Backtobanks

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.

Certainly not interested in those two. I would think Rios is the only player on their major league roster we might want. Do they have any interesting prospects?

Lou made it sound like the changes would involve the pitching staff.

Guzman to the bullpen, maybe.....but not as closer. Marmol in the bullpen and eventually being groomed as a closer, possibly. Marshall in the rotation, possibly..........but 3 lefties isn't a great choice if you can help it. Soriano to 2B will never happen. A butcher at 2B can do a lot more damage than an adequate OF. I would love to see Soriano in RF if it wouldn't mess with his offense. I would love to see Derosa as a super-sub, but that would mean getting an everyday SS in a trade, probably not going to happen. My guess is Eyre will be traded for next to nothing, Wuertz will be given more responsibility, and Dempster will remain as closer (for now).

I honestly thought he retired by now. Good to see he's still around, though I don't know if he's still productive. And we can't find a taker for Jones?

Folks, when you rely on a guy with a career WHIP over 1.5 to be your closer, you are asking for trouble. Sure, Dempster got off to a decent start this year, but you knew his long term trend would eventually surface, and it did. He has always had a habit of working behind in the count and walking guys, and on top of that, he gives up more than 1 hit per innings pitched. These aren't exactly the traits you look for in a closer. Dempster is like many other closers that are 1 year wonders. The advance scouts get a read on these guys, and figure out a way to make life miserable for them. With Dempster its easy - all you do is make him throw strikes, and chances are, he will get himself in trouble by walking guys and then give up a hit or two because he turns to toast. Yesterday was obvious, first Dempster was looking down at the mound, like that was the reason he couldn't throw strikes, then he complained to the ump on a pitch 6 inches inside. If that ain't a sign a guy is blowing up, I don't know what is. I'm always amazed that managers worry so much about a closer's ego. If I was a manager I would have another reliever warming up when I brought my closer into the game. After watching closers for decades, I noticed that you can tell if they're on or off their game by watching them pitch to the first batter. I am surprised that these high-priced pitching coaches haven't figured that out.

Mazzone and Duncan couldn't straighten out Marquis.

Typing that "e" in Pie's name is a killer.

Things must be getting better, I remember when the Cubs used to pick up everyone else's castoffs.