Lou here through 2010 (and other news)
GM Jim Hendry said today he has picked up manager Lou Piniella's 2010 team option. It's worth $4 million, and to hear Hendry talk, it's worth every penny.
"We've proven we're OK together," Hendry said. "We like each other, from a business end and personal point of view, so it's not a hard call for me at all."
Lou actually is signed longer term than is Hendry, who has until Dec. 30 to exercise his own option for next year, something he'll no doubt do. Beyond that, he says he's not worried. He also thanked Trib tsar Sam Zell for allowing the Lou extension.
"It's been a real good relationship," Hendry said. "I've always said there's no more important relationship in an organization than the GM and the manager, and that's proven true here the last year. He's been great to work with _ upfront, honest."
Mark DeRosa says he'll be fine to play tomorrow in Game 1 against the Dodgers, but Lou was hedging a bit on the lineup.
"With DeRosa, I'm an concerned a little bit about running," Lou said. "I want to see how that plays itself out today. That will help us make a decision on our roster spot, and at the same time, what our lineup will be tomorrow."
We may know more early this evening.
The NLDS logos are on the field, and there's a touch of cool in the air. Must be October baseball.
That is just pure BS , as Hawk would say. The Cubs have enough defensive guys. DeRosa must be hurt a lot worse than what we have been told, typical Cubs.
While I would have went with Pie and Hoffpauir, I knew Lou would go with the grey beard, dumb move. Ward gets by on the expierence mode, but he has sucked all year. his home run last series got him in ..And Lou must think 5 for 5 is dog dookey. Want a guy who has hit .369 or a guy who has hit .184 all year long
Look for the Cubs to announce center fielder Felix Pie as the last player on the roster. In somewhat of a surprise, Pie has beat out Micah Hoffpauir. Even though Pie looked somewhat uninterested in the past week, the Cubs apparently like his speed and ability to play center field.
Hoffpauir will head to Arizona along with pitchers Michael Wuertz and Kevin Hart and catcher Koyie Hill to continue working out in case they're needed in later rounds.
Reliever Chad Gaudin, who was ineffective after coming back from a lower-back injury, was sent home, as was pitcher Angel Guzman and infielder Casey McGehee.
...this gives you three center fielders. This leads me to believe what I posted earlier; that Lou is considering Johnson in right so DeRo can play 2nd.
As much as Lou downplays the 100-year thing (and rightfully so for the players) I think he's personally relishing the chance to end this drought.
If Lou is concerned about DeRosa's leg and doesn't want to start Fuku, might that mean Edmonds in center and Reed Johnson in right?
DeRosa is testing it now.
As far as Lou goes, I think he's been an excellent choice as manager. He's one of the most perceptive guys I've been around, despite the persona sometimes. Crazy like a fox, methinks.
That senile old man act is just that -- an act. No matter what happens in October, he's the right guy for this team.
Other than his inexplicable blindness when it comes to Bob Howry.
So, is Z speaking today? I look for a big game from him on Thursday if the message indeed got through.
He'll have to talk tomorrow. The starting pitcher talks one day ahead of time. Everybody else has been awesome, including my boy Jimmy Ballgame, who will be among those addressing the team.
..about Z going second. I would've thought Lilly should've taken that spot, but whatever. Going further, even more puzzling is Harden going in front of Lilly.
I think Edmonds addressing the team is a great move, considering he's only two years removed from a World Series title. 'Course, Manny is only one year, but that's not important right now.
..he is a great choice for manager. Took half a season last year but he quickly extinguished the previous regime's narcissism and "it ain't my fault, dude" attitude.