CHICAGO SPORTS BLOG - JIM HENDRY GETS A FOUR-YEAR EXTENSION WITH THE CUBS
The Chicago Cubs decided to award the accomplishments of
General Manager, Jim Hendry by extending him for four more years. The Cubs have gone to the postseason three
times in Hendry's six years as GM.
Cub
President, Crane Kenney, is confident that Hendry is the GM that can finish
what the organization wants to accomplish - a World Series championship.
Hendry has been successful in building a structure of
success with the entire operation. The
Cubs have been successful with free-agent acquisitions under Hendry's watch as
well as the key trades he has made.
Hendry has also been instrumental in the Cubs making strong advances in
their minor league system and developing young talent. Hendry has built a system top to bottom that
can compete on an annual basis.
Cub fans are mixed on the extension of Hendry, since he's
been an integral part of the team's recent success but still hasn't been able
to bring home a world championship.
Further, the pending sale of the Cubs causes concern that although
Hendry has a proven track record for making the Cubs more competitive he'll be
limited by the existing back-loaded contracts of many Cub players as well as
owner, Sam Zell, not wanting to incur more heavy loaded contracts while trying
to sell the team.
Additionally, what GM would have wanted to come to the
Cubs knowing that once the team is sold he may be out of a job? It's almost as if the Cubs were limited in
this decision and it was natural to just bring Hendry back.
Hopefully, Hendry has the ability and
latitude to continue addressing the needs of the team but it will be
interesting to see what ammunition he'll be given.
Cub fans collectively are losing heart and it
will be key for the short-term health of Cub Dom to make the moves necessary to
pursue a world championship.
JEFF ARDITO & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
