2024 Cubs

[jeffy]

https://theathletic.com/5286996/2024/02/...-spending/

sigh...

[Butcher]

It still pisses me off that one bad contract (Heyward) was used as an excuse in perpetuity to not go after another high priced free agent again. Yeah, J-Hey underperformed, but good god; he was making $20M a year at the end of his contract -- that shouldn't handcuff a team like the Cubs. The beauty of being one of the highest revenue teams is that a bad contract *doesn't* handcuff you in the same way it would a team like the Pirates or the Brewers.

[1060Ivy]

J-Hey’s contract is not the reason that Cubs haven’t spent as a major market team with revenues that dwarf most others in the NL Central. His contract is a sample of underperforming expectations but as you mention being a higher revenue team allows occasional overpaying

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I'm having a hard time finding much to get excited about for the upcoming season. All the hype about the farm system being top-5 doesn't do much for me. It seems like it's rated more on its depth than having any potential stars in the system. Some solid major leaguers, maybe, but nothing like Javy, Bryant, Schwarber, Willson, etc. back in 2014. It's pretty frustrating having such a massive financial advantage in the Central and not really using it. The 2024 team looks like it's a few wins weaker than the 2023 team. I really hope I'm wrong about that, but counting on Busch and PCA to make up for Bellinger's production isn't based on reality.

Butch believe you said something similar in April/May last season but Cubs turned in a great run before bullpen and offense hit the skids in September 

I’m greatly disappointed that the roster is not as strong as last season’s but still be ready for sunny day games in the bleachers and hoping that Cub runs magically appear

[Butcher]

I always love going to Wrigley no matter how shitty the team is. This is partially how Tom convinced Papa Joe to buy the team. The Cubs suck? Wrigley is full. The Cubs are good? Wrigley is slightly more full. Either way they're making money.

[1060Ivy]

Wrigley is full on beautiful weekend days but it has been less than 80% full on days when weather is questionable and team sucks. Oh the tickets are still sold out but there are decent share of empty seats so concessions and merchandise sales suffer - Might be the only way to demonstrate to Tom a good team increases revenue

[jeffy]

Feels good to be watching baseball again, and nice to see the offense coming out of the gate swinging.

Heard some clips from the Sox feeds on The Score afterwards. As lame as our organization can be, being a Sox fan must be truly depressing

[Butcher]

I watched game 1 of the 2016 NLCS today. I forgot Maddon pulled Lester after 6 innings with a 3-1 lead and only 77 pitches. Lester was pissed.

[jeffy]

I watched game 1 of the 2016 NLCS today. I forgot Maddon pulled Lester after 6 innings with a 3-1 lead and only 77 pitches. Lester was pissed.

I forgot about that too. Was that Miggy's grand slam game?

[Butcher]

I watched game 1 of the 2016 NLCS today. I forgot Maddon pulled Lester after 6 innings with a 3-1 lead and only 77 pitches. Lester was pissed.

I forgot about that too. Was that Miggy's grand slam game?

Sure was.

[1060Ivy]

Never felt nor witnessed anything like Wrigley Field shaking after Miggy’s grand slam.

Wasn’t aware that he had an epidural for his back days prior so was not expected to be available.

Most fans forget that Fowler homered on next at bat

[funkster]

That shit was amazing, I remember I was in Denver seeing an old friend and I lost my mind.


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[Butcher]

I was in the upper deck with my son. I legitimately feared that it was in danger of collapsing.

[jeffy]

Belli's back.

[MrSheps]

Looks like a good deal for both sides, though I know it's not exactly what he wanted. If he plays all star level again he can opt out and chase the 6/200 or whatever he really wanted, so that keeps the urgency there, and with the younger guys coming up the Cubs would be fine with that. If he regresses or gets hurt his AAV is still high over 3 seasons so he's set for life if he wasn't already, but it's short term and capped at 80 so the risk is mitagated for the team.

Only question now is are they done, or any chance at one of the other FAs out there? I'm guessing this is it, but man, would love to be wrong and get one more guy on a short term deal.

I hope he keeps his 2 strike approach, I credit that more than "luck" in terms of his peripherals. And I think this probably bumps the Cubs up over the Cards as the favorites in the division.

[1060Ivy]

Cubs need his bat and leadership to be competitive in NL Central this season

Glad that management was able to bring him back

Can’t see how 3 years for $80 MM is a win for Boras or Bellinger but the deal should keep Cubs under luxury tax threshold.

My understanding is that with opt outs after each of the years, he can play as if it’s a one year deal for $30 MM with an insurance policy in case he’s injured during either the first or second years or market for his services takes off or he decides that there’s a better organization/team for him. Year 3 of contract, his salary drops to $20 MM.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/3959...llion-deal

https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2024/0...ng-to-cubs