MLB: Is Piniella on his way out?

[superdorf]

Cubs getting ready to can Lou Piniella? - Sports Rumors - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Will manager Lou Piniella take the heat for Chicago Cubs' swoon? -- chicagotribune.com

To complete the meltdown? What's everyone's thoughts?

 

[kcclones]

i think this could be his last year

 

[DaddyMac]

I would think it's his own doing.

He didn't trade DeRosa. He didn't let Wood go. He didn't sign Bradley (although he called out loud for a lefty). He didn't lock up a few hundred million into maybe 4 players who aren't doing jack. And he sure as hell didn't dislocate ARam's arm, nor take out his top pitchers.

Sure Lou does has more than a few instances that make one scratch their head. But in my amateur opinion, he also has moments of sheer brilliance. Fact is his top signees aren't swinging the bat. Not much a coach can do about that. Not like they're making continual base running errors or lack of judgement that CAN be coached (you need to be on base to do that).

The problems with the '09 Cubs sit in the front office - if you were to ask me.

 

[kcclones]

does anyone think Ryno will eventually get a shot? not saying this next hiring, but in the future?

 

[tejasclone]

I would think it's his own doing.

He didn't trade DeRosa. He didn't let Wood go. He didn't sign Bradley (although he called out loud for a lefty). He didn't lock up a few hundred million into maybe 4 players who aren't doing jack. And he sure as hell didn't dislocate ARam's arm, nor take out his top pitchers.

Sure Lou does has more than a few instances that make one scratch their head. But in my amateur opinion, he also has moments of sheer brilliance. Fact is his top signees aren't swinging the bat. Not much a coach can do about that. Not like their making continual base running errors or lack of judgement that CAN be coached (you need to be on base to do that).

The problems with the '09 Cubs sit in the front office - if you were to ask me.

As a Cards fan, I agree with you. Much as I like poke fun at him, Lou is a good manager and the Cubs could do much, much worse. This seems like a reactionary move. There are only 4.5 games separating the Cubs from first place and they have, what, 49 games left?

 

[DaddyMac]

As a Cards fan, I agree with you. Much as I like poke fun at him, Lou is a good manager and the Cubs could do much, much worse. This seems like a reactionary move. There are only 4.5 games separating the Cubs from first place and they have, what, 49 games left?

If they can get it back to only a game or two by the end of the month - I'll give them a fighting chance. And that is a tall order.

Honestly - and I said it a few weeks back - they need to be up 3 or 4 going into Sept because their last two weeks are brutal (3 at Cards, 3 at Brewers, then a long swing out to SF). The Brewers aren't quite as daunting as they seemed earlier- not like the Cubs are world-beaters however. But the Cards are a machine right now.

If they tighten it up the next 2 1/2 weeks, they're in decent shape. Obviously there are those 3 games that could be picked up with a sweep in STL nah.

My prediction - stick a fork in 'em. I see no resiliency or toughness in this squad.

 

[CrossCyed]

I love Lou, but, man, after every game, every interview, he just seems tired.

 

[Clonefan32]

I would think it's his own doing.

He didn't trade DeRosa. He didn't let Wood go. He didn't sign Bradley (although he called out loud for a lefty). He didn't lock up a few hundred million into maybe 4 players who aren't doing jack. And he sure as hell didn't dislocate ARam's arm, nor take out his top pitchers.

Sure Lou does has more than a few instances that make one scratch their head. But in my amateur opinion, he also has moments of sheer brilliance. Fact is his top signees aren't swinging the bat. Not much a coach can do about that. Not like their making continual base running errors or lack of judgement that CAN be coached (you need to be on base to do that).

The problems with the '09 Cubs sit in the front office - if you were to ask me.

Could not agree more, aside from the occasional quenstionable bullpen decisions I think Lou does a fine job managing. But if you think of the areas they have struggled this year (relief pitching, defense and clutch hitting) the front office got rid of Wood and DeRosa, and no one could have predicted Aramis's injury issues The rest of this month should go better, with Aramis and Lilly coming back and having relatively easy series' aside from the 4 gamer in LA. Firing Lou at this point would be pointless, as they still have a solid shot at making the playoffs.

 

[Ernie Godfrey]

They have a shot, but I sure wouldn't call it a solid shot. They are falling farther behind every day and the wins need to start piling up SOON. Have you watched this team play?

 

[acrozier22]

I love Lou, but, man, after every game, every interview, he just seems tired.

I would be too if had to watch that **** everyday. :no:

 

[cycloneworld]

He'll retire at the end of the year. Brenly will come out of the booth.

I think this is what will happen. Lou just looks beat down out there. Like DaddyMac said, there isn't much that Lou can do about personel or injuries. Sure he gets some of the blame, but not the majority of it.

The disgusting part is the Cubs have a HUGE payroll and 3 of their starters (Theriot, Fontenot, and Soto) are making less than a half million per year.

 

[DaddyMac]

I would be too if had to watch that **** everyday. :no:

True - and it echoes my emotions too.

Sad part is, again, there's really little for him to do. His big sticks aren't really all that big - and he's sat them, coddled them, baby'd them, called them out on occassion. What's left?

His starters have played admirably when healthy. But none of them can go the distance with the nagging issues - and then he watches he middle relievers wizz it away.

(BTW - if ANYONE needs to be sent down - it's Marmol. I'm no big Smardija (??) fan, but I just shut the tv off when Carlos comes in)

 

[CrossCyed]

As far as Sandberg....who knows. Pinella is one of the best in the game, but he can only do so much with the cards he's dealt - a GM who makes curious decisions and veterans who are either hurt or don't play like vets all the time.

 

[kcclones]

As far as Sandberg....who knows. Pinella is one of the best in the game, but he can only do so much with the cards he's dealt - a GM who makes curious decisions and veterans who are either hurt or don't play like vets all the time.

Totally agree. Some of the contracts that we are stuck with are going to be very hard for the Cubs to cut dead weight. We will be handcuffed for the next few years with players that are getting old and don't like to try (ie Soriano). The worst thing is when our pitching staff is healthy we have the right people. Without the bats its going to be a waste.

 

[DaddyMac]

Totally agree. Some of the contracts that we are stuck with are going to be very hard for the Cubs to cut dead weight. We will be handcuffed for the next few years with players that are getting old and don't like to try (ie Soriano). The worst thing is when our pitching staff is healthy we have the right people. Without the bats its going to be a waste.

Call me crazy, but I really think the bats will be ok. Have to think it won't be as bad for Bradley next year. Same goes for Soto. Fukodome is doing ok. It would be almost impossible for Soriano to have anything resembling the same slump he had this year. I think Lee's lower number were as much a factor of having NO other threats in the lineup, as anything. Theriot may be the lone regular who's bat has improved and he is consistent, if nothing else.

I guess my point is - who are you going to bring in, that will look any better than the guys you already and how they looked when brought in? The lineup should be shredding opposing pitchers. IMO - there's only one way for the collective group to go and that's up.

Biggest concern I have is relief. The Marmol experiment is over. They really have no relievers, although I think Gregg is ok as a closer.

I don't know where you put him, but I think Ryno needs a season or two on a big league bench before getting the top job. Maybe as hitting coach? Unless he leaves, I can't see Sandberg replacing Trammel.

 

[gocubs2118]

He'll retire at the end of the year. Brenly will come out of the booth.

I was starting to think this as well but I have been hearing rumors that Bob has been taking a lot of heat from the players for the way be criticizes them. I hope to god its not Ryno, way too much small ball for my liking.

 

[DaddyMac]

I was starting to think this as well but I have been hearing rumors that Bob has been taking a lot of heat from the players for the way be criticizes them. I hope to god its not Ryno, way too much small ball for my liking.

Dave Kaplan addressed that exact issue on M&M the other day and said he has seen nothing to substantiate it.

I have a feeling those rumors are people looking to stir up a Stone-Dusty-Moises-and whats-his-face situation, without there being much to it.

Maybe that's what we need. Perhaps Lou isn't doing ENOUGH head knocking. (that'd be a first, wouldn't it?)

 

[Incyte]

I hope Lou stays. For goodness sakes, when was the last time before 07-08 the Cubs strong together back-to-back playoff years? 1907-08?

Truth be told he's already one of the most successful Cubs managers in his short stint in Chicago.

 

[Cyclone90]

It's obvious Lou doesn't really want to be there anymore judging from the interviews. He's saddled with Soriano and Bradley, who he's all but admitted to calling a piece of doo-doo. Even though he has another year left on his contract, he's totally tap danced around questions w.r.t 2010. He's given this team all he can and has had enough.

How the new ownership situation will play out is very interesting. I love Brenly's comments. The criticism is brutal at times and quite frank, but it sure makes the broadcast more entertaining. I couldn't agree with him more. It's refreshing to have that honestly from the home team broadcast.

But I can't see him doing that and keeping his job either. How long does his contract run? I think Hendry's job should be on the line more than Piniella. It also seems like the Ricketts are going to keep Hendry, who in turn would but Brenly in the dugout. Then again that move could only be a short term fix through the end of the season and all those positions could turn over. I'd think it would be a mutual agreement for Lou to step down at this point.

 

[Clark]

The only thing I'm sure of is that Lou won't be fired. If he wants to come back, he will.

Also, I agree with DMac. This lineup will get better. Don't look now but Bradley is starting to hit. Going into next year, the only thing I'd like to see upgraded is 2b. If we can get a quality leadoff type bat to play 2b, it will make the whole lineup better. As far as the rotation goes, I wouldn't mind bringing back this starting rotation (ie: re-signing Harden). However, if there's a shot to land someone like Lackey, I'd rather go that route. Bullpens are impossible to predict because very few relievers are good in consecutive years. Obviously I'd like to see the Cubs add another arm back there though.

This team has another couple of years to make a run before age really starts to set in. By that time most of these large contracts will be off the books though (except for Soriano's which will go on for eternity).