Lou Piniella named new Cubs manager - but is it the right move?

As the season ended, and another year of disappointment came to a bubble in Wrigleyville as the post season began, whispers about a new manager and replacement for Dusty Baker whose contract was not extended came into fruition. Talk spread throughout the papers, online message boards, blogs, and every other outlet a Cubs fan or beat writer could express his or her thoughts on who should be the next Cubs manager . The main two options were clear from the get-go: recently named Manager of the Year and people’s choice Joe Girardi, and the hot-headed, but prominent and successful Lou Piniella.

As the search wound down after interviews with both candidates, Jim Hendry seemed fit to make Lou Pinella his man, a move that was officially announced this Tuesday to kick off the off-season for the Cubs with a bang. For 9 million over 3 years, Piniella becomes the Cubs the Cubs 48th manager of all-time, where he will try to bring the ultimate goal to Wrigleyville: a world series victory.

But is this the right move?

I like Piniella. I like him a lot. Do I think he'd be a good fit for the players after a guy like Dusty? Definitely, I've thought for awhile this is just what they needed.

But do I like the hiring as a whole? I'm just not sure yet.

First and foremost, I'm a Girardi fan, but not necessarily (or only) for what he did with the Marlins. Being a Cubs fan my whole life which includes his later tenures with the Cubs (I went to my first game in 92, but I admittedly don't remember Girardi from that early on), I've grown to appreciate guys like Joe Girardi. Even if their time with the Cubs were short lived, hard workers like Girardi, Gary Gaetti, Shawon Dunston, Eric Karros, etc. were always among my favorites during their tenures in Chicago. Guys who aren't necessarily all stars, but know the game well and always gave it their all. Girardi falling under that, and just being a likable guy, was among my favorites.

With that out of the way, let me just say I'm not a fan boy who thinks Girardi was clear-cut the better choice. I'm not going to chastise the Piniella hiring either because of my liking for Girardi, because I think they both fit the bill well, and either would have been a good choice.

What am I getting at through all of my rambling? I think in the big picture of things, Girardi, or even another option, would have been a better fit. Right now this team probably needs a hard guy like Lou Piniella. I think for the upcoming year, he may help as much as you can without leading a team to the playoffs. But for 3 years, I honestly can't see this working out. Infact, I don't think he sticks around past his first season as Cubs manager.

Piniella clearly wants a winning team. The Cubs are stuck in between rebuilding completely or patching a lot of pieces and contending. Obviously with the signing of Piniella as manager, we're going to look to patch the holes in our line-up and rotation, and contend in 07. But will we be able to make enough moves this off-season to fix what caused us to lose 96 games this past season, and contend to the point of keeping Lou happy?
More food for thought: Joe Torre's contract is up after next year, and you have to believe if the Yankees don't win the world series, and even more so if they do, Torre is gone. Everyone knows Piniella likely covets the Yankees managerial position, and I don't doubt for ten seconds he wouldn't attempt to jump ship next year if it's up for grabs. Especially considering his relationship with A-Rod, and even Randy Johnson, assuming one if not both are still in pinstripes come the end of the '07 season.

Girardi, being a hometown boy and wanting the managerial position for awhile now, likely viewed his release from the Marlins as a blessing in disguise. And through thick or thin, I believe he would stick with this club as long as we wanted him to or as long as his contract and upper management allowed him to. I simply cannot say the same about Lou Piniella, as much as a great manager he has been over the years.

Did we make the right choice? I don't think so. But we didn't make the wrong choice either, if that's possible. This off-season is going to be a very pivotal one for the Cubs, and it could totally change my opinion on the Piniella hiring if the right moves are made. The ball is in Hendry's court more so than ever right now, and he needs to work some magic.


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This was my first article, so go easy on me. I basically wrote it on my opinion, although I've heard it expressed by fellow Cubs fans and fans of baseball alike that I've spoken to, so it should be interesting to hear some of your opinions on it. Feedback is always appreciated, whether it's in agreement or debate. Thanks guys.

[missionhockey21]

I really don't know if the Cubs can assemble a winner this season (obviously they played well under potential, but the quick assembly of talent works sometimes and fails other times, at least to start with.) I do think this was a statement move by Hendry and the Cubs though to show they are planning to go all out in getting the best talent that they can and even with Girardi's initial success and praises, Sweet Lou was the impact coach to sign. As a Reds fan though, I really hate the fact that I will likely grow to dislike Lou in 2007.

Great article Nick.
+rep

[Fishercat]

The dugout nailed it.

http://progressiveboink.com/dugout/archive/nick85.htm

Really though, I don't get why people don't seem to like Girardi as a candidate, and will give a retread like Lou another gig. Only the Reds really got a big boost out of it in 1990 (compared to 1989). The Devil Rays sucked under him as they have with everyone else. The Yankees declined a bit. Seattle got a nice boost, but still ended up .500, regressed in the strike year, and under Griffey/RJ/A-Rod, came roaring in 1995. Outside of 2001, he never had a super-duper year with the Mariners considering he usually had good talent (Edgar and Griffey to name two HoF caliber players, although Griff is a lock). He's a manager who averaged a little above a .500 record with one World Series...16 years ago. He's not bad, but why not give Girardi a fair shot, with a team with a payroll, a fanbase, and maybe some patience? Hell, they let Dusty Baker blow out pitcher's careers, let Joey have a shot.

Good article.

[redsrbetter]

Very well done Nick!

You definitely have a manager that will kick some butts and take some names and eventually get his point across. He is the manager many fans would love to have on their side. An in your face kind of guy for sure.

Is it the right fit? I am not too sure that the Cubs lack motivation already, but he will definitely help them in that department. And like mission said, he is probably the better fit than Girardi because of his burning desire to win. I also fear the Cubs a bit for next season, but not for the same reasons as season's past. I used to fear their rotation, be that potential machine has not produced as wanted. Yet I still fear the Cubs as a Reds fan because of the tradition and the desire to get a championship for the franchise with the longest drought in the game. Piniella is the way to go and a great fit for the organization.

Great read and good luck Cubs! +rep

[nick]

Thanks for all the good feedback guys, I really appreciate it.


And Fischer, I like the term retread when it comes to describing Piniella. I don't want to say he's worn out his welcome, because I really think on a team like the Yankees he would work wonders, but he seems to just be kicking around and on his last managerial thread before succumbing to Fox broadcasting full time. Atleast that's what his time in Tampa suggested.


Keep the replies coming guys, as always any feedback is great.

[Mr. D™]

why did Lou have to go to chicago