Bruce Levine: "Cubs Could Handle $135M Payroll"

[HoopsCubs]

On the hot stove baseball show this morning on ESPN radio AM 1000, Bruce Levine said on a couple of occasions that he believes the Cubs actual payroll for 2008 will be close to $125M, but he sees no reason why the club couldn't push it to $135M. The only thing holding them back is themselves. He reiterated that he believes the team will stick to $125M.

 

It was said in the context of discussing a trade with Baltimore for Brian Roberts.

 

Levine thinks the Cubs should trade for Roberts and Erik Bedard plus add Kosuke Fukudome, which would necessitate a $135M payroll.

 

In his trade scenario for both Roberts and Bedard, Levine believes Andy MacPhail would be satisfied with Rich Hill, Felix Pie, Ronny Cedeno and Donald Veal.

 

 

Hoops

[RammyFanny]

Kind of what I was thinking too, in terms of payroll. Not that we necessarily will have it that high just to have it that high, but if a right scenario came along we could do it. There's no reason why we can't add alot of payroll, as long as it makes the team more attractive to potential buyers.

 

As far as Bedard, was that just purely what Levine wanted or did he kind of give a hint that we may be interested?

[WolvCub 17]

On the hot stove baseball show this morning on ESPN radio AM 1000, Bruce Levine said on a couple of occasions that he believes the Cubs actual payroll for 2008 will be close to $125M, but he sees no reason why the club couldn't push it to $135M. The only thing holding them back is themselves. He reiterated that he believes the team will stick to $125M.

 

It was said in the context of discussing a trade with Baltimore for Brian Roberts.

 

Levine thinks the Cubs should trade for Roberts and Erik Bedard plus add Kosuke Fukudome, which would necessitate a $135M payroll.

 

In his trade scenario for both Roberts and Bedard, Levine believes Andy MacPhail would be satisfied with Rich Hill, Felix Pie, Ronny Cedeno and Donald Veal.

 

 

Hoops

 

I agree with Levine. The Cubs should part themselves with Pie and Hill if it nets Roberts and Bedard. I love Hill, given he went to Michigan, but he is 28 and mentally weak on the mound when the breaks don't go his way. Bedard, on the other hand, has proven he can pitch in the ultra-tough AL East. With Roberts at 2nd, Murton and DeRosa can platoon in right. I would be comfortable with the following lineup:

1. Soriano - LF

2. Roberts - 2b

3. Lee - 1b

4. Fukudome - CF

5. Ramirez - 3b

6. DeRosa/Murton - RF

7. Soto - C

8. Theriot - ss

9. Bedard, Z, Lilly, Marquis, Gallagher/Marshall/Hart/Dempster

[HoopsCubs]

As far as Bedard, was that just purely what Levine wanted or did he kind of give a hint that we may be interested?

 

It was his opinion of what he would do if he was GM. Based on everything he knows, the Cubs are not interested in acquiring Bedard.

 

He says Hendry is serious when he says Rich Hill is not going to be traded. He believes Hendry would trade Pie in the right scenario if Fukudome was signed.

[traderumor]

Kind of what I was thinking too, in terms of payroll. Not that we necessarily will have it that high just to have it that high, but if a right scenario came along we could do it. There's no reason why we can't add alot of payroll, as long as it makes the team more attractive to potential buyers.

 

As far as Bedard, was that just purely what Levine wanted or did he kind of give a hint that we may be interested?

 

 

 

I didn't hear the show but i guess it was him throwing around an idea. I haven't seen anything that suggest the cubs are after Bedard. I think one of the chicago beat writers said the cubs aren't in on Bedard yesterday.

[JeffH]

If the Cubs can support a payroll like that, I have a message for Jim Hendry.

 

Tender a contract offer to Mark Prior!

[Butterscup1679666578]

Prior doesn't want to be here. Get over it.

[Guest]

Prior doesn't want to be here. Get over it.

 

So? The Cubs still control him for one more year.

[JeffH]

Prior doesn't want to be here. Get over it.

 

That is altogether irrelevant.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Prior doesn't want to be here. Get over it.

 

That is altogether irrelevant.

 

So we're going to give him a 1 year deal to sit on the bench until June-July? If I'm keeping Prior on this team I want complete leverage. I want Prior under contract this year, and I want the team to have a team or mutual option for 09. He's not going to give us that, so trade him and keep the $2.8M free to make some moves. There is no reason to put this much time and effort into this guy right now.

[JeffH]

Prior doesn't want to be here. Get over it.

 

That is altogether irrelevant.

 

So we're going to give him a 1 year deal to sit on the bench until June-July? If I'm keeping Prior on this team I want complete leverage. I want Prior under contract this year, and I want the team to have a team or mutual option for 09. He's not going to give us that, so trade him and keep the $2.8M free to make some moves. There is no reason to put this much time and effort into this guy right now.

 

Keep him under contract. When he starts pitching, if he shows anything at all, you'll be able to trade him for something more valuable than the Rob Mackowiak kind of guy you could buy for $2.8. Or, maybe he'll help you in the rotation down the stretch.

[98navigator]

I heard the show as well and Levine's comments about the Cubs payroll increasing was in direct relationship to the rising cost of free agents and the Cubs recent willingness to spend (it was also contrasting Kenny Williams/Sox reluctance to pay market value/out bid other teams even in the absence of many quality MiL'ers to trade). Also, he only mentioned Bedard in response to a caller wondering why he had not heard the Cubs expressing interest in him. Levine's response was his own feelings not what he thought the Cubs would do.

[Post Count Padder]

Well, that's good news I guess. That is if the money is used wisely, which is always a concern with Jim Hendry

[mdwilla]

If Hendry is willing to part with Pie if they net Fukodome , I see no reason why Hendry can't use the his extra payroll to go get Miggy/Roberts. Or if Hendry could find a taker for Marquis he could look into upgrading the rotation by offering a contract to a guy like Colon.

[BCVM22]

If Hendry is willing to part with Pie if they net Fukodome , I see no reason why Hendry can't use the his extra payroll to go get Miggy/Roberts. Or if Hendry could find a taker for Marquis he could look into upgrading the rotation by offering a contract to a guy like Colon.

 

As in Bartolo Colon, The guy who hasn't been completely healthy since 2005? The guy who's made 28 starts and pitched 155 2/3 innings over the last 2 seasons? That Bartolo Colon? That's an upgrade?

[Clem Fandango]

Erik Bedard's health issues suck. The fact that he was so good this year will net him a king's ransom, but something a lot of people seem to be ignoring is the fact that Bedard has only pitched one full season and still has some health issues. I'd be wary to give up someone who could pan out to be valuable considering Bedard has, if I'm not mistaken, had troubles with his health ever since he's been in the league.

[fibro]

He also talked about possible tampering from another team with Prior that could net the Cubs 3mill. I missed most what he was saying I assume the team was the Padres. Did anyone else hear this who could fill in some the details.

 

Also like this show much more before Coppock became part the show.

[TruffleShuffle]

of course the cubs could afford a payroll that high. They play in the third most populous city in the country, sell out more or less every home game at some of the highest ticket prices in the majors, and have a national following with the help of a significant cable network available in many areas. The fact that the Cubs willing to swell their payroll by almost $25M this year pretty much shows how much in profits the Trib has been raking in over the past several years. Incompetent management is the biggest reason that the Cubs suck, but their spending limit is much higher than they've led people to believe.

[SouthSideRyan]

Prior doesn't want to be here. Get over it.

 

That is altogether irrelevant.

 

So we're going to give him a 1 year deal to sit on the bench until June-July? If I'm keeping Prior on this team I want complete leverage. I want Prior under contract this year, and I want the team to have a team or mutual option for 09. He's not going to give us that, so trade him and keep the $2.8M free to make some moves. There is no reason to put this much time and effort into this guy right now.

 

Then you have 2.8M free to make invariably stupid moves.

[mdwilla]

Hopefully Fukudome decides really fast. Depending on how much he costs it could help Hendry spin off Prior in deal for Khali Green or as part of package in a blockster for Tejeada/Roberts.

I don't think Prior wants to be here Hendry doesn't have a choice . It's gonna suck when he returns to full form in 2009.

[RammyFanny]

He also talked about possible tampering from another team with Prior that could net the Cubs 3mill. I missed most what he was saying I assume the team was the Padres. Did anyone else hear this who could fill in some the details.

 

Also like this show much more before Coppock became part the show.

Probably about Towers talking to Prior on their "morning walks" or whatever that quote was.

[NCCubFan]

Hopefully Fukudome decides really fast. Depending on how much he costs it could help Hendry spin off Prior in deal for Khali Green or as part of package in a blockster for Tejeada/Roberts.

I don't think Prior wants to be here Hendry doesn't have a choice . It's gonna suck when he returns to full form in 2009.

Hendry has plenty of choice, since the Cubs control Prior for one more season. That at least buys time, hoping that a new owner and hopefully a new GM will cause Prior's feelings toward remaining with the Cubs long-term to change.

[RammyFanny]

I know team's overvalue their players, but man is the Orioles fans consensus on what they'll get a bit high.

 

Well, this is actually part of the argument here.

 

How bad do the Reds want Bruce?

 

Let's say the Dodgers put a Meloan, LaRoche, Kemp and McDonald deal on the table.

 

We tell the Reds, you must trade us Bruce, Votto, Cueto and Encarncion to match this.

 

If you look at it, the deals are similar.

 

McDonald = Cueto

LaRoche= Votto

Meloan's value is probably very close to, or the same as, Encarnacion.

 

Then you have Bruce and Kemp...This is a tough call here IMO.

 

I could see the Dodgers being willing to trade that package...So, if the Reds really want Bedard, are they willing to step up to the plate with the Dodgers or Mariners to get it done?

 

The consensus is they could also get a Adam Jones, Brandon Morrow/and Balentin (Sp) from the Mariners. Maybe it's just me, but we are talking about alot of serious prospects headed that way if it ends up being remotely close to what they are thinking.

 

Surprisingly, they've seemed to soften up on Roberts and most would ok the deal if it's Gallagher+Murton or Epatt.

[Abe Frohman]

Should the Cubs get Fukudome, I'm thinking we have options in the OF....

 

Best Defensive OF: Soriano LF, Pie CF, Fook RF.

 

Best Overall OF: Soriano LF, Fook CF, Murton RF.