vance_the_cubs_fan

Jim Hendry: Give us Broadway and Fields and you got a deal. I'd trade Williamson for either Broadway or Fields without thinking twice about it. I doubt you get anything close to that from anyone, but Williamson doesn't figure into the long range plans of this team and Broadway or Fields both have good projection long term. Getting both is ludicrous and if you could get one for a half season of Williamson, not doing the deal is stupidity.

I place a lot of blame on Dusty. It goes all the way back to 2004. That team had as much talent as anyone and should have made the playoffs. Dusty is the manager and the team underacheived, especially in the last ten days of the season. That was the first strike against Dusty. Last season, the team made numerous mistakes and mental errors. Dusty rather than addressing them, made excuse after excuse. That was the third strike. This debacle of a season was strike three and it's time for him to go. I strongly believe his method and philosophy have influence Hendry on FA signings and roster moves. I have to wonder how much the Neifi and Rusch contracts might have been on account of Dusty pushing to have them brought back into the fold. I don't know the inside conversations, so I can't say for sure, but it does seem that Hendry has considered Dusty's ideas in roster configuration. The losing streaks are another reason Dusty must go. Even bad teams win occassionally. When this team loses, it loses in a funk of 5-7 in a row. It's the manager's job to stop that. Furthermore, when Baker was brought in, he was supposed to have a number of positives. 1. He would cultivate a culture of winning. Well, for the first two seasons, yes, but after that I've seen none of that attitude. 2. He would make FA recruitment easier as they would want to play for him. Well, since his arrival we've done nothing to attract the best FA. They still routinely choose the most dollars. In fact, we've signed no marquee FA (outside of bullpen arms) since Dusty's arrival. 3. He gets the most out of his players. It appears that Cubs players have underachieved under Dusty rather than overachieved. And when they overachieve, Dusty over-uses them and we end up with a 2-yr deal for Glendon Rusch. He has no strenghts as I see them, and surely none to justify his contract. He, if I'm not mistaken, is paid more than any other manager. Could the 3 extra million we spend on Dusty not be better used in international scouting or on a major league player? I've been on record saying I'd fire Hendry too if I were in control. That being said, Hendry's mistakes in no way absolve Dusty of his.

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: I at least thought we'd have to win another game before we saw another one of these threads... And wasn't it supposed to be .500 by August 2nd? Why is the deadline now pushed back a month. I figure the next time we'll see .500 will be April 5, 2007.

Never underestimate GM's jonesing to get a veteran starting pitcher with post season experience.

I agree that I wish I heard these comments from MacPhail instead of Hendry. In that case, we might really clean house. On the other hand, to realize that Baker may finally go is a good thing. Also, with the Braves season in the crapper, they may go ahead and allow Hendry to interview Gonzalez.

I'm not aware of Dierker having any immediate health problems. He did have a seizure in the dugout during the 1999 season, but from what I know he had a full recovery. He was fired because the Astros felt he couldn't win in the playoffs. For those who want to know more about his philosophy he's written a book about managing called, It Ain't Brain Surgery.

Sounds good to me. It's not like I'll be busy watching the Cubs.

I keep wondering why Dierker and Johnson's names don't get mentioned with the likes of Fregosi, Williams, and Piniella.

A few notes about the candidates listed... Lou- Oh Kent, please no! Tom Kelly- This would be hilarious because Todd Walker has publicly stated how much he hates him. Fun times would ensue. Walker blames Kelly for his reputation as a poor defender. Think Billy Martin-Reggie Jackson level of hatred here. Jimy Williams- Jeez....please no! Gene Lamont- Does always float to the top. Fredi Gonzalez- Yesyesyesyesyesyesyes!

:cheers:

I think they should be able to speak their mind without retribution. It makes things colorful.

Now?

I hope more of the guys start speaking their mind. It's not like keeping them shut has helped anything.

So you're an L$U fan eh? Just to keep in the theme of the thread! How's LSU look this year? A lot depends on health. A lot of key players are recovering from injuries. They had a decent recruiting class and still have a stable of runners in the backfield. I'm not completely sold on Les Miles as a coach so this year will help me decide how good I think he really is. Here's a pretty good article about the upcoming season.

Maddux and Williamson to the Diamondbacks for Carlos Gonzalez.

:lmao:

We'll lose this one. We still have to lose three in between every win.

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 see your Tim Raines and raise you Darryl Strawberry. :D I see your Darryl Strawberry and raise you a Eric Davis.

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.

Since you welcome comments.... I know the feeling. I should be moving on to more productive activity, but I keep watching this train wreck of the season. I still don't think Jones will continue to hit like he has. Maybe he will, but color me skeptical. Cedeno is a decent player. Unless he develops more patience, he's basically Shawon Dunston with less power. Right now, I'm still wondering when Todd Van Poppell took over Prior's body. But, I'm not for trading him either. He's ceiling is too high and his value too low right now. It's time to say farewell to Wood. I'll agree that this team as assembled is crap, but Dusty has to go. The extended losing streaks are bad...even bad teams come out of funks sooner than this one. There are better alternatives to Dusty. Fredi Gonzalez and Larry Dierker would both be better choices. If Davey Johnson can get out of his gig with the Nationals, he would be a better choice. My large breed mutt Felix likely is a better choice. So, yes...Dusty must go. I'd even rather have Lloyd McClendon than Dusty at this point and I'd rather have a vascetomy given to me with a rusty butter knife than have McClendon manage the team. Dusty must go. I'm not opposed to Lee, but it's going to take much more than that to fix this team. I hope the Cubs explore Jason Schmidt and look into trading for Abreu again this offseason. Why? Yes he does, and Rich Hill needs some time in the majors to see what he can do over an extended period. Williamson has not been as good as he needed to be. Agreed. But his comments show that there is a problem on this team, especially in regards to the treatment of Matt Murton. Also, why is Michael Wuertz still in Iowa? Why was Williams shippped out so soon when Rusch gets chance after chance to suck? There are definitely favorites on this team. Regardless of his performance, I'm glad Scott said something. I do hope Pagan is good, but the history indicates that Murton will be a much better player. Murton should be given more of an opportunity to work through his struggles. Time to trade Ryan. Along with Dusty and the rest of the coaches.

Geaux Tigers!

It appears Moore is still hitting well.

My guess is Atlanta would ask for Pie. There's no way I trade Pie for Jones, but that's what I think Atlanta asks. I could also see the Braves having interest in some pitchers like Marmol, Hill, Marshall, etc. What's funny is that prior to last season, it was widely known the Braves wanted to rid themselves of Jones' contract and a deal of Patterson + prospects probably would have gotten it done.

After the 2004 season, chemistry was the mantra. We got rid of all the bad clubhouse guys and Hendry said if everyone could all just get along we would win. That didn't work. After the 2005 season, Hendry mischaracterized the White Sox success and wanted "guys who could catch the ball." He wanted speed and defense, and well...we see where that got us. So, what will it be for 2007? Personally, I'm rooting for the Rockies to win it all so Hendry will then decide he needs to get players who love Jesus! Go Rockies! Go Jesus!