Roundup Time

Christian over at the Cub Reporter has posted my responses to his year end roundtable, along with those of Derek Smart and some other guy who doesn't seem to know who I am anymore. The questions and my responses are also reported here so that I don't have to go look very far to see what I wrote.


1. Dusty, Dusty, Dusty, is there any reasonable scenario that you can see him staying? And if he does go, sum up his tenure in 2 sentences or less.

If the operative word is "reasonable," then, no. I see no scenario that has Dusty Baker staying in Chicago past the time his plane departs for California next week.

His tenure.

Sentence 1: From the moment you said, "Why not us?" through the time you shouted down Tony LaRussa in that five game series in September 2003, you made me proud to have you as the Cubs manager.

Sentence 2: From the time after Game 7 of the 2003 NLCS when you sat Darren Baker on your lap to shield yourself from hard questions (like, “Why didn’t you use Matt Clement instead of Dave Freaking Veres?”) through game 162 of the 2006 season, I’ve never been more embarrassed by a Cub manager in my life.


2. Assuming Dusty joins the unemployment line, what do you want out of the next Cubs manger in terms of personality and qualities. Is there an individual you have in mind?

Logic and honesty are the two qualities the next Cub manager needs to have.

3. At what point did you give up your playoff aspirations for the 2006 Cubs?

Well, there was December 3, 2005 when Rafael Furcal signed with the Dodgers. Then there was the signing of Jacque Jones on December 20, 2005. There was the not-injured-but-he’s-just-not-practicing of Mark Prior in February and March of 2006. There was the Kerry Wood and Wade Miller and the illogic that they would be ready in May only to have them ready for never. There was the lack of a trade for weeks after Derrek Lee broke his wrist.

But, if you want to pick a day when you could tell the actual, on the field team was dead, that was May 4, 2006. The Cubs blew their game that day against the Diamondbacks with a performance more lifeless than Judy Baar Topinka. The embalmer showed up the next day at Wrigley and it was over and out for 2006.


4. There were far too many things that went wrong with the club to address in this space, was there anything that went right?

Chuck: Ryan O'Malley. That’s about it.

Beyond that, for a portion of the year, Scott Eyre and Bobby Howry provided the kind of bullpen that the Cubs envisioned when the season started. But from Juan Pierre being a quality leadoff man to Ronny Cedeno’s struggles to Phil Nevin orchestrating his own trade to Greg Maddux exploding in the dugout to seeing the minor leagues exposed as being devoid of real pitching prospects, it’s hard to think of a single thing that went right.

Well, perhaps the lack of fan interest the last month of the season was one thing that went right.


5. Can the Cubs compete next year without signing Aramis Ramirez?

Chuck: Absolutely. All they need is a replacement, a new second baseman, a new closer, and two or three starting pitchers.


6. The Cubs seem to have more questions marks than the Riddler’s costume; prioritize the Cubs off-season moves in a handy clip and save card for Hendry.

Chuck: Acquire two veteran starting pitches.
Acquire a new second baseman.
Acquire a new right fielder.
Acquire a new center fielder.
Acquire a new closer.
Acquire better bench players.

Other than that, how did you enjoy the play, Mrs. Lincoln?


7. You have $13-15 million burning a hole in your budget next year and one roster spot available. Give us the 3 free agents you target with that money.

Chuck: That’s not enough money. This team needs to get two or three players at that price point to contend next year. If I’m only getting one person, I’d have to go get Barry Zito. This team is devoid of reliable pitching. At least Zito is reliable.


8. What are 3 things the Cubs should avoid doing this off-season at all costs?

1) Allow Jim Hendry to pick a new manager without having his contract extended beyond 2008.
2) Sign Carlos Lee to an at or above-market value contract.
3) Panicking and making another stupid signing like Jacque Jones. Don’t ask me what that move might be, but, if it happens, everyone will know it when they see it.


9. Lightning Round: Give us your thoughts on these players and how important they should be in next year's team?

a. Juan Pierre

Should have been traded mid-season. Love his attitude, his heart, and his reading skills (see Comcast Cable’s On Demand area). Hate that he no longer gets on base enough. He was acquired two years too late. Probably should not be back in 2007.

b. Aramis Ramirez

Et tu Sammy? There’s a reason the White Sox got rid of Carlos Lee. Look how they did without him. Ramirez is a money player. That means he plays for his money.

c. Kerry Wood

As important as a backup fungo bat.

d. Matt Murton

Despite deep Ivy Chat love for Matt and his kids, Matt should be candidate number one to be traded for prime pitching or outfield help. The guy can hit. He can’t field. He’s cheap. Could you use him as Carl Crawford bait?

e. Rich Hill

He’s going to be 27 years old. His trade value is probably lower than his value as a cheap #4 starter. Pencil him in and let him throw those Frisbees.

f. Felix Pie

Prime trade bait. Once again, as is the Jim Hendry theme, a year too late.

g. Ryan Theriot

I’d rather see him than Ronny Cedeno again.

h. Mark Prior

Send him to Arlington Park. When he snaps his fetlock in Spring 2007, he can be humanely destroyed.

10. Can the Cubs be contenders next year without expanding the budget to $150 million and what will it take to do so?

Yes. They only need to expand the budget to $125 million. What does this team need to contend next year? Barry Zito, Carl Crawford, Alfonso Soriano, Akinori Otsuka, no Jacque Jones, Ryan Dempster in a setup role.

They also need some cohones from Jim Hendry and money from the Trib. Given the history of the first and the financial status of the latter, I expect neither.