Backtobanks

I totally agree. People work in hotter environments every day for $12 per hour as opposed to millions per year. There is still 24 hours between games whether you're playing days or nights. The real reason is probably that after the day games, they go out and party half the night.

"But I'd argue the Soriano signing response was mostly positive. There were a few that were 100% against, but a heck of a lot more that were 100% for it, and even more who were more or less excited about the acquisition, if only fearful of the financial impact. And of course, most everybody responded happily when Dusty was let go and Neifi was traded. The Greg Maddux signing was widely accepted as very good for the team, even if people like myself pointed out it was an awful lot of money for a more or less average pitcher. And the Todd Walker signing was, I believe, roundly praised as a smart, affordable price to pay for a nice piece to add to the team. " Using these few examples proves my point. So many posters have an opinion, but include a disclaimer. We all loved Soriano, but we didn't like the contract. If Soriano succeeds, we were right. If Soriano fails, we were right because Hendry spent too much. People liked getting rid of Dusty, but Piniella wasn't the fan's choice. If the team succeeds, we were right about Dusty. If they fail, we were right because we wanted Girardi. My point is that Hendry can't play both sides of the fence. If he makes a move, it was for the wrong player, it cost too much in trade, or the contract was too expensive. Would this team be better with some of the trade proposals and free agent signings mentioned at NSBB? I'm sure many posters would answer affirmatively, but I'm not so sure. Right now there's posters suggesting trading a ton of promising young players for Abreu, who looks like he has aged poorly.

that would be quite cool Would we have enough to give them in return though? I'd love to have Tex on the team. One would be free agent for another......Zambrano for Tex

So you don't have a problem with the team being under .500 during his tenure? The bottom line is Hendry has done a terrible job putting together a ballclub. Yes I have a problem with the team being under .500 during Hendry's tenure. I also have a problem with all of the "experts" who post critcizing every move he makes (or doesn't) make. All of the "experts" don't criticize every move he makes. Although when you have one of the highest paid teams in baseball, and have a sub .500 record, obviously more often than not your moves are going to deserve criticism. If he made moves that couldn't be criticized, this team would win 95 games every year. Name the last move Hendry made that wasn't followed by dozens of pages of posts (most of them critical) by all of us "experts." Actually, there are dozens of pages of posts (mostly critical) of the moves that Hendry didn't make. He does deserve criticism for the poor record of this team, but I do get upset by the "damned if he does and damned if he doesn't" attitude on a daily basis. Again, all of us have hindsight and the right to change our minds in our favor.

No way for Eckstein. I don't get including Ortiz.....very good hitter, but not legendary.

So you don't have a problem with the team being under .500 during his tenure? The bottom line is Hendry has done a terrible job putting together a ballclub. Yes I have a problem with the team being under .500 during Hendry's tenure. I also have a problem with all of the "experts" who post critcizing every move he makes (or doesn't) make.

The bottom line is if Hendry had gotten Drew or Abreu, everyone would be saying that he needs to be fired. As I keep saying, Hendry's job looks real easy to all of us sitting in front of our computers and not having to deal with other GMs and crazy agents with outrageous salary demands. Whether we blame Hendry or not, he will be critized by a certain faction of people whether he makes a move or he doesn't. My biggest complaint involves the money spent on long-term contracts, but many of them are the current going rate of free agents and free agents to be.

Looking at the list, the title ought to be the 10 most overpaid players. I think most of those players would drop off the list if you cut their salary in half.

As I have said over quite a few posts in the past, it's easy to sit back and critcize Hendry, but the GM's job is much harder than we want to admit. As you stated, people wanted Drew and/or Abreu and they're not doing much. The argument over Giles still amazes me that people don't realize that Giles was not going to leave San Diego. When people complain about the team being good on paper, that's all a GM can do because the players have to perform on the field. The power numbers for Lee and Soriano are totally unexpected, but I'm sure some critics would say that Hendry is to blame for not forseeing this. Hendry has made plenty of mistakes, but non-performance by players that are expected to perform can't be blamed on him. No, I blame him. It's his type of player that he likes so much that is the problem at times. He doesn't look at all the numbers. He just looks at power and speed and then wonders why these guys K every time men are on base. He IS the problem. Any other GM could do MUCH better than Jimbo with this payroll. For his one good move there are 2-3 moves that leave you scratching your head. I'm also sure all GM's were laughing their ass off when they saw him sign Soriano to that RIDICULOUS contract. He's a terrible GM and should have been gone long ago. The fact that he is still here shows you how inept this organization still is. Well, I'm glad you don't exaggerate.

As I have said over quite a few posts in the past, it's easy to sit back and critcize Hendry, but the GM's job is much harder than we want to admit. As you stated, people wanted Drew and/or Abreu and they're not doing much. The argument over Giles still amazes me that people don't realize that Giles was not going to leave San Diego. When people complain about the team being good on paper, that's all a GM can do because the players have to perform on the field. The power numbers for Lee and Soriano are totally unexpected, but I'm sure some critics would say that Hendry is to blame for not forseeing this. Hendry has made plenty of mistakes, but non-performance by players that are expected to perform can't be blamed on him.

In Ryno's defense he suggested including JJ in a package for a 900 OPS guy, and he named that guy who is currently having a woeful time in the Bronx. I've also wondered what it might take to get Abreu. He's only 33, I believe he has a few 900 OPS years left in him. Everything I have read makes it sound like he's not aging gracefully besides the fact he's very expensive. Speaking of overweight players not aging gracefully, how about a deal centering around Miller and Eyre with Jones on the side.

Mizzou wrote: Are people seriously complaining about this? Seriously? God, some people just complain about everything. The nature of the beast (Cub Fans) and while they're complaining, they have to find someone to blame (see below). Don't give the current president credit for this. This has been on the drawing board for years and was supposed to go with the triangle building that was shelved. It was decided this was a good time. What is the bug up your butt with MacPhail?

Why not Griffey to the Cubs. I don't know what his the length of contract looks like, but we certainly have enough relievers to send the Reds a few more. Quite nasty if we'd have to pay his deferred salary: Forget it unless the Reds would pay a big chunk of the money, but Griffey (when healthy) in the lineup would certainly look good.

Watching his pitiful results from earlier in the season, I thought adding a knuckleball would have been a good move on his part.

I was starting to think that I was the only rational person left on NSBB. I am amazed how some posters overreact to anything that happens to be whispered by someone. I have supported Hendry in the past, but I can't believe he would give up Murton for a relief pitcher especially since we seem to lead the league in quantity (not quality) of relief pitchers. As some posters have pointed out, Murton is the kind of player that you package with pitching prospects to get a big name player. I don't believe this rumor unless it is really an outstanding relief pitcher.

Why not Griffey to the Cubs. I don't know what his the length of contract looks like, but we certainly have enough relievers to send the Reds a few more.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070521&content_id=1978695&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc Give him a start! Then, trade him and Jones to the Yankees for the strugglig Abreu and cash. Make that lots of cash to cover Abreu's salary.

There are very few "top hitters" as unproductive as Soriano. Most top hitters maintain solid numbers and get their great numbers out of streaks. The problem with Soriano is he's not a top hitter. He needs his hot streaks just to keep his numbers out of the trash bin. It all depends on what you call a "top" hitter. You get past Bonds, Pujols, Cabrera, and a few others and the most of therest of them are really streaky. We are in an era of guys who hit 40 HRs and strike out 180 times and are considered "top" hitters.

I've had the distinct pleasure of meeting Ernie Banks in person and talking to him about our beloved Chicago Cubs. It would be easy--REAL easy--for players such as himself to wash his hands of this entire organization given it's track record of winning championships (or lack thereof). When baseball fans think about former Cubs, his is likely one of the first names to come to mind. Would you want to be that guy who's forever tied to 98 years of futility? Yet his optimism is so incredibly contagious it's almost unbelievable. He hit 512 home runs during an era when pitchers ruled the game. He was an all-star at two positions. He was the first, genuine power-hitting shortstop the game had seen. If there's anyone more deserving of a statue at any ballpark anywhere, please tell us who. Congratulations, Mr. Banks! Well said! I realize that most of the posters to sites like this are way too young to remember Ernie and appreciate the kind of player he was. When you've been raised on steroid-enhanced players averaging 45 HRs a year while forgetting about the fans and team loyalty, you just don't get the appeal of Ernie Banks. As you can see by my user name, I've been a fan of the Cubs for 53 years and Ernie was my favorite.

Wade Miller thinks he can get batters out too.

You're right for now, but I'll defer my opinion until the end of the season. Why not wait until 2014? Soriano is already past his prime and he doesn't have a great history of production to give anybody confidence that he will turn things around. There's really no time to be patient with the guy Hendry decided would be his savior. He's been a huge disappointment, but the Cubs are giving him all the leeway in the world, because of the money. He's done many things that have gotten others benched. Soriano, like many of the best hitters, is a streak hitter. When he gets hot, watch out. When he's cold, you wait for the next hot streak. There are very few top hitters that aren't streaky.

Use him until he regresses back to his norm.

Personally, I think it mostly in his head. After someone hits a HR, he cranks his fastball up to 95-96 on the next batter. Also, I'm wondering if his ego is allowing him to listen to Rothschild about correcting his mechanics.

Before everyone gets too excited, why don't we see what moves Piniella is actually going to make.

He is showing that he could be a decent 4th OF instead of a 5th. He could have a decent career in the Jay Payton/Mark Kotsay mold.