The Phillies are a team that was once built for a major championship run. High payroll. Star veterans.
But in life, nothing is certain.
We knew the Phils would collapse at some point. That point is now.
Ryne Sandberg got the managerial job on the basis he would be good with young players (based on his minor league record). He inherited an aging ball club, with stubborn veterans on the career slide. A total house cleaning is in order.
But the Phils will be hamstruck by two large dead money deals. Ryan Howard and elbow tender Cliff Lee each make $25 million. Fifty million dollars of the payroll is gone to waste.
The Phils have tried to trade Cole Hamels, but the asking price has been outrageously high. The Phils need to trade whatever assets they have in order to get younger, quicker. But the rest of the league does not play ball that way.
Teams tend to keep their top prospects for control and payroll savings purposes. As the top stars continue to elicit hundred million dollar deals, owners need to balance that risk with a deep minor league system.
But you can't always get a winner on draft choice flyers, like the Phils did with Hamels.
The Phils are getting crushed by top prospects flaming out early.
The local media reports that after three minor league seasons, the team's 2011 first-round draft pick will not report to spring training. Larry Greene Jr., 22, the No. 39 overall pick and the selection the
Phillies received as compensation for losing Jayson Werth via free
agency, has not reported to minor league camp in Clearwater, Fla. and
reportedly has retired.
Greene gave up a full-ride to play linebacker for Alabama in order to
join the Phillies’ minor league system for a $1 million signing bonus.
Out of Nashville, Ga., Greene impressed the Phillies with his raw power
and football players’ physique. He hit .562 with 19 homers as a senior
at Berrien County High School in Georgia.
He was rated the best power hitter in the Phillies’ system after the
2011 season by Baseball America, but Greene’s hitting fizzled after he
left high school. In 70 games for low-A Williamsport in 2012, Greene hit
two homers and batted .272 with 78 strikeouts. Those numbers dipped in
2013, when he hit .213 with four homers and 163 strikeouts in 111 games.
Last season Greene slumped even further, batting just .183 with two homers and 60 strikeouts in 60 games for low-A Lakewood.
Meanwhile, Greene isn’t the Phillies only first-round flameout over
the last year. Anthony Hewitt, the team’s first-round pick (No. 24
overall) in 2008, was released after playing just 34 games for Double-A
Reading last summer.
The No. 27 overall pick, Jesse Biddle, came to camp this season
looking to bounce back after a rough second season at Double-A Reading
during which he suffered a concussion and went 3-10 with a 5.05 ERA.
The Phillies have a lot of work to do to avoid a 100-loss season in 2015. Adding cast-off veterans like Jordan Danks and Jerome Williams to oft injured veterans like Grady Sizemore or Chase Utley casts a long shadow for this season.
Showing posts with label Sandberg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sandberg. Show all posts
March 10, 2015
April 7, 2014
SANDBERG
Ryne Sandberg did a Sunday radio interview on WSCR.
Sandberg said that he got into managing as his kids were grown and leaving his house. He wanted to see if managing was something that suited him. So he went to the low minors, rode the buses and emersed himself in the job. He said that without six years in the minors, he would not have had the chance to learn to communicate with players on a daily basis and hone his skills as a manager in any given situation. He also indicated that the minor league tenure helped him set his managerial tone. He said without the minor league experience, he would have never been able to become a major league skipper.
It was a trial and error approach. Initially, Sandberg, who was a quiet leader as a player, was a boisterous and angry Larry Bowa-type manager. He got into umpires' faces. He got tossed. He had to learn how to control his emotions.
Players from the Cubs minor league system respected Sandberg as a manager, player and a teacher. And that is one thing that most people outside the Cubs organization classify as Sandberg's greatest trait: the ability to develop young players.
Baseball historians in the future may point to one or two events that shaped the continuing decline of the Cub franchise: the P.K. Wrigley ownership era, the Tribune ownership era with Sam Zell, Dusty Baker and the Bartman game, and perhaps the Cubs not hiring Sandberg to be their major league manager.
Corporate executives always preach that a company's strength is its "human capital." That means the workers who know the company products, services, methods and profitability centers are as valuable as the end product. You don't have to train a novice when you already have an expert on staff.
After 5 years in the Cubs minor league system (at all three levels), Sandberg had the expert knowledge of every prospect in the system. Most had played for him. Most knew what he expected from them. He taught them how to win as a team. These are all qualities that clubs want in their managers.
But the Cubs passed on hiring Sandberg. The reason was clear: Sandberg would have been a too popular figure in the Cubs organization. Sandberg would have public opinion on his side. He would not be "controllable" by the front office. They feared Sandberg could second guess the team's roster selections, free agent or trade moves. They did not want Sandberg to have a say in personnel moves because that would weaken their own authority.
Sandberg starts his first full season as Phillies manager. The team has decided to make one last championship run with a very old roster of veterans. But one can tell that Sandberg's hire is for a longer term, as in 2015 the Phils will start a massive rebuild with young players. Sandberg is the guy who can build a team around young players.
And this was the Cubs missed opportunity. Even with the Cubs tearing down their major league roster to "rebuild" the minor league system, a Cub manager named Sandberg could have gotten the most out of the old Hendry regime's minor league talent at the major league level. He would have stressed the fundamentals (which he does in Philadelphia: he said during the season he does an infield drill every three days; pitchers bunting drills; outfielder throw days, etc.)
During the opening home stand, the Cubs have reverted back to bad defense as Castro missed two easy grounders, and baserunning gaffes began to reappear with frequency. Renteria, who also had six years of minor league managing experience with two teams, may be a nice guy, a cheerleader, but he does not have the professional player status as a Sandberg. And at a certain level, major league players will only respond to coaches who have the credentials to back up what they are telling their team to do on the field.
In Cub lore, the missed opportunity is a recurring theme. By not hiring Sandberg, the Cubs missed a great opportunity.
Sandberg said that he got into managing as his kids were grown and leaving his house. He wanted to see if managing was something that suited him. So he went to the low minors, rode the buses and emersed himself in the job. He said that without six years in the minors, he would not have had the chance to learn to communicate with players on a daily basis and hone his skills as a manager in any given situation. He also indicated that the minor league tenure helped him set his managerial tone. He said without the minor league experience, he would have never been able to become a major league skipper.
It was a trial and error approach. Initially, Sandberg, who was a quiet leader as a player, was a boisterous and angry Larry Bowa-type manager. He got into umpires' faces. He got tossed. He had to learn how to control his emotions.
Players from the Cubs minor league system respected Sandberg as a manager, player and a teacher. And that is one thing that most people outside the Cubs organization classify as Sandberg's greatest trait: the ability to develop young players.
Baseball historians in the future may point to one or two events that shaped the continuing decline of the Cub franchise: the P.K. Wrigley ownership era, the Tribune ownership era with Sam Zell, Dusty Baker and the Bartman game, and perhaps the Cubs not hiring Sandberg to be their major league manager.
Corporate executives always preach that a company's strength is its "human capital." That means the workers who know the company products, services, methods and profitability centers are as valuable as the end product. You don't have to train a novice when you already have an expert on staff.
After 5 years in the Cubs minor league system (at all three levels), Sandberg had the expert knowledge of every prospect in the system. Most had played for him. Most knew what he expected from them. He taught them how to win as a team. These are all qualities that clubs want in their managers.
But the Cubs passed on hiring Sandberg. The reason was clear: Sandberg would have been a too popular figure in the Cubs organization. Sandberg would have public opinion on his side. He would not be "controllable" by the front office. They feared Sandberg could second guess the team's roster selections, free agent or trade moves. They did not want Sandberg to have a say in personnel moves because that would weaken their own authority.
Sandberg starts his first full season as Phillies manager. The team has decided to make one last championship run with a very old roster of veterans. But one can tell that Sandberg's hire is for a longer term, as in 2015 the Phils will start a massive rebuild with young players. Sandberg is the guy who can build a team around young players.
And this was the Cubs missed opportunity. Even with the Cubs tearing down their major league roster to "rebuild" the minor league system, a Cub manager named Sandberg could have gotten the most out of the old Hendry regime's minor league talent at the major league level. He would have stressed the fundamentals (which he does in Philadelphia: he said during the season he does an infield drill every three days; pitchers bunting drills; outfielder throw days, etc.)
During the opening home stand, the Cubs have reverted back to bad defense as Castro missed two easy grounders, and baserunning gaffes began to reappear with frequency. Renteria, who also had six years of minor league managing experience with two teams, may be a nice guy, a cheerleader, but he does not have the professional player status as a Sandberg. And at a certain level, major league players will only respond to coaches who have the credentials to back up what they are telling their team to do on the field.
In Cub lore, the missed opportunity is a recurring theme. By not hiring Sandberg, the Cubs missed a great opportunity.
August 31, 2013
RYNE'S RETURN
ESPN reported on Ryne Sandberg's triumphal return to Wrigley, guiding the Phils to a 6-5 comeback victory over the Cubs.
After the Phillies came back from a five-run deficit, Sandberg has turned a veteran team that was going nowhere into a 9-6 record. Sandberg has been able to get his players to bust their behinds for him in his quest to become the full-time manager in 2014. "It is a good win to get," he said. "Down 5-0 out of the chute and the guys battle back. It is extra special."
"There is some good energy on the bench," Sandberg said. "Guys were talking it up and pulling for each other. (Jeff) Samardzija was in a good grove for a while, but we were able to get some guys on base and put some hits together." Sandberg used his bullpen to perfection, getting four shutout innings in relief after Roy Halladay gave up five runs in five innings.
After the game, Sandberg could not resist telling reporters about his warm welcome by the fans and the subtle differences he noticed at the friendly confines. "The empty seats in the bleachers and the empty seats are something new to me," the manager said. "Most of my career from 1984 on was a tough ticket and a sellout. So it was a little odd to see the bleachers that empty. Other than that I noticed a lot of Phillies fans who made the trip. They got a little bit loud in the ninth inning."
Sandberg, as usual, did not gloat about how personally gratifying the win was for him. He had been passed over twice in interviews for the Chicago manager job. But now in Philadelphia, he has the opportunity to manage a large market club that can be competitive in short order.
For if Sandberg got the Cubs managerial job, he would have had dealt with the Quade and Sveum years of bad teams. However, in my opinion, Sandberg would have done a better job with those squads because he managed and coached most of the Cubs homegrown players. They respected him. James Russell told the media that it was Sandberg as his AA manager that got him to change his approach which led him to become a major league reliever. (A job that may be in jeopardy because of Dale Sveum's overuse of Russell this season like Sveum did last year with Shawn Camp.)
The Cubs new front office had an opportunity to correct Jim Hendry's stubborn mistake of not hiring Sandberg as manager, but Theo Epstein passed for "his guy" Sveum. Both management executives knew that Sandberg would have tremendous public relations capital with Cub fans and with the players. He could be hard to control if things were not going well in regard to roster decisions. And it is now clear that Epstein was going to blow up the major league roster and tank several seasons by sign and trade flips rehabbing veterans and stockpiling low minor league prospects.
So despite the snub, Sandberg landed in a better managerial job. I think Sandberg will relish the opportunity to succeed in Philadelphia. What really shocked Sandberg was the fact that the bleachers were empty on a Friday afternoon prior to the long Labor Day Weekend. During his day, those bleachers were filled with rabid fans. He was taken back by this sight which is a true barometer of how far the Cubs franchise has fallen since he left the organization.
Ryno's return signaled what could have been for the Cubs and what the Cubs have woefully become as a franchise. Fans will not come out anymore to see the Lovable Losers play, even against a Hall of Fame Cub player.
After the Phillies came back from a five-run deficit, Sandberg has turned a veteran team that was going nowhere into a 9-6 record. Sandberg has been able to get his players to bust their behinds for him in his quest to become the full-time manager in 2014. "It is a good win to get," he said. "Down 5-0 out of the chute and the guys battle back. It is extra special."
"There is some good energy on the bench," Sandberg said. "Guys were talking it up and pulling for each other. (Jeff) Samardzija was in a good grove for a while, but we were able to get some guys on base and put some hits together." Sandberg used his bullpen to perfection, getting four shutout innings in relief after Roy Halladay gave up five runs in five innings.
After the game, Sandberg could not resist telling reporters about his warm welcome by the fans and the subtle differences he noticed at the friendly confines. "The empty seats in the bleachers and the empty seats are something new to me," the manager said. "Most of my career from 1984 on was a tough ticket and a sellout. So it was a little odd to see the bleachers that empty. Other than that I noticed a lot of Phillies fans who made the trip. They got a little bit loud in the ninth inning."
Sandberg, as usual, did not gloat about how personally gratifying the win was for him. He had been passed over twice in interviews for the Chicago manager job. But now in Philadelphia, he has the opportunity to manage a large market club that can be competitive in short order.
For if Sandberg got the Cubs managerial job, he would have had dealt with the Quade and Sveum years of bad teams. However, in my opinion, Sandberg would have done a better job with those squads because he managed and coached most of the Cubs homegrown players. They respected him. James Russell told the media that it was Sandberg as his AA manager that got him to change his approach which led him to become a major league reliever. (A job that may be in jeopardy because of Dale Sveum's overuse of Russell this season like Sveum did last year with Shawn Camp.)
The Cubs new front office had an opportunity to correct Jim Hendry's stubborn mistake of not hiring Sandberg as manager, but Theo Epstein passed for "his guy" Sveum. Both management executives knew that Sandberg would have tremendous public relations capital with Cub fans and with the players. He could be hard to control if things were not going well in regard to roster decisions. And it is now clear that Epstein was going to blow up the major league roster and tank several seasons by sign and trade flips rehabbing veterans and stockpiling low minor league prospects.
So despite the snub, Sandberg landed in a better managerial job. I think Sandberg will relish the opportunity to succeed in Philadelphia. What really shocked Sandberg was the fact that the bleachers were empty on a Friday afternoon prior to the long Labor Day Weekend. During his day, those bleachers were filled with rabid fans. He was taken back by this sight which is a true barometer of how far the Cubs franchise has fallen since he left the organization.
Ryno's return signaled what could have been for the Cubs and what the Cubs have woefully become as a franchise. Fans will not come out anymore to see the Lovable Losers play, even against a Hall of Fame Cub player.
August 22, 2013
A SET BACK
Ryne Sandberg has finally been named a major league manager. He replaced Charlie Manuel on the underperforming Phillies.
Sandberg did something most Hall of Fame honorees would never do: go back to the low minors and work oneself up the managerial ranks. When Sandberg told the Cubs during the Tribune ownership that he wanted to manage someday, GM Jim Hendry appeased him by sending him to Class A ball. Hendry never intended to hire Sandberg as a major league skipper. But he never told him.
Sandberg worked his way through the entire Cub minor league organization. He brought great respect from the young talent on those minor league teams. He was a disciplinarian. He was a good teacher. By all accounts, he brought a winning attitude to each club.
So when the Cubs job opened up, Sandberg was dissed by Cub management. They did not give him even an interview for the job. Many fans, including myself, thought this was a great disservice to Sandberg and to the team.
Baseball management-speak these days is all about "acquiring assets." When Sandberg was ready to manage at the major league level, he had worked his way up the Cub system. He knew all the talent in the Cubs minor league system. He knew player strengths and weaknesses. He had the experience to put them in the best position to succeed. By any definition, for the Cubs Sandberg was a major organizational asset.
In 2011, Mike Quade became the full time Cub manager. He then went 71-91 and a last place finish.
Under the new front office, the Cubs again refused to interview Sandberg when Quade was released. Sandberg was managing the Phils AAA affiliate. If the new regime wanted to really know what talent the Cubs had in their system, would not have been smart to hire the man who helped develop it?
In 5 of his 6 minor league seasons as a manager, Sandberg had a winning record.
The alleged reason Sandberg was passed over for the Cubs manager was that Sandberg did not have major league bench experience. This reason flies in the face of a Hall of Fame career. It also does not make sense that a bench coach gathers more experience in managing a game than an actual manager in the minors.
It was an excuse to keep a high profile Cub like Sandberg from have the political fire power of the fan base to assert his vision of change on the team. The quiet field leader had become a feisty advocate of the game as stated in his Hall of Fame induction speech. Just because Sandberg would become the face of the franchise and eclipse the current players is no reason not to hire him.
As a result of not hiring Sandberg to manage in 2011, the Cubs franchise has been set back at least five years. Epstein and Hoyer continue to stock pile talent at the Rookie and Class A levels of the Cub system. The hold-overs from the prior regime have been in a state of promotional limbo as the front office continues to sign second and third tier veterans to fill the major league roster in an attempt to flip these new assets at the trade deadline. There is no doubt in most people's minds that Sandberg could have taken the Cubs 2011 talent and made it work better than Quade. And that could have added the impetus for more internal promotion of players Sandberg knew and understood to fill in the gaps in the roster in 2012 and 2013. But the new front office did not want to use the old Cub system anymore than relying on an old Cub to take a leadership role. The new front office wanted to hire its "own guys" who would be loyal to them. As a result, Sandberg had to join another organization to get his chance.
When the Phillies come into town this month, the fans will give Sandberg another standing ovation. They should; he still deserves it.
Sandberg did something most Hall of Fame honorees would never do: go back to the low minors and work oneself up the managerial ranks. When Sandberg told the Cubs during the Tribune ownership that he wanted to manage someday, GM Jim Hendry appeased him by sending him to Class A ball. Hendry never intended to hire Sandberg as a major league skipper. But he never told him.
Sandberg worked his way through the entire Cub minor league organization. He brought great respect from the young talent on those minor league teams. He was a disciplinarian. He was a good teacher. By all accounts, he brought a winning attitude to each club.
So when the Cubs job opened up, Sandberg was dissed by Cub management. They did not give him even an interview for the job. Many fans, including myself, thought this was a great disservice to Sandberg and to the team.
Baseball management-speak these days is all about "acquiring assets." When Sandberg was ready to manage at the major league level, he had worked his way up the Cub system. He knew all the talent in the Cubs minor league system. He knew player strengths and weaknesses. He had the experience to put them in the best position to succeed. By any definition, for the Cubs Sandberg was a major organizational asset.
In 2011, Mike Quade became the full time Cub manager. He then went 71-91 and a last place finish.
Under the new front office, the Cubs again refused to interview Sandberg when Quade was released. Sandberg was managing the Phils AAA affiliate. If the new regime wanted to really know what talent the Cubs had in their system, would not have been smart to hire the man who helped develop it?
In 5 of his 6 minor league seasons as a manager, Sandberg had a winning record.
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Peoria Chiefs | Midwest League | 71-68 | 7th | Chicago Cubs | ||
| 2008 | Peoria Chiefs | Midwest League | 60-78 | 12th | Chicago Cubs | ||
| 2009 | Tennessee Smokies | Southern League | 71-69 | 3rd | Chicago Cubs | Lost League Finals | |
| 2010 | Iowa Cubs | Pacific Coast League | 82-62 | 1st (t) | Chicago Cubs | ||
| 2011 | Lehigh Valley IronPigs | International League | 80-64 | 4th | Philadelphia Phillies | Lost League Finals | |
| 2012 | Lehigh Valley IronPigs | International League | 75-68 | 5th | Philadelphia Phillies |
The alleged reason Sandberg was passed over for the Cubs manager was that Sandberg did not have major league bench experience. This reason flies in the face of a Hall of Fame career. It also does not make sense that a bench coach gathers more experience in managing a game than an actual manager in the minors.
It was an excuse to keep a high profile Cub like Sandberg from have the political fire power of the fan base to assert his vision of change on the team. The quiet field leader had become a feisty advocate of the game as stated in his Hall of Fame induction speech. Just because Sandberg would become the face of the franchise and eclipse the current players is no reason not to hire him.
As a result of not hiring Sandberg to manage in 2011, the Cubs franchise has been set back at least five years. Epstein and Hoyer continue to stock pile talent at the Rookie and Class A levels of the Cub system. The hold-overs from the prior regime have been in a state of promotional limbo as the front office continues to sign second and third tier veterans to fill the major league roster in an attempt to flip these new assets at the trade deadline. There is no doubt in most people's minds that Sandberg could have taken the Cubs 2011 talent and made it work better than Quade. And that could have added the impetus for more internal promotion of players Sandberg knew and understood to fill in the gaps in the roster in 2012 and 2013. But the new front office did not want to use the old Cub system anymore than relying on an old Cub to take a leadership role. The new front office wanted to hire its "own guys" who would be loyal to them. As a result, Sandberg had to join another organization to get his chance.
When the Phillies come into town this month, the fans will give Sandberg another standing ovation. They should; he still deserves it.
January 14, 2012
CHOP WOOD, TIMBER!
Theo Epstein threw away his principles and long term blueprint last night
when he announced the return to the mass of delusional sentimental fans
of KId K. It had to be on Friday the 13th. It had to be at the Cub convention.
It had to give the attendees some warm and fuzzy overtones of their past idols.
What the hell?
Again, what the hell?
A 34 year old relief pitcher coming off another knee surgery gets $3 million
while the New Management has no qualms about trading away the best
left handed reliever in MLB (Sean Marshall)?
Kerry Wood got Marshall's money, simple as that. But Marshall is a better pitcher - - -
well, he does not have a 14 year old 20 strikeout performance against a hapless
overjuiced Astros lineup on the old short and tattered resume that is Kerry Wood.
So the Cubs are back to PR moves instead of baseball moves. This has the
smell of a Ricketts-Kenney-old Tribune marketing intervention in order to put
lipstick on a pig before the prom.
But what misplaced loyalty. This is another blindsided slap at Ryne Sandberg.
He never got the respect from ownership or new management. Epstein announced
before the managerial search began that Sandberg was not a candidate. Why?
He had only won 4 years straight in the minors, with two championships. He had
paid his dues. He was loyal to the Cubs organization. He is a Hall of Famer!
And he is a fan favorite. But somehow, all these good works makes Sandberg
unqualified to be a manager. But somehow, Wood's total career of major disappointments,
blown expectations, injury plagued seasons is more important public relations
hiring a former manager who has shown clear success in winning to manage the Cubs.
This also puts Garza on the next plane out of town, for Maholm's $4.75 million plus
Wood's $3 million equals Garza's 2012 projected salary. In a zero sum game that the
Cubs payroll is going to be, PR wins out over performance, again.
when he announced the return to the mass of delusional sentimental fans
of KId K. It had to be on Friday the 13th. It had to be at the Cub convention.
It had to give the attendees some warm and fuzzy overtones of their past idols.
What the hell?
Again, what the hell?
A 34 year old relief pitcher coming off another knee surgery gets $3 million
while the New Management has no qualms about trading away the best
left handed reliever in MLB (Sean Marshall)?
Kerry Wood got Marshall's money, simple as that. But Marshall is a better pitcher - - -
well, he does not have a 14 year old 20 strikeout performance against a hapless
overjuiced Astros lineup on the old short and tattered resume that is Kerry Wood.
So the Cubs are back to PR moves instead of baseball moves. This has the
smell of a Ricketts-Kenney-old Tribune marketing intervention in order to put
lipstick on a pig before the prom.
But what misplaced loyalty. This is another blindsided slap at Ryne Sandberg.
He never got the respect from ownership or new management. Epstein announced
before the managerial search began that Sandberg was not a candidate. Why?
He had only won 4 years straight in the minors, with two championships. He had
paid his dues. He was loyal to the Cubs organization. He is a Hall of Famer!
And he is a fan favorite. But somehow, all these good works makes Sandberg
unqualified to be a manager. But somehow, Wood's total career of major disappointments,
blown expectations, injury plagued seasons is more important public relations
hiring a former manager who has shown clear success in winning to manage the Cubs.
This also puts Garza on the next plane out of town, for Maholm's $4.75 million plus
Wood's $3 million equals Garza's 2012 projected salary. In a zero sum game that the
Cubs payroll is going to be, PR wins out over performance, again.
This also puts more pressure on James Russell in the bullpen. As the only projected
left handed reliever, he must suddenly turn into the Next Sean Marshall. In a hurry.
Russell appeared in 64 games, 1-6 record, 4.12 ERA in 67.2 IP. He gave up 37 runs,
had a WHIP of 1.330, with 43 K and 14 BB.
Marshall appeared in 78 games, 6-6 record with 5 saves, 2.26 ERA in 75.2 IP. Marshall
gave up 21 runs, had a stellar WHIP of 1.097, with 79 K and 17 BB.
Russell needs to pitch 21% more innings at the same time cut down on runs allowed by
43% in order to come close to Marshall's performance.
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