Sources continually told me that Jim Hendry wouldn’t be back. Now a reliable one tells me that you can add Cubs President Crane Kenney to that list. He says Kenney will no longer be President at the conclusion of the season.
It wasn't made clear if Kenney would stay on in another position. The source says Tom Ricketts wanted to approach the Cubs takeover as most smart business people do by observing first and not making hasty moves.
Now it seems Ricketts is poised to make changes.
I however was under the impression Ricketts thought the Tribune holdover provided the business side with some stability and connections to continue leading the charge on projects like the "Triangle Building".
“They milked Kenney and Hendry for what and they were worth” says the source.
Now the question in my mind is could a move like this open the door for a more powerful GM? Maybe even one with the title of President attached?
Could this set the stage for an enticing offer for one of the big guns out there like Theo Epstein, Andrew Friedman, or Billy Beane?
Either way, Rick Hahn's name keeps coming up and it did again from this source. He says as much as Jerry Reinsdorf doesn't want to see Hahn end up a Cub, he can't stop it, and Hahn wants it.
It seems obvious to some that Ricketts wants to be the baseball boss, and he also wants to separate the business side from it. That was made even more apparent by his hire yesterday of Julian Green to a newly created position of vice president, communications and community affairs. Peter Chase will continue to handle the communications on the baseball end.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tags: Andrew Friedman, Billy Beane, Crane Kenney, Rick Hahn, Theo Epstein, Tom Ricketts
Wow...this would be something of a surprise after the press conference that seemed to indicate he would be staying-- albeit in a more of a business capacity. If this is true then I'm going to have to say that Ricketts is better at keeping things under wrap than anyone I can remember in Chicago sports.
The optimist in me wants to think that he's clearing a path for Theo Epstein or someone else who would require complete control. The only other guy with that qualification is probably Beane, as you mentioned. I'm not even sure I'd give Friedman that type of power yet.
I personally feel that Kenney will be re-assigned, and someone like Theo or Beane will be Pres if the source is right
I hope this is true and does open the way for a more powerful GM/PBO. I'd still love to see Gillick paired with a Cherington, Hahn, or Coppolella. Althought I wouldn't argue with Friedman or Epstein. Thanks for both of you (Cubs Insider & Cubs Den) for your great coverage of the Cubs!
All I can say is thank God. I'm not sure that Kenney has done enough to retain his position anyway, but especially if him being in that role would be an impediment to landing a Theo or Friedman. The sooner Ricketts cuts ties to the old (failed) regime, the better.
I would think that the appointment of Julian Green, the equivalent of Christine O'Reilly is not big news. "We're cooperating with the rooftop owners to hold a street fair to benefit JDRF and out GBT neighbors," and that type of stuff. Don't now even need someone to soothe the Mayor, since this one is from the north side.
On the other hand, if in the next month, he appoints a prominent CEO-General Manager, that would be news.
meant "our" but maybe what I said still works.
I meant that it's interesting that he has a media guy for both the biz side and baseball side
Nothing surprising about that. If you go to the websites, such as cubs.com and whitesox.com, pull down Roster, then select Front Office, you'll see that both teams have all sorts of Communications and Community Affairs staff. So, in the Cubs' case, one more, filling an office already filled by the Sox.
While both have Media Relations Depts., I thought that the baseball spokespersons were Quade mumbling and Ozzie cussing. Maybe the Media Relations Depts. have some work to do.
I think there is more to it than that. I think Julian will be the new front man on the stadium money, etc.
I've been told that the move of Kenney strictly to the business side was absolutely intentional. It was noticed by many that Hendry, in his farewell speech, did not mention Kenney.
He was a frequent (and definitely unwanted) visitor to the clubhouse and was widely known to use "we" in conversations - another (reportedly) annoying trait.
Apparently he has a year left on his contract, which was leftover from Trib ownership days. His removal would be a welcome move.
Someone debunked this report that Kenney would not be prez going forward.
I'd very much like to believe he's outa here or even re-assigned, but apparently not.
Debunked? If the Cubs don't hire a new GM as Pres and Kenney retains that title going into next year, then it will be proven false
At the same time, I wouldn't be surprised if nothing changed, this source is convinced otherwise