Zell to Purchase Tribune Co., Sell Cubs

[RynoRules]

I have heard in several places that the major issue will be the owners approving whoever comes up with the largest bid. For example, it is believed by some that Reinsdorf so hates Cuban due to their running NBA feud that he might attempt to clock Mark from acquiring the team.

[papabear58]

I have heard in several places that the major issue will be the owners approving whoever comes up with the largest bid. For example, it is believed by some that Reinsdorf so hates Cuban due to their running NBA feud that he might attempt to clock Mark from acquiring the team.

 

But there are other owners who might see it as a good thing to have him as well because he brings competitiveness and a winning Cubs team would be good for all of baseball. Revenues go up for every team when a flagship franchise does well.

[Soul]

 

Not really. You're talking about 17 million a year. What is a billionaire going to say okay instead of buying the cubs for 600 million you better minus Sori contract? Soriano is not going to be a bust, so it's really a moot point. He's hit his whole career and is in great shape. He's not going to all of a sudden lose it.

 

I doubt a potential buyer of the Cubs is going to base the amount of his offer on the OPS of particular players.

 

The first thing that will be looked at is the overall health of the franchise. Then they'll look at revenues & brand recognition, among other things.

 

The Cubs are one of the most prominent, healthy baseball francises in the sport. Their fan base is huge, worldwide, and loyal. Brand recognition of the Cubs is massive. Revenues are good, even though the team is struggling.

 

The Cubs will be worth plenty, and will be a very attractive commodity. The only thing that would undermine this is waning fan support -- which is why they made such a splash this offseason (IMO).

 

As for Soriano, calling him a bust after one regular season game is beyond ridiculous.

[Banedon]

I wish Cuban would make some comment about whether or not he's interested. If he's not interested, I'd like to know that so we can get that out of the discussion.

[Soul]

I wish Cuban would make some comment about whether or not he's interested. If he's not interested, I'd like to know that so we can get that out of the discussion.

 

Me too. His silence could mean anything, too. Maybe he's just really absorbed with the Mavs at the moment, and doesn't want to think about it right now. Or, maybe he's doing some preliminary number-crunching and legwork behind the scenes before he makes a comment either way.

[Magnetic Curses]

I wish Cuban would make some comment about whether or not he's interested. If he's not interested, I'd like to know that so we can get that out of the discussion.

 

i don't think cuban has enough money by himself. he'll have to head up an ownership group or something.

 

i doubt that anyone will buy a franchise as expensive as the cubs by themselves.

[Banedon]

I wish Cuban would make some comment about whether or not he's interested. If he's not interested, I'd like to know that so we can get that out of the discussion.

 

i don't think cuban has enough money by himself. he'll have to head up an ownership group or something.

 

i doubt that anyone will buy a franchise as expensive as the cubs by themselves.

 

And that's fine. That doesn't preclude Mark from expressing interest, or saying he's looking into it, or that he isn't interested. I'm not asking for him to go all gung ho or anything. I'd just like some acknowledgement of the situation.

 

But maybe he wants to play things close to the vest. I understand it, but the greedy "I wanna know" side of me wants him to say something! :P

[FergieJ31]

I have heard in several places that the major issue will be the owners approving whoever comes up with the largest bid. For example, it is believed by some that Reinsdorf so hates Cuban due to their running NBA feud that he might attempt to clock Mark from acquiring the team.

 

The fact that Reinsdorf hates Cuban gives me another reason to like Cuban. Would Reinsdorf have any more influence over MLB owner voting compared to his feeble influence when NBA owners voted Cuban in 29-1? I'm guessing Reinsdorf was the only no vote there.

[J.R.]

Would Reinsdorf have any more influence over MLB owner voting compared to his feeble influence when NBA owners voted Cuban in 29-1? I'm guessing Reinsdorf was the only no vote there.

 

He almost single-handedly forced the strike in 1994. He has been tight with Selig for years, and even though his influence has waned somewhat recently, I think he could probably stop Cuban — especially if he's faced with having him in Chicago.

[Soul]

Would Reinsdorf have any more influence over MLB owner voting compared to his feeble influence when NBA owners voted Cuban in 29-1? I'm guessing Reinsdorf was the only no vote there.

 

He almost single-handedly forced the strike in 1994. He has been tight with Selig for years, and even though his influence has waned somewhat recently, I think he could probably stop Cuban — especially if he's faced with having him in Chicago.

 

I think Zell would consult with Reinsdorf if Cuban expressed interest. There could be preliminary steps in that direction happening right now behind the scenes.

 

Cuban might just never make an offer if he gets feedback from Zell that it wouldn't go well. He might not want to bother with the embarrassment of getting shot down.

 

It's so hard to say right now. The only thing I do know is, this topic is going to linger all Summer long. I'm not sure if that's a good thing.

[CubsInNC]

Would Reinsdorf have any more influence over MLB owner voting compared to his feeble influence when NBA owners voted Cuban in 29-1? I'm guessing Reinsdorf was the only no vote there.

 

He almost single-handedly forced the strike in 1994. He has been tight with Selig for years, and even though his influence has waned somewhat recently, I think he could probably stop Cuban — especially if he's faced with having him in Chicago.

 

Reinsdorf may be tight with Selig, but with the grooming of Selig's successor, and former Cub brass Andy MacPhail, his influence might be tempered by what MacPhail can bring to the table.

[Amazing_Grace]

I wish Cuban would make some comment about whether or not he's interested. If he's not interested, I'd like to know that so we can get that out of the discussion.

 

i don't think cuban has enough money by himself. he'll have to head up an ownership group or something.

 

i doubt that anyone will buy a franchise as expensive as the cubs by themselves.

 

Perhaps a Bill Murray, Mark Cuban, coalition is in order.

[badger1679666666]

Every time I see the names Cuban and/or Murray it gets me excited.

[UK1679666180]

While the concept of Cuban and an increased payroll as well as upgrades to the locker room (as much that can be done) as well as travel is a positive, I get concerned about him trying to play fantasy baseball ala Snyder in Washington. He's been the owner of a successful franchise that was terrible before he got there that he helped turnaround, but if his hand is in the cookie jar more than it should be, the increased payroll might not matter compared to building a team for the long-term.

[papabear58]

While the concept of Cuban and an increased payroll as well as upgrades to the locker room (as much that can be done) as well as travel is a positive, I get concerned about him trying to play fantasy baseball ala Snyder in Washington. He's been the owner of a successful franchise that was terrible before he got there that he helped turnaround, but if his hand is in the cookie jar more than it should be, the increased payroll might not matter compared to building a team for the long-term.

 

That is a valid concern, but if he'd keep Wrigley and allow for baseball people to run things it can't be all bad right?

[Soul]

While the concept of Cuban and an increased payroll as well as upgrades to the locker room (as much that can be done) as well as travel is a positive, I get concerned about him trying to play fantasy baseball ala Snyder in Washington. He's been the owner of a successful franchise that was terrible before he got there that he helped turnaround, but if his hand is in the cookie jar more than it should be, the increased payroll might not matter compared to building a team for the long-term.

 

That is a valid concern, but if he'd keep Wrigley and allow for baseball people to run things it can't be all bad right?

 

His success with the Mavs has been long-term. Snyder has never won at all. I don't see how the comparison is valid, although I certainly admit there's no way to predict with 100% certainty that Cuban would be successful here.

[CubinNY]

While the concept of Cuban and an increased payroll as well as upgrades to the locker room (as much that can be done) as well as travel is a positive, I get concerned about him trying to play fantasy baseball ala Snyder in Washington. He's been the owner of a successful franchise that was terrible before he got there that he helped turnaround, but if his hand is in the cookie jar more than it should be, the increased payroll might not matter compared to building a team for the long-term.

 

I agree with that. But one thing Cuban has done is to hire people who know what they are doing. He's hired statisticians for the Maverics and he seems to understand the value of data. There is no guarentes for success, but I'll take a numbers guy any day.

 

It seems to me that MacPhail and Hendry have been given a mandate to be competitive from the Tribune company. Or at least that is my hypothesis based on the way they talk. It's always about competitiveness, never about winning. This year seems to be different though.

[UK1679666180]

That questions their work ethic, while I've never agreed with everything they've done, I believe they have tried to win a WS.

 

I question their methods not their intentions.

[papabear58]

While the concept of Cuban and an increased payroll as well as upgrades to the locker room (as much that can be done) as well as travel is a positive, I get concerned about him trying to play fantasy baseball ala Snyder in Washington. He's been the owner of a successful franchise that was terrible before he got there that he helped turnaround, but if his hand is in the cookie jar more than it should be, the increased payroll might not matter compared to building a team for the long-term.

 

That is a valid concern, but if he'd keep Wrigley and allow for baseball people to run things it can't be all bad right?

 

His success with the Mavs has been long-term. Snyder has never won at all. I don't see how the comparison is valid, although I certainly admit there's no way to predict with 100% certainty that Cuban would be successful here.

 

Well if you look at involved owners, ala Jerry Jones and Al Davis, most of the time it's not a successful venture since the people you would be hiring to run things know considerably more then you. Snyder got Archuleta for crying out loud, and then stuck him in a position for a system that is the antithesis of everything that he's good at. Owners don't make the best decision makers usually. That's why they hire (hopefully good) presidents and GM's to do that for them.

[Cubfanintheknow]

While the concept of Cuban and an increased payroll as well as upgrades to the locker room (as much that can be done) as well as travel is a positive, I get concerned about him trying to play fantasy baseball ala Snyder in Washington. He's been the owner of a successful franchise that was terrible before he got there that he helped turnaround, but if his hand is in the cookie jar more than it should be, the increased payroll might not matter compared to building a team for the long-term.

 

That is a valid concern, but if he'd keep Wrigley and allow for baseball people to run things it can't be all bad right?

 

His success with the Mavs has been long-term. Snyder has never won at all. I don't see how the comparison is valid, although I certainly admit there's no way to predict with 100% certainty that Cuban would be successful here.

 

The Redskins are Snyder's first venture into the world of pro sports. I've read several bios on Cuban (in newspapers and magazines) and the articles always mention how Cuban has learned how to run a pro sports franchise and develop a team (kind of like the team he has now) rather than try to buy a bunch of good players but still suck (like the 'Skins).

[David]

While the concept of Cuban and an increased payroll as well as upgrades to the locker room (as much that can be done) as well as travel is a positive, I get concerned about him trying to play fantasy baseball ala Snyder in Washington. He's been the owner of a successful franchise that was terrible before he got there that he helped turnaround, but if his hand is in the cookie jar more than it should be, the increased payroll might not matter compared to building a team for the long-term.

 

I don't see that "fantasy baseball" mindset as nearly as much of a cause for concern in baseball as it would be in football or basketball. Baseball isn't really a team game in the way that other team sports are, where, a lot of times, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

 

It's more of a bunch of individual outcomes adding up to an overall team result. One individual's success doesn't take away another's opportunity for success (unless you're worried about RBIs, but that's a whole separate argument), in fact, on offense, for instance, not making an out creates more opportunities for success. It's not like basketball where a selfish player could hurt the team, or football where each player on the field has a specialized role.

 

I think I'm just stating the obvious here, but my point, more or less, is that I don't see the so-called fantasy baseball approach as one that would be all that bad in baseball. You could take a top five player at every position and take no regard to how these players would work together, and you'd likely have the best team in baseball, or close to it.

 

/non-angry rant

[papabear58]

Unless your players were so busy fighting in the clubhouse (ala Bonds vs. Kent) that they had a hard time focusing on baseball.

[David]

Unless your players were so busy fighting in the clubhouse (ala Bonds vs. Kent) that they had a hard time focusing on baseball.

 

I could've sworn that team went to a World Series. ;)

[Derwood]

Cuban isn't infallible. He did, afterall, let Nash go to the Suns

[papabear58]

Unless your players were so busy fighting in the clubhouse (ala Bonds vs. Kent) that they had a hard time focusing on baseball.

 

I could've sworn that team went to a World Series. ;)

 

Yes, but look at the fallout the next season with Kent gone. If you had an entire team full of altercations like that it wouldn't be something easily overcome. Or more of the Sammy Sosa boombox things going on. Egos can play a lot in all sports, baseball included.