A 115 Million Payroll?

[Brian]

Even if five million were eaten up in Ramirez's extension

 

Hopefully some goes to a Big Z extension as well

[Neuby]

Rusch retires.

Wood signs a cheap deal to stay.

Hendry finds takers for Jones and Izzy.

Hendry with a 115 million payroll which it should be wil be more then enough to improve this team enough.

 

I want a to start a season on paper to be favorites to win the NL pennant. I know papers doesn't matter but there's no reason the Cubs should continue to put out anything less than that.

[Laura]

Levine was also saying that he expected the payroll to be upped more significantly than it has been in the past.

 

He was the one who suggested that they could use the parking garage $$. Although his funding source may not be accurate, it would be promising if people were hearing that an increased payroll is likely.

[TheDude]

Go for Schmidt and Zito. Keep Ramirez. Win with dominant pitching and a mediocre offense, floated by two studs (Lee and Ramirez).

 

I think that formula has a greater chance of winning than going after many big bats and relying on more than one kid in the rotation.

 

Only 4 of the top 10 offenses in baseball made the playoffs this year, and only 2 of those are left (Detroit and NY). Same was true in 2005.

 

But 7 of the top 10 pitching staffs made the playoffs this year, with all 4 remaining teams included. 2005 was similar.

 

I am using Runs as the category of measure in both situations.

 

I also think it is a very 'Hendry-esque' formula.

 

I'm not sure kid in the rotation is all that bad. Some of the best pitchers in this year's playoffs have been very inexperienced. And many had very checkered pasts before this year.

 

I think it's a bad idea to purposefully go into the season with a mediocre offense. It's not necessary to skimp in that area. Your lists don't take into account that the Cubs are in the top 25% in baseball in payroll, whichs means that, unlike other teams, they can afford to pay for pitching and hitting.

 

I didn't mean to suggest that team ignore the offense. Just prioritize pitching first, and instead of chasing Carlos Lee or Soriano (at the recently reported price tag), you settle for Sheffiled or a similar les tier salary guy.

 

The Cubs offense when healthy is already mediocre. Lee, Ramirez, Barret, Murton, and Jones is a respectable core. One more Barret level bat looks pretty good on paper, when healthy.

 

My primary point is that a pitching first approach with the money is what I would like to see. The core pitching of the returning team is not nearly as solid as core hitting of returning team.

[mjuedes]

I wish just like everybody that the Cubs were going to increase payroll and allow them to go after Zito and Schimdt this year, but it isn't gonna happen. Think about it, why would a company that is serious trouble increase spending for a team that already sells out, it makes no sense for their bottom line, which is what they care about most right now. The payroll most likely will stay the same or be decreased. But with Maddux and Wood off the books that creates a lot of money I believe well over $20 million to be spent on free agents. Which would allow the Cubs to persue Zito, Schimdt, or Soriano, but probably only one of three unless they take deferred money or Hendry can sneak a few extra million out of the budget.

[b_wiggy_66]

Good! Use this money for Matsuzaka(he is the real deal) and Suppan we need pitching. Also lock up Big-Z while were at it.

[goonys evil twin]

I didn't mean to suggest that team ignore the offense. Just prioritize pitching first, and instead of chasing Carlos Lee or Soriano (at the recently reported price tag), you settle for Sheffiled or a similar les tier salary guy.

 

The Cubs offense when healthy is already mediocre. Lee, Ramirez, Barret, Murton, and Jones is a respectable core. One more Barret level bat looks pretty good on paper, when healthy.

 

My primary point is that a pitching first approach with the money is what I would like to see. The core pitching of the returning team is not nearly as solid as core hitting of returning team.

 

No interest in Sheffield.

 

I'd lean toward pitching first, but the "when healthy" claim for the offense being mediocre gives the same out clause for the pitchers, who would be great when healthy. I don't like to assume health. Build to withstand setbacks.

 

One more Barrett level bat, at a position that sucked last year, CF, 2B, SS, could make them good offensively. But they also have to avoid the nooses around the neck like Izturis.

[goonys evil twin]

I wish just like everybody that the Cubs were going to increase payroll and allow them to go after Zito and Schimdt this year, but it isn't gonna happen. Think about it, why would a company that is serious trouble increase spending for a team that already sells out, it makes no sense for their bottom line, which is what they care about most right now. The payroll most likely will stay the same or be decreased. But with Maddux and Wood off the books that creates a lot of money I believe well over $20 million to be spent on free agents. Which would allow the Cubs to persue Zito, Schimdt, or Soriano, but probably only one of three unless they take deferred money or Hendry can sneak a few extra million out of the budget.

 

Bottom line is not necessarily the primary focus of an organization looking to sell. Revenues are what draw interest from most prospective buyers.

[Laura]

From Rozner's latest, there is this little line tucked deep within the article.

 

There are whispers of the Cubs bumping their payroll to about $115 million in 2007, which would be about $20 million more than last year.

 

 

A 115 million payroll would give the Cubs roughly 35-40 million to spend this offseason. Even if five million were eaten up in Ramirez's extension, there's still plenty to improve the team.

 

Bruce Miles / The Daily Herald[/url]"] Piniella has said he’s interested in managing a team that’s ready to win. The Cubs finished 2006 with a record of 66-96 and in last place in the NL Central.

 

But new Cubs president John McDonough has made it his stated goal for the Cubs to get to and win the World Series immediately, and the parent Tribune Co. could be ready to shell out big bucks in an effort for that to happen. ...

 

Hendry will explore trades and free agency. Also, expect the Cubs to express interest in Japanese pitching sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is playing in the postseason for the Seibu Lions.

 

:)

[NCCubFan]

It's quite possible there will never again be a healthy Izzy. He didn't just break a finger. He's had very serious injuries, and apparantly has some sort of degenerative issue on top of things/b]

I believe it's some form of arthritis in his elbow (the one he had TJS on).

[ManCrushOnNomar]

From Rozner's latest, there is this little line tucked deep within the article.

 

There are whispers of the Cubs bumping their payroll to about $115 million in 2007, which would be about $20 million more than last year.

 

 

A 115 million payroll would give the Cubs roughly 35-40 million to spend this offseason. Even if five million were eaten up in Ramirez's extension, there's still plenty to improve the team.

 

Bruce Miles / The Daily Herald[/url]"] Piniella has said he’s interested in managing a team that’s ready to win. The Cubs finished 2006 with a record of 66-96 and in last place in the NL Central.

 

But new Cubs president John McDonough has made it his stated goal for the Cubs to get to and win the World Series immediately, and the parent Tribune Co. could be ready to shell out big bucks in an effort for that to happen. ...

 

Hendry will explore trades and free agency. Also, expect the Cubs to express interest in Japanese pitching sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is playing in the postseason for the Seibu Lions.

 

:)

Yusssss!!!!!

 

With this kind of payroll bump there's no excuse not to go hard after Matsuzaka. I'll be disappointed if the Cubs don't make a contending bid.

[TheDude]

With this kind of payroll bump there's no excuse not to go hard after Matsuzaka. I'll be disappointed if the Cubs don't make a contending bid.

 

I don't think you will be disappointed, because you'll never know if or what they bid if they don't win. It's a silent bid, and I'm not aware that non-winning bids are revealed.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I've had this weird feeling in the back of my unusually large head that Hendry/McD are planning on making a big splash this offseason. Maybe it's the remaining bit of optimism I have. Then again, it could be that it's Friday and I've already started drinking.

[LuckyPup]

I've had this weird feeling in the back of my unusually large head that Hendry/McD are planning on making a big splash this offseason. Maybe it's the remaining bit of optimism I have. Then again, it could be that it's Friday and I've already started drinking.

 

Drinking this early on friday=not good:)

Upping payroll to 115M if necessary=VERY GOOD

 

I think the brass at the tribune realize a winner increases the value of the Cubs even more so they will give Hendry every chance to bring a winner in- if not he is toast and he knows it- i think he will

 

re-up Ramirez

sign a marques starter( Zito or Schmidt)

trade for another starter(maybe hudson)

maybe trade for Tejada( or Arod if the deal is feasible)- possibly A. jones in the deal for Hudson-

sign one impact FA hitter-Soriano

 

Rotation of

 

Zambrano

Zito

Prior

Hill

Hudson

 

they would win a few-

[soccer10k]

I've had this weird feeling in the back of my unusually large head that Hendry/McD are planning on making a big splash this offseason. Maybe it's the remaining bit of optimism I have. Then again, it could be that it's Friday and I've already started drinking.

 

:beer:

[goonys evil twin]

I've had this weird feeling in the back of my unusually large head that Hendry/McD are planning on making a big splash this offseason. Maybe it's the remaining bit of optimism I have. Then again, it could be that it's Friday and I've already started drinking.

 

Drinking this early on friday=not good:)

 

 

Not good, ggggggggreat!

 

:pint:

[soccer10k]

I've had this weird feeling in the back of my unusually large head that Hendry/McD are planning on making a big splash this offseason. Maybe it's the remaining bit of optimism I have. Then again, it could be that it's Friday and I've already started drinking.

 

Drinking this early on friday=not good:)

 

 

Not good, ggggggggreat!

 

:pint:

 

All this talk of beer has made me thirsty. I think I'll have a couple during the A's game. After all, it's happy hour somewhere in the world.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

1. Hire Lou.

2. Prior, Eyre and Pie for A-Rod.

3. 3-way: Jones + Soto + $3MM to LAD, Izturis + Dempster + Eric Patterson to KC; Sweeney + Grudzielanek + Sisco to LAD; Drew + mid-level LAD prospect to Cubs.

4. Sign Matsuzaka.

5. Murton to Baltimore for Erik Bedard.

6. Sign Tony Graffanino.

7. Sign Dave Roberts.

8. Michael Barrett + Angel Guzman + Mitch Atkins to Toronto for Vernon Wells.

 

World Series.

 

1. - Roberts, LF

2. - Drew, RF

3. - Rodriguez, SS

4. - Lee, 1B

5. - Ramirez, 3B

6. - Wells, CF

7. - Theriot/Graffanino, 2B

8. - Blanco, C

 

SP: Zambrano, Matsuzaka, Hill, Bedard, Marshall

RP: Wood, Howry, Wuertz, Aardsma, Marmol, Ohman, Clay Rapada?

[NorthsideAvenger]

I've had this weird feeling in the back of my unusually large head that Hendry/McD are planning on making a big splash this offseason. Maybe it's the remaining bit of optimism I have. Then again, it could be that it's Friday and I've already started drinking.

 

Drinking this early on friday=not good:)

 

 

Not good, ggggggggreat!

 

:pint:

 

 

You had to go there, didn't you gooney?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

1. Hire Lou.

2. Prior, Eyre and Pie for A-Rod.

3. 3-way: Jones + Soto + $3MM to LAD, Izturis + Dempster + Eric Patterson to KC; Sweeney + Grudzielanek + Sisco to LAD; Drew + mid-level LAD prospect to Cubs.

4. Sign Matsuzaka.

5. Murton to Baltimore for Erik Bedard.

6. Sign Tony Graffanino.

7. Sign Dave Roberts.

8. Michael Barrett + Angel Guzman + Mitch Atkins to Toronto for Vernon Wells.

 

World Series.

 

1. - Roberts, LF

2. - Drew, RF

3. - Rodriguez, SS

4. - Lee, 1B

5. - Ramirez, 3B

6. - Wells, CF

7. - Theriot/Graffanino, 2B

8. - Blanco, C

 

SP: Zambrano, Matsuzaka, Hill, Bedard, Marshall

RP: Wood, Howry, Wuertz, Aardsma, Marmol, Ohman, Clay Rapada?

 

Why make the last trade? Barrett is just as good if not better offensively than Wells, is signed for longer and cheaper, plays a position where offense is more rare, and you're tossing in two good prospects too. And even then you're trading Pie for Blanco, which has pretty much no advantage(Pie is younger, has more potential, is better now, is a long term piece, cheaper, etc.).

[goonys evil twin]

Why make the last trade? Barrett is just as good if not better offensively than Wells, is signed for longer and cheaper, plays a position where offense is more rare, and you're tossing in two good prospects too.

 

I agree it's a pointless trade. However, both players are signed through 2007 only.

[UK1679666180]

A team with those resources and a weak farm system would be better off allocating most of the potential improvement income towards building from within rather than expensive FAs to build up from under 70 wins.

 

They can do both, just appears this team is in a win now mode rather than gradual progression.

[muntjack]

It's really obvious what the extra 15 million is for, imo.

 

We trade Moore, Veal, Mateo and 15 mil to Florida for Miguel Cabrera, thus covering the ENTIRE FLORIDA PAYROLL! :D

 

Then, in a 3 way deal

 

Cubs get: ARod, cash

 

Yankees get: C.C Sabathia, Ryan Dempster

 

Indians get: Jacque Jones, Sean Marshall, Cesar Izturis

 

Sign Schmidt, call up Pie and we're good!

 

Murton

Barrett

Cabrera

Lee

ARam

ARod

Pie

Cedeno

 

Z

Schmidt

Hill

Prior

Miller

[Mephistopheles]

or the extra 15 mil is for a 20 mil bid on Dai-san

[cubweiser03]

$115 Million....holy smokes! But wasnt the payroll over $100M this year but since Hendry didnt get Furcal he only spent like $95 of it. Needs to step up this time.