cubfan1955

A couple of links about Jimy Williams, the manager: http://baseballcrank.com/archives2/2001/08/baseball_was_ji.php http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jimy_Williams

I just don't see that as a sign that a change is imminent. He says he is going to use the 4 day break to evaluate. If he planned on making a change he would have to use the 4 days to put together a coaching staff which, by the way, is not easy in the middle of a season. Managers get fired either on Sunday evening or Monday morning before the ASB, not after the four day break when teams are starting to play again. The fact that it's being talked about tells me something. This is the same media that refused to question anything Baker did in 2003, stayed mostly silent after the 2004 collapse, allowed the Cubs to use the too many white guys, too many day games, too many injuries, bad luck, goat, Bartman, etc excuse for several years, and chastised those people who called for Dusty's firing back in May. The fact that all of them are talking about it is a huge change that tells me something is going on. Something may be going on but I don't see it happening next week. Maybe at the end of the season if we are lucky.

I just don't see that as a sign that a change is imminent. He says he is going to use the 4 day break to evaluate. If he planned on making a change he would have to use the 4 days to put together a coaching staff which, by the way, is not easy in the middle of a season. Managers get fired either on Sunday evening or Monday morning before the ASB, not after the four day break when teams are starting to play again.

He makes Dusty look like a genius. He is the only manager I ever thought Dusty outmanaged. Remember when the Astros fired him and hired Garner is when they made their miraculous comeback in 2004. The worst possible thing that happened to the Cubs in 2004 is when the Astros fired Williams.

Source? http://www.chicagosuntimes.com/output/sports/cst-spt-cub05.html

He is Dusty's boss. If he has a plan, he should not let one of his subordinates get in the way of its execution. Dusty and execution in the same post. Just reword it now. :D Good point though.

Hendry is very high on Jimy Williams. Don't bet against it.

Probably Rusch.

Great point. While at SF I don't think Sabean and Dusty were best buds. Sabean supplied the players as he saw fit and I don't think Dusty had much input and I think I know now why that was.

And back in the wildcard hunt! :shock: [/ridiculousness]

He still doesn't get it. Maybe not some of the times, but he's correct here, so what is he not getting this time exactly? Prior had 2 outs with nobody on base and gave away two runs by walking consecutive batters before a couple of ordinary singles. No walks and likely no runs. later in the game, it was the same story. He doesn't get it that walks can help an offense. He laments that our pitchers give them up but doesn't recognize the value of our hitters taking them.

He still doesn't get it.

Chicago Sun-Times That would be my guess. Horrible.

I'll believe Baker & Co. will be fired when I see it. And I have 100% faith in Hendry to make a horrible choice as their replacement if it does happen. Whatever the most logical choice you can bet the Cubs will do the opposite.

Moises Alou says hello. While Moises wasn't beloved, he was just as good a hitter as Lee. I'm not advocating bringing back Alou. He's old and injury prone, but Lee would not be any better than Alou was in 2004. Well, then the key may be bringing in different coaches. I'm not saying Murton is the answer, and I'm not completely opposed to getting Lee, but I think all avenues, including trades should be explored. Lee is a good hitter, but I don't think he's a difference maker. This team will need more help than Lee. A lot of what it would take to get Abreu is going to depend on what the Phillies try to do. I get the feeling, as have others around the league, that Gillick doesn't like the construction of that team and is eager to make changes. A package of Pie and Marshall might net Abreu if the Phillies decide to move his contract. I don't know yet, but I think it's a little early to settle for Lee. I don't expect much for those guys either, but in the offseason we could have some bargaining chips if we're willing to deal guys like Marhsall, Marmol, and Guzman along with guys like Gallagher then the Cubs may be able to make some trades this fall. The fact remains that the Cubs will have lots of money to spend. Spending it wisely will be the key. I agree about Alou but he only had a couple of good years. I think we could get more than that out of CLee. I'm just not sure I want Hendry doing the trading of Guzman, Marshall, Marmol, etc...especially after having seen him deal Nolasco, Pinto, and Mitre for Juan Pierre. It sucks that he got an extension. Yes, spending the money wisely is key. Something Hendry hasn't done the last couple of years.

I'm betting when spring training 2007 opens...Dusty Baker is the manager of the Chicago Cubs.

I don't want players with pizazz...I want good players. I really don't see how Lee would give something to watch that a player like Derrek Lee doesn't. If all we wanted was a spectacle, why not get Jose Lima to pitch and lure players like Rex Hundler, Lenny Dykstra, and John Kruk out of retirement. Boring or not, I want a good team. With 100 million dollars, a competent GM should be able to build one. Starting to want players just to "jazz" things up isn't acceptable. I think Carlos Lee would be a better player than we've had in left field in a long time. Hendry is not going to find a group of future hall of famers to play for the Cubs in 2007. He will have to work with what's available. I like Murton but he's never going to have the power needed for a corner outfielder if he can't get the ball off the ground. Keeping Murton here with this coaching staff is pointless (And I believe this manager and coaches will be back for 2007). I'd like to trade for Abreu also but who could we trade for him. Lee? Then we'd be worse than we are now. I guarantee we can't get him for Prior. We don't have any bargaining chips really. We're not getting much for Glendon, Pierre, Nevin, Mabry, Blanco etc. Unless Hendry can find a GM wanting to dump salary like he did with Pittsburgh and Florida we're pretty much in deep doo doo.

It's a lot easier to fire someone elses mistake.

Cubs pitchers have given up 15 walks in the last two games. Surprisingly, they are 0-2. :wink:

What is Juan Pierre?

Boy, Dusty is a genius for double switching Blanco for Barrett. :D

Rothschild: Get this guy and we've got a bucket of fried chicken waiting for you. Glendon: Shakes head, "okay".

The Cubs are cheap, they're waiting until Rusch is small enough to fit in a single greyhound seat for his ride to Iowa. Then he's never going.

Ha Ha Ha!!! Jones throw to the plate looked like a wedge hitting the green. I thought it was going to spin backwards.

WOOHOO. I smell a Grand Slam coming up!