vance_the_cubs_fan

Well, at least I'm not going to regret forgetting to set the TiVo for this one.

I'm thinking that could happen. This team is beyond bad; it's an embarrassment. At one point do Fitzsimmons and others start to wonder if changes are going to be made...which could include MacPhail on the chopping block as well.

It's a miracle.

I'm not sure that the extension necessasarily saves Hendry's ass here. How much does he make? I'm certain that he makes less than 1 million per season....in fact I'd be surprised if he makes over 750,000. Teams eat that amount of money in lost salaries all the time. This team he has constructed is abysmal. It was abysmal last season. It's getting worse. We're about to be swept by the Marlins....a team whose payroll is likr six bucks! It's time for Hendry to go.

Off days are always a good time for major changes.

You summed up how I feel and felt. I backed Hendry all the way in 2003-2004 and fought for him here in the offseason that proceeded the 2005 season. His moves since mid 2005 have left me scratching my head. I used to wonder if he deferred to Dusty and if there might be conflict between the two. Now, I don't care either. Either he and Dusty are two peas in the pod, or he chose to allow Dusty to ruin this team. Either way, he must be fired.

This team's window of opportunity has closed. The euphoria from 2003 has now passed and it's time for new management. Since 2003, we've had the collapse of 2004, followed by the disapointment of 2005, and now the disaster of 2006. Hendry's track record isn't good. Surely he's made some good trades, but his inability to fix the team's core problems and his devotion to asinine ideas like "having a true lead-off hitter" and "versatile" bench have led to the collapse of this team. I'd be fine if they left the decision on Dusty to wait for a new GM, but it's time for Hendry to go. I'm hoping it happens Thursday.

Firing Dusty isn't the only thing that needs to happen. We need wholescale front office changes. I was always a big supporter of Hendry, but it's time for him to go. In fact, I hope...that on Thursday, those changes occur. I wouldn't be too upset if they only let Hendry go, hire a new GM and let him make a managerial decision. This team has gone down hill in a hurry. We could be contenders as early as next season but not with this group running the show.

According to Rosenthal... Link This surely complicates things if the Cubs are to go into fire sale mode.

you've given up already? I've watched nearly every game...I see little in this team that looks like a contender. Craig Wilson won't change that fact. You may be right. I'd like to see what they can do w/ Lee & Wilson added to the lineup. ARam & Pierre can't continue to be this bad either. We're already 12 games out. I think the team would be much better with Lee and Wilson. I'm not sure it makes us good enough to play 625 baseball the rest of the way, so while it may help us get to .500, I don't think getting Wilson will help us make the playoffs.

you've given up already? I've watched nearly every game...I see little in this team that looks like a contender. Craig Wilson won't change that fact.

Does it matter at this point?

The Mavericks game started at 7.

Hey Scott, what did you see in tonight's game that suggests improvement?

Agreed...I call BS on AJ Pieralphabet. I watched him say that on PTI and you could tell he was making that s*** up. He also said on PTI that all this is affecting his 9 month old daughter. Then I think he realized that was a foolish statement and quickly explained that it is affecting his wife and in turn that affects his daughter. Such a matyr. Sounds like a taunt for Vance. Hey AJ how's your mistress affecting your 9 month old daughter? Oh yes...yes...yes.

Jerome Williams for Church, please.

Oh yeah...this team sure has turned a corner.

Last I heard, Johnson managed the 2005 USA World Cup team. I don't know what he's done since then. Here's an article that dealt with his being named manager of that team.

Fair enough, but you still didn't answer my question as to what makes you think Dusty has what it takes to turn this around? Or what has he shown you that you think he is a good manager? I don't have that answer. I do think he is a guy the players respect and will play hard for. His teams do have a history of playing well in the second half, although his recent Cubs' teams would indicate otherwise. I'm not a huge Dusty supporter. Do I think he deserves a chance to get this team out of their hole? Yes, I do. However, if the management really think he's to blame, then fire him.....what I'm saying is don't fire the guy just for the sake of making a move. Only do so if you have a viable candidate available. Wouldn't you agree that that is not the case right now? As far as guys playing hard for him. When half the guys are not mentally in the game and continue to make the same mental mistakes over and over again, I just don't think Dusty has them playing hard for him, they don't seem to be prepared at all. You could be right....I don't know. I hope they give the guy a chance to get this team out of the hole they dug themselves. If they don't, all of your wishes will come true at the end of the year and Baker will not be retained. Who would you like to see them hire as manager assuming Dusty is let go? Davey Johnson, please.

Those that dwell in the past have no future. I say the Cubs will be 3 games below .500 by June 1st. I watch the game yesterday and actually like what I saw. It's not over.!! I think you skipped the Kool-Aid and went straight to the vodka.

Pier 6 Brawl

Florida has no "financial" reasons to trade either Cabrera or Willis, but there could be other reasons that they would do so. First, if they determine that neither will be a part of the team when they are ready to contend, then they might decide to trade while value is at its peak. As Cabrera and Willis get more expensive, fewer teams would be in the running. Right now, the Fish can involve many teams and get the bidding higher and higher. Alos, I fully concur that whoever gets one or the other will pay a steep price.

I'd love to get Miledge, but I might go in a differing direction to get him. Marshall for Milledge is an interesting proposition, and the Mets just might bite. However, assuming they might want some "veteran" help rather than trust a rookie, I offer them Maddux instead and then sweeten the deal by allowing them a pick of a prospect like Hill or Harvey.

Hidalgo was in camp with the Orioles this spring, but when he learned he wouldn't have a chance for a starting job, he quit. I hadn't heard he had signed with the Yankees, but I wouldn't be surprised if he did. His numbers in 2003 were very good, but since then he's been in sharp decline. That could be injury related or possible a result of steroids. It's hard to say. His splits don't indicate that he'd be a great platoon player, though he would hit lefties better than Jones.

I plan on using those pics...but since I'll be traveling from Louisiana by way of Edwardsville, there's a strong chance that it will get left behind. I have a friend who works in a print shop, so a phone call will be made in the coming weeks.