Stupid Is As Stupid Does

With under two weeks to go in the Dusty Baker era, you are going to start to hear even more chatter about who the next Cub manager is going to be. Once the White Sox are eliminated, the Cubs managerial hunt will probably be the number one sports story in Chicago. That is, unless the Bears continue to soak up much of the media's attention (deservedly so).

When this story moves back to the forefront, will anyone in the media have the guts to ask this question of the candidates:

"How stupid are you to take this job?"

"What?!?!?" people will scream. The Cubs job is one of the greatest around. High profile. Well paid. Good payroll to keep your good players and recruit free agents. And, if you are the one that wins, you'll have your face sculpted in bronze and added to the row of civic titans at the Merchandise Mart.

All true. But this also misses one key point: Jim Hendry will be doing the hiring. And he may get launched before next season is out.

If Hendry is fired, then any new GM worth is salt will want to choose his own head coach immediately. Head coach? I'm sorry, I mean manager. I had a Jerry Angelo flashback for a minute there.

That's what needs to be asked of a Fredi Gonzalez and a Joe Girardi: Are you willing to come here under a lame duck GM?

If these guys are smart, they'll insist on a contract of at least four years and some guaranty that their fate is separate from Hendry's. If they don’t get that guaranty, all these high profile candidates would be smart to pass on the job.

There is a solution, and it's not a new idea. Make Jim Hendry the manger for 2007 and hire a new GM right now. This team is such a mess that 2007 is probably already over. Let Hendry manage the dreck he drafted and signed and give John Mozeliak or Rick Hahn or Mike Smith a year to evaluate what little is in the cupboard. Hendry was a decent coach at Creighton. He's already under contract to the Cubs through 2008. Let him have the team.

This is a move that makes perfect sense. That can only mean one thing.

The Cubs won't do it.