Piniella says he'll coach next season
NEW YORK - Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Wednesday that he plans to honor the final year of his contract next season.
Piniella, 65, was asked about comments he made to a New York Daily News columnist, who quoted Piniella saying, "I don't know how much longer I want to do this."
"I've never said anything," Piniella said. "I don't read what's been written. All I've said basically, and I've said this to you all, is that I'm not a lifer. I still hold to that. I wouldn't put any credence on what's been written or what's been said until I say it or until the organization says it."
Piniella has another guaranteed year left on his contract. Cubs chairman Crane Kenney has said both Piniella and general manager Jim Hendry deserve contract extensions.
Although he can get testy during some of his news conferences, and there are days when he looks tired, Piniella said he has enjoyed the job.
"Yeah, I've enjoyed it, but basically, what I told (the Daily News) is that I'm not in this thing until I'm 70. I want to enjoy my life a little bit, too. We'll see. I've got a year to go on my contract, and we'll see where it goes from there. I'm not looking five or six years ahead of four or five years ahead. I've said many times that I'm perfectly content from year to year.
"As long as I still have the drive and the passion, I'm fine. If I lose that, I'm not going to cheat anybody or take anybody's money."
Piniella was asked point-blank if he planned to manage the Cubs next year.
"I'm signed to manage the Cubs," he said. "I've never said anything to the contrary. ... I'm signed for next year here. I'm going to honor my contract. Then we'll see what happens from there."
Stormy weather: The forecast for New York today is for rainy and windy conditions. The Mets are fighting to hold on to a playoff spot, and if tonight's game gets rained out, it's possible the Cubs will have to come back Monday.
"We don't want any bad weather; we're already scheduled possibly in Houston on Monday," said Lou Piniella, referring to a possible makeup because of Hurricane Ike.
Soto sits again: Catcher Geovany Soto, who has been battling a sore left hand and wrist, sat out his second straight game. Lou Piniella said Soto might not start again until Friday at Milwaukee.
"We've given him a little breather," said Piniella. "If he had to play tonight, it wouldn't be any problem."
Warming up: Jeff Samardzija suffered a blown save Wednesday, allowing the tying run in the eighth inning. With 2 solid outings before that, Samardzija looked to be pitching his way back into contention for one of the final postseason roster spots. It still may turn out that way.
"It's just that little fine line," Samardzija said of a recent spate of wildness. "You're either going out and walking a guy, or you're jumping ahead and putting the guy away. I've been attacking the strike zone and being a little more aggressive to the plate for a couple quick outs, which always helps. I just want to take care of my business. I'm not a coach or a front-office person by any means."
All's not well: Pitcher Randy Wells has headed back to Chicago because he is experiencing soreness in his right forearm. Wells will undergo an MRI today.