Levine: Fukudome a Cub (was Kosuke coming to U.S.)

[JeffH]

okay, so it's now 9:15am on wednesday morning in Japan.

 

It is?

[DenverCubs]

I think it's like 6:30 am

[CubColtPacer]

Where's the proof then that the Cubs have had this advantage over the last 5-10 years? Your only defense seems to be that the numbers are wrong (and these numbers can be derived from a multitude of places) that despite what the numbers say the Cubs have had some sort of advantage. Where is this advantage showing up then?

 

Pretty much every forum that has this info lists the payroll of the team's opening day roster. For instance, you won't see the $16m the Cubs paid Baltimore to take Sammy Sosa, or the $3+ million they paid Rusch not to pitch. They will not account for midseason acquisitions like Nomar Garciaparra, Aramis Ramirez, Kenny Lofton, or Steve Trachsel. They won't include the money the Cubs will pay Detroit to take Jones.

 

They fail to take into account a lot of things, and when you do take this into account, it's clear the Cubs have had financial resources to spend than their divisional competition.

 

That is certainly a factor in to why those numbers would be off. At the same time, over the years the Cardinals have added plenty of money at the deadline themselves (probably more than the Cubs have because the Cubs have rarely been good enough to add payroll during the season), and both have had years where they have cut money at the deadline.

 

As for paying money as part of a trade, iirc the Cardinals have done that a lot less than the Cubs have. At the same time, the Cardianls have been much more active during the season of cutting struggling players, eating the dead money, and signing new players for small contracts that still add up.

 

Those reasons do throw the reported figures off, but that still doesn't push the Cubs significantly above the Cardinals.

[Derwood]

okay, so it's now 9:15am on wednesday morning in Japan.

 

It is?

 

my fault, 7:30am now

[SABR Gamer]

From Bruce-o-Rama's column:

 

If the Cubs can sign Fukudome and trade for Roberts, they can use the versatile Mark DeRosa in a "super" utility role, playing him at all four infield spots and at the outfield corners when one of the regulars is injured or needs a rest.

 

if derosa's capable of playing ss, he damn well better be playing everyday.

 

He did play there for a game last year. Does anyone remember which game that was? I can't say I remember it.

 

I was at that game, DeRosa looked fine, and much better the Fontenot, who, for the first couple innings of the game, Lou thought was a big enough offensive upgrade to live with his defense as the every day short stop. If Lou was willing to give Fontenot a shot to be the SS because of his hitting, how in the hell is he not willing to give DeRosa a shot who would be an amazing upgrade over Theriot. Theriot is probably better at D at short but its not like hes a GGer, hes just ok, it wont kill us to not have his D. I'm pretty sure Mark has a better arm than Theriot too.

Edited December 11, 2007 by New York Cubs Fan

[Omar]

okay, so it's now 9:15am on wednesday morning in Japan.

 

It is?

 

my fault, 7:30am now

 

SmarterChild: The time in Tokyo, Japan is Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 6:34:25 am.

[CubinNY]

Where's the proof then that the Cubs have had this advantage over the last 5-10 years? Your only defense seems to be that the numbers are wrong (and these numbers can be derived from a multitude of places) that despite what the numbers say the Cubs have had some sort of advantage. Where is this advantage showing up then?

 

Pretty much every forum that has this info lists the payroll of the team's opening day roster. For instance, you won't see the $16m the Cubs paid Baltimore to take Sammy Sosa, or the $3+ million they paid Rusch not to pitch. They will not account for midseason acquisitions like Nomar Garciaparra, Aramis Ramirez, Kenny Lofton, or Steve Trachsel. They won't include the money the Cubs will pay Detroit to take Jones.

 

They fail to take into account a lot of things, and when you do take this into account, it's clear the Cubs have had financial resources to spend than their divisional competition.

 

That is certainly a factor in to why those numbers would be off. At the same time, over the years the Cardinals have added plenty of money at the deadline themselves (probably more than the Cubs have because the Cubs have rarely been good enough to add payroll during the season), and both have had years where they have cut money at the deadline.

 

As for paying money as part of a trade, iirc the Cardinals have done that a lot less than the Cubs have. At the same time, the Cardianls have been much more active during the season of cutting struggling players, eating the dead money, and signing new players for small contracts that still add up.

 

Those reasons do throw the reported figures off, but that still doesn't push the Cubs significantly above the Cardinals.

How much is significant? I'd say $1 dollar more than it takes to get a player they want.

 

The fact is that the Cubs have spent more to get less than almost any other team in baseball. They have an advantage over every team in this division, including the Cardinals. And it isn't even close. In the Hendry era they've spent plenty and have nothing to show for it but a couple of mediocre seasons and a few terrible ones.

[Derwood]

okay, so it's now 9:15am on wednesday morning in Japan.

 

It is?

 

my fault, 7:30am now

 

SmarterChild: The time in Tokyo, Japan is Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 6:34:25 am.

 

so they're 15 hours ahead of central time, not 16?

[JeffH]

okay, so it's now 9:15am on wednesday morning in Japan.

 

It is?

 

my fault, 7:30am now

 

SmarterChild: The time in Tokyo, Japan is Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 6:34:25 am.

 

so they're 15 hours ahead of central time, not 16?

 

Refresh this:

 

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oGklPl_F5HkBIBBUFXNyoA?p=current+time+japan&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=UTF-8

[jersey cubs fan]

Where's the proof then that the Cubs have had this advantage over the last 5-10 years? Your only defense seems to be that the numbers are wrong (and these numbers can be derived from a multitude of places) that despite what the numbers say the Cubs have had some sort of advantage. Where is this advantage showing up then?

 

Pretty much every forum that has this info lists the payroll of the team's opening day roster. For instance, you won't see the $16m the Cubs paid Baltimore to take Sammy Sosa, or the $3+ million they paid Rusch not to pitch. They will not account for midseason acquisitions like Nomar Garciaparra, Aramis Ramirez, Kenny Lofton, or Steve Trachsel. They won't include the money the Cubs will pay Detroit to take Jones.

 

They fail to take into account a lot of things, and when you do take this into account, it's clear the Cubs have had financial resources to spend than their divisional competition.

 

That is certainly a factor in to why those numbers would be off. At the same time, over the years the Cardinals have added plenty of money at the deadline themselves (probably more than the Cubs have because the Cubs have rarely been good enough to add payroll during the season), and both have had years where they have cut money at the deadline.

 

As for paying money as part of a trade, iirc the Cardinals have done that a lot less than the Cubs have. At the same time, the Cardianls have been much more active during the season of cutting struggling players, eating the dead money, and signing new players for small contracts that still add up.

 

Those reasons do throw the reported figures off, but that still doesn't push the Cubs significantly above the Cardinals.

 

Yes it does. The Sosa money alone makes 2005 go from 92-87 to 103-92 and blows your averages away. STL has never done anything close to that. They traded for Larry Walker in 2004, but Colorado threw in $8m in cash, meaning they paid the rest of 2004 and part of 2005 (yet USA Today gives Walker's entire salary to the Cardinals payroll).

[Omar]

okay, so it's now 9:15am on wednesday morning in Japan.

 

It is?

 

my fault, 7:30am now

 

SmarterChild: The time in Tokyo, Japan is Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 6:34:25 am.

 

so they're 15 hours ahead of central time, not 16?

 

Refresh this:

 

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oGklPl_F5HkBIBBUFXNyoA?p=current+time+japan&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=UTF-8

 

Or you can just add 3 hours to the current time (if you're in the Central) and make it a.m.

[DenverCubs]

okay, so it's now 9:15am on wednesday morning in Japan.

 

It is?

 

my fault, 7:30am now

 

SmarterChild: The time in Tokyo, Japan is Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 6:34:25 am.

 

so they're 15 hours ahead of central time, not 16?

 

Refresh this:

 

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oGklPl_F5HkBIBBUFXNyoA?p=current+time+japan&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=UTF-8

 

Or you can just add 3 hours to the current time (if you're in the Central) and make it a.m.

I bet you figured that out just for Fukudome...huhh...

[Derwood]

OMG, Fukudome is in the FUTURE

[E.J.]

With all this buildup there's definitely going to be a letdown if he signs with the Cubs, especially if he signs for the money that we've been hearing.

[jersey cubs fan]

I figured this out when my wife was working in Tokyo and we'd call each other from the office.

[swordsman]

OMG, Fukudome is in the FUTURE

 

maybe he could read tomorrows paper, then call us and tell us what he ends up doing.

 

wait...

[YearofDaCubs]

okay, so it's now 9:15am on wednesday morning in Japan.

 

It is?

 

my fault, 7:30am now

 

SmarterChild: The time in Tokyo, Japan is Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 6:34:25 am.

 

so they're 15 hours ahead of central time, not 16?

 

Refresh this:

 

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oGklPl_F5HkBIBBUFXNyoA?p=current+time+japan&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=UTF-8

 

Or you can just add 3 hours to the current time (if you're in the Central) and make it a.m.

Nice.

[David]

With all this buildup there's definitely going to be a letdown if he signs with the Cubs, especially if he signs for the money that we've been hearing.

 

 

Whereas, if he signs elsewhere, this thread will blow up like nobody's ever seen.

 

If a = posts in this thread after we sign Fukudome, 10a = posts in this thread if the Pads sign him, and 20a = posts in this thread if the Sox get him...

[nilodnayr]

Ugh. Just got back from my final (pretty sure I Aced it, though!) and still nothing new to report. C'mon Kfuk.

 

I don't care if it's only 5am in Tokyo...Wake up and make some money.

 

SmarterChild (2:00:56 PM): The time in Tokyo, Japan is Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 5:00:41 am.

 

I had no idea Tokyo was 14 hours, 59 minutes and 45 seconds ahead of us. Weird.

[Guest]

Haha, I remember IMing Smart Child about 8-9 years ago. Good times.

[Roast]

With all this buildup there's definitely going to be a letdown if he signs with the Cubs, especially if he signs for the money that we've been hearing.

 

 

Whereas, if he signs elsewhere, this thread will blow up like nobody's ever seen.

 

If a = posts in this thread after we sign Fukudome, 10a = posts in this thread if the Pads sign him, and 20a = posts in this thread if the Sox get him...

 

No - the site would simply blow up.

[Roast]

Haha, I remember IMing Smart Child about 8-9 years ago. Good times.

 

Smarter child told me he loved me.

[David]

I don't know. I was hoping there'd be enough of the Cubs fans, like myself, who couldn't give two craps about the Sox that it would sort of mitigate that effect.

[nilodnayr]

Haha, I remember IMing Smart Child about 8-9 years ago. Good times.

 

Smarter child told me he loved me.

How do you know smarter child isn't female...SEXIST!!!!!!

[Omar]

Haha, I remember IMing Smart Child about 8-9 years ago. Good times.

 

Smarter child told me he loved me.

How do you know smarter child isn't female...SEXIST!!!!!!

 

Really useful bot with the dictionary, news, and encyclopedia being my favorites.

 

I remember times less than 30 people were chatting with him. Now...

 

Cubs4Life421: How many people are you talking to?

SmarterChild: 7,427 people are chatting with me right now.