Sammy Sofa

See, it's the bolded stuff that always makes me apprehensive to think whoever replaces Hendry isn't likely to be all THAT different (AGAIN, THIS IS NOT AN ARGUMENT TO KEEP HENDRY). Being obsessed with finding the perfect speedy leadoff guy or overpaying for crappy veterans is hardly unique to Hendry and is practically de rigueur around baseball. I definitely I think a lot of the expectations for the Cubs' next GM aren't nearly as tempered as they should be. Let's try something: I'm curious to see which current or recent GM's (let's say anyone who hasn't been out of the GM spot for more than 5 years) or assistant GM's people would want for the Cubs. How many of them can we truly come to a consensus on that they're a "good GM?"

What qualifications does he have? Why dont we ask Ernie Banks, Billy Williams or Andre Dawson of he turns it down? Maddux is widely known as one of the smartest baseball minds out there. And Hendry's really popular with "baseball people." I'd much rather have someone who has some front office experience as a GM or under a GM who has shown that they know that they're doing in some capacity.

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICKEEEEEEEEETT!!! *BOOM*

It's apparently his groin, but he was able to finish the top of the first after tweeking it so hopefully it shouldn't keep him out for more than a handful of games. welington castillo was PH for in the third inning of a one-run game in iowa this evening, so either he's also hurt or the (chicago) cubs are expecting that he'll be needed. Sadly, Quade has killed any hope I have that he'd start Castillo over Hill. I hope I'm wrong.

Just give me a GM who is able to envision how to make a team that ideally can compete year in and year out because the construction is well-rounded instead of playing catch-up with whatever pet peeve the manager and GM think made things go wrong the year before.

It's apparently his groin, but he was able to finish the top of the first after tweeking it so hopefully it shouldn't keep him out for more than a handful of games.

Curious to see if you can back that up.

Realizing that most GM's are average at best isn't necessarily "fear of change."

That's just a fancy way of saying "I'm broke and payroll will be coming down significantly." And with attendance taking a nose dive this year, he's probably going to have to stick to this plan, although it's likely to provide more fruit than what Hendry has been providing with an open wallet. Of course, Hendry already had an opportunity to build from within with a freed up payroll and a young core of prospects in 2004, and he could not turn that into a winner. It's just time to let someone else have a shot at it. The Ricketts are not "broke." That's just a silly thing to say. Of course he's not broke. Way to take my comment entirely out of context. He just spent hundreds of millions of dollars purchasing a baseball team. Payroll where it was when he bought the team will not help him earn back some of what he spent as quickly as it would if he lowers payroll. It is not silly to believe that part of the reason he lowered the payroll this year was because of money. And nobody said otherwise. You're the one that brought up "broke," and effectively hung the idea of pursuing better internal development as an excuse to mask that supposed reality. Look, if you don't want people to respond that way then don't say: That clearly makes it sound like you think they're making excuses for effectively being out of money and that they'll only "stick to the plan" out of necessity.

Wood was an expensive injury risk and they sold high on DeRosa. Neither would have "saved" 2009. Most of the key offensive players from 2008 (Lee, Aramis, Soto, Soriano) were retained. And what does this even mean? How was he disrespected?

I don't think anybody is arguing that he needs or deserves more time.

That's just a fancy way of saying "I'm broke and payroll will be coming down significantly." And with attendance taking a nose dive this year, he's probably going to have to stick to this plan, although it's likely to provide more fruit than what Hendry has been providing with an open wallet. Of course, Hendry already had an opportunity to build from within with a freed up payroll and a young core of prospects in 2004, and he could not turn that into a winner. It's just time to let someone else have a shot at it. The Ricketts are not "broke." That's just a silly thing to say.

Yuuuuuup.

What "Hendry argument?"

Yup. And really, we're seeing the backloading mostly come to a head now. What gangbusters FA did these contracts keep the Cubs from signing in this offseason or the last? Sure, I'd like to see a GM that can better construct team and shell out the money more wisely, but let's not overstate things like Hendry crippled the team from taking part in some amazing FA classes between 2009 and 2011.

It's odd how people often talk about the 2008 team like it was made up of a drastically different offensive lineup when compared to 2007 or 2009. It's not like Hendry succeeded in "making" a new good team that year; it was mostly the same team from 2007 and 2009 and all of the key offensive players happened to kick ass.

That would be quite the feat. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zambrca01.shtml

$60 million to spend on FA? That's quacktastic.

No I meant the team overall is performing as I expected. Your not making much sense there buddy. Still doesn't make any sense, unless you were being sarcastic and saying you expected it to be their "strength" as in their pitching doesn't quite suck as much as everything else.

Just pointing out the obvious. You're really, really angry right now.

Wow you guys are awesome, this is the reason these boards are a ghost town and there are like 8 people that post here on a regular basis. I never said Barney is the 2b of the future I said I liked what I saw from him so far. Christ learn to read and stop talking for other people. If you run off everyone with an opinion sooner or later you'll be the only ones here left to listen to yours, of course that may be the way you want it and maybe its better that way. Actually, you said people are "eating crow" over Barney, but I did you a favor and dressed it up a little bit.

Damn, you are furious.

Whaaaaaaaaaaat the [expletive], Aramis. That 2-0 bitch was begging to be annihilated.

Marlon Byrd with one of the most annoying 10 game-hitting streaks I've ever seen.

Brilliant [expletive] baserunning.