GM's Want Action; No Sale This Year For Cubs

by Al Yellon on Nov 9, 2007 10:54 AM CST

From Chris DeLuca's column in the Sun-Times today:

Instead of huddling in quiet corners of the lobby bar or arranging clandestine late-night meetings in their suites, baseball's general managers tried something new at their annual meetings this year.

All 30 of them gathered in a lounge area and put their cards on the table -- one by one, standing and announcing their intentions for all the others to hear.

It was the brainchild of Boston Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and Florida Marlins GM Larry Beinfest. And it was the biggest hit of the meetings this side of instant replay.

Interesting concept, and I agree with DeLuca's conclusion that this "group hug" could lead to a very active trading season.

Get going, Jim Hendry.

And as I have often predicted, the Cubs won't be sold before the 2008 season begins, according to Phil Rogers:

... two highly placed MLB sources confirmed Thursday that Commissioner Bud Selig had been unable to keep the process moving at that timetable, ruling out a sale before the end of the year and making one before the Cubs go to training camp next spring highly unlikely.

"I'm afraid that is right," a source said. "I can't say for sure why this is moving at the pace it is, but the pace of it has been frustrating. We had hoped it would pick up some steam, but it hasn't."

According to the source, MLB has not even closed out the application process for prospective buyers. The bidding for the team is still expected to be robust, but only five groups have been cleared to look at Tribune Co.'s baseball records, according to the MLB source.

And so I say again: Get going, Jim Hendry. Bring us a winner in 2008.

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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Comments

Wow

Very surprising, interesting...

... intriguing!

Let's go get 'em.

by initram on Nov 9, 2007 10:43 AM CST reply actions

I love it...

the GMs try a new tact in a effort to improve their clubs, and the MLBPA response is "Collusion! Collusion!" The nerve of some people, not wanting to play agent games.

by Damen Jackson on Nov 9, 2007 10:47 AM CST reply actions

Yeah...

Not getting a new owner could hurt us free agent wise. After all, signing with a team that may be sold in May, or not even then, to God know's who is a dicey proposition. Look how long it took for Z to resign with Cubs after the official announcement.

by Snake Plissken on Nov 9, 2007 10:56 AM CST reply actions

"Hi, my name is Jim...

...and I haven't made a trade in over two months..."

<clap, clap, several "Hi Jim"s, clap, clap>

Gotta love group therapy...

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Nov 9, 2007 11:01 AM CST reply actions

This changes a lot

This changes the entire approach of the 2008 season knowing Tribune is responsible for Pay-Roll (it's not Zell right)? By a major signing and upping the pay-roll could fish out a few investors but give us the ability to compete on the free agent market.

by ak123 on Nov 9, 2007 11:07 AM CST reply actions

Not only that ak123

But the Tribune has stated all alone that it would be business as usual with the Cubs.

I dont want to hear another report that "Well the ownership issue with the Cubs will affect signing so and so."

"I guess you had some lean years, and didnt have to beat it hard" - Craig Sager

by Galvan316 on Nov 9, 2007 11:32 AM CST reply actions

Not to go there but...

That reason alone is why I don't truly believe we are not in the A-Rod hunt until he actually signs with another team...

by ak123 on Nov 9, 2007 11:50 AM CST up reply actions

Group hug or collusion?

The MLBPA is accusing the GMs of acting in collusion and has opened an investigation.

by Wreckard on Nov 9, 2007 11:50 AM CST reply actions

Way to bury the lede here.

Apparently Cashman thinks the Yankees don't have a third baseman? I hadn't heard that before.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 9, 2007 12:01 PM CST up reply actions

Collusion?

What utter nonsense. In '87, there was clearly collusion, as the GM's and owners had made an under-the-table agreement that didn't come out till later.

This time, they have had a public meeting that was openly reported in the mass media.

I don't see the collusion here; all I see are more legal bills.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 9, 2007 12:17 PM CST up reply actions

These guys couldn't collude

if they wanted to. This isn't the late 80's, there is a lot more money involved and far too much pressure on winning for these guys to get on the same page about what they would pay FA's.

I wouldn't doubt whether Fehr did this as a way to take attention away from the Mitchell list about to come out. The results could really put the player's association in a bad light, and they are just a tad nervous.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Nov 9, 2007 12:23 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I think it's clearly a sign

That teams realize no player is worth $30 million dollars even if he's the MVP. Especially he's not worth $35 million over 10 years! Could you imagine paying A-Rod $35 million when he's 42 years old?

It's just common sense that A-Rod should not get that much for so long.

by IllinoisCubs on Nov 9, 2007 4:24 PM CST up reply actions

Ownership

I didn't notice Levin's name among the potential bidders. Anyone have some info on that?

It's not to late to go to Soto.

by tharr on Nov 9, 2007 2:03 PM CST reply actions

Unlike Al

I've never thought that Levin was a serious bidder for the team.

The artist formerly known as JoshinLA

by Josh Timmers on Nov 10, 2007 3:32 AM CST up reply actions

Why?

n/t

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2007 10:49 AM CST up reply actions

Al

Levin has never publicly stated his interest the others have.

And that's the way to go about it.

I don't know him personally although I have met him but I've never heard a bad word about him.

From everything I understand about him him not going public about it is the way he'd do it.

He doesn't want to show his hand while the cards are still being dealt.

by puckishcubsfan on Nov 10, 2007 11:35 AM CST up reply actions

He has publicly

stated his interest, as I have read several quotes from him over the past 6 months.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Nov 11, 2007 10:47 AM CST up reply actions

Cubs sale

I imagine this article came out in response to the above quotes. They really do not say much more than what everybody knows. I remain in the camp that the Tribune sale is dead, although they could sell the Cubs on there own. articcehttp://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUKN0935100420071109?rpc=44

by jimhickman on Nov 9, 2007 2:03 PM CST reply actions