jersey cubs fan

I'm not so sure success of 2007 will determine Hendry's job status at all. I think it depends greatly on when the ownership change takes place. The earlier, the better chance they overhaul the front office. If it's not for a while, then I think the current regime remains status quo. If they tank from now until October, then maybe they make a move to placate the fans. But a deep run into the playoffs is not necessary. Even if they miss the playoffs, they will spin anything above .500 as a tremendous success, coming off last year's failure. I understand the making the guy feel good routine. The problem is I've seen Hendry make new guys feel good by offering unwarrented extensions to people like Neifi, Rusch, Blanco and Alfonseca. It seems pretty clear to me the Cubs have more or less given up on Murton. There has to be some thought about 2008 right now, and more likely than not, they will have to go with a relatively cheap RF, given all their other financial commitments.

I'm pretty sure there's no way this is true.

Whoa doctor, Hendry and his love for the 30 year olds. Are we looking forward to a 2008 OF that features Monroe and his .258/.303/.448 97 OPS+ career line in a prominent position? I really hope we only see this guy on the roster for the next 10 weeks. I think he pretty much said it right there. If Monroe performs like he is likely to perform, he will probably only be with the team for the remainder of the season. Now if he tears it up for the next 10 weeks..... Of course when the time comes, there is no guarantee Jim will be the one making the decision whether to keep him or not. The question then is, what would Jim consider to be tearing it up? I'd imagine Monroe could come up with some big timely hits and homers, and be considered by some to be tearing it up, while still actually putting up some seriously pathetic numbers overall. Regardless, even if he does do something like OPS 900 the rest of the way, does that justify trying to keep a guy like Monroe around? His peak is clearly in his past, his age 27 season .293/.337/.488 115 OPS+ (which, oddly enough, was heavily weighted toward hitting RHP). He pulled back to his more normal numbers as he approached 30, and is now nothing more than one trick pony. Granted, that trick is fun and all, and I've got no problem with him being on the team right now. But any sort of attempt to bring him back next year at anything more than a nominal one year contract would be very foolish, regardless of how he finishes up 2007. *I'm operating on the assumption that Hendry will be very much involved in decision making this offseason until I see the actual news release of his dismissal. He's already lasted 2 more seasons than he deserved and is signed through 2008.

I don't think the motivation was to specifically give them time to decide between Murton and Pie in the playoffs, rather, it provides them flexibility in general, not having to send anybody down for Soriano when he returns.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=24253 Whoa doctor, Hendry and his love for the 30 year olds. Are we looking forward to a 2008 OF that features Monroe and his .258/.303/.448 97 OPS+ career line in a prominent position? I really hope we only see this guy on the roster for the next 10 weeks.

How so? First and foremost, negligent usage by an inept manager that most likely led to some of his injuries. Secondly, the Cubs have more or less played along with the crowd who believes Prior is a wuss who isn't man enough to pitch through pain. They repeatedly said there's nothing wrong with him, when in fact, it turns out there was some serious problems.

You have been around long enough to know that people who treat Hendry like he shot their dog will not let facts get in the way of their arguments. Why do you see fit to make yourself the commentary critic of NSBB? What makes you superior to us mere mortals? Tell me please, I'd really like to know. Was it your upbringing or your education? Enlighten us all with your wisdom. Please get over it. I was hardly commenting on all of NSBB. My comment was directed at a vocal minority who seem to allow their hate of Jim Hendry to color their opinions. The irony of your post is that you often respond to hyperbole with sarcasm. So when you take that tact it's "ok", but when others do it it's not? Here's a thought: If you don't like what I post, put me on ignore or pm a mod. Otherwise, quit trolling everything I write. Anybody in particular?

I suspect this as well. I think it's likely that the Cubs' only chance to keep Prior for another year is to tender a contract and fork over the $3M. Prior may legitimately feel that the Cubs treatment has already cost him millions of dollars he would have earned this year, and next, by making him unavailable (yes, they did also pay him millions, but that was justified by his draft status and early success). I think the only way to get him to come back, without just tendering, is to offer him something like $1m guaranteed next year, with the potential to make $8-10m in incentives, via different things, like making the 25 man roster, throwing 25, 50, 100, 150, 180 and 200 IP, etc. Then throw in a $10m team option, with a $1.5m buyout. Brings the total guarantee to about $2.5, below what he'd get in a tender, but because of that, you're giving him a chance to make $20m additionally.

And he will start Thursday...bye bye Al Alburquerque! I also irrationally hate certain 21-year old Dominican kids on the basis of 11 appearances. Theres never any hatred. But he gave us no chance to win and get in the playoffs and thats what we are playing for. He was way overmatched at this level and always "hurt" The only thing they are playing for is possibly developing into future major league baseball players. Getting Peoria to the playoffs is pretty meaningless.

Buck Coats was designated for assignment. Was wondering when he'd finally be removed.

I'm thinking this as well, but I don't remember if it was the same guy. I do remember Lou slobbering all over some obscure guy though.

Damn good? $100m and we're barely over .500, and he's been damn good? Or we could be the White Sox? Over 100m and in last place? Some guys find anyway to bitch about anything that happens trade-wise. We could get Albert Pujols in a trade for Derrek Lee, and sign him to a 7 year deal, and people would still complain. And then we could get Vlad, and people would still complain about getting him because we traded away our best prospects. it's never ending. (I'm not stating Monroe is anywhere close to the talent of these two guys, but give the guy a chance before you bitch about it.) Very stupid post. It's all true. Actually none of it is. Nobody would complain about those trades. Comparing a $100m that's about a game over .500 over 4 years of Hendry with no 90 win seasons with a last place team that won a WS 2 years ago is asinine. This stupid concept that we have to be happy about anything because somebody else has it worse off is ridiculous. And to top it off, this stupid post was in response to me and I wasn't even complaining about the Monroe deal.

Damn good? $100m and we're barely over .500, and he's been damn good? Or we could be the White Sox? Over 100m and in last place? Some guys find anyway to bitch about anything that happens trade-wise. We could get Albert Pujols in a trade for Derrek Lee, and sign him to a 7 year deal, and people would still complain. And then we could get Vlad, and people would still complain about getting him because we traded away our best prospects. it's never ending. (I'm not stating Monroe is anywhere close to the talent of these two guys, but give the guy a chance before you bitch about it.) Very stupid post.

Damn good? $100m and we're barely over .500, and he's been damn good? Could he predict that Soriano, Ram and D-Lee would all be injured and/or suspended? I think having them in the lineup would have resulted in a few more Ws....not to mention we're on pace for a ~ 20 game improvement from last year. The Sox are at $105, but KW is considered a genius. You could predict Lee would struggle a bit considering the injury he was coming off of. And ARam banged up is no new thing. Soriano is usually healthy, but he's also not usually nearly as productive as he was last year. The problem with Hendry is he expects career years and doesn't account well enough for the likelihood that guys will have setbacks. He's an optimist who thinks that if a guy hit .300 once he's a .300 hitter.

Damn good? $100m and we're barely over .500, and he's been damn good?

This isn't old. At all. Hendry's crappy signings are.

But then we would hear it even worse every time he gets a hit with his new team. Sweet, more ignorant baseless dramatization of what people are saying about Murton. Awesome.

I'm certain he did.

Hopefully he knocks a few big HR against some lefties, avoids nearly all righties, and comes up with a big hit or two in the playoffs. Then let him walk after the season.

It's always fun to have a guy who is a legit threat to hit a HR off the bench, and nothing more. But he hasn't been able to do anything against RHP this year. Need to keep his playing time very limited.

byebye Fox. Better not be for anybody good.

FYI, playoff schedule NLDS A Game 1 Wed., Oct. 3 TBS NLDS B Game 1 Wed., Oct. 3 TBS ALDS B Game 1 Wed., Oct. 3 TBS NLDS A Game 2 Thurs., Oct. 4 TBS NLDS B Game 2 Thurs., Oct. 4 TBS Game 161 is Sep. 29, leaving 3 off days before either NLDS game 1, which presumably leaves Z for game 2 in your scenario. However, have the Cubs gone 6 weeks using the same rotation ever over this season? I know they've had mostly the same 5 guys, but it seems to me that things have changed around at least once a month. One thing to keep in mind is the likelihood of a Marshall and/or Lilly missed start, given each of their histories with high innings pitched. If you go through the games and keep Z on 4 days rest, I have him starting game 159 @ Florida, leaving him with plenty (or more than enough) rest to start game 1.

I think great is probably out. He might be effective. If they tender him what will it cost the Cubs? I am guessing the payroll is getting pretty tight already and the need for another OFer is more important than a questionable starter/reliever. When you routinely waste $2-3m on guys like Blanco, Rusch, Eyre, etc., I'd hate to make up for it by letting Prior go. I don't think great is necessarily out. HOF great, probably. But it would not be out of the question to get a fairly significant resurgent year out of him, something like 180 innnigs of 120 or more ERA+ type pitching.

It's going to depend a lot on ownership, but I'm fairly certain the current management group has all but given up on Prior and will strongly consider non-tendering him. It would be incredibly stupid, given the amount of millions they are willing to waste on guys you know are going to be terrible, to refuse to risk a few million on a guy who might be great. But if I had to bet, I'd say he's non-tendered.

same guy