I may not be the first to call for their heads, but i'm officially putting it to print. I think that these people don't know what they're doing. There have been awesome trades that could have been made. There were awesome free agents out there that could have been picked up. I'll name a few, others will come up with more.

curt schilling, randy johnson in '98 (instead goes to the division winning astros), sosa for soriano, prior for tejada, dontrelle for clement. getting hairston, neifi, JAUN PIERRE, resigning rusch.

so, fire the management of the cubs and bring in lou pinella.

Jim Hendry just got another 3-year deal. He's not going anywhere.

doesn't mean that they can't fire him for his incompetance.

this is four years too late. hardly even matters anymore.

Fire someone for being incompetent, even though you just gave him a 3-year contract extension? Who's really the incompetent ones?

By the way, Dusty Baker will be offered a 2-year extension this year. Mark it down.

besides, i think Hendry has done a fine job (Ram and Lee were great additions)... it's not his fault that Prior and Wood break down every year...

Dusty, on the other hand........

You just hit the nail on the head. Prior and Wood break down every year. So what would (or should) that tell you? How about that you can't depend on them?

The fact that Hendry didn't even try to add another starter this year is inexcusable. Larry Rothchild even said last November that depending upon the health of Prior and Wood is foolhardy. Yet, Hendry did nothing about it. Now, when both are out again, we hear that it's the injuries that are making the Cubs start 3 minor leaguers in the starting rotation. Well, no shit it's the injuries. How about making adjustments and actually having contingency plans for when Wood and Prior do their annual stints on the DL. How about realizing that you're not going to get 200+ innings out of Wood and Prior every year (or any year for that matter)?

As for adding Ramirez and Lee . . . well, Hendry is still getting credit for the Ramirez and Lofton trades in 2003, but hasn't built a supporting cast around Ramirez and Lee. All we heard about when Baker came on board was how they were going to be able to attract huge free agents. Name one big-ticket free agent that has signed with the Cubs. Last year's additions of Eyre and Howry were great, but like Ramirez and Lee, Hendry didn't give them much with which to work. It doesn't help you to have a great bullpen if you don't have starters that can keep the games close or pitch out of the 5th innings.

In 2003 the Cubs came within 5 outs of going to the World Series. Since then, the Cubs have fired 2 announcers, 2 medical trainers, and added 1,800 seats to the bleachers. You tell me where their priorities are.

it doesnt help that Dusty keeps his starters in for 10 innings either...

anyway, i dont much care that your team sucks... as a matter of fact, each Cub loss makes my day a little brighter... just trying to give your organization a little credit... it's not easy, man

I appreciate the efforts to humor me, but my realizing that this is one of the most dyfunctional teams in all of baseball suppresses any feelings of optimism that I may have.

It's a good thing that I'm a Tigers' fan first and foremost. Wait a minute. Is that really such a good thing? Christ, I must be a masochist.

know what's not the best idea? spending a bunch of money on two shitty outfielders and a couple middle relievers who won't throw more than 160 innings combined while re-signing an average closer who could actually be useful as a starter to a ridiculous contract. oh yeah, and for the outfielder who can't hit or throw it's not bright to give up three pitching prospects, no matter how bad they might be.

and i almost forgot, they're paying neifi 2.5 million dollars to hit like al leiter.

Why not trade Wood and Prior after they have a good half season to a contender who will overpay for them this summer? I'm convinced those guys will not stay healthy. I think the should build around Ramirez, not a household name but a solid player. How is the Cub's farm system?

wood has to have a good half season first. when was the last time he did that?

See, I'm a Cubs fan 1st, Tigers 2nd. If they met in the Series, I'd be rooting for Chicago, no question. I view the Cubs like I view the Lions. Until they're actually holding up the trophy, I don't think I'll truly believe they can win it.

lions tigers bears, oh my my have the cubs stunk. WE'VE LOST A SERIES TO A TRIPLE A SQUAD THAT DRAWS NO FANS!!! that's a team that has talent. there's no hustle in the cubs and there won't be a hustle until the entire management goes and gets new people in there. dusty defending his players, and then throwing barrett and rich hill under the bus. while barrett was stupid, he at least knew it. then making it seem like ozzie guillen has control over who the cubs have on their team. WTF!!!! (that was really funny though, if you haven't heard it)

hm.. looks like the cubs will not be in contention in august, so that july trade deadline looks good to go shopping for some real talent. stay hot boys and girls.

I really can't argue with any of this.

One of Jim Hendry's major flaws is he's not very creative when it comes to trades. If he doesn't like what a team is asking for his number 1 trade option, he gives up and settles for overspending on a grade C free agent. The Jacques Jones's contract is absolutely ridiculous. His numbers have been declining for 4 years straight, yet Hendry signs him to a 3 year deal at $6 million a year. That and the fact that he can't hit left-handers to save his life. Yet, we hear Hendry say that he believes his decline was an aberration.

Hendry also gives up too quickly on youngsters. The fact that Ricky frickin Nolasco threw a 3-hitter against them the other day, the same guy that they traded for Juan Pierre, is ridiculous. He did the same thing for Dontrelle Willis.

But Hendry gets a 3-year extension for all of the mess he's created. Like I said, the only reason is because he's still getting credit for the Ramirez and Lofton trade. He hasn't done shit after that.

i was hoping that news today would come down saying they were firing dusty due to getting the broom from a triple a squad. nice, nice.

See, the Cubs have gotten so bad I can't even root against them in good faith. Dusty needs to go.

And then what?

i'm not sure i grasped just how bad this team is until about 4:10 PM, friday, may 26th.

They should clean house. They've been dysfunctional for so long now...perhaps its time to just start over.