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They call him ‘The Hawk”; a name fitting for one of the most tenacious, ball hunting outfielders in MLB history.
He was better known as Andre Dawson.
For nine years—what has probably been an eternity for Dawson—the eight time Gold Glove Award winner has patiently waited for that one phone call that ever HOF nominee yearns to hear, and for nine long years, that call has perpetually remained silent.
Now, Dawson finds himself on the merry go round once again; hoping there are enough votes to finally put him where he belongs: inside the Hall of Fame.
Dawson began his career in Montreal (1976) ...
I had originally meant to begin this series of articles immediately after the New Year, the better to lend them relevance and immediacy. However, in mapping out the process, I felt it urgent enough to begin now.
I plan to provide, for each projected 2010 Cub and for a few key extra players, profiles with predictive and informative value.
Readers should expect brief reviews of the player's 2009 campaign. These will be followed by explanations of any changes in the player's expected role for 2010. Finally, using the anecdotal and statistical tools at my disposal, I will attempt to project the player's ...
The Chicago Cubs are in dire need of some help after missing the playoffs last season, and have let a number of free agents go by already this off-season.
The New York Yankees were looking to get rid of Melky Cabrea and he ended up getting traded to the Atlanta Braves. Others like Nick Johnson and Jason Bay were out there, but both have ended up going to New York. Johnson signed with the Yankees earlier this month and Bay has agreed terms with the New York Mets Tuesday, according to ESPN.com.
But what about Johnny Damon?
It's clear after last season that ...
I will give General Manager Jim Hendry and the rest of the Chicago Cubs front office this.
They are not overreacting.
This offseason, after a largely disappointing 2009 campaign, the Cubs have made no significant additions to their 83 win team. They also are only rumored to be looking at tweaking, bringing maybe a bottom of the rotation starter or center fielder in.
In an era where those in player personnel often overreact to disappointing seasons, I wish it was more refreshing to see a GM who stays patient and plays for the long term.
The Cubs are in need of some roster change, and considering Hendry's ...
Over the past year or so, Cubs GM Jim Hendry has been doing a lot of trading. And with the exception of recent deals for Aaron Heilman and Carlos Silva, they've all been major leaguers being swapped for prospects or young major leaguers. Here's a quick recap of these trades:
•Mark DeRosa traded to the Cleveland Indians for Jeff Stevens and minor leaguers John Gaub and Chris Archer.
•Aaron Miles and Jake Fox traded to the Oakland Athletics for Jeff Gray and minor leaguers Matt Spencer and Ronny Morla.
•Aaron Heilman traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor leaguers Scott Maine and Ryne ...
Now that the trade of Milton Bradley is said and done, Cubs GM Jim Hendry can focus on making the Cubs look like a team that has had winning records in six of their last seven seasons, and an organizational resurgence.
Unlike most years, however, Hendry does not have the ability to spend his way out of his mistakes. Instead, he will have to get creative to make the team competitive again. Keep in mind, this is the guy who managed to pry Eric Karros and Mark Grudzielanek from the Dodgers for Todd Hundley and Chad Hermansen, Derrek Lee from the ...
Cubs fans, here we are again. Another offseason as we wait for Hendry and Co. to make their move. So far we've been linked to the likes of Matt Capps, Mike Cameron, Curtis Granderson, and Marlon Byrd, yet nothing has came to fruition.
Maybe just standing pat for now is the key to a successful offseason? So far, other than the Milton Bradley/Batting practice pitcher from Seattle swap and the worst $2 million player in baseball Aaron Miles being sent to Oakland, Hendry has kept his distance in looking to add fresh faces.
Perhaps this has been the best strategy to take?
Missing ...
Though the trade talk between the Boston Red Sox and the San Diego Padres surrounding first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has died off, there could be a new rumor floating to the surface.
The Chicago Cubs have had previous interest in Jacoby Ellsbury; there's no question the Red Sox would love to add Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to their lineup; and the Padres have already asked for Clay Buchholz and top prospects Casey Kelley or Ryan Westmoreland.
So with all that information already known, could these three teams come together to work out one of the biggest blockbusters of the offseason, next ...
I understand that the new Cubs owners have no appetite to increase the payroll for 2010. And, if you look at it reasonably, one can understand.
Yet we all know that the way in which Cubs GM Jim Hendry has spent the money has left a huge void and right now, as currently constructed, the Cubs are not a contending team.
So we have to look for ways to use our assets to decrease payroll and use that to fill our gaps. While some players obviously cannot be moved, like Alfonso Soriano, the Milton Bradley trade saved the team a few ...
Whether you agree with me or not, and no matter if you like my writing or you do not, I want to send a message to everyone in the Chicago Cubs community on Bleacher Report:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
And, if you happen to be Jewish, Happy Hanukkah and Rosh Hashanah.
After all, we're all Cubs fans, right? We may not see eye to eye, but we do have the Cubs best interest at heart.
I happen to think that, so far, this has been another horrible offseason for Cubs GM Jim Hendry. I also happen to think that the Cubs glass ...
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