In multiple sessions at the Cubs Convention this year, there were discussions about the importance of building the organizational strength of the Cubs and using that organization to develop players from within. Tom Ricketts stated on multiple occasions what a good job Jim Hendry has done not only putting a good team on the field, but building a great organization underneath him. The five videos linked here all show either Ricketts or Hendry discussing the state of the organization, the farm and the direction of the team.
In this video, Hendry answers a question about the trade that sent Jake Fox (and Aaron Miles) to Oakland for reliever Jeff Gray. Among other things, Hendry spells out that Jake didn't have a defensive position for the Cubs and that the move was good for both the team and for Jake.
In the first part of this video, Jim Hendry answers a question about why Rich Harden was let go. Ultimately, it isn't a surprise, but the reasons really boil down to how much work Harden and the medical crew had to put in for him to stay on the bump for 28 starts plus how much he would have been eligible for through the arbitration process.
The second half of the video is an embarrassing mess between a fan asking if Koyie Hill should be starting over Soto at catcher and Lou's answer involving Hill's winning percentage as a catcher.
Lou Piniella answered a fan question about the lineup and talked about the importance of the #5 spot in the order. In spite of him being reported as saying it is the most important spot int he lineup this coming season (which is actually the exact quote), what Lou meant is that it is the most important unanswered question about the lineup.
