AFCubsFan

I've liked Hendry since he took over. Here's why I like him. 1. He's the underdog. He's just the common man working for the team. He is the man responsible for the surplus of talent the Cubs have in the minors. 2. Even though he wasn't the GM at the time, he was instrumental in getting Clement. Matt is one of my favorite players. He really seems to enjoy being a Cub. 3. This is the point where I officially decided this guy rules. His 1st offseason as GM, he traded Hundley for Karros and Grudz. I'm probably not alone in thinking that Hundley was unmovable. And let's not forget that the Dodgers are still paying him today! Karros and Grudz helped get this team to the playoffs. He also got Dusty Baker. Dusty was the best (or 2nd best) manager available during that offseason. 4. During the 2003 season, he made trades to keep the team in the hunt. Lofton and Ramirez helped a great deal with getting this team to the playoffs. 5. The 2004 offseason. He traded Choi for Lee. He stocked up the bench big time with Walker and Holla. Don't forget he also got a guy named Michael Barrett to be the team's catcher. Oh...and he talked the Trib into signing that Maddux guy. He also signed Glendon Rusch...and both have done a great job for the Cubs this year. 6. The most glaring hole left over was at SS. This was similar to the Hundley situation. There was no way Hendry could move that contract. There was definitely no way he could turn it into Nomar without trading one of the starting pitchers. How does he pull off that trade? It goes back to #1. He built a good farm system. 7. The bonus. The other GM's always play into his hands. He makes it seem like the other GM's idea. Hundley for Karros and Grudz was just a salary swapping trade (right :wink: .) The Pirates were just looking for someone to take on ARams salary, and the Cubs were there to help out. The Lee deal "fell" into his lap. He didn't want to trade away too much this season...he was considering making a final offer to Montreal...but Theo called and had to get rid of Nomar. Theo- "Please help me Jim! I've worked out a 4 team trade. Just trade away Gonzalez, Jones, Beltran, and Harris and you can have Nomar. Please take it...it's my last offer.) JH- "Well I don't know, that's gonna hurt our farm system" Theo- "Fine...I'll throw in our #1 pick from last year. Just please take Nomar." JH- "I don't know...he sounds kind of expensive..." Theo- "OK...sorry. I'll throw in some cash. Just please take Nomar" JH- "Alright already...I'll take Nomar. Just don't forget me helping you out like this." Wow. I don't just like him as the GM. I may do a write-in vote for Hendry for President. On 2nd thought, I won't. I wouldn't want to pull him away from the Cubs.