It turns out the real Yu Darvish was the friends we made in this thread

[treebird]

There are 3 starters looking for big money right now, at this point there aren't even 3 teams in a position to offer what they're looking for. Unless a couple of teams shed payroll Theo is still in the drivers seat.

 

darvish is in the drivers seat and his car is in the parking lot outside dodger stadium and he’s sitting there crying and listening to the smiths waiting for the dodgers to offer him a one year deal for the league minimum

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Along those lines: Theo Epstein is a hero and a genius, but man, he drives me bonkers sometimes.

 

Maybe they have put an amazing offer out there and Darvish would just prefer somewhere else ad is waiting to see if those ideal locations can compete, but part of me can't help but buy these rumors/theories of Theo and co. trying to maximize contract efficiency and see it as trying to be too horsefeathering cute. Obviously, Darvish isn't going to make or break what is a really good team, but just go all in and bolster this [expletive] starting rotation already. Be a horsefeathering baller and crush dreams, dammit.

 

I mean, he supposedly signed all of Lester, Heyward, Zobrist and Lackey without having the biggest offer on the market so that might be why he thinks he can do it again. (That's assuming he is offering a significantly smaller offer than competitors.)

[Sammy Sofa]

Along those lines: Theo Epstein is a hero and a genius, but man, he drives me bonkers sometimes.

 

Maybe they have put an amazing offer out there and Darvish would just prefer somewhere else ad is waiting to see if those ideal locations can compete, but part of me can't help but buy these rumors/theories of Theo and co. trying to maximize contract efficiency and see it as trying to be too horsefeathering cute. Obviously, Darvish isn't going to make or break what is a really good team, but just go all in and bolster this [expletive] starting rotation already. Be a horsefeathering baller and crush dreams, dammit.

 

I mean, he supposedly signed all of Lester, Heyward, Zobrist and Lackey without having the biggest offer on the market so that might be why he thinks he can do it again. (That's assuming he is offering a significantly smaller offer than competitors.)

 

I'm not saying that it's the wrong approach; I'm just fed up with this garbage offseason.

[badger]

I can't believe this is a 43 page thread when literally nothing has happened.

[Cubswin11]

However, the behavior of Owners in this year’s free agent market has changed dramatically. It feels coordinated, rightly or wrongly. Many club Presidents and General Managers with whom we negotiate with are frustrated with the lack of funds to sign the plethora of good players still available, raising further suspicion of institutional influence over the spending.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/02/agent-brodie-von-wagenen-speaks-out-on-stagnant-free-agent-market.html

 

Cubs among these?

Between Morrow, Chisek, Duensing, Smyly and Chatwood we have to of given out the most FA money of any team this offseason and still are going to be giving out a contract of significance for another starter. I don’t think we are. Plus Theo knows to stay under the LT, we are pretty much spending to our limit without hitting any penalty. If anything I’d guess is the other way and Ricketts is willing to spend whatever but Theo knows it’s good business not to hit that LT.

Edited February 2, 2018 by Cubswin11

[Bluescale]

It’s an equally baller move to just sit back like a boss to not budge off the 4/90 (or whatever lowish offer we have out there) knowing it likely can’t be beat at the moment.

 

Man...I really hope it's not 4/90. Even if his stock is down some, that seems like an insult. Drive a tough bargin, but don't spit in the guy's face. Shorter contract - higher AAV. Longer contract - lower AAV. I'd try something like 4/110, 5/125, 6/140, or even 7/155. Basically, start with a high AAV, and then tack on $15M for each additional year.

[Yumper]

It’s an equally baller move to just sit back like a boss to not budge off the 4/90 (or whatever lowish offer we have out there) knowing it likely can’t be beat at the moment.

 

Man...I really hope it's not 4/90. Even if his stock is down some, that seems like an insult. Drive a tough bargin, but don't spit in the guy's face. Shorter contract - higher AAV. Longer contract - lower AAV. I'd try something like 4/110, 5/125, 6/140, or even 7/155. Basically, start with a high AAV, and then tack on $15M for each additional year.

 

 

 

:hello: I don't think it is any where near 4/90. I am sure they have offered more. The news coming out is just Darvish's agent trying to raise the price.

[Yumper]

:hello: Darvish I believe is getting desperate with all the stories starting to leak.

[treebird]

However, the behavior of Owners in this year’s free agent market has changed dramatically. It feels coordinated, rightly or wrongly. Many club Presidents and General Managers with whom we negotiate with are frustrated with the lack of funds to sign the plethora of good players still available, raising further suspicion of institutional influence over the spending.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/02/agent-brodie-von-wagenen-speaks-out-on-stagnant-free-agent-market.html

 

Cubs among these?

Between Morrow, Chisek, Duensing, Smyly and Chatwood we have to of given out the most FA money of any team this offseason and still are going to be giving out a contract of significance for another starter. I don’t think we are. Plus Theo knows to stay under the LT, we are pretty much spending to our limit without hitting any penalty. If anything I’d guess is the other way and Ricketts is willing to spend whatever but Theo knows it’s good business not to hit that LT.

 

the luxury tax penalties aren’t that bad. the whole thing is a scam to get the fans of big market teams like the cubs to let ownership off the hook for refusing to spend like they could.

[Cubswin11]

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/02/agent-brodie-von-wagenen-speaks-out-on-stagnant-free-agent-market.html

 

Cubs among these?

Between Morrow, Chisek, Duensing, Smyly and Chatwood we have to of given out the most FA money of any team this offseason and still are going to be giving out a contract of significance for another starter. I don’t think we are. Plus Theo knows to stay under the LT, we are pretty much spending to our limit without hitting any penalty. If anything I’d guess is the other way and Ricketts is willing to spend whatever but Theo knows it’s good business not to hit that LT.

 

the luxury tax penalties aren’t that bad. the whole thing is a scam to get the fans of big market teams like the cubs to let ownership off the hook for refusing to spend like they could.

Agree and disagree, in a vacuum I agree if it’s only for a year or 2 but looking at is as a potential long-term offender thing (Bryce next year plus arb raises, extensions, etc) I get being cautious to stay under the year before you plan on having multiple years going over coming up.

[Bluescale]

Well, isn't this interesting?

 

 

And it's not just the box on the bottom. The "49 Spikes" is also Arrieta related. :-k

[Bobson Dugnutt]

smh PTR can't even afford to buy new boxes we're definitely not getting darvish guys

[Cubswin11]

It’s probably just LaStella’s stuff.

[imb]

every time i realize darvish isn't signing with the cubs i remind myself the last time anyone saw this guy he was busy sucking butt in the world series

[David]

every time i realize darvish isn't signing with the cubs i remind myself the last time anyone saw this guy he was busy sucking butt in the world series

it's funny how tree and imb are so awesome that none of us cares when they wanna go full meatball once in a while

[Cubswin11]

Hot take incoming..... I’d rather have pissed off Jake on that 1+1 Fowler 2016 contract to prove the haters wrong than Darvish on a 4-6 year deal pitching for a team and city he doesn’t really want to be on/in and not being fully engaged here.

[David]

i think everyone is overstating the whole "doesnt want to be here" thing

 

he just wants more horsefeathering money, rightfully so

[jersey cubs fan]

I can't believe this is a 43 page thread when literally nothing has happened.

Literally

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Bu Darvish

[weis21]

[insert Yu pun]

[Aaron_Kennelly]

i think everyone is overstating the whole "doesnt want to be here" thing

 

he just wants more horsefeathering money, rightfully so

 

It wouldn't be the worst thing anyway. The Cardinals won 83 games last year with 25 guys that didn't want to be there.

[minnesotacubsfan]

:hello: Darvish I believe is getting desperate with all the stories starting to leak.

 

You had better be the purple fanta guy or b&

[minnesotacubsfan]

every time i realize darvish isn't signing with the cubs i remind myself the last time anyone saw this guy he was busy sucking butt in the world series

 

 

I once read on this forum a post by abuck: “I dont believe in guys rising to the challenge, but Ive seen guys choke” or something to that effect.

 

 

Idk

Edited February 3, 2018 by minnesotacubsfan

[CaliforniaRaisin]

i think everyone is overstating the whole "doesnt want to be here" thing

 

he just wants more horsefeathering money, rightfully so

 

Damn right.

[champaignchris]

The players and agents bitching about no free agents being signed makes me wonder whether any of them read the most recent CBA that went into effect this year.

 

That's the big change from '17 to '18 more than anything else.