At the Cubs news conference introducing Alfonso Soriano to the local media last week, Jim Hendry tugged on my coat and said "Down in front.'' But it's going to take more than someone standing in front of Hendry to put him in the background this offseason.
Hendry made another good signing in picking up Ted Lilly, although the Cubs still need another starter.
I love the image of Hendry pulling the trigger on the Lilly deal while hooked up to an EKG. I hope he's able to deal with the excitement he's planning to create next October.
Williams' trade of Freddy Garcia to the Phillies for Gavin Floyd has ruffled some feathers. I like Garcia as much as I like any starter in the Sox rotation, but he has one year left on his contract. He's going to help the Phillies.
But Williams needed to make room for Brandon McCarthy, and the word from one of the more knowledgeable baseball people I know (Sun-Times copy editor Bob Mazzoni) is Floyd is a terrific prospect who could help the Sox down the road.
Williams could have staved off some criticism by bringing back the popular Aaron Rowand, and considering Brian Anderson's lack of confidence, that may have been a wise move. But if Floyd is as good as advertised, Williams made the right choice.
You can't blame Williams for trying, and that ring he brought to the South Side should keep second-guessers at bay for at least another three seasons.
I think Soriano is a great sign, emphasis on the word sign: a sign that the Cubs want their fans back and a sign that is the biggest of the free agents.
As for pitching, it seems the Cubs were outbid by the Royals for Gil Meche. But why isn't anyone in the Cubs brass going after Mr. Tony Armas, Jr. of Washington?? He has looked brilliant at times and faulty at others but he could probably benefit from a change of scenery. He has not benefitted from being around a quality pitching staff or quality pitchers and could probably reverse his and our fortunes in a Cubs uniform. Look at his numbers, with the exception of the W/L column: they are almost identical to Brad Penny's with Tony serving up nearly 40 less hits in 35 fewer innings. Also noteworthy is the ER:
G IP H R HR BB SO W L Sv P/GS WHIP BAA ERA
Penny: 34 189.0 206 94 19 54 148 16 9 0 97.7 1.38 .279 4.33
Armas, Jr: 30 154.0 167 96 19 64 97 9 12 0 92.5 1.50 .279 5.03
Armas is available and though most of you aren't probably singing his praises, remember he has not benefited from a productive offense or the best defense, folks! If we can't get Westbrook or Penny, go for it.
That's a GOOD sign,As well. For anyone who thought I was being negative at Soriano's signing it's because I thought that they wouldn't do anything else after the one and leave us dry. It's great and if they stay aggresive the Cubs should contend. I think the WS let it known that they wouldn't sign anyone else to big contract and hope that feel good feeling from 2005 carry over in case they aren't better. If you helped us to the dance we won't help you to the riches you earned and deserved. I guess with Reinsdorf not selling the WS he's not gonna put his payroll out of whack and end up alienating their fans by raising ticket prices. You get what you pay for. But someone's gotta pay for what they get.
William lost a pitcher who has been on the downside the last two years, and also saved nearly ten million in payroll. Based on what he did two years ago, I think the Sox are only one centerfielder and one solid middle reliever from a 100 win season again.
GM Williams traded sox into a third place team in 06 with not so smart deals.So far looks like he has sox right above the Royals for 07.I often said GM Williams is overrated & now he's proving my point. On north side Hendry has made some big moves with hopefully more to come.I also wish Jim Hendry a speedy recovery from his illness!
GM Williams has proven that he knows what he's doing. He made aggressive mistakes in the early going of his tenure, but keeps looking ahead while remaining firmly grounded in the present. He also realizes that he has outstanding scouting and a great pitching coach. Here's hoping that last year was an aberration based on pitching overuse from '05.
I'm glad that Williams hasn't bitten on any of the way-over-priced free agents signed thus far. The Cubs are making a huge gamble that was probably provoked by the Sox success. If it fails,
Cub fans will have to endure several more "wait 'til next years."
THE SOX TRYING TO GET YOUNGER?? THIS TRADE IS FLAT OUT BAD FOR THE SOX. AND THATS ALL KENNY COULD GET FOR GARCIA. WHAT IS KENNY WILLIAMS, THE SECOND COMING OF JERRY KRAUSE. AND KENNYS NOT DONE YET SOX PARK WILL BE HALF FULL IF THAT NEXT SEASON
No Cubs fan should even think of mentioning Kenny Williams. The "overrated" GM brought a World Series to this town and Hendry has made some moves but so what. The Cubs have made big moves in the past and look where that has gotten them. I give Hendry credit for being bold and trying, but Cub fans should just refrain from Kenny bashing, be happy with the recent signings and let the season do the talking if they're so confident. Last I checked there isn't anyone alive in Chicago who could remember the Cubs winning the big one and EVERYONE except some toddlers remember the '05 World Series Champion WHITE SOX.
Come on people, please get off the negative comments about GM Williams. This is the man that won us a World Series recently in case you've forgotten. By God, at least wait until we see how the trade he made pans out. Let's not jump to conclusions. We owe him that much after what he did in bringing the us a World Series champion.
I wouldn't be so hard on Williams. He probably got the better of Aardsma Cotts deal. Aardsma isn't necessarily a bullpen guy. He could be a rotation guy. He was in the minors. Hendry has wasted more talent than anybody in the big leagues. Wood, Prior, traded off Willis, Nolasco, Pinto just to name a few. He signed J. Jones and now wants to let him go. Same with Nomar. How good would Nomar have looked on 1st base with Lee out. His rationale doesn't make any sense alot of the time. He needs to sign Lofton. His young pitchers got a lot of experience last year. He is jumping to conclusions that they didn't learn anything. Players digest in the off-season. That's why they have one. Every game is won and lost between the lines. Hendry and Williams don't pitch or hit last I checked.
The issue is the White Sox had a chance to really showcase US Cellular field with an impact trade. Instead they seem to be one hit wonders. They have been the second team in the second city for far too long and with the Garcia move, they continue to follow the same pattern. How is this move supposed to give the us White sox faithful any hope? We may not even beat the Royals this year with what they are trying to do in the off-season. The old adage applies: If you don't get better, you get worse. Trading Garcia for Floyd makes the team worse.
Call whomever whatever you want to... bottom line is the Cubs appear to be making solid moves for this year. The Sox are making moves based on contract dates.
The "overrated" GM won with some good moves and some great luck. The Rowan move was a huge mistake. Pull the heart out of anything and it dies.
Regarding history, yeah I remember Sox, I also remember the 85 Bears, and the old Hawks, and Jordan's Bulls. History writings are fun reading - at the library, but Sports in my world is the here and now. What have you done for me lately. Today, the Northside looks a lot sunnier then the Southside.
GM Hendry better than GM Williams? Anyone believing this needs to improve their reading comprehension. First, Kenny has the World Series ring - 'nuff said. Second, Soriano is 31 years old, now with an 8-year contract. When Soriano is 35, 36, 37. 38, and in the final year of his contract, 39 years of age, does anyone for one minute believe that he will be a 40-40 player during those years? Third, Hendry has absolutely nothing in the farm system, while the Sox consistently develop prospects to bring up to the team or trade. Fourth, $10 million a year for Ted Lilly - this is what happens when you can't draft or develop prospects. Fifth, in an ironic twist, Kenny Williams is following the model established by his arch-enemy, Billy Beane, the GM of Oakland. The Oakland A's consistently have competitive teams, not by overpaying for mediocre free agents, but by developing prospects into top notch players, like Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder, getting the most out of them, and then trading them for prospects before they are ready to become high-priced, underachieving free agents. For Barry Zito, who most likely will not perform to expecatations, ala Mulder and Hudson, with whatever team he ends up with, Billy will get a compensatory first round pick. Kenny is following this model, which has been successful, in order to avoid having to overpay journeyman like Gil Meche and Ted Lilly $10 million-plus per year - that's not only obscene, but stupid - like most Cub "fans". To paraphrase Pete Townshend (of the Who for you Cub "fans") Meet the new Soriano, same as the old Sosa!
The Cubs need a center fielder, since they think Felix Pie is 1 or 2 years away yet why not sign Kenny Lofton again now that Sammy is Gone and the players want to win.
The only reason the sox won the world series is Reinsdorf used advance knowledge from his buddy bud selig, that the league was going to finally crack down on steroids. Its like when the Rothchilds used carrier pigeons to get advance word on finance markets and profit from it, if you follow history at all. So, the sox could set up their roster in advance of other teams to win with pitching and "ozzie ball" which was really just baseball without drugs. The teams with the "big hitters" under contract were stuck with Giambi like efforts, injuries, corked bats and couldn't compete. It only worked for that one year, until the other teams could adjust their rosters too, but it was enough for one fluke win. Now williams has to dump all the fading borderline talent he put together to take advantage of the changing drug testing and using times. It was classic opportunistic profitting from inside baseball knowledge, it wasn't that great a team or they would have repeated, or at least competed. boy those twins and tigers came out of nowhere, think about it. Once all the teams were on a level playing field again last year, the sox and williams faded back to their accustomed place in the middle of the pack. May as well get used to it sox fans. But hey, there are still fireworks and don't they have sleepovers and dog nights?
Odd that Cubs fans would be bashing any other team in MLB. Last I heard the Cubs were headed for the century mark in futility. Now, I suppose they could argue that a Cubs fan should be able to recognize failure since that is their M.O.
One BIG lesson Cubs have never learned is the meaning of depth. The Cubs have NO DEPTH. Every year they offer this or that new starting line-up. Yet, they struggle each year because they invest so much in the starting line up that when an every day player goes down to injury there is nobody on the bench or in their pathetic minor league system that can rise to the occasion. William's strength is his ability to field a complete team of 25 hard nosed players all of whom have a role to play at the major league level. When the Sox need too they can depend on their bench. The Cubs...always an injury away from disaster!
The Cubs need to concentrate on their bench and minor league system at this point and forget about making the big splash.
The Cubs should try and trade Mark Prior for Andruw Jones and sign Miguel Batista and trade Jacque Jones for someoone like Jason Jennings or Jake Westbrook someone like that
Note to Jim Hendry: Re Lily and Marquis, a high ERA is a BAD thing, not a good thing. Oh ... and it's also good for a guy to have a lot more wins than losses in his career. Now, take it easy on those blood thinners, big guy, OK?
Love these Williams bashers. Sox just above the Royals? Just shows how much these guys really know about baseball. I'd make Kenny my first pick among GM's in baseball. Maybe fans should start thinking for themselves instead of radio/newspaper guys doing their thinking for them.
I am amazed at the complete idiocracy coming from most of my fellow sox fans. There's person after person questioning wiliams' decisions and bashing on the garcia trade. I like garcia as much as the next sox fan. That being said, the trade is a damn good one. First off, mccarthy steps into a rotation spot and will fill that spot every bit as good as what garcia filled it. Secondly, there's still a quality sixth starter (floyd) available if someone goes down for any extended period of time. Third, floyd can learn to pitch at the major league level while filling a relief void while gradually progressing into a starting role, much like mccarthy just did the last couple years. Beyond that, williams saved 10 million that can be spent elsewhere in upcoming years and he has one less pitcher to worry about replacing or signing at an overpriced cost next offseason. I almost forgot to mention Gio Gonzalez, who should be at least a back of the rotation quality starter in 3 years or so. And cub fans and praisers, have fun with your team that cost twice as much and that will finally be in the playoff hunt this year. Unfortunately, you spent so much money you'll probably be back well below .500 in just a couple years.
I am tired of all of the comments about how much money the Cubs are spending. The days of bargin baseball players are over and you will now and forever pay top dollar for any player. The bottom line is this, if you got it spend it. We as americans overpay for stuff all the time, why should baseball be any different. After all it is Americas sport.
I tipped my hat to you sox fans in o5 just like I do with every champions fans, just curiouse is that guy from Oakland he traded for couple of years ago still with the team, you remember Oakland had two players with the same name and one of them was getting cut so they gave the one getting cut to Kenny Williams ,when williams really wanted the other one, I still get a kick out of that one. Hay Jerry can you trade Williams and about $10-$15m in cash for billy bean, I bet he'd be worth it , ahh, I bet they would reject that trade because williams is part of the package.
From the '90s til today, I've always given the "two Jerrys" the dubious credit of breaking up the Bulls dynasty. When the Sox finally pulled off a World Championship in '05 I mentioned that I hoped Riesendorf wouldn't do the same thing to the Sox. Unfortunately, it's starting to look like history repeating itself. Sox fans seem to still trust in their GM, as they should, considering that Williams did assemble the '05 team. However, dealing Garcia, and coming way too close to dealing Garland raises some serious questions with me. Garcia was a 17 game winner, and yes, he wasn't completely dependable last season, but neither was the entire rotation as a whole. Most sources believe that it was fatigue from '05 that caused it...and if that's the case, why not keep him around for another season? And if you absolutely must get rid of Garcia, why not do it for talent you can actually use immediately? Despite the fact that World Championships aren't won in the off-season, things aren't looking good for that team, nor fair to their fans who sold out the Cell 55 times last season.
The Sox have a lot of young arms. And Don Cooper is one of the best pitching coaches in all of baseball. If there is a flaw in their delivery, Cooper will find it and improve on it. Case in point, Matt T.
Isn't it just a little bit odd that after the lowest rated World Series ever, the Cubs ownership decides it's time to go all out to sign top players? Could it be that Fox Network and MLB have found it in their best interest to have the Cubs win in the next couple of years? Since Selig evidentally has influence in teams spending big money, I have a feeling that the Cubs were urged/encouraged to be agressive this year in the free agent market.
For those of you who believe that the Sox slipped to the "middle of the pack" you need a reality check. They won 90 games! They won that many with their starting staff underachieving and the bullpen not performing anywhere near the level of the 2005 season. A full offseason should help the starters next season. Garcia is a very good pitcher, but the problem is that McCarthy showed that he can be a very good pitcher as well. There had to be a move to allow for McCarthy to join the rotation on a regular basis. As someone mentioned Floyd gives the Sox some insurance in case of injury and his career is just beginning, where Freddy's is coming to an end in the next few years most likely. Franchises have to attempt to balance young talent and veteran talent and Williams is trying to do that. I don't know about any other Sox fans, but I'll take a season of 90 wins as a "down" year anytime. Why don't we all wait and see how the deal plays out before we begin the Williams bashing.
For all the people who think that the Garcia trade was done poorly, you are being narrow-minded. In order to succeed, you must have VISION and I commend Kenny Williams for having that. You need pitching to win in baseball. The White sox have great amount of that. Everyone needs good starting pitching and Kenny took advantage of that fact. We got 4 quality, young arms to build around for the future. (I especially love the one for Cotts.) If you look at our two franchises (White Sox & Cubs), organizational vision is what differentiates them. I feel that Hendry is doing what is necessary to bring a winner to the North side; he should be commended for that. What's sad though is that he has to pay dearly for marginal talent just to stay competitive. Now, if the organization had VISION, it would have used the trading chips that it had through the years (Sosa, Garciaparra, Wood, Prior, Pierre) to bring back talent to re-stock the minor league pool. Instead, they have traded away prospects to get or acquire decent player, but not great players. In this trade, Williams used VISION to see that the market was going to get bad so he could get maximum return for a pitcher that only had one year left on his contract. He received two prospects that could be in the rotation in 2008. Free Agency has shaped the market to the point where organization VISION is required in order to succeed. Look at the farm systems of the Devil Rays, Diamondbacks, Dodgers and the Angels. They all have the foresight to see that in order to compete in today's baseball market; you must scout and develop your stars within the organization. Props to Kenny Williams for ignoring us fans, and doing what's prudent for the organization.
The Cubs re-signings of ARAM, Wood, and Blanco; the signings of Soriano, Lilly, Ward, DeRosa, and Marquis; and the trade for Cotts have made the Cubs a much better and deeper team. Some may argue about the years on the Soriano deal, and the dollars in the Lilly & Marquis deals, but the Cubs have added 6 players while losing only 1 (Aradsma) and losing NO blue-chip prospects. In the NL Central, where evey team is 2-3 reliable starting pitchers short, the Cubs have built a team that can compete with any team in their division. If they're able to add a CF that's more talented than a Brady Clark, Darin Erstad, or Brad Wilkerson (ie, warm body), they've got to be going into the pre-season in the top 2 in the division. Cubs fans should be doing handsprings about Mr. Hendry's efforts to date. He's done much more than anybody expected could be done by any team in the off-season.
Poor Cubs fans? Hendry spent money last year too? Result was last place, St. Louis winning the World Series and the continuation of 100 years of irrelevance. Good luck Jim!! The worst thing that could happen is if the Cubs go to the World Series and lose. Let's not even think about the White Sox beating them. Talk about shame!!!I really don't want to hate the Cubs or their fans but most of their fans are transplanted from other cities with perennial losing teams.I was set up on a date with a "Cub fan" originally from Ohio who went to games because its fun(chatting with annoying girlfriends) and didn't care if they won or not.Fans like these don't deserve a winner and there are a lot of these type of fans at Wrigley.I grew up here and reserve the right to cheer or jeer any Chicago team I choose. If I move to another city for any reason I will always be a Chicago sports fan. Even in Detroit or Philly where my life may be in danger for doing so but that's how committed I am to my hometowm teams. These new Chicagoans usually flock toward the Cubs for obvious reasons like being cool Northsiders, the bar scene and the field itself but even if the Cubs played at Thillens wouldn't some of these morons want them to win a title?
Why do i let cub fans get to me? ill tell you why, because they are the dumbest people on earth. Death penalty to all cubs fans sounds like a good remedy to me. Hendry is a piece of $hit, that makes dumb ass moves. Soriano is sosa not on steroids, and will strike out close to 200 times. Overpaid for a 4th starter, lilly. Marquis 14-16 with a 6.02 era, and relying on wood and prior again. When will they ever learn, probably never. Futility is the definition of the Scrubs, and this will continue forever. Nice job finishing 6th in the division behind the pirates last year. The White Sox are Chicago's team, and always will be. The attendance argument is all scrub fans have, but what they fail to realize is the fact that previous 1985 the sox always outdrew the cubs. So it hasnt always been a cub town. But even at that, what the hell do i give a shit what our attendance is. Im a fan and thats all that matters to me. The scrubs are the MOST PATHETIC FRANCHISE IN ALL OF SPORTS. Spend all the money you want, you still wont be shit. The white have every bragging right in the series: More World Series (beat the scrubs heads up in 1906), more playoff wins, and a better head to head record. Go White Sox, and look for a repeeat of 2005 in 2007.
I don't live in Chicago, but from where I sit (west coast) the Cubs have a HUGE national base, the Sox do not. As far as Chicago's team, I think its wishful thinking that the Sox will overtake the Cubs. Let's face it. Both teams have been losers for a long time. The Cubs made the playoffs in 2003, Sox won WS in 2005. I think it will take a lot more than 2005 to change the face of Chicago baseball, and nationally, the Sox have NO chance.
Which franchise do you think has more value? So which franchise can afford to spend the most?
The Cubs are now spending in line with their market. They can afford the contracts.
hmm. the cubs are extremely pathetic considering none of their fans have attacked opposing coaches during games, started riots on the field at disco demolition or even thrown world series'. the only reason the soxs had decent attendence in the 80's was because bill veeck knew how to bring people to the ballpark. the fact is the white sox are not as appealing to baseball fans as the cubs
Like is said pt, i dont give a shoot whether or not we are chicago's "team." I personally am a fan, and thats all that matters. i like it better without all the bandwagon fans-- its easier to get tickets. You say the cubs have a national "fan" base. No, that is wrong, they have a bunch of losers who like the mystique of the underdog loser, and who only go to wrigley for drinks and to have fun. Not to watch baseball.
jim hendry reminds me alot of my wife. she constantly goes out bargain shopping and buying things we dont need.(lou pinella,soriano,derosa,lilly,marquis,blanco). The real kicker is not only the bone head trade of aradsma but who he didnt get. Carlos Lee,Jennings,a closer and a center fielder. Bottom line i believe Jim Hendry is the ronnie "woo woo" of general managers.
The Flubs went out and spent a ton of money in the off season. BIG DEAL!!! The Soriano sighning was great despite overpaying. At least he produces. Its true he will be an albatross the last couple years of the contract, but cub fans shouldnt worry about that now. But those pitchers!!! They spent a ton of money on total crap. Ted Lilly has NEVER pitched 200 innings, was third in the league in walks and will kill your pen. Also, his ERA over the last four years is in the lower half of all pitchers. He is ten million for an average pitcher. Marqui was the worst starter in league last year. He had the highest ERA amoung starters and had the most non quality starts. His outing against the Sox, in which he gave up 12 runs, was the worst start in the whole league last year. (thats a lot of games!!!) He was left off the playoff roster of an 83 win team. That is a garbage signing. lastly, I love the post saying the cubs should trade Prior for Andrew Jones. Do you think the Braves whole organization is on crack? They didnt win 13 straight division titles by being as dumb as the Cubs
Michael Z. I dont see how you can think the Cubs didnt get what they needed. Cubs needed a new manager with some fire to turn things around. As far as Lee he sucks at defense. Carlos Lee will be a DH sooner then later. The White Sux did something smart by getting rid of him. Cubs also needed a 2nd base and DeRosa is good. Cubs also dont need a closer we love our Dempster.
I still follow both chi town teams from my transplanted california residence.Hope success for both!Hendry has made some major moves but cubs still have some holes not filled.I agree with previous writer that no CF or closer added.Marquis 8 mil a year for a guy who couldn't make cards playoff roster? Seems Hendry is throwing money at players regardless of performance.GM Williams on south side still has work left too. I can kind of go along with Garcia deal. But sox won't win with no production from center or left fielders.It seems almost like he & Reinsdorf are making steps backward .Fans filled sox park 50 + times in 06 .You'd think sox brass would be more active to reward fans with a more competitive club? Sox at this point are a one & done club.
Hey now the cubs cant get jennings i have a few other things the cubs could do....now that marcus giles is free agent they could sign him and move de rosa to center field.....alsoo they may try and trade someone like angel guzman or carlos marmol to boston for willy mo peña to play center he could hit 50 homers in wrigley field......if not i keep saying about prior for andruw jones and jacque jones for a starting pitcher if they get Andruw jones bcuz i really dont think sean marshall is ready for the bigs...
I believe the Cubs should try to sign Marcus Giles for CF. He could easily make the transition and for a yr or two could help with some OBP and more power. He could also provide a little insurance at 2B when DeRosa reverts to his career norms. Otherwise, the Sox should try to get him for the same reasons and as insurance for Iguchi leaving after 2007. Please don't try to get Taveras or some other Juan Pierre-like player. Both teams need more gamers like Giles. Also, please stop pining for Rowand. The guys the Sox have in-house will do almost as well already and at a fraction of the cost.
hey otto, i wouldn't be too critical of the white sox for using insider info to cheat and win the world series. It kind of evens things up for the last time when they cheated to lose a world series. This has to be some kind of improvement then. Last time they profitted from losing, by taking money from gamblers, and this time they profit by winning by taking money from fans, it seems more wholesome somehow. Even martha stewart profitted by trading on inside information, course she had to do some time in prison, but now she's on tv again and probably better than ever. I don't think anyone on the sox will be punished for using inside info from the commisioner seligs office, but don't think the rest of the league, and especially teams struggleing with big contracts of former steroid users, didn't notice and would like the chance to return the favor to the sox. Williams will have his work cut out from him prying any talent loose in trades with those teams. In that light getting 2 pitchers, even a project and an unknown, is probably the best he could do. Besides the cell will still be full of fans and reinsdorf has his trophy and he didn't even have to use any pigeons, unless you count his buddy bud.