Brian

I do believe he's saying the "low payroll" will be the part of the payroll attributed to the nucleus, not the team as a whole will have a low payroll. But whatever.

"I think because we have so many young players that are going to be cost-controlled over the next several seasons, we have tremendous flexibility built into our roster as it is," Epstein said on a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. "We'll be able to field a pretty good nucleus with a very low payroll associated with that. "That in of itself -- and some of the savings that we made over the last offseason, for example -- will allow us the flexibility to be very aggressive if the right player or players present themselves to us." "As we get closer to a new television deal [in 2019], and as we realize some of the revenues associated with a renovated Wrigley field, I believe that will only enhance our flexibility," Epstein said. "I never look at any one offseason as a time that we have to do something," Epstein said earlier Wednesday during the "Carmen & Jurko Show" on ESPN Chicago 1000. "I look at offseasons and trade deadlines and future offseasons together. Looking at the next 24 or 18 months, I think you'll see us add impact starting pitching from outside the organization. The major league starting pitching free-agent market is pretty good. The free-agent class is more pitching-rich than position player-rich this offseason. And, frankly, the class after that is even more impressive in the 2015-2016 offseason." http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/26955/theo-epstein-the-money-will-be-there-for-future-transactions

it started to move : (

FUUUUUU

that was his pitch

oh boy

latinos and diabetics are equally despised in this town

so if the gun is so hot, is Chapman going to be hitting 105?

sharp Soler single

Rizzo is trying to convince Soler to throw a bat at Chapman right now

Yeah, it's not like I just want to throw him away for anybody because he's not 'our guy'. An offseason adding Stanton and Lester would be pretty awesome, and seems very doable.

I don't know about other teams farms systems enough to be sure about this but hypothetically is there any team could come close to touching a package we could offer for Stanton? Russell/Almora/other pieces farther down like a Vogelbach and/or one of our pitchers. What would you rather have? Soler/Bryant at the corners and the Shortstops + Rizzo in the infield, or Soler/Stanton at the corners and Bryant at 3B? I wasn't a guy that was in love with Russell before we got him and he still feels like a bonus that's not even our guy.... so I think I want to go and get that proven MVP candidate if you can.

Soler 68 will be the first of the Shirsey of these guys that I buy.

He must be salivating at the chance to go play in St. Louis, where the game is played the right way and you don't swing at the first pitch.

I like it

still saved in my photobucket account from the broadcast of that delayed clincher in '07.... http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/bgentz/bob.jpg

yeah, I'm no expert, but I think a Stanton deal this winter would have to start with Russell.

#ptr making him drive to Cincy?

Jordan Palmer sure enjoyed his time with the Bears. Jordan Palmer @JwPalms · 17h Coach Trest didn't want players to make predictions about this year. As a former bear I can say that I believe this is a SB team w an MVP QB Jordan Palmer @JwPalms · 17h I'll be wearing #bears gear and supporting the bears for the rest of my life. Regardless of what happens. This is the best org in the NFL.

Javy going to end the season with the 2nd most home runs on the team

:stickman:

98% chance of suck

#noallpitchers

give Manny a September call up, he can have Lake's 40 man spot