Just heard on CNN, Cubs may be up for sale

[professahesse]

I know this conjecture has been on here before, but to hear it on a major media portal like CNN has got to mean there is something to it, no?

[Drew Doughty]

Let's get some Cuban on this team.

[Omar]

CNN? Wow... It's big enough news when any top organizations report it... but CNN? *turns on TV*

 

You heard that on Headline News, right?

[Jon]

It's all based on this AP article, I believe:

 

Also on the mergers-and-acquisitions front, the Tribune Co. is under pressure to sell divisions including the Chicago Cubs baseball team, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday in its "Heard on the Street" column. The report quoted Tribune Chairman and Chief Executive Dennis J. FitzSimons as saying the firm wants to "operate" its way out of its stock market slump and that Tribune isn't interested in selling any of its arms, but also quotes an investor as saying he'd like the firm to sell some of its operations.

 

One investor isn't much to go on.

[goonys evil twin]

It's all based on this AP article, I believe:

 

Also on the mergers-and-acquisitions front, the Tribune Co. is under pressure to sell divisions including the Chicago Cubs baseball team, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday in its "Heard on the Street" column. The report quoted Tribune Chairman and Chief Executive Dennis J. FitzSimons as saying the firm wants to "operate" its way out of its stock market slump and that Tribune isn't interested in selling any of its arms, but also quotes an investor as saying he'd like the firm to sell some of its operations.

 

One investor isn't much to go on.

 

Depends on how big and who that investor is.

[UK1679666180]

It's just a substantiated rumor now, compared to an Internet rumor.

 

The Cubs are one of the few subsidiaries in the Tribune conglomerate that annually makes a profit.

 

Unless it is a case of last resort, I don't see them selling off at this stage.

 

Of course, be careful what you wish for. Look at the payroll under Ted Turner ownership compared to TimeWarner/AOL.

[wade]

Alright, I can invest a couple grand, who's with me?

[Backtobanks]

Alright, I can invest a couple grand, who's with me?

 

I'm with you, but only if I can get some good tickets as a partial owner.

[Omar]

Oh wait... My uncle knows someone who works with the Tribune... he can get me free tickets. Nevermind. This shall not happen!

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Ok, if the Trib sells the Cubs, who do you want as GM and Manager? (availability is a concern)

[Jon]

It's all based on this AP article, I believe:

 

Also on the mergers-and-acquisitions front, the Tribune Co. is under pressure to sell divisions including the Chicago Cubs baseball team, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday in its "Heard on the Street" column. The report quoted Tribune Chairman and Chief Executive Dennis J. FitzSimons as saying the firm wants to "operate" its way out of its stock market slump and that Tribune isn't interested in selling any of its arms, but also quotes an investor as saying he'd like the firm to sell some of its operations.

 

One investor isn't much to go on.

 

Depends on how big and who that investor is.

True, but even then it might not be that big of a deal. That investor obviously has an agenda and may very well be overstating how much pressure there is for the Tribune Co. to sell the Cubs to help create more pressure and attract potential buyers.

[UK1679666180]

Ok, if the Trib sells the Cubs, who do you want as GM and Manager? (availability is a concern)

 

Dayton Moore as GM and Orel Hershiser as manager.

[Jehrico]

Selling the Cubs would be the beginning of the end for the Trib, I think. The internet is slaughtering print media sales. If they should spin anything off, it should be the Trib paper itself. I don't think anyone whose primary business is print media is doing well nowadays.

 

I wouldn't be disappointed if they did sell though. In fact, I hope they do. I just think it would be a bad move strategically in the long run for them if they do.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Ok, if the Trib sells the Cubs, who do you want as GM and Manager? (availability is a concern)

 

Dayton Moore as GM and Orel Hershiser as manager.

 

Moore is a dream (love to have him here). Isn't he Schuerholz's heir apparent?

[rocket]

The Cubs being sold isn't as great of an idea I think the average Cub fan thinks it is. While it's slightly possible for the payroll to increase, I think it's a lot more likely to expect a payroll decrease and the same kind of inept management running the team.

[Outshined_One]

The Cubs being sold isn't as great of an idea I think the average Cub fan thinks it is. While it's slightly possible for the payroll to increase, I think it's a lot more likely to expect a payroll decrease and the same kind of inept management running the team.

 

There's always that danger.

 

Hendry has managed to assemble a team that doesn't flat-out suck, at the least. Granted, this franchise is still inept in certain areas, but an 80 win season is preferable to a 70 win one, ya know?

[UK1679666180]

Ok, if the Trib sells the Cubs, who do you want as GM and Manager? (availability is a concern)

 

Dayton Moore as GM and Orel Hershiser as manager.

 

Moore is a dream (love to have him here). Isn't he Schuerholz's heir apparent?

 

Frank Wren is just as much of a possibility as Moore replacing Schuerholz. All depends on Terry McGuirk's decision.

 

Moore did accept Boston's GM job before deciding against it a short time after. If Boston had been a situation more suited for Moore at the time, I think he would've accepted the position.

 

Moore is a better with the Cubs than Boston.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Ok, if the Trib sells the Cubs, who do you want as GM and Manager? (availability is a concern)

 

Dayton Moore as GM and Orel Hershiser as manager.

 

Moore is a dream (love to have him here). Isn't he Schuerholz's heir apparent?

 

Frank Wren is just as much of a possibility as Moore replacing Schuerholz. All depends on Terry McGuirk's decision.

 

Moore did accept Boston's GM job before deciding against it a short time after. If Boston had been a situation more suited for Moore at the time, I think he would've accepted the position.

Moore is a better with the Cubs than Boston.

 

How so? Just b/c we're quite a bit more into talent evaluation than stats?

Edited March 31, 2006 by Meat&PotatoesMan

[Blueheart05]

I don't seriously believe that the Tribune would sell the Cubs because the team is too profitable. Plus, it helps both WGN radio and television generate revenue. If the team were sold I'd be concerned about the games being moved from WGN (among other things...)

[professahesse]

How about Ted Turner as owner and I'd keep Hendry, for continuity if nothing else. Or maybe throw a hefty salary at Jocketty or something. Would he entertain something like that? Ted Turner is about like Cuban. Anyone who can afford to give the UN a billion $ has got to be into spending. And he's been a baseball owner himself too.

[Soul]

Colangelo has always wanted to own a Chicago baseball franchise, I believe.

[CuseCubFan69]

Ok, if the Trib sells the Cubs, who do you want as GM and Manager? (availability is a concern)

 

Dayton Moore as GM and Orel Hershiser as manager.

 

That's interesting that you like Hershiser and Dierker for manager. IMO it doesn't seem like ex-pitchers make good managers.

[TB_11]

The Tribune hasn't done or said anything to indicate that they are considering selling the Cubs. Some of the Tribune's investors have recommended that they do to focus on selling newspapers and running TV stations, but going by the Tribune's word expect the Cubs in their ownership.

[UK1679666180]

Ok, if the Trib sells the Cubs, who do you want as GM and Manager? (availability is a concern)

 

Dayton Moore as GM and Orel Hershiser as manager.

 

Moore is a dream (love to have him here). Isn't he Schuerholz's heir apparent?

 

Frank Wren is just as much of a possibility as Moore replacing Schuerholz. All depends on Terry McGuirk's decision.

 

Moore did accept Boston's GM job before deciding against it a short time after. If Boston had been a situation more suited for Moore at the time, I think he would've accepted the position.

Moore is a better with the Cubs than Boston.

 

How so? Just b/c we're quite a bit more into talent evaluation than stats?

 

The farm system and the instructors are set-up differently, the Cubs like the Braves have no influence from ownership unlike Boston. With all the garbage going on with Epstein at the time, I question whether or not Moore wanted to get involved. But, you don't get as far as Moore did in the hiring process without excluding every team other than Atlanta.

[UK1679666180]

That's interesting that you like Hershiser and Dierker for manager. IMO it doesn't seem like ex-pitchers make good managers.

 

Depends on the player, they can make just as good of a manager as a position player.

 

Not many would argue what Lasorda did as a manager, Dallas Green was a pitcher as well.

 

The numbers aren't as great b/c few get hired, Rothschild like every other DRay manager bombed, but there's nothing definitive to say that they'll fail as a manager.