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Cubs Commitments - A look ahead
#16
<!--quoteo(post=56989:date=Aug 11 2009, 10:07 AM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Aug 11 2009, 10:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=56987:date=Aug 11 2009, 10:04 AM:name=BT)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BT @ Aug 11 2009, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=56968:date=Aug 11 2009, 08:39 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Aug 11 2009, 08:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I hope the Rickett's approach to baseball is vastly different that the current Cubs brass.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


So, just to be clear, fans bitched and moaned about the Trib being too cheap up until 2006 (despite much evidence to the contrary), and now we can't wait to get rid of them because they spend too much?

Talk about no win situations.
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I think he means that he hopes the new organization will be filled with more baseball people from top to bottom, and less accountants and marketing people running things from the top-down. The way the organization is being run right now, it is unsustainable for both long-term baseball success and to maintain financial sanity.
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But how can you, in one breath, say the team is run by accountants, AND is financially insane? Shouldn't the first preclude the latter?
I wish that I believed in Fate. I wish I didn't sleep so late. I used to be carried in the arms of cheerleaders.
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#17
<!--quoteo(post=56997:date=Aug 11 2009, 10:28 AM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ Aug 11 2009, 10:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=56989:date=Aug 11 2009, 10:07 AM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Aug 11 2009, 10:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=56987:date=Aug 11 2009, 10:04 AM:name=BT)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BT @ Aug 11 2009, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=56968:date=Aug 11 2009, 08:39 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Aug 11 2009, 08:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I hope the Rickett's approach to baseball is vastly different that the current Cubs brass.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


So, just to be clear, fans bitched and moaned about the Trib being too cheap up until 2006 (despite much evidence to the contrary), and now we can't wait to get rid of them because they spend too much?

Talk about no win situations.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think he means that he hopes the new organization will be filled with more baseball people from top to bottom, and less accountants and marketing people running things from the top-down. The way the organization is being run right now, it is unsustainable for both long-term baseball success and to maintain financial sanity.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

But how can you, in one breath, say the team is run by accountants, AND is financially insane? Shouldn't the first preclude the latter?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I did think about that after I wrote it. This growth in payroll has only been the case for the past few seasons, so I'm guessing the overspending coincided with the sale of the team to try to beef up the roster to make the product more attractive. The Trib also knew they wouldn't be on the hook for these salary obligations for more than a year or two, so it was a calculated risk. Before 2007 though, it is hard to argue that the organization was fiscally irresponsible.

I'm just looking for a more balanced approach from the Ricketts, so that we can be competitive year in and year out. I'm not sure how much longer our current window of opportunity will be open, and it feels like it's about to close.
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#18
I'm little confused. In the last 10 years, the Cubs opening day payroll has averaged 9th out of MLB teams but their revenues are rumored to be in the Top 3 - 5. Yet, it seems like many on the board are appalled that the Cubs actually have spent their revenues the last couple of years.

Most fans should be upset that players aren't performing and / or getting injured which is a very different discussion to the Cubs shouldn't spend money on free agents / have hamstrung their future due to free agent signings.


Cubs opening day payroll ranked against all other MLB teams
2000 13
2001 14
2002 12
2003 11
2004 6
2005 8
2006 7
2007 8
2008 8
2009 3
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#19
<!--quoteo(post=57006:date=Aug 11 2009, 10:57 AM:name=1060Ivy)-->QUOTE (1060Ivy @ Aug 11 2009, 10:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I'm little confused. In the last 10 years, the Cubs opening day payroll has averaged 9th out of MLB teams but their revenues are rumored to be in the Top 3 - 5. Yet, it seems like many on the board are appalled that the Cubs actually have spent their revenues the last couple of years.

Most fans should be upset that players aren't performing and / or getting injured which is a very different discussion to the Cubs shouldn't spend money on free agents / have hamstrung their future due to free agent signings.


Cubs opening day payroll ranked against all other MLB teams
2000 13
2001 14
2002 12
2003 11
2004 6
2005 8
2006 7
2007 8
2008 8
2009 3<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It isn't what was spent in "real" money that is the problem here, but the nature of many of the backloaded contracts that will limit our flexibility in the future. I'm not complaining one bit about our payroll from the past few seasons. No sir.
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#20
<!--quoteo(post=57007:date=Aug 11 2009, 11:04 AM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Aug 11 2009, 11:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=57006:date=Aug 11 2009, 10:57 AM:name=1060Ivy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (1060Ivy @ Aug 11 2009, 10:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I'm little confused. In the last 10 years, the Cubs opening day payroll has averaged 9th out of MLB teams but their revenues are rumored to be in the Top 3 - 5. Yet, it seems like many on the board are appalled that the Cubs actually have spent their revenues the last couple of years.

Most fans should be upset that players aren't performing and / or getting injured which is a very different discussion to the Cubs shouldn't spend money on free agents / have hamstrung their future due to free agent signings.


Cubs opening day payroll ranked against all other MLB teams
2000 13
2001 14
2002 12
2003 11
2004 6
2005 8
2006 7
2007 8
2008 8
2009 3<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It isn't what was spent in "real" money that is the problem here, but the nature of many of the backloaded contracts that will limit our flexibility in the future. I'm not complaining one bit about our payroll from the past few seasons. No sir.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I think his point is that there's no reason to worry going forward. I also think he's making the assumption that people are worried about payroll flexibility going forward because of what Cubs management has done in the past despite high revenue.
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#21
Butcher had it correct. I'm not appalled that we are spending more, I encourage the spending. However, I think we need to spend the money wisely. Giving an no field, no walk, power leadoff hitter like Soriano that contract was not considered wise at the time and is considered an albatrosss today. Signing Miles for 2yr/5M when a league minimum guy can take his role with no porblem was unwise as well. Paying an unknown in Fukudome, and guaranteeing it for 4 years was careless. Siging Neifi to a two year contract for 50 cents per year is a bad idea and we gave him $1M per year. We just need to spend more wisely.

Scarey, I agree Wilken has a great track record and I am not calling for his head. I just think Hendry needs to go. He made his run, made some great and terrible decisions, but it's time to move on since I think we'll be rebuiding fairly soon considering our financial commitments.
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#22
<!--quoteo(post=57010:date=Aug 11 2009, 11:10 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Aug 11 2009, 11:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Butcher had it correct. I'm not appalled that we are spending more, I encourage the spending. However, I think we need to spend the money wisely. Giving an no field, no walk, power leadoff hitter like Soriano that contract was not considered wise at the time and is considered an albatrosss today. Signing Miles for 2yr/5M when a league minimum guy can take his role with no porblem was unwise as well. Paying an unknown in Fukudome, and guaranteeing it for 4 years was careless. Siging Neifi to a two year contract for 50 cents per year is a bad idea and we gave him $1M per year. We just need to spend more wisely.

Scarey, I agree Wilken has a great track record and I am not calling for his head. I just think Hendry needs to go. He made his run, made some great and terrible decisions, but it's time to move on since I think we'll be rebuiding fairly soon considering our financial commitments.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

The Cubs organization is not known for it's ability to scout, draft or develop players. Without these skills, the Cubs are going to overpay for talent which includes making dumb mistakes and paying for lack of talent.

I'm encouraged by Wilken but I was encouraged when Tribune brought in MacPhail so what do I know.
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#23
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Most fans should be upset that players aren't performing and / or getting injured which is a very different discussion to the Cubs shouldn't spend money on free agents / have hamstrung their future due to free agent signings.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

When you sign aging talent to long term deals the assumption of injury loss should be made, especially when the player has an injury history.
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#24
Unless someone is buying a championship team, I just assume a new owner means a new GM if not in year one...soon. My only worry about Hendry is that he do no harm between now and when he's asked for his resignation.
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#25
<!--quoteo(post=56991:date=Aug 11 2009, 10:14 AM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 11 2009, 10:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=56987:date=Aug 11 2009, 10:04 AM:name=BT)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BT @ Aug 11 2009, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=56968:date=Aug 11 2009, 08:39 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Aug 11 2009, 08:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><b>I hope the Rickett's approach to baseball is vastly different that the current Cubs brass</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

So, just to be clear, fans bitched and moaned about the Trib being too cheap up until 2006 (despite much evidence to the contrary), and now we can't wait to get rid of them because they spend too much?
Talk about no win situations.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I don't think he was complaining about spending lots of money. <b>Spending a lot of money is great, if you're spending it wisely.</b>
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
My problem has not been with the Trib this decade. The money has been there. We have the 3rd biggest payroll in BASEBALL!
<i>It's how you spend it.</i>
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance
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#26
<!--quoteo(post=57014:date=Aug 11 2009, 11:19 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Aug 11 2009, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Most fans should be upset that players aren't performing and / or getting injured which is a very different discussion to the Cubs shouldn't spend money on free agents / have hamstrung their future due to free agent signings.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

When you sign aging talent to long term deals the assumption of injury loss should be made, especially when the player has an injury history.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
BINGO!
Also, I cannot believe we're actually still arguing this, but we've been arguing it all year long: Aramis Ramirez is an injury risk. Period. He has been his whole career. That's one of the reasons we got him from the Pirates in the 1st place.
His #1 backup was............Mark Fucking DeRosa.
So, no...it was NOT a good idea to have NO BACKUP PLAN for inevitable injuries.
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance
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#27
<!--quoteo(post=57050:date=Aug 11 2009, 02:59 PM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Aug 11 2009, 02:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=57014:date=Aug 11 2009, 11:19 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Aug 11 2009, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Most fans should be upset that players aren't performing and / or getting injured which is a very different discussion to the Cubs shouldn't spend money on free agents / have hamstrung their future due to free agent signings.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

When you sign aging talent to long term deals the assumption of injury loss should be made, especially when the player has an injury history.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
BINGO!
Also, I cannot believe we're actually still arguing this, but we've been arguing it all year long: Aramis Ramirez is an injury risk. Period. He has been his whole career. That's one of the reasons we got him from the Pirates in the 1st place.
His #1 backup was............Mark Fucking DeRosa.
So, no...it was NOT a good idea to have NO BACKUP PLAN for inevitable injuries.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Aaron Miles was our backup plan for injuries.
Reply
#28
<!--quoteo(post=57051:date=Aug 11 2009, 03:01 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 11 2009, 03:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=57050:date=Aug 11 2009, 02:59 PM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Aug 11 2009, 02:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=57014:date=Aug 11 2009, 11:19 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Aug 11 2009, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Most fans should be upset that players aren't performing and / or getting injured which is a very different discussion to the Cubs shouldn't spend money on free agents / have hamstrung their future due to free agent signings.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

When you sign aging talent to long term deals the assumption of injury loss should be made, especially when the player has an injury history.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
BINGO!
Also, I cannot believe we're actually still arguing this, but we've been arguing it all year long: Aramis Ramirez is an injury risk. Period. He has been his whole career. That's one of the reasons we got him from the Pirates in the 1st place.
His #1 backup was............Mark Fucking DeRosa.
So, no...it was NOT a good idea to have NO BACKUP PLAN for inevitable injuries.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Aaron Miles was our backup plan for injuries.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Actually Mike Fontenot is/was the backup 3B.
Reply
#29
<!--quoteo(post=57051:date=Aug 11 2009, 03:01 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 11 2009, 03:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=57050:date=Aug 11 2009, 02:59 PM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Aug 11 2009, 02:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=57014:date=Aug 11 2009, 11:19 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Aug 11 2009, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Most fans should be upset that players aren't performing and / or getting injured which is a very different discussion to the Cubs shouldn't spend money on free agents / have hamstrung their future due to free agent signings.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

When you sign aging talent to long term deals the assumption of injury loss should be made, especially when the player has an injury history.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
BINGO!
Also, I cannot believe we're actually still arguing this, but we've been arguing it all year long: Aramis Ramirez is an injury risk. Period. He has been his whole career. That's one of the reasons we got him from the Pirates in the 1st place.
His #1 backup was............Mark Fucking DeRosa.
So, no...it was NOT a good idea to have NO BACKUP PLAN for inevitable injuries.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Aaron Miles was our backup plan for injuries.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The 2 of you can eat a bag of semen covered popcorn.
"I'm not sure I know what ball cheese or crotch rot is, exactly -- or if there is a difference between the two. Don't post photos, please..."

- Butcher
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#30
Thank goodness for Jake Fox.
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