So they didn't adjust their lower levels and developing players towards more fundamentally sound "small ball" types than big hitters?
The guy had everybody slotted going into spring training for the MLB roster and below, he was very rigid most of his career. Are you saying he's some sort of lap dog that doesn't buy into a philosophy/style/whatever we want to call it, who's also willing to eat it for a quarter century just happy to play whatever bodies are thrown to him from above? I can buy an argument that he's a lap dog even though I disagree with it, but I can't imagine somebody is willing to sit in an organization for a quarter century, given his relative level of accomplishment and ability to get hired elsewhere, without adhering, believing, and/or contributing to that type of organizational philosophy/theme/style/whatever.
If the Cub$, some way some how were able to sign an accomplished manager like Joe Maddon, it would tell me their serious. But could he be too "old school"? What are his analytical skills? Will he pass muster on all the other message boards?
Truth be told, I've never liked Joe Maddon. But I mention it because he was a hot name last year, and because the sun times (Gordon Wittenmeyer) reports there is mutual interest. As to why I don't like him, he is brain dead when it comes to in game stuff. I'm sorry, but JM wants his best players try to be 30 stolen base guys. I don't want Rizzo pulling a Longoria and tearing a hammy, missing 2/3 of the year because Maddon wants to be sneaky and have him steal 2nd. Also, Maddon doesn't have the respect of his peers. He also does some goofy stuff with the bullpen and line up moves for the sake of being cute. Sometimes it works, often it doesnt. I don't want my starting pitcher to get pulled in the 4th inning after 50 pitches on normal rest and a is throwinhg a good game for a bullpen guy to throw 3 innings for absolutely no reason. Truth be told, I want Gardenhire if you're gonna shitcan Ricky. Though I can't see Ricky getting canned. Maddon will want ot bring his own guys in, and I've come to like Bosio. Plus that would mean the cubs would have to pay another guy to go be in another organization...... And how shitty of an organization are you to hire a new hitting coach (Mallee) only to have him canned a month later because you impulse bought a hot name manager who wanted his guy? NY Post says Cubs and Twins are the 1-2 spots to land Maddon. Time will tell.
If the Cub were able to sign Joe Maddon on as "manager" not "coach"as somebody else who posts here and is a high ranking member(moderator) of a different board refers him as, that would mean the time is now. I like to see results, not excuses. Accountability would be on the horizon.
I read the Cubs could keep Renteria and put him into another position. I dont know how much legs that has to it. The only way Renteria is the not the coach next year is if the Cubs land Maddon. I really like Maddon as a coach and he has dealt with a bunch of young guys his whole career. Also, they hire Maddon. That means all hand on deck and they are making their push just not to be competitive, but to be a playoff team.
