Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Cutting back, as the Cubbies are preparing to do as they look toward the 2009 season, is hard. But while team GM Jim Hendry seems resolute and resigned to not chasing dubious players with Monopoly money this offseason, the change in philosophy is hitting Hendry's fellow Tribune Co. employee Phil Rogers a bit harder.

First, Dr. Phil was sure the Cubbies would re-sign single-season ace Ryan Dempster to a contract, below market if need be, during the team's exclusive negotiating period. The Tribune "baseball expert" apparently based his hunch on marshmallows and moonbeams, because every other sound baseball source--including those similarly tinged with Cubbie blue--were saying Dempster was aiming for five seasons and $75 million. (Yes, in major league baseball, one strong season as a starter can translate into $75 million.)

As recently as November 9, Rogers wrote that Dempster was so happy in Chicago that he might sign an extension with the Cubs before Thursday.

Today, Dr. Phil tries another tactic to ensure his apparent karaoke partner doesn't leave the North Side: bullying. In his story regarding the rapidly-diminishing demand for San Diego Padres ace Jake Peavy, Rogers says that the "onus" is now on Ryan Dempster to sign a deal with the Cubbies quickly. Huh? In his very story, Dr. Phil points out that no team, including the Cubbies, has made San Diego a fair offer for Peavy. Dr. Phil even quotes San Diego GM Kevin Towers as saying that at present, he'd tell Peavy and his agent that it's likely the ace will be suiting up for the Padres next season.

So Ryan Dempster, sez Dr. Phil, you might have all the leverage here, but I'm gonna put an onus on you!

But really, the best, er, most interesting writing from Dr. Phil this week came in his swan song sung to the Tribune's decade-long darling, Kerry Wood. Rogers has long apologized for Wood's failings and rarely failed to shield this elusive talent from criticism over the years. Now that the parent company has hung Wood out to dry by failing to give the 10-year veteran--who had signed a series of one-year deals to make up for the fact that he hadn't felt he earned his salary in previous contracts--a courtesy call in advance of trading for another closer, Rogers was busy applauding the deal as a "sound baseball move."

Nothing could beat Rogers' conclusion to his Wood elegy, however.

Wood wasn't just a pitcher. He was a guy. And he will be missed.

When the day comes for the Tribune to fire Rogers (or more likely, push him from the top of the Trib Tower attached to a golden parachute), here's hoping he's treated with the same dignity and class.

And on that day, we won't' be lauding Dr. Phil as a very good baseball writer, nor will we anticipate missing his special brand of hack work, under an "expert" tag line or not. We'll probably praise the "sound business decision."

And we won't forget to mention: He was a guy.

--Brett Ballantini