http://tinyurl.com/2opmo4

I wonder if McDonough sees the handwriting on the wall. It's no secret who Selig wants to be the next owner of the Cubs, even though Selig will never admit it publicly, and what Selig wants, Selig usually gets eventually. I wonder if word has leaked out of the Canning camp that it intends to clean house if and when MLB approves them as the new owners. If this were the case, it would be logical for McDonough to start looking for greener pastures. As for Hendry, he is probably stuck without a parachute, but I really don't care. I just hope Piniella, his coaching staff and Wilken survive.

The shake-up at the Cubs is certainly understandable and, perhaps, even over-due. But while we hear John McDonough saying the goal is to bring the World Series to Wrigley Field, what exactly is the upper management strategy that is going to do that? At this point we have a general manager, Jim Hendry, whose success is highly questionable. What is the thinking at the Tribune Company? Is Hendry capable of leading a more successful attempt than heretofaore to improve the team? If so why? Was McPhail an impediment? (I hardly think so). Are they so devoid of direction that they are just keeping Hendry around because its cheaper than buying him out and it will allow time to think things through? How many years do they need to think things through? What manager interviewing or coming into this opening is going to be sure of his position or future?

The biggest news always comes out of nowhere. Chicago Cubs president Andy MacPhail has resigned. John McDonough, Cubs senior vice president of marketing and broadcasting, will serve as interim president. MacPhail has been Cubs president for 12 seasons. The Cubs won one division championship (2003) during his tenure and one wild card (1998). They lost at least 94 games 5 times, despite having upper echelon resources.

That lack of success, combined with the pending end of Dusty Baker's 4-year reign as field manager, has led to a recent spate of criticism in the media of MacPhail and those in upper management below him.