already brought Rothschild back. However, I am irritated that this offseason is showing signs of last offseason, in which poor decisions were made, some hasty, some belated, and most of which were bad.

 

I want us to be more involved, even if at first that just means rumors of us showing movement in the right direction, and I'm dissapointed we didn't hear so much as a cursory interest in someone who could really, really help our pitchers. I'm worried that this will carry over into the FA/Arb portion of the winter, and we'll see lukewarm interest at best in Giles, and more rumors pointing towards the Wilsons of the world, while keeping the blights on this roster around for another season of versatility, clutchness, and, ultimately, futility.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Let me get this straight....you're upset over not getting (or asking for permission to speak to) Mazzone? Why?

 

Since 1991, there has been a Maddux, Smoltz, Millwood, Glavine, Neagle, Avery, Hudson, etc on the staff. What I am saying is....Mazzone is only as good as the talent provided for him. I'm not saying the Cubs shouldn't have atleast ask for permisssion to talk, but anybody here thinks he is going to turn the Orioles staff into the "New Braves" is simply deluding themselves (I apologize if you consider that labeling, not my intention) Basically, what I am saying....Mazzone is going to be a BUST OF A pick up for Balitmore. I' not saying Rothschild is good, but if we pass on Mazzone now, and say.....get a Black, Mike Maddux, or Rick Peterson after the 2006 season, I be glad to wait. I personally, think those three cats are better PC then Mazzone.

[USSoccer]

Let me get this straight....you're upset over not getting (or asking for permission to speak to) Mazzone? Why?

 

Since 1991, there has been a Maddux, Smoltz, Millwood, Glavine, Neagle, Avery, Hudson, etc on the staff. What I am saying is....Mazzone is only as good as the talent provided for him. I'm not saying the Cubs shouldn't have atleast ask for permisssion to talk, but anybody here thinks he is going to turn the Orioles staff into the "New Braves" is simply deluding themselves (I apologize if you consider that labeling, not my intention) Basically, what I am saying....Mazzone is going to be a BUST OF A pick up for Balitmore. I' not saying Rothschild is good, but if we pass on Mazzone now, and say.....get a Black, Mike Maddux, or Rick Peterson after the 2006 season, I be glad to wait. I personally, think those three cats are better PC then Mazzone.

 

Well, see my post above for clarification, but for the record, he's also won divisions with Kent Mercker, Paul Byrd, Jason Marquis, Russ Ortiz, Mike Hampton, and Horatio Ramirez as starters, and made decent relievers out of more than a few players. He also managed to keep a team that lost 60% of it's starting staff in 1st place this year.

 

And it's not as if we don't have talent on this staff. Zambrano and Prior are two really, really good pitchers, and Kerry Wood could benefit from Leo as well, as could Jerome Williams.

[mhuber92211]

What rumors would you expect to hear before players can even file for FA?

 

We have no staff openings (which can be argued about and has been) and what else do we have? Beat writer's speculation. No other team that has a staff under contract have any specualtion. They are enjoying October baseball and wishing they were part of it.

 

It is absolutely ridiculous to critize Hendry for not speaking with Mazzone. For all we kno whe did during Rothschild's courtship but regardless, if this is the reaction towards every transaction of personell that some desired on the team (or would make the team better) it will be a long offseason.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Let me get this straight....you're upset over not getting (or asking for permission to speak to) Mazzone? Why?

 

Since 1991, there has been a Maddux, Smoltz, Millwood, Glavine, Neagle, Avery, Hudson, etc on the staff. What I am saying is....Mazzone is only as good as the talent provided for him. I'm not saying the Cubs shouldn't have atleast ask for permisssion to talk, but anybody here thinks he is going to turn the Orioles staff into the "New Braves" is simply deluding themselves (I apologize if you consider that labeling, not my intention) Basically, what I am saying....Mazzone is going to be a BUST OF A pick up for Balitmore. I' not saying Rothschild is good, but if we pass on Mazzone now, and say.....get a Black, Mike Maddux, or Rick Peterson after the 2006 season, I be glad to wait. I personally, think those three cats are better PC then Mazzone.

 

Well, see my post above for clarification, but for the record, he's also won divisions with Kent Mercker, Paul Byrd, Jason Marquis, Russ Ortiz, Mike Hampton, and Horatio Ramirez as starters, and made decent relievers out of more than a few players. He also managed to keep a team that lost 60% of it's starting staff in 1st place this year.

 

And it's not as if we don't have talent on this staff. Zambrano and Prior are two really, really good pitchers, and Kerry Wood could benefit from Leo as well, as could Jerome Williams.

 

You would think with the kinda talent Mazzone (and Cox) has had on the staff, that would have more WS titles, then the one. Don't get me wrong, they have more appearance (and WS titles) then the Cubs have NLCS appareance, but I am simply not really impressed with Mazzone, to be honest. Set back, and go after Peterson/Maddux, or my personal favorite Bud Black.

[vaball]

So with Mazzone out is this the year that the Braves finally lose the NL East?

[katway]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5007138

 

Unbelievable how we couldn't get in on this. Just damn unbelievable

 

Yeah it would have been nice to see the CUbs at least try to get in on this but it would appear it wasn't just about money for Leo as he turned NY down. This is all purely my opinion but in addition I think it was either working with Perlozzo or staying put.

 

He grew up in Maryland and has wanted to work with Perlozzo, who remains his best friend from childhood, for a long time. I don't think we had any shot at getting him.

[Guest]

So with Mazzone out is this the year that the Braves finally lose the NL East?

Maybe. Now that they've lost the best pitching coach in the game all they've got left is the best manager, best GM, and some of the best scouts around. It must suck to be a Braves fan right now. ;)

[CuseCubFan69]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5007138

 

Unbelievable how we couldn't get in on this. Just damn unbelievable

 

Yeah it would have been nice to see the CUbs at least try to get in on this but it would appear it wasn't just about money for Leo as he turned NY down. This is all purely my opinion but in addition I think it was either working with Perlozzo or staying put.

 

He grew up in Maryland and has wanted to work with Perlozzo, who remains his best friend from childhood, for a long time. I don't think we had any shot at getting him.

 

That's the way I feel too.

[Backtobanks]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5007138

 

Unbelievable how we couldn't get in on this. Just damn unbelievable

 

Yeah it would have been nice to see the CUbs at least try to get in on this but it would appear it wasn't just about money for Leo as he turned NY down. This is all purely my opinion but in addition I think it was either working with Perlozzo or staying put.

 

He grew up in Maryland and has wanted to work with Perlozzo, who remains his best friend from childhood, for a long time. I don't think we had any shot at getting him.

 

Yea, one of them was best man at the other's wedding. Nobody had a chance of getting Mazzone to leave Atlanta except his best friend (Perlozzo) or a ridiculous offer from someone like Steinbrenner. With Steinbrenner's reputation for overpaying, I'm sure Mazzone had to at least listen to the Yanks' offer.

[BeerHere]

Good for Leo. I'm shocked by this but it sounds like it's something that he really wanted to do. Maybe the O's can build a great rotation and finally kick the crap outta the yanks.

[rawaction]

And SSR, if you say "How do you know he didn't make a phone call", well, let me put it to you this way. The Chicago Cubs have not had serious interest in a signle marquee name over the past 2 seasons other than Greg Maddux, and his marquee status is debatable. If Hendry or the Cubs were interested, one of the beat guys would have picked up on that interest, and thusly reported it.

 

What do you consider serious interest? I would say Hendry was serious about Beltran, but obviously wasn't willing to pay him a bunch of money he wouldn't earn.

[USSoccer]

And SSR, if you say "How do you know he didn't make a phone call", well, let me put it to you this way. The Chicago Cubs have not had serious interest in a signle marquee name over the past 2 seasons other than Greg Maddux, and his marquee status is debatable. If Hendry or the Cubs were interested, one of the beat guys would have picked up on that interest, and thusly reported it.

 

What do you consider serious interest? I would say Hendry was serious about Beltran, but obviously wasn't willing to pay him a bunch of money he wouldn't earn.

 

Serious interest, I guess, would be making a competitive bid. I don't expect Hendry to grossly overpay, but I think he tends to undervalue FA's both in terms of dollars and years, and thus is never first choice when it comes to the top players. He shies away from market value.

 

He's better what it comes to resigning his own marquee players. I think the Ramirez and Lee deals are pretty good and very fair (although I think ARam opts out and renegotiates after 2006).

 

Most maddeningly, though, he overpays his fringe players, and given their value, I'd say he grossly overpays. It makes no sense to me how he decided Macias and Perez were worth what they were. Ditto for Burnitz.

 

If he'd just realize that overpaying for high production is a better investment, relatively speaking, than overpaying for his bench, then I'd be happy.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5007138

 

Unbelievable how we couldn't get in on this. Just damn unbelievable

 

Yeah it would have been nice to see the CUbs at least try to get in on this but it would appear it wasn't just about money for Leo as he turned NY down. This is all purely my opinion but in addition I think it was either working with Perlozzo or staying put.

 

He grew up in Maryland and has wanted to work with Perlozzo, who remains his best friend from childhood, for a long time. I don't think we had any shot at getting him.

 

you don't have a shot if you won't even make a sales pitch to him (like NY did). i don't mind getting beaten out by other teams for players or coaches that hit the open market. that's the game. i do mind sitting on our arses waiting for a miracle to happen.

[goonys evil twin]

Jesus Christ. I hae no faith in hendry anymore.

 

But, he is sitting back quietly with his cards close to his vest as the world slips right on by.........

Actually, in this case he should be criticized for moving too fast, right? Didn't he re-sign Rothschild before it came out that Mazzone was available? If he had held his cards tight, he would have been more able to jump on this. But because he did what everyone is clamoring for -- moving fast -- he missed this opportunity.

 

Be careful what you ask for.

 

Nobody asked him to move fast just for the sake of moving fast. They asked for him to make some right moves. Resigning all the coaches was incredibly stupid. Just like contemplating bringing Jeremy Burnitz back is stupid, or keeping Macias on the roster.

[mhuber92211]

How can it be said that Hendry "undervalues" marquee FA names? First of all we have no idea what really was offered to Beltran and Thome and others. Second, he was right wasn't he? I mean when the OF that signed last offseason got their deals, the concenus was that each of them was overpaid and we were glad we weren't stuck with Maggs or Drew at that kind of salary. Same went with Beltran getting over 100 million.

 

Hendry is cautious enough to not put the Cubs in a situation similar to the Sosa contract. Bravo to him for that.

[delroy lindo]

We missed the opportunity to get the best pitching coach in the game. Sweet. This is going to be a disappointing offseason.

 

What opportunity?