Are we the next San Diego Padres?

by SammySosa on Dec 5, 2008 4:37 PM CST

I'm a little scared that the new ownership group is going to spend so much money purchasing the team, that by this time next year everyone will be discussing the Chicago Cubs ever shrinking payroll. I am not completely against rebuilding this team from its current identity, but don't want to go through a fire sale. Maybe minimal changes that could really affect the payroll....Soriano traded? Zambrano dealt? Thoughts???

What do we know about the new owners? How will they spend?

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I hope to God no.....

I want the Cubs to win within the next decade.

by EJThunder on Dec 5, 2008 4:38 PM CST reply actions

Hrmm...

wouldn’t we need to know who the new owner is to answer some of these questions?

And I don’t see the new owner having a fire sale. Anybody who is still in the running for the team should be aware of where they’re at right now, and had better be willing to spend a bit if they don’t want to be ridden out of town on a rail.

"Well, we're out of cake! We only had three bits and we didn't expect such a rush! So what do you want?"
"What, so my choice is 'or death?' Well, then I'll have the chicken, please."
--Eddie Izzard

by znohitter on Dec 5, 2008 4:42 PM CST reply actions

No, I don't think that's a worry at all.

The Padres are having a fire sale because of the owner’s divorce proceedings. They operate in a small market with a small fan base.

The Cubs’ situation is completely different.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 5, 2008 4:45 PM CST reply actions

Agreed...

we may (or may not) see salary cut with the new ownership. But even if we do, it won’t be nearly like the Padres. The Cubs have one of the more profitable brands in the league and play in a major market. We’ll remain one of the upper-tier payrolls in the league.

by SouthernCub on Dec 5, 2008 7:39 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, different circumstances and totally different markets.

But other then 2008, the Padres have actually done well with the teams they have fielded under this current regime, it’s more the Owner getting out that’s leading to the fire sale.

I don’t see a fire sale for the Cubs because their market is so much stronger, but I do see major changes in the front office in order to make major roster changes should the Cubs under achieve in 2009.

by DudeVf11 on Dec 5, 2008 8:37 PM CST up reply actions

Well...

… Jim Hendry just got a contract extension. It’d take a real collapse for new ownership to replace him. Otherwise I see him here at least till the end of his new deal.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 6, 2008 4:39 AM CST up reply actions

If its gonna cost 1B or close..

I gotta imagine owning the Cubs is a cash cow, and if they can someday finagle their own network, then skies the limit. But Al is right, the Cubs are a national franchise, whereas the Padres arent, so unless the new owner is incredibly miserly, I dont see us going down that road….I hope

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Dec 5, 2008 5:12 PM CST reply actions