MLB - Sports Rumors

Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:21 am EDT

Cubs getting ready to can Lou Piniella?

By Mark Miller

“LouThe Chicago Cubs are less than four games out of first place in the National League Central, but they just lost five in a row and only three of their last 10 while the first-place St. Louis Cardinals seem to be going in the other direction, winning seven of their last 10.

The word is that Cubs executives are not amused. And they aren't afraid to express their feelings to manager Lou Piniella. His Cubbies had recently won 16 of 22 to get into a first-place tie that now is looking pretty distant again.

The rumor going around is that the team may be losing patience with Piniella, according to the Chicago Tribune. After all, he hasn't been able to get his North Siders to win it all in the three seasons he's been managing and this off-season won't likely bring the team much on the free-agent front to bolster the current roster.

It could be time to cut Lou loose.

Source: Chicago TribuneNew Window

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287 Comments

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  1. TP
    1. Posted by TP Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:31 am EDT

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    It's time for Sandberg!
  2. theinflatinator91
    2. Posted by theinflatinator91 Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:37 am EDT

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    That is not the answer. Lou Piniella is a great manager and it is no way his fault that the Cubs suck. The team has been inconsistent, several injuries to key players, and they are looking for a scapegoat. If Piniella can't handle this team Sandberg has no shot!
  3. Jeff F
    3. Posted by Jeff F Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:41 am EDT

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    ok i am a White Sox fan and hate the Cubs, but who would you get to replace him? He is the best option.
  4. davfied
    4. Posted by davfied Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:50 am EDT

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    Lou is a Yankee at heart. He will always be a member of the Yankee Family. Come home Lou.
  5. DAGO
    5. Posted by DAGO Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:50 am EDT

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    Forget Sandberg, How About Jody Davis or that other guy, You know whom I am talking about, Bob Brenley
  6. edmax
    6. Posted by edmax Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:06 am EDT

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    There are so many things wrong with this team right now. Team sale, over paid lazy superstars (Soriano), a manager who just doesn't seem to care anymore. No doubt Lou has been taking a back seat on the bench this year, but what about Jim H.? What about all of the bad acquisitions he made last offseason? Bradley, Miles, DeRosa, and a couple of other that they cut ties with that I can't even remember their names now. I am in favor of replacing Lou for someone with a little bit more life in him, but with who? I would love to see Brenley.
  7. sherwood_ryan
    7. Posted by sherwood_ryan Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:06 am EDT

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    It would be nice to have a manager who doesn't just "show up" everyday going thru the motions. We need someone who can make defensive fundamentals a priority and can manage the last half of the game in order to win.
  8. lrg
    8. Posted by lrg Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:07 am EDT

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    Morning dav- Sorry, but we need him more. Do you mind? I think you are diong fine right now. Don't be greedy!!
  9. Jim
    9. Posted by Jim Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:07 am EDT

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    Watching Lou this year, he has lost some fire. I hope he can turn it around, but I think it's time for him to hang it up at the end of the year. As far as replacing him... yes Brenly is a great choice and I really believe he would take it. The problem is, how long will he last? I mean listening to him on CSN and WGN, he's not afraid to do things like sit Sori for the rest of the year, get in the face of a runner when they are just jogging to first and could've beat the throw, yell at the pitchers when they are caught (in his words) 'watching' the play instead of covering 1st, or even jump down the throat of Bradley when he's not backing up a throw. yes, the Cubs need a fire lit to get them going, yes Brenly would do that, but how long will he last with the current cubs management? They are the ones that need to be fired!!!!
  10. Anthony C
    10. Posted by Anthony C Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:08 am EDT

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    its no lous fault, and managment is stupid for not realizing that.
    go yankees!
  11. JD
    11. Posted by JD Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:10 am EDT

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    No way Brenly would even consider it. He's smarter than that, and knows this team stinks.
  12. socherball
    12. Posted by socherball Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:12 am EDT

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    #2, while I agee the Cubs have other problems besides Pinella, trust me...as a Cubs fan who watches most every game, Lou has made SEVERAL moves this year that leave you scratching your head. And he keeps doing it.
    Case in point the 2nd game against the Phillies. Marmol is having big-time control problems. He has just hit a batter and walked another. Utley, Howard, and Ibanez are coming up - all lefties. Yet, no lefty is getting ready in the bullpen. Not Marshall or Grabow. Isn't this why we got Grabow?! Meanwhile, Marmol walks Utley, and goes 3-0 to Howard before Grabow gets up. Marmol ends up walking Howard on 4 straight to force in the go-ahead run. Why wasn't Grabow up to start the inning?! You knew you had the trio of lefties possibly coming up in that inning, and if they did come up, they'd have runners on.
    This isn't the only situation either...stuff like this has been happening ALL YEAR long. I'm not naive, Lou isn't the only, or really even the MAIN reason the Cubs are struggling (their .223 avg. w/RISP is probably most responsible). That being said, Lou isn't helping, and every Cubs fan I speak with agrees that it seems Lou has checked out this year. He won't be back next year, so why not make the change now?
  13. bmr3967
    13. Posted by bmr3967 Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:14 am EDT

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    This article is irresponsible and msleading. If you read the source article in the Trib, it's just the writer's speculation. It does not say anything about the team or "executives" making comments.
  14. jim h
    14. Posted by jim h Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:14 am EDT

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    Sweet Lou...... Even a GREAT manager can't avoid the injury bug. As far as the Cubs crashing and burning the last 2 years in the playoffs, how many times did Lou strike out? Hom many errors was HE charged with. See where I'm going? The players still have to play, bottom line! But, if the Cubs are serious, Ryno would be great next. However, when this underacheving group fails yet again, I'd be more likely to fire each player then I would Sandberg.
  15. Rich
    15. Posted by Rich Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:17 am EDT

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    A lot is Lou's fault, how many games did the Cubs lose early on while he "waited for Soriano and Bradley to come around" What about putting Fontenot in every day even though he was sucking. What about the lineup, letting players decide who hits where, not utilizing Jake Fox earlier, the list goes on and on. Perhaps his hands were tied in regards to some of the decisions but basically, he has made poor managerial decisions and I would like to see him go. We need someone who will expect and DEMAND that the players play the game the right way - with "Respect for the Game". Go back and listen to Ryno's HOF induction speech, that is what the Cubs need. Bring on Sandberg!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  16. jim c
    16. Posted by jim c Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:18 am EDT

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    I'm rooting for, Bob Brenley !
  17. budman_42320
    17. Posted by budman_42320 Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:22 am EDT

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    Yeah just like getting rid of Gerald Perry and hiring Von Joshua was the answer to the hitting woes. I haven't seen anything new at all with the hitting, since hiring Joshua ? Keep Lou....this isn't his fault.....He's one of the best mgr's. in MLB. What they need is an OWNER and then if ya gotta fire someone....Fire Jim Hendry and hire Steve Stone as the new GM. Then give Greg Maddox a call and make him the new pitching coach. Then we would be solid !
  18. davfied
    18. Posted by davfied Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:26 am EDT

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    lrg,
    Morning. It will cost you! Hooters Girls for the party? I am thinking about them for a catered Yankees World Championship Party (#27). Scott can bring the Mrs. Fields Cookies. Your House????
  19. socherball
    19. Posted by socherball Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:27 am EDT

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    NO. NO. NO to Bob Brenley as manager.
  20. lrg
    20. Posted by lrg Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:36 am EDT

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    dav- No hooters my friend. Ask Scott if he will "shape" the cookies just for you.
  21. CubbyBeave81265
    21. Posted by CubbyBeave81265 Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:45 am EDT

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    Von Joshua was able to do one thing...he turned Fukedome into a very decent leadoff hitter, only it doesn't make much of a difference if Lou doesn't play him but twice a week. Fuke no longer has that funky swing, and he is the best outfielder we have right not. He needs to be in right field and Sam Fuld needs to play center field. That is the best outfield we have going for us. I have questioned Lou's decisions all season long. But right now I think he is actually being a little passive aggressive. I think he is trying to prove to Hendry that you cannot win with his overpaid lackies in right field and left field. Lou needs to stop experimenting with the line up so much...When he was a Yankee, I bet he and his teammates hit in the same position in the order almost every night. Why move Theiot up to 2nd for two weeks and then have him bat 8th for the phillies series...Let the guy stay where he is and hit.
  22. Michael P
    22. Posted by Michael P Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:45 am EDT

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    The Cubs complacency/inability to compete against winning teams is NOT the fault of the manager in this case. They have too many overpaid stars who aren't hungry (Soriano, Zambrano who most likely hurt his back monkeying around in BP, swinging for the fences), tough injuries (Lilly, Dempster, Zambrano, & Ramirez), and they just aren't mentally tough. Fox stepped in for Rami and has hit VERY WELL, but the team still crumbled.
    Dumping club house leaders DeRo and Kerry, and bringing in Bradley (who is finally starting to hit) and Gregg were STUPID moves by the GM.
    We're going to stink and stink for a while until we can get some of those contracts off the books. Keep Lou for now, let Sandberg season some more in the minors, then in a year or two, wish Lou well and begin retooling.
    People forget how BAD the Cubs were for decades with incompetent managers. It started to turn when Don Baylor took over, then (and I cannot believe I'm writing this) Dusty Baker (yes, I'm glad he's gone and feel bad for the young pitchers in Cincy), and Sweet Lou has had them winning for three years.
    Nobody wants to see the Cubs win more than me, but getting rid of Lou would be a mistake.
  23. Cobra
    23. Posted by Cobra Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:51 am EDT

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    The author of this piece says the Cubs are less that 4 games out of first. I think 4 1/2 is MORE not less. How can one expect the rest of the story to have any basis if he/she can't the easy part right?
  24. DanC
    24. Posted by DanC Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:53 am EDT

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    The Cubs are 4.5 games out, which, last time I checked, is not "less than 4."
  25. KEN
    25. Posted by KEN Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:56 am EDT

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    Yep, it's time, BUT since the general manager is the one who really messed this team up, HE should go too. Get Brenly out of the booth and get Steve Stone for general manager, Steve knows what the cubs need and he knows baseball.

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