Front Office Concerned About Spending Big $ on One Player

[J.R.]

Just trying to be fair-minded about this.

 

The organization has been horrendous when it comes to shaping perception and playing public opinion in its favor. I am willing to believe that a lesson or two have been learned.

 

Upon further thought, this is all wrong. The organization has had great success in shaping perception and playing public opinion in its favor against its selected scapegoats over the years.

 

My point is that perhaps now they will use these powers for the benefit of the club.

[illiniguy]

I really hope this isn't for real. I'd hate to think we have a small market owner employing a GM who couldn't build a winner with $140 million payroll.

[MasterBlaster]

It seems too many people don't want to believe that there are many billionaires where owning a sports team is nothing more to them than a status symbol, and something to brag about with friends at cocktail parties.

[Backtobanks]

It seems too many people don't want to believe that there are many billionaires where owning a sports team is nothing more to them than a status symbol, and something to brag about with friends at cocktail parties.

 

And a big tax write off.

[TruffleShuffle]

It seems too many people don't want to believe that there are many billionaires where owning a sports team is nothing more to them than a status symbol, and something to brag about with friends at cocktail parties.

 

yeah that's probably why ricketts just spent like $15 million in the past year on amateur talent, so he could brag to his rich friends about it at cocktail parties.

[Guest]

It seems too many people don't want to believe that there are many billionaires where owning a sports team is nothing more to them than a status symbol, and something to brag about with friends at cocktail parties.

 

yeah that's probably why ricketts just spent like $15 million in the past year on amateur talent, so he could brag to his rich friends about it at cocktail parties.

 

Yep, if there's one hallmark of an owner who's in it for the vanity, it's the family who makes the son Chairman and then immediately starts heavy investment in amateur talent.

[SouthSideRyan]

If I wanted to impress my billionaire friends, I'd make sure to own the team that is widely known as losers.

[Sammy Sofa]

"Hey Buffy...did you see the baseball team I paid nearly a billion dollars for lost a hundred games? Yeah, I know, I'm pretty awesome. Wanna go bang in my solid gold hovercraft?"

[CyHawk_Cub]

"Hey Buffy...did you see the baseball team I paid nearly a billion dollars for lost a hundred games? Yeah, I know, I'm pretty awesome. Wanna go bang in my solid gold hovercraft?"

 

Awesome

[Little Slide Rooter]

It seems too many people don't want to believe that there are many billionaires where owning a sports team is nothing more to them than a status symbol, and something to brag about with friends at cocktail parties.

 

http://www.bringyourbud.com/blog/image.axd?picture=2011%2F6%2Fmajor-league-lou-brown.jpg

[UMFan83]

I'm pretty sure Ricketts only bought the Cubs to push his free range bison dogs on the masses at Wrigley.

[Elwood]

Len Kasper's thoughts on the situation.

 

My point is, signing a big-ticket 1B doesn't cure all the problems this roster presents. So keep in mind that Pena might possibly represent a serviceable (and much less expensive) alternative to the top free agent first basemen out there, which would allow the Cubs to better fill other holes on the roster.

 

http://www.wgntv.com/blogs/lenandbob/wgntv-if-at-first-did-you-succeed-20110816,0,4264521.story

Edited August 17, 2011 by Elwood

[Sammy Sofa]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

[Elwood]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

 

BUT HE'S A GREAT CLUBHOUSE GUY!

[SouthSideRyan]

Et tu Len?

[mul21]

Well, if they trade Byrd and go get a right fielder, that may not be the worst thing in the world. This is assuming BJax is good to go at the start of next season and they get some more starting pitching.

[mookie]

Oh wow. I didn't realize how well Jackson has been performing since being promoted to AAA.

[Guest]

Paradoxically, that sort of attitude would end up with the same result as the people who dislike signing Pujols/Fielder because we need to “blow it up” keep fearing. Where exactly is that money going to be spent? You keep Ramirez, you go get someone like Wilson. Then what? Add someone like JD Drew or Michael Cuddyer? That’s the exact type of band-aid that people are decrying. There’s no outfielders or second basemen that are long term solutions. Sure the trade market is a possibility, but that hardly seems like a good reason to pass on pursuing a perennial all-star or generational talent at a position of need. Spend the money on fixes for now and later, don’t spread all the money around so you end up with a similar net gain this year and the same problems in a year or so.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Paradoxically, that sort of attitude would end up with the same result as the people who dislike signing Pujols/Fielder because we need to “blow it up” keep fearing. Where exactly is that money going to be spent? You keep Ramirez, you go get someone like Wilson. Then what? Add someone like JD Drew or Michael Cuddyer? That’s the exact type of band-aid that people are decrying. There’s no outfielders or second basemen that are long term solutions. Sure the trade market is a possibility, but that hardly seems like a good reason to pass on pursuing a perennial all-star or generational talent at a position of need. Spend the money on fixes for now and later, don’t spread all the money around so you end up with a similar net gain this year and the same problems in a year or so.

 

I'd actually be fine with a band-aid in RF (by that I mean specifically Carlos Beltran) if and only if:

 

One of the 1B is brought in

A TOR starter is added

 

I wanted to include trading Byrd and starting Jackson so that there's freed up money for such a move, but I really couldn't care less about pretending to know their budget for next year. To me it's just one of many possible ways to field a contender over the next couple seasons.

[Elwood]

I'd actually be fine with a band-aid in RF (by that I mean specifically Carlos Beltran) if and only if:

 

One of the 1B is brought in

A TOR starter is added

 

I wanted to include trading Byrd and starting Jackson so that there's freed up money for such a move, but I really couldn't care less about pretending to know their budget for next year. To me it's just one of many possible ways to field a contender over the next couple seasons.

 

So you want to add Beltran, Wilson, and one of Fielder or Pujols? That seems pretty optimistic.

[Sammy Sofa]

How the hell is Beltran a "band-aid?"

[Ding Dong Johnson]

How the hell is Beltran a "band-aid?"

He'll be 35 next season and has had issues staying healthy the last couple of years.

[Elwood]

Wow, I didn't realize he was that old.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

How the hell is Beltran a "band-aid?"

 

Based purely on age...to be completely honest I just see him as an elite player trying to age gracefully and win.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I'd actually be fine with a band-aid in RF (by that I mean specifically Carlos Beltran) if and only if:

 

One of the 1B is brought in

A TOR starter is added

 

I wanted to include trading Byrd and starting Jackson so that there's freed up money for such a move, but I really couldn't care less about pretending to know their budget for next year. To me it's just one of many possible ways to field a contender over the next couple seasons.

 

So you want to add Beltran, Wilson, and one of Fielder or Pujols? That seems pretty optimistic.

 

Like I said one of many routes they could go...they have the ammo to make a big trade if they wanted....RF would be a spot to do it.