Why is Tom Broke All of A Sudden?
by Edgewood on Dec 15, 2009 4:35 PM CST
86 comments
I just have to post a question here that I'm totally at a loss to answer. I'm hoping that maybe someone here can set me straight and explain to me why things are the way they are. Not being sarcastic, just honestly wondering.
Basically, why are all of our trading/free agent options frozen until Bradley is gone? After you spend $5089 trillion (I know, hyperbolic, but take my meaning) to buy the Chicago Cubs, why on earth would you balk at eating another 20 million? Seriously. YOU SENT HIM HOME FOR TWO WEEK LAST YEAR. We look weak to the rest of the Majors. We make a statement like 'We can't stand you so much, we're sending you home', and then we F up our off-season waiting for the perfect deal to TRADE that guy?
Come on! Why can't we be adults, wipe that egg of our face, say 'You were right, we were wrong. Bradley didn't work out. Moving on.' Move him for ANYTHING, one rookie prospect for God's sake, and eat most or all of his salary. Why is this a big deal? Almost a billion for a new era, and this is what we're stuck on?
That's all.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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the money to buy the cubs didnt come out of his pocket
This Chicago Cubs team is currently Aaron free. Keep it that way, please.
by jesus christos on Dec 15, 2009 4:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Two words.
Debt service.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Dec 15, 2009 4:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You nailed it!
Just imagine what your mortgage payment would be on a half billion dollar loan, and that woudn’t be pretty.
Keep in mind, the Trib didn’t have any debt service with the Cubs.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
by MPH73 on Dec 16, 2009 9:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
20 million dollars is a lot of money to just give away...
…especially to someone who DOESN’T deserve it and acts the way MB did.
Everybody is asking the team to just give away their money… if MB wants to leave so bad, why won’t he give back some of his? Why can’t he give 4-5 million of his 30 million back?
Why?
Because this is a lot of money. No one just goes and gives it away if they can help it… (unless its for a charity or something of the sort)
by TheHawkRules on Dec 15, 2009 4:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
(unless its for a charity or something of the sort)
maybe he can donate 4-5 mil to the charity donating money to Misunderstood Malcontents
This Chicago Cubs team is currently Aaron free. Keep it that way, please.
by jesus christos on Dec 15, 2009 4:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
No team except the Yankees
have an unlimited budget.
by rlpete on Dec 15, 2009 4:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah! I mean, c'mon, what's $20 million between friends?
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
by dat cubfan daver on Dec 15, 2009 5:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I bet if Milton had friends
He’d do it
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
by Musicdude10 on Dec 17, 2009 8:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ricketts spent...
whatever he did for the team. Well a good chunck of that came as a loan or investment from other people.
The concerns is except income for the upcoming year. From this Ricketts has to project a salary for front office staff (a drain on a business but an important one), on field staff and players (the actual product). Add to these cost the amount of the monthly loan repayment for buying the team plus don’t forget he didn’t buy the team as a tax write-off, he expects to make a certain amount in profits.
From all this Ricketts decided, along with his bankers I imagine, that the payroll should be $140M.
Now the Yankees and Red Sox are able to spend more because they have a Regional Television channel that gets paid by the cable to air their games, and add to that the reduced debt (I believe Steinbrener out-right owns the Yankees, while the Red Sox have a smaller debt to start with than Ricketts) they can spend more on players.
So the easy answer is raise ticket prices, expand seating or build more corprate box seats (which really generate income) to increase the available money to spend on players.
That’s not true!!! WHY THE F*CK WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU AHOLE!! Ok maybe your right but you gotta give a little something here for it to work. I don’t know what I’m going to do this is the worst thing I’ve ever read, this day could not get any worse. Fine, F*ck it, you’re right.
by Ditkavsworld
by gaclaudy on Dec 15, 2009 5:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
He pulled the money he could from the family and borrowed the
remainder.
I had no expectations of the Ricketts stepping up and spending big money out of pocket to fix the team.
I expect the Cubs need to live or die on their own revenue stream and will always have a salary budget.
Ricketts needs time for whatever broadcast rights forced in the trib deal to expire so he can generate his own revenue, either to the highest bidder or with his own operation.
He needs time to figure out the timeline and budget to upgrade/rehab the stadium.
He also needs time to let the backloaded contracts run and get back to running a well organized baseball club.
at daver's request, Let's frontload this B**ch!
by N Oakley on Dec 15, 2009 5:23 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
+1
The Cubs will continue to compete over the next few years BUT, IMHO, we will continue to struggle with contracts/ budgets until these backloaded contracts are traded or finish out.
by timeforachange2009 on Dec 15, 2009 5:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ironically... being forced to spend less will make us a better organization.
Instead of throwing millions around at veteran players, they’ll be investing those dollars more effectively in the scouting departments and at player development, which is ultimately how you build a long term winning organization.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Dec 16, 2009 11:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
+1..... I hope that means I like your comment
A woman's guess is more accurate than a man's certainty.--Rudyard Kipling
by cooliogirl47 on Dec 17, 2009 8:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Rec'd.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
by dat cubfan daver on Dec 17, 2009 1:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well they just freed up some 20 million
granted u got sori is getting 3 more mil this year and z ,but there still like 10 to 11 mil freed up from loosing hardon,gregg,miles,,,and the other players they let go.And with all there new advertiseing its supposed to be about 155 millions i dont wanna see no reason or hear why we cant.We all no why its the same old water different boat cheap cheap cheap.They sold stock to buy them like about 500 mil worth i dont care if the rest was a laon if you think the cubs dont make alot money your a fool.all i know is we gave fox away 1 of our clutch itters last yr for nuttin and lost 1 of our best pitchers also.So were alot worst than last year thnx hendry.I dont wanna hear no bullshit theres no money..Stop going to the game see how fast money will be spent..Use your brains people..!!!
by tazz34 on Dec 15, 2009 5:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
all i know is we gave fox away 1 of our clutch itters last yr for nuttin and lost 1 of our best pitchers also
oh, i thought we gave away a career minor leaguer DH and a bullpen killer
whoops
This Chicago Cubs team is currently Aaron free. Keep it that way, please.
by jesus christos on Dec 15, 2009 5:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I believe there's a pill for that..
This Chicago Cubs team is currently Aaron free. Keep it that way, please.
by jesus christos on Dec 15, 2009 7:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hate to tell you this
Did you forget about the extra money due both Dempster, Bradley and Fukudome?
Commenting on Fox isn’t worth it.
by rlpete on Dec 15, 2009 8:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Soriano as well
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
by Musicdude10 on Dec 17, 2009 8:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Scales was more clutch last season than Fox
which shows what your post is full of opinion not fact, and i will disregard it based on that
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 15, 2009 8:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
...
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
by dat cubfan daver on Dec 17, 2009 1:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Use your brains people..!!!
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 18, 2009 9:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
What do you mean, "All of a sudden"?
The guy has been telling everybody who wasn’t too thick to listen that the family did everything short of selling blood to raise cash to buy the team. There is no money. There won’t be money. If you’re lucky, the team will do fairly well, and revenue will sustain payroll. If you’re not, the team goes south, and you’ll swear you’re in Pittsburgh once the Cubs starting cutting costs.
by Damen Jackson on Dec 15, 2009 6:15 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Damen -
What do you think of Boras’ claims about how much money teams are getting from revenue sharing and how much money the Cubs could actually afford to put into payroll?
"We’re going to come back here next year healthy and do what we’re supposed to do, and we’re going to be all right. That’s not Hendry’s fault. He thought it was the right move. It didn’t work out. But at the same time, he’s the same guy that put back-to-back championship teams together." - Aramis Ramirez
by DGU on Dec 15, 2009 6:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Offhand...
Various player unions may take issue, but owner didn’t buy teams not to at least make some profit. Past that, I’d like to see what’s happening in corporate marketing and advertising before I take a more definitive opinion on that remark. If those revenue streams aren’t reliable — and I suspect that they’re not — teams doling out $100 million dollars deals can, but will probably regret it pretty quickly.
by Damen Jackson on Dec 15, 2009 7:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think this is good for the Cubs long-term
Tom Ricketts bought the Cubs (and financed the deal with a lot of debt to please Sam Zell) for the long haul. In order to make the Cubs a good long-term investment he must:
1. Re-model / re-hab Wrigley Field since a new yard would hurt the team’s “charm” (read: value).
2. Improve the front office and scouting aspect of the team. The Cubs have one of the smallest scouting staffs in MLB.
3. Pay down the debt and finance it in a responsible manner so that he doesn’t join the Tom Hicks Club.
4. Keep the payroll in check until he is able to unload (or let expire) some of the bad contracts. This also keeps him from having to pay the CBT.
5. Make enough profit to justify the investment to his family and other investors.
Gameboard is just a blip on the long-term radar, and Ricketts realizes that he is better off suffering for a year or two rather than making a Wells-for-Gameboard sized mistake. Because the Cubs are the only large-market team in the NL Central (despite what Boras says about the Cards), it is a wise long-term move even if the Cards beat the Cubs in 2010.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Dec 15, 2009 6:33 PM CST reply actions 10 recs
Rec'd
"We’re going to come back here next year healthy and do what we’re supposed to do, and we’re going to be all right. That’s not Hendry’s fault. He thought it was the right move. It didn’t work out. But at the same time, he’s the same guy that put back-to-back championship teams together." - Aramis Ramirez
by DGU on Dec 15, 2009 6:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Rec'd.
Hope you’re having a good Holiday season!
by chilango2 on Dec 15, 2009 7:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm having a better "Holliday" season than Matt is at the moment!
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Dec 15, 2009 8:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm also Rec'd'eding
"This next song... it's about the White Sox. It's called: F*** Em'." - Eddie Vedder
by PacificCub on Dec 15, 2009 7:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
What is wrong with the guy telling the team to take a deep breath and figure out a good, long term course for the team? I have no issues with what he is doing. The Cubs payroll is going to be $150M. That is enough to be an outstanding team. I think it’s OK for the bad investments to get off the books so that a solid foundation can be built.
by jerry morales rules on Dec 16, 2009 9:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
there should be a level beyond green
for this comment. Ricketts is a pragmatist. He’s not going to throw away $21mill just because he’s rich.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 16, 2009 2:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
What's greener than green?
I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Dec 16, 2009 2:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Greenest!
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 16, 2009 3:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Greenier
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 16, 2009 4:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Super Green
That’s not true!!! WHY THE F*CK WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU AHOLE!! Ok maybe your right but you gotta give a little something here for it to work. I don’t know what I’m going to do this is the worst thing I’ve ever read, this day could not get any worse. Fine, F*ck it, you’re right.
by Ditkavsworld
by gaclaudy on Dec 17, 2009 6:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Aquamarine
Emerald
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Dec 17, 2009 7:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
$145 million payroll is way adequate enough to get the job done
My Lord, this team has the 3rd highest payroll in baseball people !! It is Donuts Hendry who bids against himself in his extreme addiction to free agency. And we learned last offseason that Genius Jim will throw away scouting reports in deference to being sweet talked by the Milton Bradleys of the world over a 96 ounce steak.
I hate Hendry. I’m just ticking down the days until Ricketts gets off his evaluative ass and institutes a desperately needed makeover of this organization.
For starters, he needs to hire a real baseball man as team president. Not this friggin Kenny Crane assclown.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
by BLou on Dec 15, 2009 6:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
BLou...
You make us all embarrassed to be Cubs fans. You make me hate talking about this stuff. You probably sit at your desk at home and in your office at Wal-mart and beat yourself off to your own negative comments. In fact, i’m sure you will get a hard-on reading this. You feed off this stuff, and its sad, because unlike you…all of us are all REAL Cubs fans. Your attitude is more suited for soccer, so go move to Europe and never come back. Also, it is painfully obvious that you lack real knowledge of baseball.
"The more i practice, the luckier i seem to get" -Yogi Berra
by ChiCubsFever on Dec 16, 2009 12:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks but no thanks - You can keep him!
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
by eths on Dec 16, 2009 1:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Amen BLou!!!
If only Hendry had listened to you about Bradley last year we wouldn’t be in this mess!
A healthy Milton Bradley is the total package. A primetime left-handed bat who gets on base, can drive in runs, and plays a good outfield.
by BLou on Feb 11, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
by Wreckard on Dec 16, 2009 1:37 PM CST up reply actions 7 recs
Oh, shoot, sorry, I'm not sure how that quote got there.
Never mind that. Carry on BLou, ye soothsayer!
by Wreckard on Dec 16, 2009 1:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Haha! That made my day. Rock on BLou!
How’s the weather there in your little world?
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Dec 16, 2009 4:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
REC'D
I wonder how BLou will respond, or if he will at all to his own quote
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 16, 2009 4:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
::: crickets :::
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Dec 16, 2009 10:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Now Al......
be fair.
I can remember MANY times you have been as wrong (although not as obnoxious) as BLou. DUSTY anyone?? :)
by timeforachange2009 on Dec 16, 2009 10:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
we all have been wrong on here atleast once.
but the vast majority accept it and eat crow, instead of pretend that it never happened. it also is ironic that mr knows everything is (once again) avoiding a fact given to him, and this time it is his own quote
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 16, 2009 11:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I have been wrong too.....
It was an attempt at a joke.
by timeforachange2009 on Dec 17, 2009 6:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I love how people keep suggesting that the first thing a guy
who just paid $900 million should do is spend more money. $145 million payroll is higher than 27 other teams already – it’s not the amount of money it is how it is being spent. If he is going to put any more $ towards salaries it should go to office and scouting rather than to cover jim hendry’s bad contracts
by doofus cubs guy on Dec 15, 2009 7:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Well said...
…there is no sense in spending good money after bad, which could only set the club even further behind the 8 ball.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
by MPH73 on Dec 17, 2009 12:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm about ready...
to start a BCB hibernation for the hot stove season. Things just keep getting more and more ridiculous.
by Kansas25 on Dec 15, 2009 9:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Are you serious?
Shit is just starting to get interesting!
I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Dec 16, 2009 12:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
the only good thing sometimes
are the pics that get posted here when it gets this recockulous
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 16, 2009 12:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
RIDIKULUS!
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 16, 2009 2:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Wonder woman may never look the same again.
That’s not true!!! WHY THE F*CK WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU AHOLE!! Ok maybe your right but you gotta give a little something here for it to work. I don’t know what I’m going to do this is the worst thing I’ve ever read, this day could not get any worse. Fine, F*ck it, you’re right.
by Ditkavsworld
by gaclaudy on Dec 17, 2009 6:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I actually somewhat agree with this
though more in terms of free agent signings than Bradley. I would not be in favor of releasing him at all. But I just dont see how their hands are so tied in terms of payroll. Yes, someone like Lackey getting a huge contract of 85 Million is a ton of money. But thats only like 17 a year. (If you don’t inexplicably backload every single contract you give out). Now im not saying we need a signing like that but a Capps signing, Marlon Byrd, etc. I just dont see how Ricketts can not be able to afford that after he takes control of one of the most profitable franchises in baseball. Seems ridiculous to me honestly. It seems like every other respectable franchise is trying to get better. We are, I guess, but the old “addition by subtraction” moniker. But I digress.
by KButler on Dec 15, 2009 10:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Sorry I don't
Hendry did this and now he is paying for it. How much money is enough?
by rlpete on Dec 15, 2009 11:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Its Hendry's contracts coming home to roost
In all honesty, if Zell had decided to keep the Cubs, I’m not so sure that we could expect that much more allocated to team payroll than Ricketts is. Jim Hendry paid for the 2008 and 2007 Cubs at the expense of the 2009 and 2010 Cubs (and beyond). He backloaded many deals so they were cheaper in earlier years, but eventually that comes home to roost. For all those people who celebrated when Andy MacPhail left and the Cubs opened the purse strings, well this is one of consequences. The Cubs have been left with very little flexibility and this started last year when we saw Kerry Wood allowed to leave for financial reasons and Jason Marquis traded in order to make room for Milton Bradley’s contract (I am not arguing for Marquis and Wood here, just showing why decisions were made).
Here are some examples… Alfonso Soriano’s contract hasn’t even come close to its maximum dollar years. He was paid $9M in 2007 and 13M in 2008. Next year (and through 2014) it balloons to $18M a season. Aramis Ramirez, in the first two years of a 5 year deal got $8M and $14M (‘07 and ’08), while the contract averages over $15M a season for the ’09-’11 seasons). Ted Lilly is another prime example, as he made $5M and $7M in ‘07 and ’08, yet he made $12M in ’09 and again in ’10. Contracts were similarly backloaded for Fukudome, Bradley, Dempster and Zambrano. Derrek Lee is pretty much the only guy playing on a long term contract that isn’t back loaded.
The village idiot looks at this and realizes that eventually you’re going to have to pay the piper. I’m not sure why Hendry didn’t either a. realize this or b. care. I realize that all teams do this to some extent, but most don’t do it to the extent that Hendry has, and certainly not the great ones.
by dmlichte on Dec 15, 2009 11:02 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
Backloading
Lilly and Sori were backloaded deals.
Viewing the others as backloading is usually a consequence of ignoring the signing bonus as part of the overall cost of the first year or overstating the good strategy of slightly inflating contracts year-by-year. Doing the latter is fairly common and different than backloading. The contracts are here for anyone to see.
That said, I don’t get why people are either elated or angry about payroll. Different ownerships can set payroll based on what they want to do with the club. We don’t see how much $$$ the Cubs make, so we don’t know if a 145 M payroll still gives the Cubs plenty of profit or if it was a temporary strategy used by the Trib to lose $$$ in the short-term, but raise the sale value of the club.
In other words, there’s no moral culpability for the Trib raising payroll or Ricketts lowering it, or Jim Hendry following their orders wrt payroll.
It’s fairly astounding to think that you conclude Hendry didn’t
either a. realize this or b. care.
Are you serious? You don’t take the time to backload in the case of Lilly and Sori and Marquis without having a reason for doing it. He may have expected young talent to step up by now, easing payroll (Samardzija and Pie?), or he may have been ordered by the Trib, or he may have some other plan. But you don’t adjust those numbers without some reason.
"We’re going to come back here next year healthy and do what we’re supposed to do, and we’re going to be all right. That’s not Hendry’s fault. He thought it was the right move. It didn’t work out. But at the same time, he’s the same guy that put back-to-back championship teams together." - Aramis Ramirez
by DGU on Dec 16, 2009 8:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
you're making assumptions
that Hendry wasn’t more concerned with immediate when he signed those players than he was to the long term. Sorry, but when I see the voracity that Hendry approaches signing free agents (and hitting coaches) I am left feeling that he wants what he wants and he’ll deal with the consequences later. Yes, he had a reason to sign backloaded contracts and now its coming home to roost. I went to the website you linked and as I said, backloaded contracts are common, but Hendry does it to a greater extent than pretty much every other team. Further there was absolutely no sign that come 2009 and beyond that the Cubs would extend their payroll beyond the $145-150M mark, yet Hendry structured contracts that needed to fit into a payroll quite bigger than that. He showed little foresight and IMO, its disturbing that we have such a shortsighted GM.
by dmlichte on Dec 16, 2009 8:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm only assuming
that he’s not an idiot. And if you can’t assume that, then we won’t be able to have a conversation. I’ve read enough of your posts to know you’re smart – deep down you know Jim Hendry’s not an idiot.
As for my assumptions – quite the opposite – I grant the possibility that Hendry was ordered to backload and/or that he expected it wouldn’t be a problem because he thought he’d have young players moving into roles. You, on the other hand, seem to prefer assuming he wasn’t thinking about it at all?
If Hendry didn’t care about the long-term future of the club, why didn’t he trade prospects for Peavy? Why wasn’t he willing to give more youth for Brian Roberts?
The reason we don’t have finanial flexibility right now – if we don’t – is because two players Hendry expected to work out were incompatible with Lou and his coaching staff. Our team would have been fine had Pie worked out. Our team would have been fine if Bradley had worked out and/or if we hadn’t needed to eat his whole salary to move him. But when both of those players go bust and give you no return, then, yeah, you’re in trouble.
"We’re going to come back here next year healthy and do what we’re supposed to do, and we’re going to be all right. That’s not Hendry’s fault. He thought it was the right move. It didn’t work out. But at the same time, he’s the same guy that put back-to-back championship teams together." - Aramis Ramirez
by DGU on Dec 16, 2009 9:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hendry
Idiot may be an overstatement however he does not strike me as a particularly savvy GM. While others are out there making creative moves, Hendry is a GM who relies far too much on the free agent market. He overspends on guys and his propensity to hand out no-trade clauses is frightening.
I’m not sure why you believe that Hendry was ordered to backload contracts. You have no basis for such an assumption and to think that Sam Zell stepped in and told Hendry how to structure deals just has no basis. Further, your blaming Lou for the Milton Bradley situation ignores the reality of Bradley’s major league career. Bradley was failing at the plate far before his run-ins with Piniella as well as the rest of the team. And the fact is that the situation with Bradley could be dealt with if the slate of contracts Hendry handed out weren’t hamstringing the team.
Sorry, but even the best of GMs hand out contracts that don’t work out. Not every free agent comes through, but good GMs structure deals and leave flexibility so that they can overcome this. Hendry did not and it was obvious when he signed players to these deals that it was going to come back and bite him. I was on this topic when the deals were signed.
by dmlichte on Dec 16, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
To be clear -
I do not think I know nearly enough about the Bradley situation to lay blame on Lou. I’m simply stating that Hendry didn’t expect MB and the coaches to have such a disastrous relationship. You can expect fire and anger from MB – destroyed clubhouse, though? No, there was no precedent for that.
"We’re going to come back here next year healthy and do what we’re supposed to do, and we’re going to be all right. That’s not Hendry’s fault. He thought it was the right move. It didn’t work out. But at the same time, he’s the same guy that put back-to-back championship teams together." - Aramis Ramirez
by DGU on Dec 16, 2009 12:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You nailed it ...
Rickett’s top priorities are:
1. Re-model / re-hab Wrigley Field since a new yard would hurt the team’s "charm" (read: value).
2. Improve the front office and scouting aspect of the team. The Cubs have one of the smallest scouting staffs in MLB.
3. Pay down the debt and finance it in a responsible manner so that he doesn’t join the Tom Hicks Club.
4. Keep the payroll in check until he is able to unload (or let expire) some of the bad contracts. This also keeps him from having to pay the CBT.
5. Make enough profit to justify the investment to his family and other investors.
It is just too bad WINNING and putting the best team on the field are not in the top five.
"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14
by BatCubFan on Dec 16, 2009 8:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
sorry, was trying to reply to DeRoMyHero, in green
"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14
by BatCubFan on Dec 16, 2009 8:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
4. Keep the payroll in check until he is able to unload (or let expire) some of the bad contracts. This also keeps him from having to pay the CBT.
You say this and yet turn around and say this…..
It is just too bad WINNING and putting the best team on the field are not in the top five.
One affects the other. Were at a point where the spending has to stop and we have to rethink this whole thing. I wouldn’t be unhappy if we started a firesale right now! Going out and signing a Marlon Byrd or a few other less than desirable pieces so that we can go into next season with some sorta false sense of hope is want I wanna do.
Were gonna have to tear it down and rebuild at some point. It’s gonna take some years to do it. Why not start now???
I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
by cubsluver22 on Dec 16, 2009 8:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, if that is the plan,
… “tear it down and rebuild it”, then I would like to see Ricketts and/or Hendry articulate that.
BTW, sitting on a MB contract, or sitting on a Soriano contract, is NOT what I would call “tearing it down”.
"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14
by BatCubFan on Dec 16, 2009 8:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Were not sitting on them....
Were eating them 1 day at a time because that’s mistakes no one else is gonna help us get out of. I’m sure any if I throw some names of value out there I will get flamed but that’s what it’s gonna take to get some prospects of value and a payroll that’s manageable.
I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
by cubsluver22 on Dec 16, 2009 9:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Once again, you're not making sense.
All of those things will help put the best team on the field. In time. Sorry that your need for instant gratification isn’t being met.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
by dat cubfan daver on Dec 17, 2009 1:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You're right ...
a lifetime of waiting = need for instant gratification.
Nothing is wrong with the 5 priorities listed above, and I agree long term they will help, but it is just not focused on the 2010 team. If we are in a 3 year rebuild horizon, then he should articulate it, and do it across the board. Instead of letting Hendry twist in the wind.
"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14
by BatCubFan on Dec 18, 2009 8:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I believe
With the current contracts and players the Cubs COULD be contenders. If everyone performs the way they COULD or are PAID to, they will have no problem winning the division. I think there is enough talent on the team to put a run together.
But in retrospect I also think that if this team gets out of contention, they should pull the trigger on trading Lee. But I wouldnt trade him for so called prospects. I would look for young established pitching in any deal for Derrek. With Castro and Vitters climbing the ladder fast-ish, we have help coming. I also think that Aram could be a good first baseman.
Just my view on things, I myself really think that even if Lee or Zambrano are traded for young established talent, the cubs could contend again in 2010 or 2011.
by Kchance on Dec 16, 2009 11:03 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
We have enough...
to PREtend. We don’t have enough to CONtend!!!
I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
by cubsluver22 on Dec 16, 2009 11:07 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
you dont think that
If all the cubs put up close to career numbers they wont be 1st or 2nd in the divsion?
by Kchance on Dec 16, 2009 11:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If Soriano
Rami and Soto return to 2008 numbers, we have the division for sure.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 16, 2009 2:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
glad to see someone else
thinking the cubs arnt the pirates. We have a good team still. Not great andyes contracts are bad but first step is making the playoffs. From there anything can happen
by Kchance on Dec 16, 2009 3:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You don't become a multi-bazillionaire
by throwing away $20M.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Dec 16, 2009 11:47 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Now, that's the truth!
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 16, 2009 11:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
that is the secret of rich people – be tightwads
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
by hansman1982 on Dec 17, 2009 7:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Tom's broke? Awww
See if you get the joke….
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
by Musicdude10 on Dec 17, 2009 8:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
This is all the humor I can muster...
"I have the time and hatred but not the knowledge." ~Madison Cub Fan (Aug. 25, 2009)
by Goodie1969 on Dec 17, 2009 10:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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