The Cubs signed general manager Jim Hendry to a four-year contract extension through the 2012 season.
That gives the club a dose of much-needed stability during an uncertain time. The team has been for sale since Opening Day of 2007, and there seems to be no end in sight to finding a new buyer. Hendry has been on the job since July 2002, making him one of the longest-tenured GMs in club history. Under Hendry's watch, the Cubs have won three NL Central titles, advancing to the NL Championship Series in 2003 and getting swept from the NL Division Series in 2007 and this year.
In Hendry, the Cubs have an aggressive and adaptable GM. When Hendry sees a problem, he usually acts quickly and singularly to solve it. This winter, expect him to try to find a left-handed hitter as insurance against right fielder Kosuke Fukudome failing as he did in the second half this year.
Already, Hendry has picked up the option on right-hander Rich Harden, and he'll try to make a quick strike to re-sign free agent right-hander Ryan Dempster.
Hendry's adaptability showed in 2008. For the first few years of Hendry's term, the Cubs turned a blind eye to the need for advanced statistical analysis. But over the past two years, and with a push from manager Lou Piniella, the Cubs have looked to improve in areas such as on-base percentage. They led the league this year in walks, OBP and runs scored. Look for that trend to continue.
Hendry also is good on the fly, as he showed this year by picking up center fielders Reed Johnson and Jim Edmonds after the Blue Jays and Padres, respectively, cut them loose. Expect that kind of dealing to continue.
The Mariners asked for permission to speak with Hendry about their GM job, but the Cubs said no, showing they value what Hendry has brought to the organization.
