I honestly feel a huge trade coming......

[stitchface]

Hendry clearly has a plan. We just don't like the plan. I wish we could prove to him that despite the injuries to Prior and Wood, had we had Todd Walker leading off, and another high OBP/high SLG guy batting 5th behind Lee and Ramirez, we probably could have won the wild card despite the poor defense and average pitching

 

What makes you think he has a plan? I don't see one.

 

Sosa's value seems to have been properly evaluated by the rest of the league.

[YearofDaCubs]

You think a Sammy Sosa that was still a hero to many many Cub fans wanted to voluntarily walk away from 19M? Some boo birds started coming out towards the 2nd half of '04, but Sosa was the most hated man in Chicago by the time he was traded. The lemmings bought it hook line and sinker, it was night and day from October 1st to February 1st.

 

I just don't see how Sosa waives the guaranteed money at the end of the season.

 

What do you suggest as the proper way to help Sosa get the hint that life would be hell? How do you suggest convincing Cub fans that Sosa is the devil incarnate?

 

NO ONE would have taken Sosa w/ that trade kicker. If people think Burnitz was bad, how would they had liked Sosa in rf last year. Talk about the worse outfield in baseball history.

What do you expect when expect Hollandsworth to be your LF. Hendry didnt even reconsider resigning Alou or others to a contract. Hendry is at fault for the abysmal OF that HE put together last year.

[CubfaninCA]

Go over it 185 times or 284 times if it makes you happy then, cause I don't buy it.

 

Sosa held all the cards, he knew he would be miserable here regardless how little the Cubs wanted him back. Showing tapes of Sosa leaving does nothing but smear him.

 

They are ways to do it properly and improperly and they choose to do it incorrectly, IMO.

 

Once the steroid rumors came out.... The Cubs were screwed.. Reap what you sow I guess.

 

Steroid rumors starting after '04?

 

The rumors started well before that.

 

didn't the mets get cold feet after the bond/balco stuff???

[UK1679666180]

It was Giambi testimony and it started losing steam before all of that. There have been questions of steroids and Sosa since '98. If Sosa didn't decline in '04, then he'd be a Met or still with the Cubs. But, his decline, age, and salary factored into it rather than suspected steroid use. If they suspected steroid use or lack thereof factored into his decline, that a separate issue, but it is documented that it was losing interest before Balco fully hit.

[sherwood921]

Yeah, everybody thought a big trade was coming last offseason too after Sosa left. I'm taking the wait and see approach.

 

They thought a big trade was coming at the deadline too...

[CubfaninCA]

You think a Sammy Sosa that was still a hero to many many Cub fans wanted to voluntarily walk away from 19M? Some boo birds started coming out towards the 2nd half of '04, but Sosa was the most hated man in Chicago by the time he was traded. The lemmings bought it hook line and sinker, it was night and day from October 1st to February 1st.

 

I just don't see how Sosa waives the guaranteed money at the end of the season.

 

What do you suggest as the proper way to help Sosa get the hint that life would be hell? How do you suggest convincing Cub fans that Sosa is the devil incarnate?

 

NO ONE would have taken Sosa w/ that trade kicker. If people think Burnitz was bad, how would they had liked Sosa in rf last year. Talk about the worse outfield in baseball history.

What do you expect when expect Hollandsworth to be your LF. Hendry didnt even reconsider resigning Alou or others to a contract. Hendry is at fault for the abysmal OF that HE put together last year.

 

That's a legit criticism, but would you want Alou starting in LF this year in front of Murton and making $7 million to boot?? The Cubs aren't going to bench anyone making $7 mil.

[UBlink]

That's a legit criticism, but would you want Alou starting in LF this year in front of Murton and making $7 million to boot?? The Cubs aren't going to bench anyone making $7 mil.

 

Why would Dusty care how much money Hendry is paying a particular player? I think we've all agreed that Hendry has little input on who Dusty plays, so why does Dusty care?

 

If I understand this correctly, Dusty's thinking is "I think that Murton would be a better player than Alou, but because Jim is paying Alou $7 million I guess I better start him instead."

 

I can't imagine why Dusty would care about what anyone is being paid.

[YearofDaCubs]

You think a Sammy Sosa that was still a hero to many many Cub fans wanted to voluntarily walk away from 19M? Some boo birds started coming out towards the 2nd half of '04, but Sosa was the most hated man in Chicago by the time he was traded. The lemmings bought it hook line and sinker, it was night and day from October 1st to February 1st.

 

I just don't see how Sosa waives the guaranteed money at the end of the season.

 

What do you suggest as the proper way to help Sosa get the hint that life would be hell? How do you suggest convincing Cub fans that Sosa is the devil incarnate?

 

NO ONE would have taken Sosa w/ that trade kicker. If people think Burnitz was bad, how would they had liked Sosa in rf last year. Talk about the worse outfield in baseball history.

What do you expect when expect Hollandsworth to be your LF. Hendry didnt even reconsider resigning Alou or others to a contract. Hendry is at fault for the abysmal OF that HE put together last year.

 

That's a legit criticism, but would you want Alou starting in LF this year in front of Murton and making $7 million to boot?? The Cubs aren't going to bench anyone making $7 mil.

Probably not but chances are Murton wouldnt even be here in the first place. Alou was one example though. It really bothered me to see Hendry get rid of Sosa and not add a good option. You figure Burnitz cost us 6mil. If we pennypinched at other spots we could easily had a bid ready for the other OFs available.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

That's a legit criticism, but would you want Alou starting in LF this year in front of Murton and making $7 million to boot?? The Cubs aren't going to bench anyone making $7 mil.

 

Why would Dusty care how much money Hendry is paying a particular player? I think we've all agreed that Hendry has little input on who Dusty plays, so why does Dusty care?

 

If I understand this correctly, Dusty's thinking is "I think that Murton would be a better player than Alou, but because Jim is paying Alou $7 million I guess I better start him instead."

 

I can't imagine why Dusty would care about what anyone is being paid.

 

I'm pretty sure Dusty has been quoted saying "Player A isn't being paid X to sit the bench" or something to that effect.

[UBlink]

That's a legit criticism, but would you want Alou starting in LF this year in front of Murton and making $7 million to boot?? The Cubs aren't going to bench anyone making $7 mil.

 

Why would Dusty care how much money Hendry is paying a particular player? I think we've all agreed that Hendry has little input on who Dusty plays, so why does Dusty care?

 

If I understand this correctly, Dusty's thinking is "I think that Murton would be a better player than Alou, but because Jim is paying Alou $7 million I guess I better start him instead."

 

I can't imagine why Dusty would care about what anyone is being paid.

 

I'm pretty sure Dusty has been quoted saying "Player A isn't being paid X to sit the bench" or something to that effect.

 

If I can find a link to that I'll have to change my sig.

[The Voice of Reason]

Go over it 185 times or 284 times if it makes you happy then, cause I don't buy it.

 

Sosa held all the cards, he knew he would be miserable here regardless how little the Cubs wanted him back. Showing tapes of Sosa leaving does nothing but smear him.

 

They are ways to do it properly and improperly and they choose to do it incorrectly, IMO.

On Hendry's latest interview he even admitted fault to how that Sosa situation was handled. That should tell you right there how bad it was and how quickly that diminshed Sosa's value.

 

At least Hendry admitted his mistakes in the matter. Too bad it appears that the Gladiator will never be man enough to admit his.

 

I believe that Sosa is probably much older than 38 and that contributed to his rapid demise. The HBO documentary on how most players from the Dominican Republic in the 80's and 90's lied about their age was very well written. Lying was the older players only way out of a life of poverty. Many were caught after 9/11 when better documentation was required.

[YearofDaCubs]

That's a legit criticism, but would you want Alou starting in LF this year in front of Murton and making $7 million to boot?? The Cubs aren't going to bench anyone making $7 mil.

 

Why would Dusty care how much money Hendry is paying a particular player? I think we've all agreed that Hendry has little input on who Dusty plays, so why does Dusty care?

 

If I understand this correctly, Dusty's thinking is "I think that Murton would be a better player than Alou, but because Jim is paying Alou $7 million I guess I better start him instead."

 

I can't imagine why Dusty would care about what anyone is being paid.

 

I'm pretty sure Dusty has been quoted saying "Player A isn't being paid X to sit the bench" or something to that effect.

 

If I can find a link to that I'll have to change my sig.

I'm pretty sure he said that as well.

[Exile on Waveland]

I don't really see how we're jumping to conclusions on Hendry. Maybe in regards to this offseason -- maybe.

 

The man's been on the job for three years, overseeing a top-5 payroll team. He's never put together a 90 win team. His last team finished below .500. They finished below the Brewers. This offseason he's already overpaid for crap like Perez and Rusch. He also didn't fire Baker. It's pretty clear he's placing a higher premium on leadoff/speed/defense than the teams biggest need, OBP and OBP against.

 

Hendry already has to make up for poor moves this offseason. If he does so, maybe this offseason won't be a failure. If it does turn out to be a success, it will be the first one under his watch. The FIRST one. We've had plenty of time to evaluate Hendry, and the prognosis isn't good.

[Exile on Waveland]

That's a legit criticism, but would you want Alou starting in LF this year in front of Murton and making $7 million to boot?? The Cubs aren't going to bench anyone making $7 mil.

 

Why would Dusty care how much money Hendry is paying a particular player? I think we've all agreed that Hendry has little input on who Dusty plays, so why does Dusty care?

 

If I understand this correctly, Dusty's thinking is "I think that Murton would be a better player than Alou, but because Jim is paying Alou $7 million I guess I better start him instead."

 

I can't imagine why Dusty would care about what anyone is being paid.

 

I'm pretty sure Dusty has been quoted saying "Player A isn't being paid X to sit the bench" or something to that effect.

 

If I can find a link to that I'll have to change my sig.

I'm pretty sure he said that as well.

 

I'm not going to search for the quote, but has definitely said it -- on numerous occasions, in fact.

[CubfaninCA]

That's a legit criticism, but would you want Alou starting in LF this year in front of Murton and making $7 million to boot?? The Cubs aren't going to bench anyone making $7 mil.

 

Why would Dusty care how much money Hendry is paying a particular player? I think we've all agreed that Hendry has little input on who Dusty plays, so why does Dusty care?

 

If I understand this correctly, Dusty's thinking is "I think that Murton would be a better player than Alou, but because Jim is paying Alou $7 million I guess I better start him instead."

 

I can't imagine why Dusty would care about what anyone is being paid.

 

The only time Murton would play in front of a vet like Alou is when Alou's on the DL, so perhaps Murton would get 500 AB's this year. ;)

[badger1679666666]

You think a Sammy Sosa that was still a hero to many many Cub fans wanted to voluntarily walk away from 19M? Some boo birds started coming out towards the 2nd half of '04, but Sosa was the most hated man in Chicago by the time he was traded. The lemmings bought it hook line and sinker, it was night and day from October 1st to February 1st.

 

I just don't see how Sosa waives the guaranteed money at the end of the season.

 

What do you suggest as the proper way to help Sosa get the hint that life would be hell? How do you suggest convincing Cub fans that Sosa is the devil incarnate?

 

NO ONE would have taken Sosa w/ that trade kicker. If people think Burnitz was bad, how would they had liked Sosa in rf last year. Talk about the worse outfield in baseball history.

What do you expect when expect Hollandsworth to be your LF. Hendry didnt even reconsider resigning Alou or others to a contract. Hendry is at fault for the abysmal OF that HE put together last year.

 

Thanks for the laugh. That is FLAT OUT INCORRECT, but if it helps on your baseless assault of Hendry, keep bringing it. He's been on record as saying he WANTED to keep alou, but was handcuffed by the SOSA situation. If you want to lie to prove your point go ahead, but it's still an absolutely blatent lie. If there's one thing I can't take, it's disparaging someone based on a lie. If hendry is as awful as goony and you say he is, there should be enough ammo that isn't based on the Bush Administration's credo : lie and tell it often enough, people will believe you.

Edited November 18, 2005 by badger

[badger1679666666]

Just to add: The one thing I'm really angry with Hendry about is not firiing Dusty. His loyalty to Dusty is making him look horrible.

[CubfaninCA]

Just to add: The one thing I'm really angry with Hendry about is not firiing Dusty. His loyalty to Dusty is making him look horrible.

 

It makes him look Bush like. ;)

[8-8-88]

god forbid we actually wait for him to finish the off season, instead of being 2 weeks into it, before we crucify him at the stake.

 

:roll:

 

(not directed at you two above)

 

I hear what you are saying. The off-season just started and everyone should be patient. My only beef is that I waited around all of last off-season to see the Cubs not sign or trade for a lead-off man or a closer (thank god Dempster finally got the nod), the two most glaring needs at the time. Maybe Hendry is just a terrible multi-tasker and spent too much time and attention on trying to dump Sosa. I just think this off-season will either make or break Hendry.

[YearofDaCubs]

You think a Sammy Sosa that was still a hero to many many Cub fans wanted to voluntarily walk away from 19M? Some boo birds started coming out towards the 2nd half of '04, but Sosa was the most hated man in Chicago by the time he was traded. The lemmings bought it hook line and sinker, it was night and day from October 1st to February 1st.

 

I just don't see how Sosa waives the guaranteed money at the end of the season.

 

What do you suggest as the proper way to help Sosa get the hint that life would be hell? How do you suggest convincing Cub fans that Sosa is the devil incarnate?

 

NO ONE would have taken Sosa w/ that trade kicker. If people think Burnitz was bad, how would they had liked Sosa in rf last year. Talk about the worse outfield in baseball history.

What do you expect when expect Hollandsworth to be your LF. Hendry didnt even reconsider resigning Alou or others to a contract. Hendry is at fault for the abysmal OF that HE put together last year.

 

Thanks for the laugh. That is FLAT OUT INCORRECT, but if it helps on your baseless assault of Hendry, keep bringing it. He's been on record as saying he WANTED to keep alou, but was handcuffed by the SOSA situation. If you want to lie to prove your point go ahead, but it's still an absolutely blatent lie. If there's one thing I can't take, it's disparaging someone based on a lie. If hendry is as awful as goony and you say he is, there should be enough ammo that isn't based on the Bush Administration's credo : lie and tell it often enough, people will believe you.

No sir you are incorrect. If Hendry really wanted to keep Alou he could have. Where did he find the cash to sign Burnitz to a 6mil deal? I would rather have Alou over Burnitz that's fore sure. Obviously you think Hendry can do no wrong but there's a reason why people here are dissapointed and upset. Instead you want to call me a liar. Whatever makes you feel better, I could give a rats..

[badger1679666666]

No sir you are incorrect. If Hendry really wanted to keep Alou he could have. Where did he find the cash to sign Burnitz to a 6mil deal? I would rather have Alou over Burnitz that's fore sure. Obviously you think Hendry can do no wrong but there's a reason why people here are dissapointed and upset. Instead you want to call me a liar. Whatever makes you feel better, I could give a rats..

 

Actually, I'm not. You said and I quote "Hendry didn't even reconsider resigning Alou or others blah blah blah". He most certainly did, but was handcuffed in case he couldn't get rid of Sosa. Also, please pass me whatever it is you're smoking (unless it will turn me into a completely negative fan) when you insinuate Alou would even shake Hendry's hand for 6 million. If you continue to claim that Hendry didn't consider resigining alou, then you are lying. No if's and's or but's about it. He did, and he's been on record as saying it.

 

Obviously, you don't know a thing about me, but from every post I've seen of yours, Hendry is a moron no matter what he does, and you take every opportunity to call him out as not having a clue, being an idiot, being a moron and other name calling which shows me a definite level of immaturity (that's what name calling is). I have no problems being critical of certain moves, but I certainly have pespective. I think Hendry has done plenty of "wrong" things - resigning, Rusch, Neifi, the handling of the entire Sosa debacle, but he's certainly done some GREAT things as well (Lofton, Simon, Ramirez in 2003; Lee for Choi; Barrett; Williams for LaDumpster; Nomar and Murton for a bag of balls; Getting walker at dirt pay; Grudz and Karros for Hundley; Even getting Clement - No one had a clue Willis an A baller would be what he was- was a solid deal).

 

In other words, I'd say he is less of a moron than you say he is, and has a clue, but tends to overpay for what he really wants.

[MPrior]

No sir you are incorrect. If Hendry really wanted to keep Alou he could have. Where did he find the cash to sign Burnitz to a 6mil deal? I would rather have Alou over Burnitz that's fore sure. Obviously you think Hendry can do no wrong but there's a reason why people here are dissapointed and upset. Instead you want to call me a liar. Whatever makes you feel better, I could give a rats..

 

Actually, I'm not. You said and I quote "Hendry didn't even reconsider resigning Alou or others blah blah blah". He most certainly did, but was handcuffed in case he couldn't get rid of Sosa. Also, please pass me whatever it is you're smoking (unless it will turn me into a completely negative fan) when you insinuate Alou would even shake Hendry's hand for 6 million. If you continue to claim that Hendry didn't consider resigining alou, then you are lying. No if's and's or but's about it. He did, and he's been on record as saying it.

 

Obviously, you don't know a thing about me, but from every post I've seen of yours, Hendry is a moron no matter what he does, and you take every opportunity to call him out as not having a clue, being an idiot, being a moron and other name calling which shows me a definite level of immaturity (that's what name calling is). I have no problems being critical of certain moves, but I certainly have pespective. I think Hendry has done plenty of "wrong" things - resigning, Rusch, Neifi, the handling of the entire Sosa debacle, but he's certainly done some GREAT things as well (Lofton, Simon, Ramirez in 2003; Lee for Choi; Barrett; Williams for LaDumpster; Nomar and Murton for a bag of balls; Getting walker at dirt pay; Grudz and Karros for Hundley; Even getting Clement - No one had a clue Willis an A baller would be what he was- was a solid deal).

 

In other words, I'd say he is less of a moron than you say he is, and has a clue, but tends to overpay for what he really wants.

 

I kinda think you're both right. Hendry did say he wanted to re-sign (NOT resign; that always confuses me) Alou, but that the Sosa situation made it difficult for him. And Alou would have come back to the Cubs for $6 mill, I think. For one, he signed with the Giants for 7 mill, and he said on multiple occasions that he wanted to stay with the Cubs, and would even take a pay cut. And correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Burnitz's contract for $5 mill, not 6?

[YearofDaCubs]

No sir you are incorrect. If Hendry really wanted to keep Alou he could have. Where did he find the cash to sign Burnitz to a 6mil deal? I would rather have Alou over Burnitz that's fore sure. Obviously you think Hendry can do no wrong but there's a reason why people here are dissapointed and upset. Instead you want to call me a liar. Whatever makes you feel better, I could give a rats..

 

Actually, I'm not. You said and I quote "Hendry didn't even reconsider resigning Alou or others blah blah blah". He most certainly did, but was handcuffed in case he couldn't get rid of Sosa. Also, please pass me whatever it is you're smoking (unless it will turn me into a completely negative fan) when you insinuate Alou would even shake Hendry's hand for 6 million. If you continue to claim that Hendry didn't consider resigining alou, then you are lying. No if's and's or but's about it. He did, and he's been on record as saying it.

 

Obviously, you don't know a thing about me, but from every post I've seen of yours, Hendry is a moron no matter what he does, and you take every opportunity to call him out as not having a clue, being an idiot, being a moron and other name calling which shows me a definite level of immaturity (that's what name calling is). I have no problems being critical of certain moves, but I certainly have pespective. I think Hendry has done plenty of "wrong" things - resigning, Rusch, Neifi, the handling of the entire Sosa debacle, but he's certainly done some GREAT things as well (Lofton, Simon, Ramirez in 2003; Lee for Choi; Barrett; Williams for LaDumpster; Nomar and Murton for a bag of balls; Getting walker at dirt pay; Grudz and Karros for Hundley; Even getting Clement - No one had a clue Willis an A baller would be what he was- was a solid deal).

 

In other words, I'd say he is less of a moron than you say he is, and has a clue, but tends to overpay for what he really wants.

You seem to think you know exactly how everything went down like you speak to Hendry on a daily basis. We gave Burnitz a 6mil deal. Well look at what it took to sign Alou:

 

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports the San Francisco Giants and OF Moises Alou (Cubs) have agreed to a two-year, $13.25 million contract.

 

Sounds pretty similar to the deal we gave Burnitz so dont spew your garbage out of your mouth that you know what happened behind closed doors. You dont know what kind of interaction they had. You say he was handcuffed yet gave a similar deal to Burnitz which Alou got from the Giants. Dont forget that Alou was one of the people who started the whole debacle with the announcers and Hendry's priority was to work on chemistry. Secondly, if Hendry does something positive I will credit him for that but unfortunately the last time Hendry did something positive was a very long time ago. Name calling is a sign of immaturity then what kind of sign is it when you ask somebody what they are smoking because you want some of it?

[badger1679666666]

No sir you are incorrect. If Hendry really wanted to keep Alou he could have. Where did he find the cash to sign Burnitz to a 6mil deal? I would rather have Alou over Burnitz that's fore sure. Obviously you think Hendry can do no wrong but there's a reason why people here are dissapointed and upset. Instead you want to call me a liar. Whatever makes you feel better, I could give a rats..

 

Actually, I'm not. You said and I quote "Hendry didn't even reconsider resigning Alou or others blah blah blah". He most certainly did, but was handcuffed in case he couldn't get rid of Sosa. Also, please pass me whatever it is you're smoking (unless it will turn me into a completely negative fan) when you insinuate Alou would even shake Hendry's hand for 6 million. If you continue to claim that Hendry didn't consider resigining alou, then you are lying. No if's and's or but's about it. He did, and he's been on record as saying it.

 

Obviously, you don't know a thing about me, but from every post I've seen of yours, Hendry is a moron no matter what he does, and you take every opportunity to call him out as not having a clue, being an idiot, being a moron and other name calling which shows me a definite level of immaturity (that's what name calling is). I have no problems being critical of certain moves, but I certainly have pespective. I think Hendry has done plenty of "wrong" things - resigning, Rusch, Neifi, the handling of the entire Sosa debacle, but he's certainly done some GREAT things as well (Lofton, Simon, Ramirez in 2003; Lee for Choi; Barrett; Williams for LaDumpster; Nomar and Murton for a bag of balls; Getting walker at dirt pay; Grudz and Karros for Hundley; Even getting Clement - No one had a clue Willis an A baller would be what he was- was a solid deal).

 

In other words, I'd say he is less of a moron than you say he is, and has a clue, but tends to overpay for what he really wants.

You seem to think you know exactly how everything went down like you speak to Hendry on a daily basis. We gave Burnitz a 6mil deal. Well look at what it took to sign Alou:

 

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports the San Francisco Giants and OF Moises Alou (Cubs) have agreed to a two-year, $13.25 million contract.

 

Sounds pretty similar to the deal we gave Burnitz so dont spew your garbage out of your mouth that you know what happened behind closed doors. You dont know what kind of interaction they had. You say he was handcuffed yet gave a similar deal to Burnitz which Alou got from the Giants. Dont forget that Alou was one of the people who started the whole debacle with the announcers and Hendry's priority was to work on chemistry. Secondly, if Hendry does something positive I will credit him for that but unfortunately the last time Hendry did something positive was a very long time ago. Name calling is a sign of immaturity then what kind of sign is it when you ask somebody what they are smoking because you want some of it?

 

It's a saying. ya know, pass me some of whatever it is that you're smoking....

 

Clearly Hendry's obsession with Chemistry is about as ridiculous as it comes. I truly believe had Sosa been gone November 1st, Alou would have been here. I'm not privy to behind the scenes discussions, but I'd venture a guess that neither are you. All I can go on is what the man says.

 

And just because similar dollars were given to Alou early in November, Hendry didn't know what he could or couldn't do until Sosa was gone. That was pretty apparent. I'm sure if had clairvoyance and could predict the future, Hendry would have signed Alou and not bothered with Burnitz. But he signed burnitz at the very end, with few options available. It's very possible the higherups told him not to sign ANYONE until Sosa was gone - none of us know what went on.

[neely crenshaw]

haven't people had this feeling for last 2 years? i guess if you say it often enough, you are bound to be right once in awhile.

to me i don't see us stockpiling assets, i see how hendry has pissed away most of the assets we had when he got here.