Cubs to name Piniella Manager

[mzkhadir]

MSNBC

 

[raystorm]

Not sure what Sweet Lou expects from the Cubbies. Lee must stay healthy, Aramis needs to be resigned (or maybe try to get Arod from the Yanks?) and my lord..can Prior and Wood stay healthy for once?

Whats the financial situation with the Cubs?? Can they pony up some dough for some big free agents?

I'm sure the fans there will love Lou.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: raystorm
Not sure what Sweet Lou expects from the Cubbies. Lee must stay healthy, Aramis needs to be resigned (or maybe try to get Arod from the Yanks?) and my lord..can Prior and Wood stay healthy for once?

Whats the financial situation with the Cubs?? Can they pony up some dough for some big free agents?

I'm sure the fans there will love Lou.

Despite being the worst team in baseball (I credit the Royals & Devil Rays with some extra wins playing in the much much tougher A.L.), they are actually not too far off from having a great team.

I'm really curious to see what Aramis Ramirez can do when he has a manager who will not put up with him slacking off all the time, he can easily be one of the big power threats in the league. He has the choice to either stay with his current contract (I believe 2 more years & $26 mil) or become a free agent.

The Cubs do have the cash to spend. Minus Juan Pierre, Greg Maddux, & Kerry Wood from the team, the payroll is well under $70 mil, and word is the organization may want to spend upwards of $115 mil. All indications say Kerry Wood will be brought back at a much reduced salary and pitch out of the bullpen.

Throw a lot of money at Zito or Schmidt to get someone who isn't at the 90 pitch mark by the 4th inning, and coupled with Zambrano, the Cubs certainly could make a run next year. The Cards, Reds, & Astros are all going to be much worse next year unless they make significant off-season moves, the division is wide open for the taking. Rich Hill was looking excellent end of this year, and if the Cubs can get anything out of Mark Prior, that's enough pitching to be a serious threat in the post season.

I certainly like the hiring of Lou Piniella, and do have high hopes now for next year. The two holes in offense (assuming Ramirez stays) will be short & center, and if we can pick up *anyone* who knows how to take a base on balls, that would be a huge pickup for the offense (i.e. Izturis, Cedeno, & Pierre are most definately not the answers for the Cubs)

 

[MaxDepth]

This just in...The Cubs have been mathmatically eliminated from 2007 post season play.

 

[hdeck]

what happened to all the cubs fans loving girardi?

 

[Xenon]

They should have hired Larry Dierker. If he's looking to manage again that is.

 

[waggy]

hopefully he can do something. actually wish he was there years ago. might have saved the careers of woods and prior.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: hdeck
what happened to all the cubs fans loving girardi?

If the fans hired the manager, it would have been Girardi. Fans here can only assume for now that it might be because Girardi's relationship with the Marlin's owner & GM may have been much worse than we know. Either way it went, we were assured not to have a manager who would allow players to slack off like under Baker. I'm really anxious to see how this works next year.

Plus, Piniella is regarded around the league as probably the best evaluater of talent, which is something the Cubs have no clue as an organization, which likely swayed the decision towards Piniella.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: waggy
hopefully he can do something. actually wish he was there years ago. might have saved the careers of woods and prior.

Wood was screwed much earlier than that, back in '98. But it's hard to blame a manager for screwing them up in 2003, as the team had no bullpen that year. Without overexteding Wood & Prior, the Cubs absolutely do not reach game 7 of the NLCS. I still think the Cubs should have won it all that year, in which case there would never be any question over how the pitching staff was used. You never hear people from Miami complaining the Marlins screwed up Beckett & Pavano that year.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: waggy
hopefully he can do something. actually wish he was there years ago. might have saved the careers of woods and prior.

Wood was screwed much earlier than that, back in '98. But it's hard to blame a manager for screwing them up in 2003, as the team had no bullpen that year. Without overexteding Wood & Prior, the Cubs absolutely do not reach game 7 of the NLCS. I still think the Cubs should have won it all that year, in which case there would never be any question over how the pitching staff was used. You never hear people from Miami complaining the Marlins screwed up Beckett & Pavano that year.

maybe. but i really think he is a big reason they both have crap careers now. he pushed them well past any other coach would have.

i am glad he is gone.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: waggy
i am glad he is gone.

Well, we certainly agree on that!

Prior was supposed to be the perfect mechanical pitcher, though, and I suspect his troubles are more mental than physical. Who knows. I think Prior's arbitration eligable this off-season too. Something tells me he isn't getting much of a raise.

 

[b0mbrman]

Yes, I figured it was just a matter of time before someone picked him up considering what he did with the Marin...

Wait a second...where the hell is my wallet?! :|

 

[wheresmybacon]

i wonder if vegas has odds yet on how long it'll be before sweet lou melts down and starts tossing bags around wrigley. hahaha

this is great, though. my favorite manager and my favorite NL team together.

 

[chuckywang]

Whoa whoa whoa....first things first. We gotta resign Aramis. Wood and Pierre are free agents. We need another starter. Then we'll see how good of a team Piniella has at his disposal.

 

[chuckywang]

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: waggy
hopefully he can do something. actually wish he was there years ago. might have saved the careers of woods and prior.

Wood was screwed much earlier than that, back in '98. But it's hard to blame a manager for screwing them up in 2003, as the team had no bullpen that year. Without overexteding Wood & Prior, the Cubs absolutely do not reach game 7 of the NLCS. I still think the Cubs should have won it all that year, in which case there would never be any question over how the pitching staff was used. You never hear people from Miami complaining the Marlins screwed up Beckett & Pavano that year.

See, the Marlins were smart to unload them at the right time when they still could get something out of them.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: chuckywang

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: waggy
hopefully he can do something. actually wish he was there years ago. might have saved the careers of woods and prior.

Wood was screwed much earlier than that, back in '98. But it's hard to blame a manager for screwing them up in 2003, as the team had no bullpen that year. Without overexteding Wood & Prior, the Cubs absolutely do not reach game 7 of the NLCS. I still think the Cubs should have won it all that year, in which case there would never be any question over how the pitching staff was used. You never hear people from Miami complaining the Marlins screwed up Beckett & Pavano that year.

See, the Marlins were smart to unload them at the right time when they still could get something out of them.

That just reminds me too much of the rumored off-season deal of Tejada for Prior. We all thought it would be a terrible deal at the time. D'oh! :Q When's Tejada's contract up? The Cubs should have the $$ to throw at him.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: chuckywang
Whoa whoa whoa....first things first. We gotta resign Aramis. Wood and Pierre are free agents. We need another starter. Then we'll see how good of a team Piniella has at his disposal.

I sure hope the Cubs can keep Aramis, that'll be a major issue, though maybe he doesn't want to play for a manager who's going to hold him accountable for his behavior? Wood has said in interview that he's willing to come back to the Cubs at a drastically reduced salary, something tells me he isn't getting much on the free market. I think he can really help the team in the bullpen. As for Pierre, I say goodbye to him. A .330 OBP for a leadoff hitter is pathetic, no matter how many singles he hit.

 

[Kyle]

Good news for the cubs...deep down I was hoping he would end up back in Seattle...I wonder what he could do for the M's if he came back...

 

[thawolfman]

Does this mean we don't need to listen to him comment on playoff games anymore? :Q

 

[chuckywang]

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: chuckywang
Whoa whoa whoa....first things first. We gotta resign Aramis. Wood and Pierre are free agents. We need another starter. Then we'll see how good of a team Piniella has at his disposal.

I sure hope the Cubs can keep Aramis, that'll be a major issue, though maybe he doesn't want to play for a manager who's going to hold him accountable for his behavior? Wood has said in interview that he's willing to come back to the Cubs at a drastically reduced salary, something tells me he isn't getting much on the free market. I think he can really help the team in the bullpen. As for Pierre, I say goodbye to him. A .330 OBP for a leadoff hitter is pathetic, no matter how many singles he hit.

The things is....who else is there besides Pierre? Is Felix Pie ready or not?

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: chuckywang
The things is....who else is there besides Pierre? Is Felix Pie ready or not?

True that. Pie is not ready for the majors, his AAA numbers are abysmal. And I think he still has a terrible eye for the strike zone.

The NL central is just sooo bad of a division, and the top teams are going to be worse next year, I just think this is the best opportunity they're going to have in a while to make the post season. If the offense stays as it is next year, I don't think it'll be enough, and I'd hate to see the Cubs give up on Murton to bring in Carlos Lee or Soriano.

Heck, maybe if Pierre goes to the south side as rumored, maybe the Cubs can pull Brian Anderson up north?

But I mean, the field is pretty much set next year, I can't see any scenario where the Cubs don't field Barret, Lee, Theriot/Cedeno at 2nd, Aramis if he doesn't opt for free agency, and Jones in right. That doesn't leave many options at all for improvement, which is sorely needed (and there is no guarantee Lee is coming back 100% from the wrist injury).

Maybe try and pluck Vernon Wells from the Blue Jays, but I don't have a clue what they could offer for a trade...


...Comcast Sports Net is speculating right now that the Cubs might go after A-Rod heavily, now that Piniella is signed, and if he gets put at short, and Aramis is kept at third, then hey, we could field probably anybody in center and have a good enough offense to win the division! (assuming a top starting pitcher is signed)

 

[chuckywang]

Interesting article on ESPN.

I'm getting ahead of myself, but IF the Cubs do acquire ARod, Ramirez would likely be gone to the Yankees, and perhaps Rich Hill as well. Zambrano has GOT to be untouchable right now. ARod would play 3B, which he struggled at last season, but I hope that's just due to being in New York.

I would have no problem letting go of ARam if it meant that ARod was going to be his replacement. ARod has shown that he could produce under Piniella, and he won't have the pressures of the New York limelight. A Lee, ARod, Izturis, and Theriot infield is nothing to scoff at. You got three former gold glovers there (although ARod's came at SS, not 3B). You also got 2 or the 3 best players in the league with Lee and ARod.

With those players, we could keep the outfield the same and not worry so much. Resign Pierre until Pie is ready. Perhaps try to snatch Vernon Wells from the Blue Jays, but I doubt that will happen since it would mean giving up the farm for ARod and Wells. Oh well, Murton is more than capable of holding his own. In fact, post All Star break, Murton's numbers are better than Wells in practically all offensive categories: AVG, SLG, OBP. If instead of Pierre, we got Soriano to lead off........well, I guess that's just a pipe dream.

The only problem now is trying to find an extra starter to make up for the one given up for ARod. Would we have enough money left for one of Zito/Schmidt? Maybe have Dempster back as a starter and signing Wood with an incentive-laden contract as the closer. Or we could try to sign Wade Miller for 1 year again. Marshall, Marmol, Mateo, or Guzman might work. Give the fifth starting position to whoever does the best in spring training. Hopefully the troubles with pitching have to do more with Baker not listening to Rothschild than with Rothschild himself. So it'll be a Zambrano/Prior/Dempster or Miller/FA/Prospect as the rotation. Yuck. For that rotation to work, we'll need a LOT of things to go right. Zambrano is the only sure thing on there. From past experience, if you're counting on a lot of things to go your way, they probably won't.

No matter what happens, I believe that events have been set in motion for the Cubs to acquire TWO very big pickups, whether it be free agent signings or trades. They cannot have another 66-96 season. Not even close. Let's hope Hendry spends his extra wealth wisely.

 

[j00fek]

too bad they cant get any players that arnt hurt

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: chuckywang
Interesting article on ESPN.

I'm getting ahead of myself, but IF the Cubs do acquire ARod, Ramirez would likely be gone to the Yankees, and perhaps Rich Hill as well. Zambrano has GOT to be untouchable right now. ARod would play 3B, which he struggled at last season, but I hope that's just due to being in New York.

I would have no problem letting go of ARam if it meant that ARod was going to be his replacement. ARod has shown that he could produce under Piniella, and he won't have the pressures of the New York limelight. A Lee, ARod, Izturis, and Theriot infield is nothing to scoff at. You got three former gold glovers there (although ARod's came at SS, not 3B). You also got 2 or the 3 best players in the league with Lee and ARod.

With those players, we could keep the outfield the same and not worry so much. Resign Pierre until Pie is ready. Perhaps try to snatch Vernon Wells from the Blue Jays, but I doubt that will happen since it would mean giving up the farm for ARod and Wells. Oh well, Murton is more than capable of holding his own. In fact, post All Star break, Murton's numbers are better than Wells in practically all offensive categories: AVG, SLG, OBP. If instead of Pierre, we got Soriano to lead off........well, I guess that's just a pipe dream.

The only problem now is trying to find an extra starter to make up for the one given up for ARod. Would we have enough money left for one of Zito/Schmidt? Maybe have Dempster back as a starter and signing Wood with an incentive-laden contract as the closer. Or we could try to sign Wade Miller for 1 year again. Marshall, Marmol, Mateo, or Guzman might work. Give the fifth starting position to whoever does the best in spring training. Hopefully the troubles with pitching have to do more with Baker not listening to Rothschild than with Rothschild himself. So it'll be a Zambrano/Prior/Dempster or Miller/FA/Prospect as the rotation. Yuck. For that rotation to work, we'll need a LOT of things to go right. Zambrano is the only sure thing on there. From past experience, if you're counting on a lot of things to go your way, they probably won't.

No matter what happens, I believe that events have been set in motion for the Cubs to acquire TWO very big pickups, whether it be free agent signings or trades. They cannot have another 66-96 season. Not even close. Let's hope Hendry spends his extra wealth wisely.

To me, an A-Rod for Ramirez & Hill trade doesn't make any sense, in either feasibility or in benifit. Outside of Zambrano & Hill, none of the other pitchers have proven themselves yet, either by staying healthy, or by getting out of the 4th inning with less than 90 pitches. I'd say the Cubs need to plan on a rotation of Zambrano/(Schmidt Zito)/Hill/Prior/grab bag.

If the Yankees would settle for any one (or even two) of our grab bag pitchers, then it's a different story - Marshall, Guzman, Ryu, Marmol, Mateo, Walrond, Williams. Either way it works out for the Cubs, I see Hill as more important to making a run in a very weak division than having A-Rod.

 

[cubby1223]

Looking like Hendry made the smart move taking Piniella over Girardi. Sure they'd both be great managers with the Cubs - but the Cubs organization needs a complete overhaul top to bottom, and Piniella has the connections to bring the better men to fill all the other positions.

And Prior's probably going back for more shoulder surgery. Count him out for next year.