No Money for 08?

[CP_414]

Everyday I read or hear that the Cubs will have very little money to spend this offseason due to the stalled sale. Have they come out and said this? If not, why is this assumed to be true? I know they have a bunch of raises due next season, but they also have Floyd, Barett/Kendall, Izturis off the books and I think they could move Jones and Dempsters salaries if they wanted to.

 

The Tribune went out and spent a bunch of money in long-term contracts last offseason because they knew they were selling the team and would not have to pay off the contracts. Why would this offseason be any different? If they are concerned about adding long-term debt to the franchise that could hurt the value of the team, they sure didn't act like it last winter when they were in the same situation.

 

What would stop them from throwing huge money at A-Rod and letting the next owner pay it off? Isn't that what they thought they were doing with Soriano?

[E.J.]

I actually don't have any problems with the Cubs not having any money to spend this offseason if this it true. I don't want to see Hendry giving out any more ridiculous contracts. I can live with a crappy offseason if new ownership comes in and cleans house.

[NYF]

hard to tell. the question is entirely economic in nature. you 'might' be able to add A-Rod @ 30M IF some contracts were gone. doubtful the Trib/ Hendry would freely spend someone else's money unless the bottom line of the franchise is enhanced. A-Rod (AL MVP) would accomplish this agenda, but if the accumulated payroll surpasses the luxury tax, it simply won't happen for obvious reasons.

 

cut payroll.

 

has Boras/ A-Rod declared FA?

 

moot point as it stands today...

[CP_414]

To clarify: I am not saying they should throw money around. I am asking why seemingly everyone assumes they can't when their situation appears to be the same as it was last winter.

[NewUserName]

Not a good free agent market. I would just as soon stay out.

[dew1679666265]

Not a good free agent market. I would just as soon stay out.

 

I have no problem staying out of the free agent market, but I definitely see some opportunities to improve the club through trades (and thus, likely add payroll). The Renteria talks is just one of a few feasible trade ideas I really like.

 

You are correct that there are few free agents I'd have interest in - outside of ARod obviously.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Fukudome

[BCVM22]

Fukudome

 

You kiss your mother with that mouth?

[C.C.]

I actually don't have any problems with the Cubs not having any money to spend this offseason if this it true. I don't want to see Hendry giving out any more ridiculous contracts. I can live with a crappy offseason if new ownership comes in and cleans house.

 

I can't. We aren't that far off from making another run at it.

[Guest]

hard to tell. the question is entirely economic in nature. you 'might' be able to add A-Rod @ 30M IF some contracts were gone. doubtful the Trib/ Hendry would freely spend someone else's money unless the bottom line of the franchise is enhanced. A-Rod (AL MVP) would accomplish this agenda, but if the accumulated payroll surpasses the luxury tax, it simply won't happen for obvious reasons.

 

cut payroll.

 

has Boras/ A-Rod declared FA?

 

moot point as it stands today...

 

Not yet. ARod has until 10 days after the World Series ends to opt out. I would imagine Boras is trying to see how much he can squeeze out of Steinbrenner and the Yankees before that date.

[shnsajax]

hard to tell. the question is entirely economic in nature. you 'might' be able to add A-Rod @ 30M IF some contracts were gone. doubtful the Trib/ Hendry would freely spend someone else's money unless the bottom line of the franchise is enhanced. A-Rod (AL MVP) would accomplish this agenda, but if the accumulated payroll surpasses the luxury tax, it simply won't happen for obvious reasons.

 

cut payroll.

 

has Boras/ A-Rod declared FA?

 

moot point as it stands today...

 

Not yet. ARod has until 10 days after the World Series ends to opt out. I would imagine Boras is trying to see how much he can squeeze out of Steinbrenner and the Yankees before that date.

 

It appears that Steinbrenner's sons are taking over daily operations. I wonder what their take on the Arod and Torre is?

[mdwilla]

besides A-rod , if the yankee's don't pick up Abreu that would a short term deal I wouldn't mind the Cubs exploring.

[shnsajax]

besides A-rod , if the yankee's don't pick up Abreu that would a short term deal I wouldn't mind the Cubs exploring.

 

I would be shocked if Abreu was not a Yankee next season.

[Marco4]

besides A-rod , if the yankee's don't pick up Abreu that would a short term deal I wouldn't mind the Cubs exploring.

 

I would be shocked if Abreu was not a Yankee next season.

 

I often find myself using Bobby Abreu's name to express something good (sort of elongated - Aaaaabreeeeeeee-oooooooo (ish)) so it'd be useful if he was a Cub.

[Warren Brusstar]

Fukudome

 

No.

 

Murton. Equivalent production at a fraction of the cost.

[jaxxradio]

Ronnie Woo Woo, the Tribune doesn't want to spend anymore money because it might disrupt the possible sale of the team.

 

Look at it this way, if you were to buy the team and the soon to be former owners just spent another 20-30 million on next years payroll, you might be a little perturbed. Especially if its money spent on players that you don't like.

[SouthSideRyan]

Ronnie Woo Woo, the Tribune doesn't want to spend anymore money because it might disrupt the possible sale of the team.

 

Look at it this way, if you were to buy the team and the soon to be former owners just spent another 20-30 million on next years payroll, you might be a little perturbed. Especially if its money spent on players that you don't like.

 

If it's money spent on valuable assets then it makes the Cubs worth more. I agree with you on how it'll probably shake out, but that doesn't mean it's logical.

[Burtonbell]

I honestly dont think the Cubs will make any transactions until the sale is done. I am expecting the deal to go through after all the major free agents and trades will go down. Some time in Nov/Dec I think. This team sale is unprecedented.

 

I think next years team will look very similar to this years team. I could be wrong (I hope I am) and the sale goes through early enough and quickly enough that the new owners have a chance to get their feet wet this offseason. I am not betting on it though.

[TBone]

Given that the commish vetoed a Jacque Jones trade during the seaon due to payroll implications and the upcoming sale of the club, I find it hard to believe MLB would allow the Cubs to go out and spend a bunch of money, let alone the Trib. I would _think_ that once the books are sent out for review by potential buyers, you wouldn't be able to alter the numbers that much, but I really have no idea about that.

 

T

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Given that the commish vetoed a Jacque Jones trade during the seaon due to payroll implications and the upcoming sale of the club,T

 

THATS NOT TRUE!

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/9412/gundyws7.jpg

 

And whoever wrote that article is GARBAGE!.

[NCCubFan]

Given that the commish vetoed a Jacque Jones trade during the seaon due to payroll implications and the upcoming sale of the club, I find it hard to believe MLB would allow the Cubs to go out and spend a bunch of money, let alone the Trib. I would _think_ that once the books are sent out for review by potential buyers, you wouldn't be able to alter the numbers that much, but I really have no idea about that.

 

T

That report has been debunked numerous times. It wasn't the commissioner vetoing the trade and it wasn't Zell. It was Hendry finally coming to his senses and realizing that the return wasn't worth it for them to pay as much of Jones' salary as the Marlins were asking for.

[badnews]

I'm not so optimistic on the trade market. Any team in the outright buyer's position will be at a disadvantage I'm guessing because everybody is looking at the free agent market and grimacing. People are talking about 4 years, $44 million for Carlos Silva, that's enough to have anyone working the phones.

 

Perhaps it's time the Cubs sell high on someone instead of low. Some team is going to make a bad trade this offseason, I hope the Cubs can rob somebody.