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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Apr 27, 2007
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After debating with one of my nemisises  on this site and thinking about it a bit, I thought I'd leave it up to the general public for your responses to this question:
Since he has become the GM in 2002, how would you grade Jim Hendry's performance?
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 7, 2007
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Although, he hasn't been great; he's not exactly horrible. We could do a whole lot worse, so despite my belly-aching when it comes to Jimmy; he's alright in my book. He's made some big trades that've worked out for us long-term and short-term. Stealing Aramis and Derek from Pittsburgh and Florida was some of his shining moments. I still like his aggresiveness when signing Alfonso and Lilly last winter. Don't understand signing Jason Marquis for that kind of cash. I'm a big Greg Maddux fan but I didn't care for Jim signing him in his second tenure with the Cubs; I felt they could've used the money on someone else. I was a bit upset when he didn't go out and get some more pitching during the injury plagued Wood-Prior era.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 13, 2007
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I voted B, but I would attach a minus sign to it. Keep in mind, he is working with resources not available to most GMs.
As a trader, he is usually pretty good and that earns him good marks. Also, you have to like the way the pitching depth is a strendth of the team through astute signings, trades, and drafting.
Where his grade is dragged down, IMO, are on two fronts. One, the Dusty Baker era and not showing leadership during the meltdown in '04 and the whole Mercker/Alou v. Stoney issue. That was a definite and damning failing during his tenure.
Also, and this has been a long problem before his involvement as scouting director and GM. But, he has shown minimal improvement in his years at that area. What I am speaking of is position player development. Now, he has made moves with both coaching, instructors, and scouting to address and fairness demands we see what theses changes bring about. The recent development of Ryan Theriot, Geovany Soto, and Ronny Cedeno shows the minmal and recent improvement. But, for long term success for the organization and, for me to raise Hendry's grade, this has to turn into a reliable pipeline of quality, fully developed talent. My model for this has always been the Cardinals (the deposed Walt Jocketty) and John Schuerholz with the Braves.
Despite the slow turn around in this area, Jim Hendry can become that type of organizational steward if the present filckers turns into a full burning flame.
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 31, 2006
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I tend to believe Hendry has done a very good job, but I can't give an A because of the Juan Pierre trade, the Jason Marquis signing, and his affinity for aging ex-Cub pitchers ( Greg Maddux, Jon Lieber, Steve Trachsel). We are just begining to see the effect of his restructuring of the organization in the way of player development with position players like Ryan Theriot, Ronny Cedeno, and yes even Felix Pie, and pitchers like Carlos Zambrano, Rich Hill, Sean Marshall, Kevin Hart, Carlos Marmol, and Sean Gallagher getting major league experience, and Donald Veal, Jeff Samardzija (who many scouts believe is a potential ace), Jose Ascanio, and Jose Ceda in the minors, and because I believe that player development is perhaps the most vital aspect of a baseball GM's job, I would probably give Hendry an A- for now, but that is subject to change over the next two or three years.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Apr 7, 2008
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I want to see more to give him an A... I am not as big of an anti-Marquis guy. He was not signed to be an Ace. It was a signing to fill our rotation. And at 12-9 he did it very admirably. Now that we are near the top of the league I want to see something extra that separates us.
B+
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Apr 7, 2008
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I like your points Jazz... I think it is coming along as far as the development but I agree that would be a bit of a downgrade
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 7, 2007
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I understand Marquis was listed to be our No. 5 starter even though he's our No. 4 currently. But the numbers don't justifiy that kind of money for a No. 5 starter who was basically not trusted in the second half of the season as well as the playoffs.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 31, 2007
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A-
Consider history, he is the only GM in the last 30 years to see the team make multiple playoff appearance. The minors have been productive(mostly on the mound), and his record trading is generally positive(lee and ramirez overshadow Pierre). He has kept a good value on the Cubs prospects, and except for Pierre and Juan Cruz, has gotten as much or more in return.
Free agency has beena little more of an adventure, with a lot of money spend on middle relief, but free agency is always an adventure. Everyteam makes mistakes there. As far as Marquis goes, it's just a cub fan thing. Yes he's making 7 mill, but I can think of at least 10 guys off the top of my head who are making that much or more, and not putting up his numbers. I cannot think of 10 guys who have been eligible for free agency(there are a ton of guys who have not yet been on the market) who are making substantially less and putting up better numbers. If there are, then I'd like to see it. The reality is that Marquis is making about what a middle of the rotation starter can currently expect to make. So I do not see Marquis as a negative.
Most importantly, I see a team that seems to be heading in hte right direction both at the major and minor league level. I would love to see a lot more "top" prospects in the system, the kind of guys that other teams are coveting, but the most important thing is to get a staedy stream of guys that can play.
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