Rothschild tell us what we already know, but what the Cubs don't know

A real quick post about something that I thought was very telling.

Before yesterday's game, former Cubs pitching coach, and now pitching coach for the Yankees, Larry Rothschild was interviewed on WGN.

I don't have an exact transcript since I was in the car when I heard the interview...but when talking about the change in jobs and the differences working now for the Yankees, he said that his current organization was completely focused on winning and that everything done was toward that aim. He also mentioned how much more focused the Yankees were on collecting and analyzing statistics and how much money was spent on scouting compared to other teams (or, probably more specifically, the Cubs).

While the Cubs are focused on throwing a block party for this series and getting Paul McCartney to play a concert at Wrigley, the Yankees were focused on finding a way to beat the Cubs (as many of their scouts have been seen at Cubs contests over the last 2 weeks).

The Cubs are focused on entertainment. The Yankees are focused on winning.

The results speak for themselves.

Congratulations to the Rothschild haters...he's gone.

Larry Rothschild has moved on to greener pastures and has become the pitching coach of the New York Yankees.

Cub fans can't blame this guy for anything anymore.

As I've said before, I've really grown to respect Rothschild and enjoyed the stability he's brought to the Cubs pitching staff over the 8 years.

The truth is, this is really a big blow for the Cubs who are now going to have to scramble to try to find a person to replace Rothschild.

Off the top of my head, I can't think of a good candidate that is available right now. I'm not sure the Cubs and Mike Quade will have the influence to get any of the better pitching coaches out there to leave their current team. I'd love it if they could get Mike Maddux, who I think has done great jobs with the Rangers and before that, the Brewers. (No, Greg Maddux should not be considered a candidate.)

Leo Mazzone is available if he wants to come out of retirement...but I don't see that happening.

Judging by the composition of the current coaching staff, I suppose Mark Riggins will probably be the guy who will get the job. That's shame because I'm fairly sure he would have no clue how to handle a veteran pitcher like Ryan Dempster or Carlos Zambrano.

So, once again, the Cubs lose out on a good thing (though your opinion might differ). People who think that the Cubs are more a more attractive team to work for than the Yankees are just fooling themselves. Joe Girardi was never going to come here...wasn't even tempted. And now Larry Rothschild bolted this mess.

What a mess.

Rothschild loves coaching this circus act.

I have become a bigger fan of Larry Rothschild over the last few years. My biggest issue with him has always been that his style tends (as it appears) to result in high pitch counts and leaves starters to not be able to go deep into games. This often time results in taxed bullpen and a staff that often times gives up a lot of walks.

Only one year in Rothschild’s 9 seasons in Chicago (2008) did I see a break from this trend.

Rothschild’s leadership has resulted in a pitching staff that has consistently been among the league leaders in strikeouts as well as a starting staff that if often in the top third in the league in ERA and almost always in the top 3 in least hits surrendered.

Rothschild, though, has been taken a huge brunt of the blame from fans for this team’s almost consist underachieving over the last decade. This is probably because he has been here longer now than any coach or player. They’ve changed the players, they’ve changed the manager, they’ve changed the coaches… GM’s…owners….and the team still sucks! It must be Larry Rothschild’s fault right?

Anyway, Larry Rothschild has picked up his 2011 option to remain with the Cubs. In reality, this doesn’t mean all that much. It is very possible that when the next manager of the team comes in, he could still be shown the door based on what that new manager wants for a pitching coach.

Personally, I’m a bit surprised. I kinda got the feeling the Rothschild was getting a bit tired of project after project being thrown his way over the years by GM Jim Hendry. Obviously not. Maybe he’s concerned that in the current economy, with the unemployment rate at 9.5%, he’d have a hard time getting a new job at the nearest Denny’s if he were to leave the Cubs.

Personally, I’m actually happy that Rothschild wants to return. I honestly don’t think there is anyone better available out there. The best option if Rothschild were to depart would be for the Cubs to take a chance on some no-name guy that has come unique ideas for how to handle a pitching staff….but that has a high chance of failure (just ask the Brewers about that). And, no, Greg Maddux is currently not a viable option as a pitching coach.

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The Cubs NL rankings in some areas since Rothschild took over as Cubs pitching coach in 2002:

Year	Hits	WHIP	K/9	ERA+
2002	6	10	1	11
2003	2	4	1	4
2004	1	2	1	2
2005	2	6	1	8
2006	2	11	1	12
2007	1	2	1	2
2008	1	3	1	1
2009	3	5	2	2
2010	8	13	5	9