I have no personal knowledge of this, but I assume Greg Maddux, as special assistant to Jim Hendry, was in attendance at the Cubs organizational meetings last week.
This will be the first time Maddux, who was hired after the 2010 season started, will have been able to sit in on those meetings and offer his thoughts on the future.
I'm making this post, actually, at Jessica's suggestion -- because as you know, she keeps track of All Things Maddux. She emailed me a number of names of pitchers who came under Maddux's wing in his time with the Braves, Dodgers and Padres -- as you probably remember, Sean Marshall spent a lot of time with Maddux in 2006 when Marshall was a rookie and Maddux was finishing his second stint with the Cubs.
There are four pitchers of varying value who should be available who all have said in the past that Maddux has helped them out. They are: Brad Penny, Kevin Millwood, Kyle Davies and Chris Young.
Should the Cubs go after any of these four? I really have no strong opinions about any of them (except Penny, who has a reputation as a bit of a hothead, but even that isn't that strong of an opinion). The Cubs have been linked to Millwood in the past; he had a terrible year in 2010 and is about to turn 36. Young had that celebrated fight with Derrek Lee and is coming off injuries; Davies isn't a free agent but might be non-tendered by the Royals.
Discuss, as they say, amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 31 comments
Yes, I'd hope so
but I’m not sure it matters if they player feels Maddux helped them in the past or not. It’s going to be about who Maddux thinks can help the Cubs.
Harry Pavlidis - November 11, 2010
Right
But because Maddux particularly took an interest in these four, he’d probably know better whether these pitchers could help the Cubs, than others who he does not know as well.
Al Yellon - November 11, 2010
Jorge De La Rosa...
I’d love the Cubs to take a shot at him late in the Free Agency period if other teams pass. He seems like someone who could benefit from Maddux and Rothschild.
IowaCubs- - November 11, 2010
I was on board with the possibity of Chris Young...
…then I read his M*A*S*H report…wow…that guy was hurt alot. PASS!!! By the way, I’d rather we try and get that other pitcher from KC.
Easy Ed - November 11, 2010
Bruce Chen?
fsuapollo - November 11, 2010
I think Young may be worth a flier
His upside is considerable. Penny maybe, but I don’t know what he’d be asking.
And DeLaRosa is pretty average and seeking $10 mil. a year and seems to be generating a fair amount of interest.
SouthWabashSoul - November 11, 2010
The question is:
Will Greg Maddux influence any free agents to come to the Cubs?
blackhawk24 - November 11, 2010
I think money will do the trick, not Greg Maddux.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - November 11, 2010
Funny how when players are shown the money,
they start talking about how great the school system is in that city.
cowsarecool220 - November 11, 2010
I don't think a player is going to sign for the Cubs just for Maddux
but if for instance Chris Young were to get a few similar offers offers and one was from the Cubs with Maddux urging him to take it, I think it would likely get Young to the Cubs.
Doggie Stalker - November 11, 2010
All else equal, perhaps a pitcher
would pick the Cubs. Meaning the other team this time would have to way over-pay, not the Cubs.
blackhawk24 - November 12, 2010
a pitcher and the obligatory NTC... ;-)
ballhawk - November 12, 2010
Im I losing my mind....
We dont need Maddux to Influence anything regarding pitching…thats why we traded Theriot, Fontenot and Lilly for. Cubs need to wake up and realize that DEREK JETER is a freaking FREE AGENT!!! Hate to say it but we could go without Sori, Nady, Fukudome, no bat Koyie Hill. Love my Cubs but we have the manpower to make a good run if we build smartly
Sandburg23 - November 11, 2010
Wait.
You’re seriously suggesting the Cubs sign Derek Jeter?
Al Yellon - November 11, 2010
how can you say "build smartly" and "realize Derek Jeter is a FA"?
I agree with you. You are apparently losing your mind.
socalbob - November 11, 2010
I am totally lost by this. What does Maddux influencing pitching
have to do with the Theriot, Fontenot & Lilly trades? The only thing Maddux was involved with on that was more or less giving Dewitt a recommendation
Doggie Stalker - November 11, 2010
youz trollinnnn
Azul Cachorro - November 11, 2010
you may want to check the spelling
on your profile name…Carl
hansman1982 - November 12, 2010
I just hope
Maddux takes notes of how an organizational meeting could run, so he is poised to replace Hendry next year. He’ll be the smartest baseball guy in the room.
socalbob - November 11, 2010
I’m sure Cliff Lee knows somebody that knows Greg Maddux. Bring him in!
Shawon-o-Meter12 - November 11, 2010
He sure does know somebody who knows Lee, unfortunately
that “somebody” is his brother Mike. the Rangers pitching coach. I don’t think Mike will be doing any introductions.
Doggie Stalker - November 11, 2010
millwood
pitched in the AL East, so he’s sure to be as good as lilly or bronson arroyo if you can get him to the NL central.
circuitclout - November 11, 2010
Haha!
tripdenten - November 11, 2010
Pass.
On all four. The Cubs do not need any FA starting pitchers unless they plan on trading one or two of their current members of the rotation.
tripdenten - November 11, 2010
How about Maddux just becomes the GM?
TJ11 - November 12, 2010
That would be AMAZING!
Except he does not want to work full time and I can’t see him in an office.
Doggie Stalker - November 12, 2010
who says he has to be full-time? and in an office?
Perhaps a part-time Maddux would be more effective than a full-time Hendry. And given today’s technology, no reason to be chained to an office. Last time I checked, cell phones work on golf courses…
ballhawk - November 12, 2010
I don't disagree but I think Maddux has an old fashioned work ethic
and he would not take a full time job while still wanting to spend much of the season with his family. Also I don’t really think he wants to be a GM. I think he would make a great one, but would vastly prefer something that has him on the field much of the time such as bench coach or manager. I want his brain for in game moves which hardly fits the job description of a GM.
Doggie Stalker - November 12, 2010
I want both. GM-Pitching coach!
TJ11 - November 12, 2010
I think his talent is far too valuable
to be wasted in the role of GM.
Doggie Stalker - November 12, 2010
Maybe Maddux could shore up our pithy bullpen?
chicago030 - November 13, 2010
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