Hendry, Cubs appear close on deal
'Tis the season to talk of lame ducks. Presidents. Nah, baseball general managers, particularly Cubs GM Jim Hendry.
Sometime Sunday, Hendry will head to Mesa, Ariz., for the Cubs' annual organization meetings. The biggest worry Hendry might have is whether he'll be going as a lame-duck GM. The answer is probably not. It appears the Cubs and Hendry are close to finalizing a multiyear deal that could keep Trader Jim around for another three years. Hendry may have been feeling a little uneasy because of the seemingly endless process of the Tribune Co. unloading the Cubs. What happens if Hendry were to pick up his one-year option by Dec. 30, only to have the Cubs sold next spring and the new owners saying, "Thank you very much and good-bye?"
If all the i's get dotted and the t's crossed, Hendry shouldn't have to worry about that, and the new owners will be getting a GM who has built three division winners in six years. Of course there have been some bumps along the way. But under Hendry, the Cubs have beefed up their front office, including their amateur scouting under the capable leadership of Tim Wilken. The Cubs have gone to the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time in a century, a nine-game losing streak in the playoffs notwithstanding.
On balance, Hendry has an above-average record. Here is some of the good:
--Trading catcher Todd Hundley to the Dodgers for Mark Grudzielanek and Eric Karros after the 2002 season. That one still may be the trade of the 21st Century.
--Turning Bobby Hill, Matt Bruback (remember him? I didn't think so) and Jose Hernandez into Aramis Ramirez and Kenny Lofton via a trade with the Pirates.
--Turning Hee Seop Choi into Derrek Lee in a trade with the Marlins.
--Trading essentially four minor-leaguers to the A's for their No. 1 pitcher, Rich Harden.
--Signing pitcher Ted Lilly to a free-agent contract.
--Signing free-agent catcher Henry Blanco. When Geovany Soto wins Rookie of the Year, the first person he ought to thank is Blanco, a valuable mentor.
--Being the prime mover of a four-team trade that brought Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs in 2004. For sheer creativity and energy, Hendry gets high marks for this one. Unfortunately, manager Dusty Baker let things deteriorate down the stretch in '04, and Nomar's '05 season ended almost before it started because of a groin injury.
--Picking up center fielders Reed Johnson and Jim Edmonds this year when their former teams no longer wanted them. Both played significant parts in the Cubs winning the NL Central for a second straight year.
--Signing "utility man" Mark DeRosa to a three-year contract before the 2007 season. DeRosa may be the best bargain in the game among veteran players.
Here are some of the not-so-hot Hendry moves:
--Signing infielder Neifi Perez to a two-year contract extension. Ol' Neifi will go down as one of the worst offensive players in baseball history. Dusty often claimed that "Neifi saved us." From what, I'm still not sure.
--Signing Glendon Rusch to a two-year contract extension. Good-guy Glendon helped out for a while but didn't deserve that kind of extension. He had a major health scare with a blood clot, but fortunately, he survived and was able to make a comeback this year.
--Looking for bullpen ligthning but never catching it with the likes of Mike Remlinger, LaTroy Hawkins, Bob Howry and Scott Eyre. Eyre, by the way, will be going to the World Series with the Phillies.
--Trying to find a Sammy Sosa replacement in right field with the likes of Jeromy Burnitz and Jacque Jones. Maybe we'll be saying the same thing about Kosuke Fukudome (and maybe not) before too long.
--Giving three years and $21 million to pitcher Jason Marquis.
The jury is still out on Fukudome and left fielder Alfonso Soriano, who got eight years and $136 million before the '07 season. The only way Soriano comes close to being worth it is if he carries the Cubs to a World Series title. And even if that happens, that's too much dough for a player who appears to be an annual injury waiting to happen.
Hendry also was slow to embrace the importance of sabermetrics and advanced statistical analysis. The vast improvements in on-base percentage, walks and runs scored this year may be a sign that the light has gone on. Cubs fans should hope it's one of those long-lasting bulbs.
When it comes to delegating authority, Hendry allows assistant GM Randy Bush significant input. Scouting gurus Gary Hughes and Paul Weaver added independent voices in recent years, and scout Ken Kravec is considered one of the best in the game.
Overall, I give Hendry a B for results and an A for effort and energy. Cubs fans are past the point of antsy for the team to close the deal in October. When and if the expected extension comes down for Hendry, it'll be must-win time.
Bruce--
Based on your sources, what would it take to pry Sizemore and Lewis from the Indians? My thought was you have to give up something to get something -- maybe even overpay for a player of his quality.
Shorewood Mike
but I tend to think anything beyond 2010 (to match Lou Piniella) may be too long. I would like to see how the farm produces over the next couple of years and how the club does in general, without being commited to Hendry beyond that.
I agree has has done some very good things, but the lack of position player development has put exceptional pressure on the club to go shopping every year to fill holes. The Cub's current core has about a 2 year window to win something, and then they could very well be straddled with players on the downside of their career and some of those being highly overpaid. After 2010, if at least a pennant has not been achieved, I would think the club would need signficant change and I am not convinced Hendry should be given that opportunity (especially if the farm is still not taking the pressure off of the payroll demands).
And that's about it for position players. The jury is still out on Pie, but it's about ready to render a guilty verdict. Valid points, all, MHP99.
i just read that Peavy listed the Cubs as one of his 5 teams. Now, obviously if you are the Cubs you have to explore this. I'm sure it would take a TON to get him, but if you could you take the money that you were going to give Dempster, and get this guy. Like I said, it would take a ton, probably a Fontenot and Marshall and prospects.However, it is worth it. A rotation of Peavy, Lilly, Zambrano, and Harden would rival any Braves staff of the 1990s. I would build a statue of Hendry in his favorite button up short sleeve shirt in my front yard.
Very interesting.
Looking forward to a good hot stove season, and with the state of the economy look for this Cubs sale thing to drag on. Cubs want buyers to buy on credit, but what banks can lend up to 1 billion in cash? not many......
Somewhere Sam Znell is kicking himself for dragging this thing on and trying to make the state buy Wrigley. The tribune could very well still own up to 20-25% of this team once the new buyer emerges.
He had a WHIP of 1.18 this year and not a bad record for a terrible team. We'll keep an eye on Kevin "Tampering" Towers on this one. He likes to talk freely about his intentions, and apparently, MLB never even gives him a wrist slap for it.
If you build that statue, make sure Hendry is tugging on that shirt. That's one of his little quirks.
I suspect we'll be reading about the sale dragging on well into next season. Poor Sam.
My Cubs' Wish List for this off-season:
1.) Resign Dempster & Wood.
2.) Get more speed, especially at the top of the order, guys with high OBP,that could
allow Lou to play more "small ball": either sign Furcal for SS (moving Theriot back to
2B) or obtain Roberts or Hudson for 2B.
3.) Obtain an everyday left-handed hitting CF as well as another lefty for the bullpen: I
suggest packaging Derrek Lee, Felix Pie, Jason Marquis, Donnie Veal, and Ronny
Cedeno to Cleveland for Grady Sizemore and Scott Lewis.
4.) Trade Soriano for WHATEVER you could get for him, even a Class A pitcher or backup
infielder, even if we have to eat almost all of the salary.
5.) Obtain someone like a Kevin Millar that could provide bench strength and a positive
force in the clubhouse.
6.) Install Marshall or Samardzija as the 5th Starter (unless of course we could
unexpectedly obtain Peavy or Sabathia, which would change the order of the 1-5)
Cubs' lineup would be as follows:
Furcal/Roberts SS/2B
Theriot 2B/SS
Sizemore CF
Ramirez 3B
Hoffpauir 1B
Soto C
Fukodome RF
DeRosa-Johnson LF
------ P
What do you think?
That sounds like a losing team, definitely worse than the 97 win 2008 NL Central Champions.
Know why? Too many left handed bats! You've overhauled a winning team into a mediocre team.
I think that might be sufficient, especially if Hoffpauir can show he is capable of coming off the bench. Yes, you do have to be careful here not to "fix" things too much. This team won 97 games, and two or three moves might push it over the top.
You're definitely on track with the top-of-the-order idea. They need a high OBP guy there. I have asked about Furcal, but I'm getting only lukewarm responses. You can live with Theriot. I expect his OBP to settle in at about .355 next year after flirting with .400 for much of this year.
Lee and Soriano have no-trade clauses. I suppose they could ask and make it sweet for Lee to waive his. Soriano? There's not much hope of moving him.
Lou seems to like Lee's presence in the clubhouse. When I've asked about hitters who are slumping, Lou goes into a long explanation of what's wrong. With Lee, he never says anything. Apparently, he likes the fact that Lee took over the clubhouse last year in May, when the Cubs held a players meeting. Derrek isn't the loud type, but he is well respected by his teammates. Millar, though, is an outstanding clubhouse guy.
I also agree on Marshall/Samardzija. Marshall is probably better suited to start. If they can move Marquis, they can start Marshall. I believe for now, they like Samardzija in the pen.
Welcome to the blog. I appreciate your input.
1 and 2 I like.
3 I would have to do more research, but that sounds like it would be tough one to pull off, and that's giving up quite a bit. I think a power left 'hand' stick in RF (wither Fuku?) is more likely.
4 As much as I knee-jerked two seasons in a row and wanted to reach through my TV and strangle Soriano, I doubt the Cubs are going to eat that. However, he DOES need to be moved DOWN in the order, period.
5. Sounds good.
6. Nice contingency plan. Hopefully they make a strong run at CC, though I'd be weary of how Ned (Flanders) Yost and his successor used and abused him down the stretch; that was VERY Dusty-esque.
... I hope we're not in for another agonizing winter/spring round of will he be traded/won't he be traded with Brian Roberts. By the way, check out Roberts' split stats in 2008 paying special attention to day vs. night. His day OPS was something like 400 points higher than his night OPS. That would bode well for a team playing something like 67% of their home games and 33% of their road games during the day.
If the Cubs are looking for a leadoff hitter to play CF and the Yankees are looking for a 1B, a straight up trade of Johnny Damon for Derrek Lee might make good sense for both teams. Both players will make $13M in 2009. Damon's OBP was .375 and he had about 30 stolen bases. It does also inject another left handed bat in the lineup.
As long as he's there, I believe Hendry will make a call. Damon/Johnson might work in center. Lou seems to be a big fan of Lee, though. He's the one guy he won't criticize in public. Maybe it's because Lee keeps things together in the clubhouse, as Lou doesn't like to venture there too much.
Great blog Bruce. You forgot one bad trade (maybe you intentionally forgot it!):
trading 3 young pitchers for 1 year of Juan Pierre.
Remember, though - letting Pierre go to free agency netted us a compensatory draft pick, which we used on Josh Donaldson, which got us Rich Harden.
Sergio Mitre, incidentally, just got released by the Marlins. Not saying this was a good trade, but it's worked out better than we could have hoped at the time.
Yeah......that trade was BAD!!!!!
He sure would look good in the rotation now. Pierre is a mistake that both the Cubs and Dodgers made. He has to be on baseball's all overrated team.
Gotta hand it to Jim for the effort and for the results...for the most part.
Glad to see the Cubs cut off/shut down the Mariners request to talk to him. So my grade for Crane Kenney improves somewhat (C-), but is still heavily weighted down by the whole Orthodox Priest fiasco before game one.
One can only hope the Cubs now firmly embrace sabermatics and OBP (hey, is that an acronym? Just wonderin'............). I know the Red Sox are still down but they NEVER seem to swing at anything out of the strike zone and make pitchers work.
The "Neifi saves us" comment was EPIC. Hell, that even trescends Dusty it was so outlandish. If the Grudz/Karros coo was the trade of the 21st century, this comment by Dusty ranks as the stupidest thing ever said (baseball-wise) this century, and those centuries that will follow it.
... in 1998. Remember he hit that 9th inning homer as a Rockie to beat the Giants in the last regular season game, which forced that one game playoff between the Cubs and Giants.
Bizzaro world thinking on that one. Because who was manager of the Giants that year that Neifi beat?
...was ahead of his time. Or a little behind it. Knew he was a visionary.