2013

[treebird]

Does anybody have a clue what the Cubs debt situation is?

 

they recently received a threatening phone call from a real mean sounding guy and have heightened security around theo's kneecaps

 

i heard they have a bunch of third notices and one fourth notice that says "we break thumbs"

[Sammys Boombox]

Does anybody have a clue what the Cubs debt situation is?

 

they recently received a threatening phone call from a real mean sounding guy and have heightened security around theo's kneecaps

 

i heard they have a bunch of third notices and one fourth notice that says "we break thumbs"

 

Well, I guess we're screwed then.

[davell]

Not sure whether it's possible to find exacts on Cubs debt situation or not. But the Ricketts paid under 900 mill for the franchise and part of CSN(25%?). They put down close to 400 mill in cash. A couple years ago, they showed up on MLB's "naughty" list of being out of debt ratio. But all that meant was they owed more than 10 times their yearly operating income. Basically, any team that had been sold in the last decade was on that list and Selig immediately came out and said the Cubs were fine. At one point, the Ricketts family had 2 billion tied up in Ameritrade stock(after the purchase), no clue if thats still the case. At any rate, I'd think if they decided to sell the Cubs right now, they'd make a very nice profit. But it could be hard to gauge true value with the renovation supposedly about to happen, because no one knows if or how much help they'll be getting.

[Cubswin11]

Not sure whether it's possible to find exacts on Cubs debt situation or not. But the Ricketts paid under 900 mill for the franchise and part of CSN(25%?). They put down close to 400 mill in cash. A couple years ago, they showed up on MLB's "naughty" list of being out of debt ratio. But all that meant was they owed more than 10 times their yearly operating income. Basically, any team that had been sold in the last decade was on that list and Selig immediately came out and said the Cubs were fine. At one point, the Ricketts family had 2 billion tied up in Ameritrade stock(after the purchase), no clue if thats still the case. At any rate, I'd think if they decided to sell the Cubs right now, they'd make a very nice profit. But it could be hard to gauge true value with the renovation supposedly about to happen, because no one knows if or how much help they'll be getting.

I think they might have sold some of their stock in Ameritrade to come up with some of the cash they used to purchase the team. But yeah you pretty much summed up everything with the current debt situation.

[Guest]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/13998/epstein-outlines-cubs-offseason-plan?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

First and foremost, Epstein confirmed that the Cubs are looking to add at least two starting pitchers this winter. But there are also plans to add to the rotation internally.

 

At third base, where the Cubs received little to no production this past season, the club could be willing to give Ian Stewart another chance, provided he no longer has health concerns stemming from a chronic sore wrist.

 

And in the outfield, the Cubs are focused on adding either a center fielder or a right fielder and depending on what they land, David DeJesus will take over the remaining position. Tony Campana still needs to show considerable improvement offensively to be considered an Opening Day center field candidate.

 

As for adding two starters, despite having some internal options, Epstein identifies those potential additions as certainties to make the rotation. He said a fall-back plan could still be acquiring one certain starter and three or four pitchers that would compete for a spot, but that is far from the ideal scenario.

 

“We have the supply-demand chart in the office and the Twins came out and said, I think earlier today, that they are looking for three (starters),” Epstein said. “It’s like an auction: This team needs two, this team needs three, this team needs three, this team needs two. There is probably a lot more demand for starting pitching than there is supply so we’ll have to be creative.”

 

Of the 44 pitchers who are either free agents or have contract options for 2013 that need to be decided upon, only 13 of them are under the age of 32. Expect the Cubs to look at the under-32 crowd first, a collection that includes the likes of Edwin Jackson, Francisco Liriano, Shaun Marcum and Brandon McCarthy.

 

As for third baseman Stewart, who is arbitration eligible this winter, the Cubs are still curious to see what he can do when healthy. There is a possibility he can be non-tendered this season and signed for less than he would have made through the arbitration process, but Epstein declined to get specific about the club’s options.

 

The Cubs aren’t too keen on looking for a long-term option at third base right now. They feel that a long-term third baseman could eventually be developed from their pool of prospects that includes Josh Vitters, Junior Lake (currently a shortstop) and Christian Villanueva. Even Javier Baez could play some third base, like he is currently doing in the Arizona Fall League, but the Cubs still see his ideal position as a shortstop.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Internal options?

[Guest]

Internal options?

 

Padilla went on to talk about Vizcaino and the fact that they'll turn Alberto Cabrera into a starter at AAA.

 

Also mentioned Russell as a possibility (LOL) but says it's unlikely and that Theo wants him to stay in the bullpen.

[davell]

Vizcaino in the 2013 rotation at some point got mentioned. That one makes sense anyway. Personally, I don't see Russell as anything more than Raley or Rusin, if they gave him another shot. And giving Cabrera another shot at starting seems dumb to me. I think he's got a solid chance at being a set up type, but he's never had any sustained success as a SP and his stuff plays up better out of the pen.

[SouthSideRyan]

Can we start a 2014 thread so I don't have to drink drain cleaner?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Cabrera and Russell? Wouldn't accidentally want to leave anyone potentially remotely useful in the bullpen.

[Guest]

Can we start a 2014 thread so I don't have to drink drain cleaner?

 

I found that article pretty encouraging as the FO is lined up pretty well with what we've discussed here as a good plan for this offseason.

 

Mainly, sign two starters and a CF.

[Guest]

Cabrera and Russell? Wouldn't accidentally want to leave anyone potentially remotely useful in the bullpen.

 

Yea, wouldn't want to do that, since that's exactly what they want to do with Russell.

[Guest]

Vizcaino in the 2013 rotation at some point got mentioned. That one makes sense anyway. Personally, I don't see Russell as anything more than Raley or Rusin, if they gave him another shot. And giving Cabrera another shot at starting seems dumb to me. I think he's got a solid chance at being a set up type, but he's never had any sustained success as a SP and his stuff plays up better out of the pen.

 

Cabrera was great as a starter in 2010 (I think it was 2010) at high-A.

[Clem Fandango]

Can we start a 2014 thread so I don't have to drink drain cleaner?

 

I found that article pretty encouraging as the FO is lined up pretty well with what we've discussed here as a good plan for this offseason.

 

Mainly, sign two starters and a CF.

 

Really if the team did that they would be in a pretty nice position to contend for a playoff spot. They'd need to fix the bullpen, too, though.

[Brian]

As for third baseman Stewart, who is arbitration eligible this winter, the Cubs are still curious to see what he can do when healthy. There is a possibility he can be non-tendered this season and signed for less than he would have made through the arbitration process, but Epstein declined to get specific about the club’s options.

 

The Cubs aren’t too keen on looking for a long-term option at third base right now. They feel that a long-term third baseman could eventually be developed from their pool of prospects that includes Josh Vitters, Junior Lake (currently a shortstop) and Christian Villanueva. Even Javier Baez could play some third base, like he is currently doing in the Arizona Fall League, but the Cubs still see his ideal position as a shortstop.

 

I've wondered about this for a while, what's the reasonable expectation for future of Castro and Baez. The obvious best case is they are both superstars for the Cubs, but most people especially around here hope Baez is a major league shortstop. So 2-3 years from now whats the scenario we are hoping for? Baez shortstop, Castro 2nd? Baez shortstop, Castro traded? Baez 3rd, Castro shortstop?

 

Of course there is a lot of things that need to go right between now and then.

[El Duderino]

I kind of want to see them as a double-play combo. Not likely, but would be awesome.

[MWV]

Irrespective of what the Cubs actually plan to do with Baez, he's clearly more valuable as a SS. It would be unwise (particularly in terms of trade value) to project the impression that the organization is skeptical of his ability to stick there.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I wouldn't call 2 SP and a CF a good plan, until we see who they get. Sounds more like the bare minimum for a passing grade.

[Clem Fandango]

I wouldn't call 2 SP and a CF a good plan, until we see who they get. Sounds more like the bare minimum for a passing grade.

 

If you're speaking in terms of solely competing for next year. Otherwise it marks a good start at building for a contender in 2014. I have to assume that if they target 2 of the Jackson/Marcum/Liriano/McCarthy/Sanchez tier of starting pitchers, that they would be here through 2015 at the very least. Same with whatever outfielder they choose to target. Bourn, Upton, or Swisher seem like the only decent gambles in that regard.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I wouldn't call 2 SP and a CF a good plan, until we see who they get. Sounds more like the bare minimum for a passing grade.

 

If you're speaking in terms of solely competing for next year. Otherwise it marks a good start at building for a contender in 2014. I have to assume that if they target 2 of the Jackson/Marcum/Liriano/McCarthy/Sanchez tier of starting pitchers, that they would be here through 2015 at the very least. Same with whatever outfielder they choose to target. Bourn, Upton, or Swisher seem like the only decent gambles in that regard.

 

If we have any intention of competing in 2014, we need a *lot* more than two SP and a CF. A 3b, a RF, some relief pitchers at the least.

[Clem Fandango]

I agree, but getting the 2nd wild card isn't out of the realm of possibility with those three additions, though. With less than a month left in the regular season the Brewers were about 4 games out of the 2nd wild card spot and were only one game over .500. Getting there won't be as difficult as it used to be. But I agree that if we want to get far in the playoffs, we also need what you suggested. And to be fair I had mentioned before we needed relief pitching as well.

[Guest]

Looks like they do plan on having Arodys start at the major league level at some point next year

 

Epstein said the Cubs will need to add “at least two starters.” They hope Vizcaino, acquired from Atlanta in the Maholm deal, joins the rotation “at some point” in 2013. Vizcaino is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery but will be ready to throw in spring training.

 

“We’ll take it slow,” he said, adding there will be an innings limit on Vizcaino in 2013.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-epstein-energized-by-cubs-rebuilding-plans-20121023,0,5822946.story

[davell]

Interesting that Theo identifies 6 core members right now. And implies he'd like to see that number double within the year. Trying to figure out potential core members, I'm guessing Castillo, Barney, Brett, Garza, Vizcaino, and whoever the 2nd pick becomes, have the best chances of guys currently on the team or on the horizon. My guess though, if we have 12 at the end of next season, it'll include Castillo, Vizcaino, the 2nd pick, and 3 guys yet to be traded for, or signed.

[Theo]

BJ Upton?

[davell]

BJ Upton?

He could be. I can't see any FA other than him or Edwin Jackson as a possibility honestly. But I honestly wonder if they'll give up the 1.3 mill of their draft allotment yet.