The Cubs’ ludicrous signing of Jacque Jones is the last straw. General manager Jim Hendry claimed he wanted a speedy, left-handed-hitting outfielder. Such a player was available in Brian Giles, an enormously more accomplished hitter than Jones. But Hendry opted to ignore Giles and waste time unnecessarily pursuing Rafael Furcal when Ronny Cedeno performed well at Furcal’s shortstop position.
Then, with Giles off the market, Hendry gave a three-year deal to Jones, a player whose batting average and on-base percentage were below the league average the last two years. Maybe this explains why Jones’ only other suitor was the Royals, the worst team in baseball.
Nice move, Jim. It’s decisions like these that led to the Cubs finishing behind the Brewers.
