According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, Jim Hendry and Crane Kenney may end up taking the fall for the Cubs’ swoon soon. Phil Rogers reported that Jim Hendry “understands his days as the Cubs’ general manager could be coming to an end” but continues to operate “on a business as usual basis.”
Rogers also reported the Ricketts family could be looking to relieve Crane Kenney of his duties as team president. The Cubs have been operating without a Team President with knowledge of the game of baseball for years. Crane Kenney is not a “baseball man” and pretty much received his current position by default when John McDonough left the Cubs to take over the Blackhawks in 2007. The Ricketts family needs to put a baseball front office together … with a proven track record of evaluating talent and putting together a winning product on the field.
Phil Rogers mentioned names such as Pat Gillick and the Rays’ Andrew Friedman as possible replacements. Rogers said if the Ricketts family was to hire Gillick, his past relationship with Tim Wilken could work to the Cubs advantage in order to keep Wilken in the organization.
Rogers also thinks two members of the Red Sox front office could be a fit … Allard Baird (VP/Player Personnel and Professional Scouting) or Ben Cherington (Senior Vice President/Assistant General Manager). The Dodgers’ current GM, Ned Colletti, could be a fit as well
According to Rogers, “Ricketts respects Hendry and believes the organization is making progress below the surface. But how much longer can he continue to ignore a disenchanted fan base and the National League Central standings?” Rogers concluded by stating, “a change at the top feels inevitable.”
As with all reports from Phil Rogers, please consider the source.
Stay Tuned …
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