98navigator

Wow, I'm really starting to get excited for this season! This is the most optimistic I've been in years.

But the Tribune can sell the Cubs whenever they want. The deadline is for TRB reorganization in general. The Cubs are just a very small part of that plan. Everything that I've read claims that Tribune wouldn't sell the Cubs if they opt to recapitalize. The Cubs and WGN are arguably the most profitable assets of Tribune company. It seems odd that they would use resources to reorganize if they plan to divest themselves of the Cubs; it would be more efficient to just sell the Cubs to the highest bidder and use the profits to appease the shareholders. Or it could be more profitable to give the impression that you aren't selling the Cubs, thus, hopefully driving up the offers from potential buyers. Again, we're talking about the Cubs. The offers will be there. These are business people and they aren't going to outbid themselves. Either the news report, of the specific dollar amount, is false; Cuban is crazy; or just a bad negotiator. There is no advantage in letting your competitors know your bid amount (it is not public). Zell is not disclosing his offer. Forbes has already apprasised it's value (add to that the recent sale of the Braves and any reasonable person can assume the starting bid for the Cubs). I find it hard to believe that Cuban would say this publically. Zell cannot put a offer in for the cubs till he dumps his ownership in the White Sox I had that same concern but learned that isn't necessarily true. Unless the MLB and each team takes ownership evenly like they did with the Nationals, they arent going to allow 1 man to own 2 teams. the other owners would have a fit since they have never been allowed to do taht themselves I hope that is the case because, as I wrote in another thread, I really don't want Zell owning the Cubs. Of course, he has a minority interest in the Sox so, if accepted, he'd sell his shares.

That's seems like the likely answer. If he can't close he desn't fit in elsewhere.

But the Tribune can sell the Cubs whenever they want. The deadline is for TRB reorganization in general. The Cubs are just a very small part of that plan. Everything that I've read claims that Tribune wouldn't sell the Cubs if they opt to recapitalize. The Cubs and WGN are arguably the most profitable assets of Tribune company. It seems odd that they would use resources to reorganize if they plan to divest themselves of the Cubs; it would be more efficient to just sell the Cubs to the highest bidder and use the profits to appease the shareholders. Or it could be more profitable to give the impression that you aren't selling the Cubs, thus, hopefully driving up the offers from potential buyers. Again, we're talking about the Cubs. The offers will be there. These are business people and they aren't going to outbid themselves. Either the news report, of the specific dollar amount, is false; Cuban is crazy; or just a bad negotiator. There is no advantage in letting your competitors know your bid amount (it is not public). Zell is not disclosing his offer. Forbes has already apprasised it's value (add to that the recent sale of the Braves and any reasonable person can assume the starting bid for the Cubs). I find it hard to believe that Cuban would say this publically. Zell cannot put a offer in for the cubs till he dumps his ownership in the White Sox I had that same concern but learned that isn't necessarily true.

You aren't differentiating between the Tribune potentially selling itelf, and individuals possibly purchasing the Cubs from the Tribune. It's a seperate issue. That's not true. Within their proposal was a plan that included WGN and the Cubs.

Often because their bid isn't up to snuff. Cuban has the money. A lot of bidding groups put together a bid that relies on a fractured ownership group, highly leveraged offers and otherwise shaky ground. Cuban may be a pain in the ass, but he's a stable owner, financially. And that is issue numero uno when it comes to the owners. This will be said about any person or group that makes it through the elimination process.. I don't see much of an elimination process taking place. There doesn't seem to be an open bidding process. If Cuban is really making an offer, and the Trib thinks it is high enough to sell, then MLB owners will have to really think about whether or not they want to say, "No, go back to the drawing board." Bids have already been rejected. The two California (?) billionaires that submitted a proposal were pretty much dismissed early on... It doesn't get to the owners until the Trib accepts the offer. No, the owners just wouldn't approve it! The Trib would be forced to keep the club, which isn't the worst idea b/c it's still very profitable to them.

Often because their bid isn't up to snuff. Cuban has the money. A lot of bidding groups put together a bid that relies on a fractured ownership group, highly leveraged offers and otherwise shaky ground. Cuban may be a pain in the ass, but he's a stable owner, financially. And that is issue numero uno when it comes to the owners. This will be said about any person or group that makes it through the elimination process. I don't have anything against the man I just don't think it would happen because of: A. His track record as a renegade B. The things I've heard with respect to him specifically and other unsuccessful bidders. The other MLB owners don't need him; Baseball is alive and well. It could very well be that they (including the Commissioner's Office) would view him as a distraction and possible combatant. Only time will tell if and when the team is sold.

That's exactly what they said! They said that Cuban's realistic chances of being approved are very slim. Baseball owners, first and foremost, care about the value of their franchises. They will question his antics, but they will think long and hard before subverting the potential sale of a ballclub for significant profit. Virtually everyone of these owners will, at one point, sell their team. And they will want others owners to approve the sale of their team. Not at all because if the Cubs are truly for sale, finding a buyer won't be difficult. That is why the other owners can be selective. Very true...But then again if Cuban is the highest bidder how could they say no, if it drives up their teams price. Top bidders for MLB teams have been rejected in the past.

That's exactly what they said! They said that Cuban's realistic chances of being approved are very slim. Baseball owners, first and foremost, care about the value of their franchises. They will question his antics, but they will think long and hard before subverting the potential sale of a ballclub for significant profit. Virtually everyone of these owners will, at one point, sell their team. And they will want others owners to approve the sale of their team. Not at all because if the Cubs are truly for sale, finding a buyer won't be difficult. That is why the other owners can be selective. while some owners might not approve of cuban, money is power and he has more of it than most of them. he's no ragamuffin off the streets, he's one of the richest men in america who could probably hold a significant financial grudge against those who do not approve his purchase. I understand your point but the truth is there are other, rumored, bidders who have higher networth.

But the Tribune can sell the Cubs whenever they want. The deadline is for TRB reorganization in general. The Cubs are just a very small part of that plan. Everything that I've read claims that Tribune wouldn't sell the Cubs if they opt to recapitalize. The Cubs and WGN are arguably the most profitable assets of Tribune company. It seems odd that they would use resources to reorganize if they plan to divest themselves of the Cubs; it would be more efficient to just sell the Cubs to the highest bidder and use the profits to appease the shareholders. Or it could be more profitable to give the impression that you aren't selling the Cubs, thus, hopefully driving up the offers from potential buyers. Again, we're talking about the Cubs. The offers will be there. These are business people and they aren't going to outbid themselves. Either the news report, of the specific dollar amount, is false; Cuban is crazy; or just a bad negotiator. There is no advantage in letting your competitors know your bid amount (it is not public). Zell is not disclosing his offer. Forbes has already apprasised it's value (add to that the recent sale of the Braves and any reasonable person can assume the starting bid for the Cubs). I find it hard to believe that Cuban would say this publically.

That's exactly what they said! They said that Cuban's realistic chances of being approved are very slim. Baseball owners, first and foremost, care about the value of their franchises. They will question his antics, but they will think long and hard before subverting the potential sale of a ballclub for significant profit. Virtually everyone of these owners will, at one point, sell their team. And they will want others owners to approve the sale of their team. Not at all because if the Cubs are truly for sale, finding a buyer won't be difficult. That is why the other owners can be selective.

I love it!

That's exactly what they said! They said that Cuban's realistic chances of being approved are very slim.

Also, there is talk that the other owners, whom would have to approve a Cuban buy-in, don't want him to become an owner. I heard this seperately from Boers & Bernstein and Steve Stone (who's own ownership group was blocked several years ago when he attempted to buy the Diamondbacks). It's not as easy as "I'm the higgest bidder so I get the team." There is politics in the selection...

But the Tribune can sell the Cubs whenever they want. The deadline is for TRB reorganization in general. The Cubs are just a very small part of that plan. Everything that I've read claims that Tribune wouldn't sell the Cubs if they opt to recapitalize. The Cubs and WGN are arguably the most profitable assets of Tribune company. It seems odd that they would use resources to reorganize if they plan to divest themselves of the Cubs; it would be more efficient to just sell the Cubs to the highest bidder and use the profits to appease the shareholders.

I don't think this is viable. The deadline to submit a proposal is fast approaching and Cuban hasn't officially put his hat in the ring. I think they are reporting more on him saying he likes the idea of owning the Cubs instead of Cuban actively pursuing the goal. Additionally, Crain's Chicago Business is reporting that the Tribune is close to choosing recapitaliation over selling the company. We'll see

I don't see how that's going to work. Either he's the closer or he isn't; closer by committee is not a good thing. That's why I can see potential issues if he fails--not about filling the closer's role, because there are other guys who can do it, but about Dempster's role if he can't...

Ya know, I'd really like Woody to eventually become the closer but the more I think about it the more I think it could be damaging to the inner workings of the team. The Cubs might have to trade Dempster if that happens because it's not like he's a perfect fit for setup if he can't close; Howry, Eyre, and Wuertz all see to be a better fit... If Dempster doesn't succeed at closer he could easily find himself unhappy in middle relief. Lou's trying to pump up Demps confidence. Daily Herald I don't think Dusty ever used the words "championship season." Hmmm, I don't think any of our most recent managers have...

I think that the chances of it happening are slim (and the Cards know it but asked any way).

St Louis Post Dispatch I kinda wish the'd gotten Pettitte. :wink:

Suntimes

Thanks! I'm hoping Yahoo! Sports or some other outlet gets a hold of them. The "Getty Images" name ruins the pics.

I can't find the quotes, but I read that Lou plans to give his catchers more freedom to call games (except in some crucial spots). I could be wrong, but never got the feeling that Barrett called his own game. Link Who knew Lilly had a sinker? It would be great if Barrett/Blanco convince Lilly to use it more often!

Hmmm-well, if he means starts, then I think that is high-but I can easily see him getting into 125-130 games. If they divide the starts evenly, each one of the 3 outfielders at the corners will have 108 starts (probably closer to 100-105 each because Ward will get some time out there in the corners, and even lower than that if they go with some sort of other platoon option). That means Floyd is pinch-hitting in about 1/3-1/2 of the games he's on the bench, which is actually probably a little low. I should have been more specific in my description. He actually says he expects that time to be in LF.

I found an interesting Floyd interview with, reforming Cubs' bashers, Salisbury & Rosenbloom on ESPN AM1000. The interview begins at the 14:49 mark and includes Cliff saying he's under the impression that he'll play in "125-130 games." Obviously, that's a surprise but I don't know if it was bravado or a mandate... He also went on to mention that things could change if someone (Jones) is moved. S&R also covered the obligatory "Aramis is lazy" topic. They plan to make Floyd a regular contributor of the show. Podcast