More on Roberts and Chicago

[davearm]

AM resigned in 2006. JH was named GM in 2002, but AM was President and CEO until October 2006.

Yep and my point was that JH is more responsible than AM for every significant player on the last several Cubs rosters, including the guys acquired before JH was officially made GM.

It's been implied that there's a line of demarcation in 2002, when really there isn't. It's for sure JH's roster now, and it was pretty much that way back in 2002, too.

[Enjoy Terror]

AM resigned in 2006. JH was named GM in 2002, but AM was President and CEO until October 2006.

It's damned confusing that in sports, the word "resign" means both to quit and to extend in different contexts.

[Bloopandablast]

Yep and my point was that JH is more responsible than AM for every significant player on the last several Cubs rosters, including the guys acquired before JH was officially made GM.

It's been implied that there's a line of demarcation in 2002, when really there isn't. It's for sure JH's roster now, and it was pretty much that way back in 2002, too.

Agreed. I think it was Scarey that had him (AM) out of the scene in 2002. I should have responded to his post.

IT is JH's roster. One he had to retool especially with pitching after Wood, Prior, Guzman broke down.

[byrdz]

Wasn't it AM that hired and promoted Hendry through the ranks? Just saying that if you're going to give credit to someone, the person that kept them on the job and promoted them into those positions of power, might get a little credit as well. Decisions flow down from the top; good or bad. All of us Orioles fans know so well the last scenario.

[Omega]

AM resigned in 2006. JH was named GM in 2002, but AM was President and CEO until October 2006.

AAhhh soooo, Andy was Hendry's boss while he was director of scouting and player development, and also his boss for 4 years while he was GM. Hmmm, I'd take the guy who had the final decision and insight to put these players on the field.

[Bloopandablast]

AAhhh soooo, Andy was Hendry's boss while he was director of scouting and player development, and also his boss for 4 years while he was GM. Hmmm, I'd take the guy who had the final decision and insight to put these players on the field.

In case you are wondering....no argument from me

BTW this weakens AM's case because it puts the failure to correct the pitching breakdown on his watch and not JH's.... JH fixed it.

But still Dusty burned them out. AM and JH just did not react soon enough.

[davearm]

AAhhh soooo, Andy was Hendry's boss while he was director of scouting and player development, and also his boss for 4 years while he was GM. Hmmm, I'd take the guy who had the final decision and insight to put these players on the field.

Just as an FYI, naming Hendry the GM freed up MacPhail to deal with the business side of running the Cubs: marketing, launching the Cubs' own "premium" ticket service, negotiating television rights, wrangling with the neighbors over the rooftops and other issues, wrangling with the city over the bleacher renovation project and the Cubs' more elaborate plans for developing the area to the west of the stadium, interfacing with the suits at the Trib tower, dealing with chunks of concrete falling from Wrigley's upper deck, and on and on.

Suffice it to say that the baseball operations were well down on MacPhail's priority list after handing the reins over to Hendry. MacPhail had authority in cases where acquiring a player involved a big $$$ commitment, but beyond that this has been Hendry's show for years.

[byrdz]

Yep and my point was that JH is more responsible than AM for every significant player on the last several Cubs rosters, including the guys acquired before JH was officially made GM.

It's been implied that there's a line of demarcation in 2002, when really there isn't. It's for sure JH's roster now, and it was pretty much that way back in 2002, too.

Suffice it to say that the baseball operations were well down on MacPhail's priority list after handing the reins over to Hendry. MacPhail had authority in cases where acquiring a player involved a big $$$ commitment, but beyond that this has been Hendry's show for years.

So why is it that so many Cubs fans dislike McPhail?

[davearm]

So why is it that so many Cubs fans dislike McPhail?

It's mostly because the perception is that MacPhail and his frugalness kept Hendry's hands tied when it came to making the sort of impact free agent signing that could put the Cubs over the top.

Hendry had serious interest in guys like Tejada, Vlad, Beltran, Furcal, and others, but when push came to shove he was limited by AM in what he could spend to get them.

MacPhail leaves, and out come winning bids for guys like Soriano, Lilly, and Fukudome -- and consecutive division titles.

[LookinUp]

MacPhail leaves, and out come winning bids for guys like Soriano, Lilly, and Fukudome -- and consecutive division titles.

LOL, how has that gone so far? The first and last surely aren't worth the money, right?

[davearm]

LOL, how has that gone so far? The first and last surely aren't worth the money, right?

How's that gone so far? The Cubs have made the playoffs every year since MacPhail left, after making it twice in 10 years with him.

I'll take overpaying and making the postseason over standing on the sidelines because everyone's too expensive, and then watching in October.

[Sports Guy]

How's that gone so far? The Cubs have made the playoffs every year since MacPhail left, after making it twice in 10 years with him.

I'll take overpaying and making the postseason over standing on the sidelines because everyone's too expensive, and then watching in October.

Yea but if they continue to give out foolish contracts, jump the payroll way up and lose draft picks, they will go back into a 10 year funk.

[Stotle]

How's that gone so far? The Cubs have made the playoffs every year since MacPhail left, after making it twice in 10 years with him.

I'll take overpaying and making the postseason over standing on the sidelines because everyone's too expensive, and then watching in October.

Absolutely agree. The only potential issue I see is what Chicago will do when contracts like Soriano's aren't working out (which may never happen, but the odds are it will, particularly with Soriano). If they have the flexibility to get production elsewhere while Soriano is providing less production towards the end of his contract, there will be no issue at all. It's the Yankees model and it works. You just need the dollars.

[sangar]

How's that gone so far? The Cubs have made the playoffs every year since MacPhail left, after making it twice in 10 years with him.

I'll take overpaying and making the postseason over standing on the sidelines because everyone's too expensive, and then watching in October.

Me too. I'd rather see the Orioles win than see PA stick another wad in the bank.

[SceffBmo]

This team proved last year that they are capable of scoring runs and competing if they have the SP that will allow the BP to be rested and not get burnt out. I for one do not want to wait 3-5 more years to wait and see if all of the so called talent is gonna pan out.

If they trade BRob, fail to add another big bat and at least two SP who can eat innings and keep them in ballgames, then I doubt I'll be watching or going to many if any games next season. I've been an O's fan all my life, but after eleven years of losing I've reached my boiling point with this team and am sick and tired of it.