The Cubs Will Regret Letting Ryno Walk
There are rumors swirling out of Toronto that Ryne Sandberg is high on the list of candidates to replace Cito Gasten. Currently, Sandberg has been managing in the Chicago Cubs system for the last 4 years, and has done a great job developing some of the young talent the Cubs are starting to see. Sandberg has interviewed at least once for the Cubs job next year with current GM Jim Hendry, but several people in the organization are hinting that Hendry wants to go with experience.
Here’s the major problem I have with letting Sandberg walk. It sure does seem like Hendry is waiting on Joe Girardi, which as I’ve said several times- is a bad move. What if Girardi doesn’t leave New York? I’ve heard and read reports that he wants to leave…and read and heard reports that say he doesn’t want to leave. That’s one big gamble Hendry would be making- and that’s not to mention…Girardi should NOT be the Cubs number target. He won in New York. I could win in New York- and I think you can too. Hendry would be doing the Cubs a major dis service if he lets Ryno go because Ryno will be an outstanding big league manager.
Why should Ryno be the next manager? He knows the city. He knows the media. He knows the pressures of winning in Chicago. He’s rode the buses in the minors for 4 years to prove himself, and he’s won at each level while developing young players. The young players have all endorsed Ryno to be a great baseball mind, and an even better manager. He demands respect, and he demands you play the game hard, and the right way. How in the heck could you pass on all those qualities? Not to mention his playing career. I mean come on- The Cubs went with Baker…the big name manager for more money. Fail. The Cubs went with Sweet Lou…the big name manager for more money. Fail. The experience factor is stupid if someone knows the game..and Ryno does know the game. Every manager has to start somewhere- with someone giving him a shot. Girardi had to start with the Marlins with no experience. Bobby Cox was given a shot in Atlanta after failing elsewhere- that worked out well.
Look- there is no real way to judge a future manager in terms of success outside of these two questions…does he know the game well enough? Will the players respond to his style? The answer for Ryno in terms of both of these questions…is Yes.
If the Cubs let Ryno go somewhere else because he’s not “experienced” enough….It would be a HORRIBLE mistake for the organization to make.
Around the League: Josh Hamilton has fractured Ribs
[picappgallerysingle id="9570282"]Buster Olney has tweeted that Josh Hamilton has broken ribs and could be out awhile. What a tough break for the former Cub (for an hour) and the Texas Rangers. If Hamilton is out for awhile- that could end up hurting the Rangers chances at advancing this postseason.
Cubs Salivating for Victor Martinez?
[picappgallerysingle id="9539835"]Rumor has it, the Boston Red Sox are going to have a real tough time resigning catch Victor Martinez, especially after he was pronounced a type “A” free agent. The Chicago Cubs might have found their first basemen of the future.
Victor’s catching career has been mediocre behind the plate, throwing out runners has always been a problem, and with Vic starting to play a little more first base as the years go on- a full time move there might make sense, especially if he starts to have some knee and leg problems. I don’t know how Martinez feels about a potential move to full time first base, but frankly- I don’t know if many teams are going to want to pay him the money he might be wanting on a free agent market to be a dreadfully offensive minded catcher. In a world of sabermetric statistics, especially the new and improved defensive statisitcs, Victor Martinez is a below defensive catcher, where his offensive capabilities may not make up for his downfall- especially as he continues to get older. So if Martinez is willing to make a move to first- The Chicago Cubs should be first in line- ready to give him quite a bit of (what Rod Tidwell would say) “quan.”
The Cubs as I’ve said before- are not far away from being a major national league contender once again. A couple smart moves- and they could be right back in the thick of things- especially if some of their young pitchers work out as well as some believe they will. Now- I’m definitely dreaming about this scenerio- but the Cubs DO have the money to pull this off- AND they do have the talent in the system to do so.
Let’s recap what my ideal off season would be.
1) Trade Zambrano, Soto, Colvin, and a sweetner of some sorts to the Mets for Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran. Click on the link to find out why and how that would be a great fit.
2) Trade Andrew Cashner, Hak Ju Lee, Jay Jackson, and Marlon Byrd to Kansas City for Zack Greinke. Click on that link to find out why that would fit so well.
3) Sign Victor Martinez to a 4 year deal worth around 13 million with a 5th year team option for 15.5 million . ONLY if he would play first base.
Could you imagine that Cubs team next year? Holy cow.
1) Reyes-SS
2) Castro-2B
3) Victor Martinez-1B (Switch hitter as well)
4) Carlos Beltran- CF/RF (switch hitter)
5) Aramis Ramirez- 3B
6) Alfonso Soriano- LF
7) Brett Jackson- RF/CF
Wellington Castillo- C
You still have Blake DeWitt as a Utility guy and Darwin Barney looks like he could do some things on a part time basis. If you could trade Fukudome to cut a little bit of money- you do it, but if not- Him as a 4th outfielder…not a terrible situation. You bring back Hill as a back up catcher- and Victor Martinez could serve as an emergency catcher. How do you build you’re bullpen? Mainly from within. It looks like Marshall will serve as an 8th inning guy next year, and Marmol will obviously close- but the Cubs have some real good arms in the minors right now that I think could grow into worthy relief pitchers. And maybe if you have 5 extra million- you could go out and finish up the roster with it.
With Beltran and Reyes being on contract years in all liklihood- I think they’ll bring a little bit of fire for a Chicago Cubs crowd- hungry for a title. Feed off the energy. This team above…could very well end the drought.
The Cubs Should Run Away From Giardi
[picappgallerysingle id="9548156"]Joe Girardi continues to be thrown into the Cubs managerial search daily. I’m going to say this one time. RUN HENDRY RUN. I am not a big believer in Joe Giardi, and I don’t think he’s the guy to get things done in Chicago. Look- he’s winning in New York with a team that has a 300 million dollar payroll. Great. I’m there there is 1000 people in this country that can also manage that Yankees team to a world series without 99% of Girardi’s baseball resume. That team doesn’t even really need a true manager to win because it’s the most talented team in baseball.
The Chicago Cubs need a manager that can turn this thing around with the youth movement mixed in with talented Veterans. They need someone that knows this organization inside and out, the players, the fans, the management…everything. I’m not saying Joe is a bad manager because he’s not- he’s just not the right guy for this team. The Cubs have a manager ready to take over in Ryne Sandburg, and frankly…Mike Quade has done a heck of a job. The Cubs should go within here…and stay away from the “sexy” pick. I mean…Dusty Baker and sweet Lou were “sexy” picks, and what did the Cubs win with them? 4 division titles, and an appearance in the NLCS. That isn’t gonna get it done…and neither will Joe.
Chicago Cubs’ Kids Playing Inspired Baseball: But What Does This Mean for 2011?
[picappgallerysingle id="9775348"]Who would have thought that the Chicago Cubs would be sporting a minor league team here in the month of September? And who would have thought Mike Quade would be managing these youngsters because Lou retired in the middle of the year? And finally- who would have thought that these young kids would be winning 6 straight?
If you answered yes to these questions…you’re lying! Okay okay I know that was a little harsh…but seriously. We all saw the youth movement coming by August 1st, but I don’t think I would have counted on these guys to keep the Cubs away from the dreaded 100 loss club. Truth be told- I’ve been pretty happy watching these guys devlep right before our eyes, and play the kind of baseball we all wished the Cubs would have played for the first 120 games of the year.
Guys like Darwin Barney, Starlin Castro, Wellington Castillo, Tyler Colvin, Jeff Samardzjia, James Russell, Brad Snyder, and Scott Maine (just to name a few) have come up and really sparked this team. Why? Because they love playing baseball. So many times this year, people wondered wheather the Cubs’ vets were having any fun. I mean- watching this team play in May put a lot of fans to sleep with their boring and sub-passion play, and it’s been a 180 since the rosters have expanded. These kids are showing everyone that they’re for real- and that they’re playing for next year. I have to imagine that these guys’ won’t wanna head back to the minors next year, so why not leave it all on the field? It’s been a lot of fun to watch lately.
The main question is…what does this mean for 2011? Well I think it’ll show that some of these guys could be prime trade bait for the Cubs this off season. I don’t think the Cubs are going to go on a true youth movement ala the Pirates or Royals, so they’ll keep some of them- and trade the others. The Cubs will have money coming in, and money coming off the books which will allow them to make a move or 2 of major significance. I would be surprised to see a couple names still around next year- but I think the Cubs are NOT far away from being a serious world series contender once again. That’s not even mentioning guys like Chris Archer, Trey McNutt, Hak Ju Lee, and Brett Jackson- who aren’t even up with the big club yet. The talent is starting to stockpile- and that will make the Cubs heavy contenders with whoever becomes available this off season via trade. We’ll definitely keep a watch through the off season- but I’m excited for it to get here already. My hat comes off to Mike Quade whose done a fabulous job manaing this team since Lou’s departure. He should definitely be in the mix at taking over this team full time next year- however…I still don’t think he’ll be the man behind the lineup next year.
