Would you care if the Cubs just "bought" a ring

[erik316wttn]

But the Yankees have shown that it doesn't really work all that well. You just end up overpaying and getting stuck in bad contracts.

 

Come to think of it, Hendry would be perfect for this strategy.

 

Say what you will, but they always find the postseason, and they'll probably win their division this year as well.

 

Come to think of it, how many of the Yankees starters came up through their system?

 

Jeter

Wang

Cano

Cabrera

Green

Maybe this year will be different, but they've yet to show that spending the extra money actually works. That's what happens when you're stuck paying the Randy Johnsons of the world $15+ million a year.

 

And practically speaking, if a team tries to buy a championship in a single season, the odds are that they'll not only fail, but that they'll have to drastically cut payroll for several seasons and go into rebuilding mode.

 

See: 1997 Marlins.

[stuy119]

But the Yankees have shown that it doesn't really work all that well. You just end up overpaying and getting stuck in bad contracts.

 

Come to think of it, Hendry would be perfect for this strategy.

 

Say what you will, but they always find the postseason, and they'll probably win their division this year as well.

 

Come to think of it, how many of the Yankees starters came up through their system?

 

Jeter

Wang

Cano

Cabrera

Green

 

Not to mention Posada and Williams.

 

Interestingly enough, the "strong up the middle" idea is well developed by the Yanks. Posada, Cano, Jeter, and Williams (when he was in CF) was a pretty good defense - and all home grown.

 

The sluggers came from outside the organization and were bought.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I WANT TO WIN, DARN IT ALL TO HECK!!!!!!! IM TIRED OF THIS MALARKY!!!! GOSH DANG WIZZ!!!!!!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

But the Yankees have shown that it doesn't really work all that well. You just end up overpaying and getting stuck in bad contracts.

 

Come to think of it, Hendry would be perfect for this strategy.

 

The 1997 Marlins did it.

 

It's not the best way to build a perrenial winner (better to build up with the farm), but I wouldn't be complaining about how the Cubs won a World Series if they actually did win it.

[Jon]

The '97 Marlins only had the 5th highest payroll in the majors, though (the 2004 Cubs were 6th, although the disparity was greater between them and the Yankees). They didn't even have the highest payroll of their division and only stand out because they were coming from 19.

[Sammy Sofa]

I don't care if the trib paid off the other teams to lose vs. us! Give us a ring dammit!!!!

 

Agreed.

 

How pathetic is it that I'm 25 years old and highly doubtful I'll see the Cubs win the World Series before I die?

 

I'm 27 and I'm confident I'm never going to see them make it to a WS, period, much less win the damn thing.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

The '97 Marlins only had the 5th highest payroll in the majors, though (the 2004 Cubs were 6th, although the disparity was greater between them and the Yankees). They didn't even have the highest payroll of their division and only stand out because they were coming from 19.

 

They probably stand out more for what they did with their talent after they won the Series.

 

I took the question to mean not necessarily having the highest payroll (tough to do) but just throw out the big bucks to the big name FAs and bump payroll significantly (a la 19 to 5).

[Jon]

The '97 Marlins only had the 5th highest payroll in the majors, though (the 2004 Cubs were 6th, although the disparity was greater between them and the Yankees). They didn't even have the highest payroll of their division and only stand out because they were coming from 19.

 

They probably stand out more for what they did with their talent after they won the Series.

 

I took the question to mean not necessarily having the highest payroll (tough to do) but just throw out the big bucks to the big name FAs and bump payroll significantly (a la 19 to 5).

The payroll they returned to was nearly 25% lower than what it was in '96. But the Cubs' payroll is in a far better position than that of the '96 Marlins. The Cubs were 4th in player expenses last year, so the Cubs are/were basically at that point. They're just wasting the money that they're spending. If they felt they were really close and the Tribune decided to up the payroll another $10 million to spend on a big free agent, that probably couldn't be considered buying a championship any more so than what they're doing now.

 

Heck, with this farm system, if by chance the Cubs were actually to win in the near future (which won't happen), it would be with money.

[danonwaveland]

I'm 55. I can't wait for no stinkin' farm system. I don't want 'em to exhume my body to put a championship t-shirt on me. I want it now. Buy. Buy. Buy.

[CubmanPi]

If buying the ring is what it takes, do it. However, the Yankees and their $200M payroll haven't been too successful in obtaining a ring the last few years, so "buy a ring" doesn't really sound like surefire bet, particularly when considering the guys calling the shots around here.

[Drew Doughty]

If buying the ring is what it takes, do it. However, the Yankees and their $200M payroll haven't been too successful in obtaining a ring the last few years, so "buy a ring" doesn't really sound like surefire bet, particularly when considering the guys calling the shots around here.

 

It's not a surefire thing, but I'll take 4 rings in my lifetime over a trip to the NLCS once.

[NewUserName]

I wish someone would point out a team that has "bought a ring" If you do not have player development you will not win a championship. Free agency should only be used to fill holes, not cover the whole project. I really think for the Cubs to take a step towards a championship they should keep going with the young players that they have started doing this year and do it again next year than start filling the gaps through free agency after that. Free Agents generally are late to past prime and will be paid higher dollars than they did during prime.

[Hosak8]

I remember in the Cubs.com days (pre-NSB) how many of the original NSB crowd would get angry if you suggested trading future stars like Kelton, Hill, Prior, and Choi for rentals who would help you win now. The mindset was "I want to win more than just one championship."

 

I'd bet that has changed somewhat. Give me one. ONE. I'll take that.

[Backtobanks]

Buy the ring. It's not like you're spending my money anyhow. Ticket prices are raised every year and are unavailable to the vast majority of "common" fans (unless you pay scalper's prices), so don't tell me that it's going to trickle down to the fans.

[NCCubFan]

I remember in the Cubs.com days (pre-NSB) how many of the original NSB crowd would get angry if you suggested trading future stars like Kelton, Hill, Prior, and Choi for rentals who would help you win now. The mindset was "I want to win more than just one championship."

 

I'd bet that has changed somewhat. Give me one. ONE. I'll take that.

I'm one of those. That reminds me of the old Dynastics vs. Nowacrats debate. Like many people, I thought the Cubs were on the road to being contenders for the long haul (like the Braves, although not necessarily to that extent). Now I want them to get one championship quickly, then worry about the long-term dynasty after that. If it means going for broke next year, then another rebuilding program to achieve long-term success afterwards, so be it. 2008 is nearly here, and I consider going more than a century without a championship to be intolerable.

[neely crenshaw]

But the Yankees have shown that it doesn't really work all that well. You just end up overpaying and getting stuck in bad contracts.

 

Come to think of it, Hendry would be perfect for this strategy.

 

yeah, i would hate to have the cubs win 3 world series in the last 10-12 years,be in playoffs every single year and be a serious contender every one of those years...just awful! i think spending 95 mil to be the 2nd worst team in the nl is much more satisfying and a much better plan!

[Derwood]

How many WS have the Yankees bought in the last 6 years?

[bhogg]

How many WS have the Yankees bought in the last 6 years?

 

Almost as many as the cubs have bought in the past 100 years.

 

 

I'd be thrilled if the cubs bought management that had a clue what a baseball club should look like.

[Jon]

If you give Hendry an extra $20 million (roughly what the Yankees payroll was the last time they won the World Series), you'll get more bad contracts. Heck, if you give most GMs more money than they really need, much of that money is just going to be spent on overpaying players or giving them too many years.

 

If you give a good GM $95 million, you'll likely get a pretty good team year after year.

 

Money is not an issue with this team. "Buying" a championship is not only a poor strategy (that is, to try to go for it all in one season), but it's also not really a possibility for this team. They consistently have a high payroll that gives Hendry the opportunity to fill any holes that he has. It just so happens that he's taken that money and created the MLB equivalent of the Big Dig.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

The Big Dig is more cost-effective than the Cubs are.

[stitchface]

The Big Dig is more cost-effective than the Cubs are.

 

there will be a lot of rich lawyers anyway . . .

[soccer10k]

Buy the first WS and build the farm after. I just want one.

[neely crenshaw]

How many WS have the Yankees bought in the last 6 years?

 

none but let's see they were the favorite and in it (the series)in 2003..they were up 3-0 on the eventual champ in 2004...and 2005 the sox blew everyone out. in 2006 they have to be the favorite right now.

i guess i would take that for the cubbies.

especially when they have 3 wins in the last 12 years.

we have been awful for 100 years..i really don't care if we sell out the entire farm system to win one time.

it wouldn't take us any more than another 100 to rebuild it.

this was my point after 2003 spend an extra 20 mil and give the cubs every single chance to win a championship. instead we sign latroy and tarde for an injury palgued nomar at the deadline and hope that we can squeak in...well we didn't and now 2 seasons later we are arguably the worst franchise in the league. no we are not the worst team but when the teams that are below us have a combined payroll less than the cubs, that makes us the worst franchise.

seriously what kind of idiot does it take to spend 95 mil and be terrible? and what idiot gives that guy an extension?

what poster on here could not spend 95 mil and put together a better team? i am not saying a championship team but a better team?

[C.C.]

You wanna bet that the Marlins will win another championship (thier 3rd) before us? That's such a joke that the Marlins and Dbacks have recently won and one of the oldest and most cherished franchises haven't won in almost 100 years. It has nothing to do with stupid curses, just stupid management!

 

 

Pisses me off!