MLB News & Notes (other than Cubs or Sox)

[leonardsipes]

<!--quoteo(post=123297:date=Dec 14 2010, 09:26 AM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Dec 14 2010, 09:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->That assumption is wrong, but not far off. We "should" be <b>much</b> higher though.

In terms of 2009 revenue (millions):

1) New York Yankees $441
2) New York Mets $268
3) Boston Red Sox $266
4) LA Dodgers $247
5) Chicago Cubs $246
6) Philadelphia Phillies $233

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/33/baseba...ll_Revenue.html<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

As Coldneck pointed out, the Cubs have to pay to maintain Wrigley. I am sure that more than eats up the 13 mil additional revenue. If they had a better stadium, they would be getting even more revenue.

[willis]

<!--quoteo(post=123314:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM:name=jstraw)-->QUOTE (jstraw @ Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123311:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123307:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM:name=VanSlawAndCottoCheese)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VanSlawAndCottoCheese @ Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123301:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->By the time the Cubs are ready to compete again, Lee, Halladay and Oswalt will be past their primes. Yeah, it's frustrating to watch an already excellent team add *yet another* ace to their staff, but it won't affect the Cubs one way or the other.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thank you.

Due to the burden from previous contracts, I have a hard time believing that the Cubs have the core needed to "go all out" to begin with. It sucks, but rather throwing good money after bad, I want to see the kind of moves that will help flip this team a year or two down the line. If the Cubs manage to compete this year, wonderful. However, even if they do, the team has all the long-term promise of the 1998 squad. Like that Sheehan quote explains, the Phils (and the Yanks, for that matter) started around a core of solid, young, homegrown talent. I'm prepared for a little foundering in order for the ball club to resist re-committing $oriano-$ized mistakes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Fuck yeah slaw. I see it the same way.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
People that don't see it that way scare me. Who are they?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

And this philosophy is 100% ok with me and most fans I would think. Begs the question then why waste $10 million on a sub .200 1B? This is where the anger comes from. As we all have said, tinkering will only make things worse. Go all in or blow it up and build. Instead they are taking the middle of the road path in an attempt to pull wool over our eyes.

[funkster]

I'm guessing they are of the mindset that a major market team should never really have to blow it all up, even if they probably should. Hendry is clearly grasping at saving his job.

[jstraw]

<!--quoteo(post=123319:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM:name=willis)-->QUOTE (willis @ Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123314:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123311:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123307:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM:name=VanSlawAndCottoCheese)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VanSlawAndCottoCheese @ Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123301:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->By the time the Cubs are ready to compete again, Lee, Halladay and Oswalt will be past their primes. Yeah, it's frustrating to watch an already excellent team add *yet another* ace to their staff, but it won't affect the Cubs one way or the other.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thank you.

Due to the burden from previous contracts, I have a hard time believing that the Cubs have the core needed to "go all out" to begin with. It sucks, but rather throwing good money after bad, I want to see the kind of moves that will help flip this team a year or two down the line. If the Cubs manage to compete this year, wonderful. However, even if they do, the team has all the long-term promise of the 1998 squad. Like that Sheehan quote explains, the Phils (and the Yanks, for that matter) started around a core of solid, young, homegrown talent. I'm prepared for a little foundering in order for the ball club to resist re-committing $oriano-$ized mistakes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Fuck yeah slaw. I see it the same way.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
People that don't see it that way scare me. Who are they?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

And this philosophy is 100% ok with me and most fans I would think. Begs the question then why waste $10 million on a sub .200 1B? This is where the anger comes from. As we all have said, tinkering will only make things worse. Go all in or blow it up and build. Instead they are taking the middle of the road path in an attempt to pull wool over our eyes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
To beg the question doesn't mean the same thing as to raise the question.

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=123319:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM:name=willis)-->QUOTE (willis @ Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123314:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123311:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123307:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM:name=VanSlawAndCottoCheese)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VanSlawAndCottoCheese @ Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123301:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->By the time the Cubs are ready to compete again, Lee, Halladay and Oswalt will be past their primes. Yeah, it's frustrating to watch an already excellent team add *yet another* ace to their staff, but it won't affect the Cubs one way or the other.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thank you.

Due to the burden from previous contracts, I have a hard time believing that the Cubs have the core needed to "go all out" to begin with. It sucks, but rather throwing good money after bad, I want to see the kind of moves that will help flip this team a year or two down the line. If the Cubs manage to compete this year, wonderful. However, even if they do, the team has all the long-term promise of the 1998 squad. Like that Sheehan quote explains, the Phils (and the Yanks, for that matter) started around a core of solid, young, homegrown talent. I'm prepared for a little foundering in order for the ball club to resist re-committing $oriano-$ized mistakes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Fuck yeah slaw. I see it the same way.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
People that don't see it that way scare me. Who are they?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

And this philosophy is 100% ok with me and most fans I would think. Begs the question then why waste $10 million on a sub .200 1B? This is where the anger comes from. As we all have said, tinkering will only make things worse. Go all in or blow it up and build. Instead they are taking the middle of the road path in an attempt to pull wool over our eyes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I don't have a problem with the Pena deal at all -- even at $10M. If we're out of it by the trade deadline, then try to deal him. The ballclub saves some cash and depending if Pena rebounds at all, maybe we get a decent prospect in return. If by some miracle we end up competing for the division, then my guess is that Pena will have had something to do with it.

[VanSlawAndCottoCheese]

<!--quoteo(post=123321:date=Dec 14 2010, 01:20 PM:name=jstraw)-->QUOTE (jstraw @ Dec 14 2010, 01:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123319:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM:name=willis)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (willis @ Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123314:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123311:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123307:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM:name=VanSlawAndCottoCheese)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VanSlawAndCottoCheese @ Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123301:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->By the time the Cubs are ready to compete again, Lee, Halladay and Oswalt will be past their primes. Yeah, it's frustrating to watch an already excellent team add *yet another* ace to their staff, but it won't affect the Cubs one way or the other.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thank you.

Due to the burden from previous contracts, I have a hard time believing that the Cubs have the core needed to "go all out" to begin with. It sucks, but rather throwing good money after bad, I want to see the kind of moves that will help flip this team a year or two down the line. If the Cubs manage to compete this year, wonderful. However, even if they do, the team has all the long-term promise of the 1998 squad. Like that Sheehan quote explains, the Phils (and the Yanks, for that matter) started around a core of solid, young, homegrown talent. I'm prepared for a little foundering in order for the ball club to resist re-committing $oriano-$ized mistakes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Fuck yeah slaw. I see it the same way.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
People that don't see it that way scare me. Who are they?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

And this philosophy is 100% ok with me and most fans I would think. Begs the question then why waste $10 million on a sub .200 1B? This is where the anger comes from. As we all have said, tinkering will only make things worse. Go all in or blow it up and build. Instead they are taking the middle of the road path in an attempt to pull wool over our eyes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
To beg the question doesn't mean the same thing as to raise the question.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Wow. Logic class has <b>begun.</b> [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif[/img] *starbursts* [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif[/img]

[Coldneck]

<!--quoteo(post=123322:date=Dec 14 2010, 01:28 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 14 2010, 01:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123319:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM:name=willis)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (willis @ Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123314:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123311:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123307:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM:name=VanSlawAndCottoCheese)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VanSlawAndCottoCheese @ Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123301:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->By the time the Cubs are ready to compete again, Lee, Halladay and Oswalt will be past their primes. Yeah, it's frustrating to watch an already excellent team add *yet another* ace to their staff, but it won't affect the Cubs one way or the other.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thank you.

Due to the burden from previous contracts, I have a hard time believing that the Cubs have the core needed to "go all out" to begin with. It sucks, but rather throwing good money after bad, I want to see the kind of moves that will help flip this team a year or two down the line. If the Cubs manage to compete this year, wonderful. However, even if they do, the team has all the long-term promise of the 1998 squad. Like that Sheehan quote explains, the Phils (and the Yanks, for that matter) started around a core of solid, young, homegrown talent. I'm prepared for a little foundering in order for the ball club to resist re-committing $oriano-$ized mistakes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Fuck yeah slaw. I see it the same way.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
People that don't see it that way scare me. Who are they?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

And this philosophy is 100% ok with me and most fans I would think. Begs the question then why waste $10 million on a sub .200 1B? This is where the anger comes from. As we all have said, tinkering will only make things worse. Go all in or blow it up and build. Instead they are taking the middle of the road path in an attempt to pull wool over our eyes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I don't have a problem with the Pena deal at all -- even at $10M. If we're out of it by the trade deadline, then try to deal him. The ballclub saves some cash and depending if Pena rebounds at all, maybe we get a decent prospect in return. If by some miracle we end up competing for the division, then my guess is that Pena will have had something to do with it.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This. Plus its only a one year deal and won't effect 2012, when I think we can start building a winner.

[VanSlawAndCottoCheese]

<!--quoteo(post=123322:date=Dec 14 2010, 01:28 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 14 2010, 01:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123319:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM:name=willis)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (willis @ Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123314:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123311:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123307:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM:name=VanSlawAndCottoCheese)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VanSlawAndCottoCheese @ Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123301:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->By the time the Cubs are ready to compete again, Lee, Halladay and Oswalt will be past their primes. Yeah, it's frustrating to watch an already excellent team add *yet another* ace to their staff, but it won't affect the Cubs one way or the other.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thank you.

Due to the burden from previous contracts, I have a hard time believing that the Cubs have the core needed to "go all out" to begin with. It sucks, but rather throwing good money after bad, I want to see the kind of moves that will help flip this team a year or two down the line. If the Cubs manage to compete this year, wonderful. However, even if they do, the team has all the long-term promise of the 1998 squad. Like that Sheehan quote explains, the Phils (and the Yanks, for that matter) started around a core of solid, young, homegrown talent. I'm prepared for a little foundering in order for the ball club to resist re-committing $oriano-$ized mistakes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Fuck yeah slaw. I see it the same way.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
People that don't see it that way scare me. Who are they?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

And this philosophy is 100% ok with me and most fans I would think. Begs the question then why waste $10 million on a sub .200 1B? This is where the anger comes from. As we all have said, tinkering will only make things worse. Go all in or blow it up and build. Instead they are taking the middle of the road path in an attempt to pull wool over our eyes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I don't have a problem with the Pena deal at all -- even at $10M. If we're out of it by the trade deadline, then try to deal him. The ballclub saves some cash and depending if Pena rebounds at all, maybe we get a decent prospect in return. If by some miracle we end up competing for the division, then my guess is that Pena will have had something to do with it.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This, although with the standing caveat that I find it ridiculous that we (as in we the sports nation) make being a mediocre ball player so profitable.

[jstraw]

<!--quoteo(post=123323:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:28 PM:name=VanSlawAndCottoCheese)-->QUOTE (VanSlawAndCottoCheese @ Dec 14 2010, 12:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123321:date=Dec 14 2010, 01:20 PM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Dec 14 2010, 01:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123319:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM:name=willis)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (willis @ Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123314:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123311:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123307:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM:name=VanSlawAndCottoCheese)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VanSlawAndCottoCheese @ Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123301:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->By the time the Cubs are ready to compete again, Lee, Halladay and Oswalt will be past their primes. Yeah, it's frustrating to watch an already excellent team add *yet another* ace to their staff, but it won't affect the Cubs one way or the other.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thank you.

Due to the burden from previous contracts, I have a hard time believing that the Cubs have the core needed to "go all out" to begin with. It sucks, but rather throwing good money after bad, I want to see the kind of moves that will help flip this team a year or two down the line. If the Cubs manage to compete this year, wonderful. However, even if they do, the team has all the long-term promise of the 1998 squad. Like that Sheehan quote explains, the Phils (and the Yanks, for that matter) started around a core of solid, young, homegrown talent. I'm prepared for a little foundering in order for the ball club to resist re-committing $oriano-$ized mistakes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Fuck yeah slaw. I see it the same way.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
People that don't see it that way scare me. Who are they?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

And this philosophy is 100% ok with me and most fans I would think. Begs the question then why waste $10 million on a sub .200 1B? This is where the anger comes from. As we all have said, tinkering will only make things worse. Go all in or blow it up and build. Instead they are taking the middle of the road path in an attempt to pull wool over our eyes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
To beg the question doesn't mean the same thing as to raise the question.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Wow. Logic class has <b>begun.</b> [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif[/img] *starbursts* [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif[/img]
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You're welcome, perfesser.

[veryzer]

<!--quoteo(post=123307:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:12 AM:name=VanSlawAndCottoCheese)-->QUOTE (VanSlawAndCottoCheese @ Dec 14 2010, 11:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123301:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->By the time the Cubs are ready to compete again, Lee, Halladay and Oswalt will be past their primes. Yeah, it's frustrating to watch an already excellent team add *yet another* ace to their staff, but it won't affect the Cubs one way or the other.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thank you.

Due to the burden from previous contracts, I have a hard time believing that the Cubs have the core needed to "go all out" to begin with. It sucks, but rather throwing good money after bad, I want to see the kind of moves that will help flip this team a year or two down the line. If the Cubs manage to compete this year, wonderful. However, even if they do, the team has all the long-term promise of the 1998 squad. Like that Sheehan quote explains, the Phils (and the Yanks, for that matter) started around a core of solid, young, homegrown talent. I'm prepared for a little foundering in order for the ball club to resist re-committing $oriano-$ized mistakes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


We've been waiting "a year or two down the line" for 102+ years now. To say my patience has worn thin is an understatement.

[dk123]

I have to admit, that my heart isn't really in it with the Cubs at this point. I still pay lots of attention to them, but it's just not worth the frustration of getting too invested.

[willis]

<!--quoteo(post=123321:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:20 PM:name=jstraw)-->QUOTE (jstraw @ Dec 14 2010, 12:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123319:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM:name=willis)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (willis @ Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123314:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123311:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123307:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM:name=VanSlawAndCottoCheese)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VanSlawAndCottoCheese @ Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123301:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->By the time the Cubs are ready to compete again, Lee, Halladay and Oswalt will be past their primes. Yeah, it's frustrating to watch an already excellent team add *yet another* ace to their staff, but it won't affect the Cubs one way or the other.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thank you.

Due to the burden from previous contracts, I have a hard time believing that the Cubs have the core needed to "go all out" to begin with. It sucks, but rather throwing good money after bad, I want to see the kind of moves that will help flip this team a year or two down the line. If the Cubs manage to compete this year, wonderful. However, even if they do, the team has all the long-term promise of the 1998 squad. Like that Sheehan quote explains, the Phils (and the Yanks, for that matter) started around a core of solid, young, homegrown talent. I'm prepared for a little foundering in order for the ball club to resist re-committing $oriano-$ized mistakes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Fuck yeah slaw. I see it the same way.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
People that don't see it that way scare me. Who are they?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

And this philosophy is 100% ok with me and most fans I would think. Begs the question then why waste $10 million on a sub .200 1B? This is where the anger comes from. As we all have said, tinkering will only make things worse. Go all in or blow it up and build. Instead they are taking the middle of the road path in an attempt to pull wool over our eyes.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
To beg the question doesn't mean the same thing as to raise the question.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

My bad...my redneck grammar got a hold of me for a moment. And Pena himself isn't the issue with me. Maybe he will be ok for them, but it's trying to tease the fanbase that they are attempting to be a contender when really odds are sucking will be the word of the year (again). Make a couple more moves...then that is a whole different story.

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=123324:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:29 PM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 14 2010, 12:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123322:date=Dec 14 2010, 01:28 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 14 2010, 01:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123319:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM:name=willis)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (willis @ Dec 14 2010, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123314:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Dec 14 2010, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123311:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 14 2010, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123307:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM:name=VanSlawAndCottoCheese)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VanSlawAndCottoCheese @ Dec 14 2010, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123301:date=Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 14 2010, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->By the time the Cubs are ready to compete again, Lee, Halladay and Oswalt will be past their primes. Yeah, it's frustrating to watch an already excellent team add *yet another* ace to their staff, but it won't affect the Cubs one way or the other.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thank you.

Due to the burden from previous contracts, I have a hard time believing that the Cubs have the core needed to "go all out" to begin with. It sucks, but rather throwing good money after bad, I want to see the kind of moves that will help flip this team a year or two down the line. If the Cubs manage to compete this year, wonderful. However, even if they do, the team has all the long-term promise of the 1998 squad. Like that Sheehan quote explains, the Phils (and the Yanks, for that matter) started around a core of solid, young, homegrown talent. I'm prepared for a little foundering in order for the ball club to resist re-committing $oriano-$ized mistakes.
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Fuck yeah slaw. I see it the same way.
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People that don't see it that way scare me. Who are they?
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And this philosophy is 100% ok with me and most fans I would think. Begs the question then why waste $10 million on a sub .200 1B? This is where the anger comes from. As we all have said, tinkering will only make things worse. Go all in or blow it up and build. Instead they are taking the middle of the road path in an attempt to pull wool over our eyes.
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I don't have a problem with the Pena deal at all -- even at $10M. If we're out of it by the trade deadline, then try to deal him. The ballclub saves some cash and depending if Pena rebounds at all, maybe we get a decent prospect in return. If by some miracle we end up competing for the division, then my guess is that Pena will have had something to do with it.
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This. Plus its only a one year deal and won't effect 2012, when I think we can start building a winner.
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The money, even though most of it is backloaded to 2012, was never the issue. Length of contract isn't either. It's just the fact that up to this point we're trying to patch up a 75 win team with other teams' hot rubbish (Pena and possibly Webb) symbolically means very little in the grand scheme of things and just feels like a half-assed attempt at tinkering with a mess of a team.

[veryzer]

<!--quoteo(post=123332:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:56 PM:name=dk123)-->QUOTE (dk123 @ Dec 14 2010, 12:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I have to admit, that my heart isn't really in it with the Cubs at this point. I still pay lots of attention to them, but it's just not worth the frustration of getting too invested.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


Totally. I become more and more disinterested in them every year. The fact that Santo died and they couldn't win even one pennant in his lifetime is despicable to me. It's really made me question my loyalty to them.

[jstraw]

<!--quoteo(post=123335:date=Dec 14 2010, 01:32 PM:name=veryzer)-->QUOTE (veryzer @ Dec 14 2010, 01:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123332:date=Dec 14 2010, 12:56 PM:name=dk123)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dk123 @ Dec 14 2010, 12:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I have to admit, that my heart isn't really in it with the Cubs at this point. I still pay lots of attention to them, but it's just not worth the frustration of getting too invested.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


Totally. I become more and more disinterested in them every year. The fact that Santo died and they couldn't win even one pennant in his lifetime is despicable to me. It's really made me question my loyalty to them.
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His unwavering loyalty has reinforced my own.