It doesn't work like that, though. If you allocate so much towards one area, you're taking away some from another. If you can tell me that Marquis' salary could not have been invested into another of need, then I think that has validity. But, it becomes a question does the probable production difference beween Marquis and whomever outweigh the potential improvement of another area that could've been gained thru monetary spending that can't be accomplished b/c of Marquis' salary. The Cubs have to plan for areas that will hopefully be taken over by young, cheap, potentially higher ceiling prospects compared to established veterans that might bring some improvement but nothing that will like sway the outcome of a season. I don't believe that having Marquis over Guzman, Marshall, or whomever will factor much into the Cubs getting or not getting into the players. At the same token, the freed salary might not matter depending on it used. Or whether the Cubs have thrown all notions of having a budget to the wind, which it is starting to look like they have.