I know those options are out there but I just dont see us able to add enough payroll to go out and sign those kind of players after this past offseason. As far as Crawford is concerned, what kind of package would you ask for is you were TB? I dont reallysee a package the Cubs could afford to give to land that caliber of player without creating holes elsewhere. Maybe we could land ARod assuming him and the Yanks part ways. But does that alone secure us a playoff spot? Because that size of contract would probably handcuff any moves we can make in the next 3-5 years. How many 100 mil contract players can one team afford?? Would the 2007 Cubs + ARod be enough in 08? I probably should have mentioned I was dreaming. We'd have to mortgage the future in order to acquire those guys. That is kind of the purpose of this thread. Are we looking at basically the same team next year and mediocrity for years to come or do the Cubs make a big splash this offseason and make a run at next year while being screwed for years to come? I would like to think that seeing how we tailed off at the end of this season (barring a big win streak) management would want to upgrade at a few positions in teh offseason. However, the sale of the club may serve to hinder our offseason. I can see us adding another bat and another pitcher, but probably not making a huge splash.