End of the Baker Era

Yesterday, the Cubs announced that they would not be renewing Dusty Baker’s contract for next season. Fans and baseball experts have been expecting this announcement for weeks, perhaps as early as July before the All-Star break when GM Jim Hendry said he would take the break to evaluate the players and coaches.

I wrote in my blog back then that the Hendry would likely come to some conclusions about the team, but would not take any action until the end of the season. In other words, if Dusty was going to be fired, the Cubs would wait until the season ended to make it final.

Monday's firing comes a day after Cubs’ CEO Andy McPhail resigned and the team concluded a dismal season, finishing in last place with the worst record in the National League. Yes, the Cubs needed to do a little housecleaning, and they are starting at the top.

A lot of folks think Hendry should also have been fired, but he just signed a deal earlier this year to remain the Cubs’ GM and has two years remaining on his contract. Hendry knows he’s on the hot seat. He knows he needs to turn things around on the north side quickly if he wants to remain the Cubs’ GM two years from now.

So who would make a good manager for the Cubs? Several names have been tossed around, including Lou Piniella, Joe Girardi and Bob Brenly. Piniella may be the leading candidate, but I’m not convinced he is the best choice for the Cubs because he has always preferred staying close to his home in Florida. Girardi and Brenly are interesting options as they both have ties to the Cubs’ organization, Girardi as a former player and Brenly as a current announcer. Girardi was fired as the Florida Marlins' manager today, so he is available. The question is, is he interested?

Former Cub Mark Grace has also expressed interest in returning to the club in some capacity. He had an acrimonious relationship with McPhail and left under negative circumstances in 2000 to join the Arizona Diamondbacks, which won the 2001 World Series. With McPhail gone, it opens the door for Grace’s return to the Cubs.

Here’s a scenario that I’d like to see: Hire Brenly as manager, Girardi as a coach and Grace in the broadcast booth to replace Brenly.