Alfonso Soriano‘s contract was an idiotic move that sank the Cubs into an economic impasse. I’d like to congratulate myself officially for expressing that sentiment for the 1 billionth time. While the confetti falls and the celebratory fireworks explode, I just want to point out one problem with that notion that fuels so many protests from those who think acquiring Prince Fielder (or any big name player commanding a big budget contract) is an equally insane idea: it’s a big fat load of wrong that makes Prince look svelte. Or it’s a little off. Exaggeration sells papers.
The main point I want to make is that Alfonso Soriano’s contract did exactly what the people who concocted it wanted it to do: it drove up the value of the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field.
Forget about Jim Hendry and Jon McDonough. The Tribune Co. was in bad shape as the 2007 season approached. Sam Zell took over ownership of the media giant and accumulated a $13 billion debt. They filed for bankruptcy protection in 2008, and the one part of the company that wasn’t affected was the Chicago Cubs. At least they weren’t affected directly. The team was the Tribune’s most marketable commodity, and the Soriano deal (and the other parts of the spending spree that helped make the 2007 Cubs contenders) helped make them look like even more of a prize.
Every time anyone, whether it’s a free agent player, a managerial candidate, or a hot dog vendor, joins the Chicago Cubs workforce, one of the big draws is a chance to be a part of a Chicago Cubs championship. Putting that dream within reach made the valuable Cubs look priceless. Here’s how the value of the Cubs team escalated after the acquisition of Alfonso Soriano with the average MLB team value included for good comparison (according to Forbes):
| Year |
Value (in millions) |
% Change | MLB Average | %Change |
| 2002 | $287 | — | $286 | — |
| 2003 | $335 | 17% | $295 | 3% |
| 2004 | $358 | 7% | $295 | 0% |
| 2005 | $398 | 11% | $339 | 15% |
| 2006 | $448 | 13% | $376 | 11% |
| 2007 | $592 | 32% | $433 | 15% |
| 2008 | $642 | 8% | $472 | 9% |
| 2009 | $700 | 9% | $482 | 2% |
| 2010 | $726 | 4% | $491 | 2% |
| 2011 | $773 | 6% | $523 | 7% |
$
Notice that big jump after 2006? Yeah, values are reported in the spring, so that $144 million surge was recognized as the Cubs’ 2007 campaign was just underway. Not surprisingly, the team’s value continued to spike after the success of 2007 and 2008. Crazy, huh? Next thing you know, the Ricketts family is buying the team for a goodly price of $900 million (which was more than the team was or is worth . . . and yes, those values do include Wrigley Field in their calculations).
Obviously we can’t attribute the entire value increase to Fonzie. The Cubs made other improvements, including expansions to Wrigley to be able to boost ticket sales. And Hendry signed Ted Lilly, Mark DeRosa, and the inimitable Jason Marquis while also reupping with Zambrano type people. But the point is, the big contracts were part of a concerted effort to improve the immediate quality of the team and significantly boost the perceived value–and it worked. They sold the Cubs for nearly double what the team was worth in 2006.
So, yeah, Soriano isn’t helping the Cubs too much now, but his albatross of a contract is but a salty drop in the ocean of debt, debt everywhere the Tribune Co. was swimming in. Building a get-good-quick contender made Sam Zell a ton of money.
I know you don’t care about Sam Zell. Nor do I. Our concerns are probably more concentrated on the Ricketts family’s ability to build a long-term winner now. But awarding a ginormous contract to Prince Fielder or any other legitimate top-tier free agent wouldn’t have the same suffocating effect that Soriano’s contract has had on the Ricketts Cubs. The reason is timing. This ownership should have an easier time finding cash flexibility when they’re not fresh off of an $845 million purchase.
Buying the Cubs put the Ricketts family in a bit of a bind. That made raising payroll a bit bigger of a challenge. The further removed they are from that initial debt bomb, the less imposing $20 million a year contracts might be on their budget. Signing Fielder wouldn’t have the same restricting force as the Soriano deal.
But the bottom line is this: the people who signed Alfonso Soriano to his contract made an awful lot of money because of it. They’re using it now to pay Paul Sullivan and a debt that could employ 650,000 Sorianos.
Comments
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yes. The Cubs had to give the Ham Fighters 50 mil to take him.[/quote](dying laughing), (dying laughing) at this. The teams all enter a bidding system, and the team that pays the most money doesn’t have to take Micah Hoffpauir. (dying laughing)
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=fang2415](dying laughing), (dying laughing) at this. The teams all enter a bidding system, and the team that pays the most money doesn’t have to take Micah Hoffpauir. (dying laughing)[/quote][quote name=fang2415](dying laughing), (dying laughing) at this. The teams all enter a bidding system, and the team that pays the most money doesn’t have to take Micah Hoffpauir. (dying laughing)[/quote]
what’s great is the cubs got the better end of the deal.
wpbcQuote Reply
+1 Rec’d
fang2415Quote Reply
(dying laughing) (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]+1 Rec’d[/quote]I liked that too. Well done, AC.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Good points, AC, but I counter with this. I request that you rebut each of my following points individually:
You got that right dont sign the guys who can put you in playoffs thats smart and i thought things would change all epstien did was creat a buddies club with all his friends
They need to do something sign some free agents get a veterin 3B like DeRosa hes not going to be that much even if its for a few years it gives time to truly develope some of the younger talent they need to get on it the fans want to get into instant contention and im sorry I beleive the money for Pujols or Fielder would have been worth it get an established player that is amazing at what they do and why didnt they persue C.J Wilson they need pitching
Feel like all they did was bring half the old redsox front office and all the buddies from the brewers for what so they continue the tradition of losing
i get not signing pujols for 10 years but fielder is a lot younger and cj wilson is the best starter out there and hes young i dont get it
The bottom line is that the Cubs dont want to pull the trigger on a big time free agent with a big name on the roster it makes any offer the cubs put out to be a more attractive offer the money will be made up with ticket sales and merchendice sales so why not go for it bring in a big name
I just ranted to my gf about how upset I was and she just stared at me like I was crazy :/ if only women understood
pujols and fielder are not soriano i agree pujols not worth 10 years but fielder is young enough and solid enough to go after
Fielder is solid he is durable he has proved that playing every game the past 2 seasons he can play and just because he is a bigger guy does not meen he is out of shape no out of shape guy could do what he does on a daily basis
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
^ WTF (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Good points, AC, but I counter with this. I request that you rebut each of my following points individually:
You got that right dont sign the guys who can put you in playoffs thats smart and i thought things would change all epstien did was creat a buddies club with all his friends
They need to do something sign some free agents get a veterin 3B like DeRosa hes not going to be that much even if its for a few years it gives time to truly develope some of the younger talent they need to get on it the fans want to get into instant contention and im sorry I beleive the money for Pujols or Fielder would have been worth it get an established player that is amazing at what they do and why didnt they persue C.J Wilson they need pitching
Feel like all they did was bring half the old redsox front office and all the buddies from the brewers for what so they continue the tradition of losing
i get not signing pujols for 10 years but fielder is a lot younger and cj wilson is the best starter out there and hes young i dont get it
The bottom line is that the Cubs dont want to pull the trigger on a big time free agent with a big name on the roster it makes any offer the cubs put out to be a more attractive offer the money will be made up with ticket sales and merchendice sales so why not go for it bring in a big name
I just ranted to my gf about how upset I was and she just stared at me like I was crazy :/ if only women understood
pujols and fielder are not soriano i agree pujols not worth 10 years but fielder is young enough and solid enough to go after
Fielder is solid he is durable he has proved that playing every game the past 2 seasons he can play and just because he is a bigger guy does not meen he is out of shape no out of shape guy could do what he does on a daily basis[/quote]This.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]This.[/quote]I was so looking forward to you rebutting each point. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Good points, AC, but I counter with this. I request that you rebut each of my following points individually:
You got that right dont sign the guys who can put you in playoffs thats smart and i thought things would change all epstien did was creat a buddies club with all his friends
They need to do something sign some free agents get a veterin 3B like DeRosa hes not going to be that much even if its for a few years it gives time to truly develope some of the younger talent they need to get on it the fans want to get into instant contention and im sorry I beleive the money for Pujols or Fielder would have been worth it get an established player that is amazing at what they do and why didnt they persue C.J Wilson they need pitching
Feel like all they did was bring half the old redsox front office and all the buddies from the brewers for what so they continue the tradition of losing
i get not signing pujols for 10 years but fielder is a lot younger and cj wilson is the best starter out there and hes young i dont get it
The bottom line is that the Cubs dont want to pull the trigger on a big time free agent with a big name on the roster it makes any offer the cubs put out to be a more attractive offer the money will be made up with ticket sales and merchendice sales so why not go for it bring in a big name
I just ranted to my gf about how upset I was and she just stared at me like I was crazy :/ if only women understood
pujols and fielder are not soriano i agree pujols not worth 10 years but fielder is young enough and solid enough to go after
Fielder is solid he is durable he has proved that playing every game the past 2 seasons he can play and just because he is a bigger guy does not meen he is out of shape no out of shape guy could do what he does on a daily basis[/quote]http://images.encyclopediadramatica.ch/thumb/b/ba/Harbfeadtuegwtdlml_4chan.jpg/850px-Harbfeadtuegwtdlml_4chan.jpg
fang2415Quote Reply
We have a winner in the stupidest man alive contest: http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/cubs-talk/post/STL-stores-giving-away-Pujols-merchandis?blockID=609000&feedID=10336
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]Does anybody else think that the most unusual thing Thoyer has done yet is this selling-to-a-Mexican team business? How they hell did they even do that? Was the Mexican GM on their rolodex? Do Mexican teams even have GMs? And if Thoyer know the Mexican market that well… well, how many other markets are there?
[/quote]
yes, this. there has to be a backstory behind that move. did that guy knock up ricketts’ daughter, so he wanted him deported?
unfortunately, we’ll never know.
GWQuote Reply
False.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I was so looking forward to you rebutting each point. (dying laughing)[/quote]I just keep (dying laughing).
No offense, GC. I think I generally agree. Fielder wouldn’t be a bad signing. And I don’t want to watch a boys club. And your girlfriend might have a point. (dying laughing)
AndCountingQuote Reply
AC, those are comments from some site (cubs.com?). People are funny.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]We have a winner in the stupidest man alive contest: http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/cubs-talk/post/STL-stores-giving-away-Pujols-merchandis?blockID=609000&feedID=10336%5B/quote%5D
(h/t to whoever posted this the other day but got the link wrong)
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]AC, those are comments from some site (cubs.com?). People are funny.[/quote](dying laughing)
I thought for sure it had to be something. I haven’t been around much lately, but I know Mr. Gorilla Cock generally holds to a higher standard than . . . um, that.
AndCountingQuote Reply
My favorite one was the guy who spelt shitt lyke thiss: persue, develope, beleive
mb21Quote Reply
Means nothing but the consensus around the league (according to Joel Sherman) is that the Cubs will sign Fielder:
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/down_to_yu_EJgzwU93kCiMidqqWq0H0M
If memory serves didn’t Sherman first break the idea that Theo would come to the cubs if asked?
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]We have a winner in the stupidest man alive contest: http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/cubs-talk/post/STL-stores-giving-away-Pujols-merchandis?blockID=609000&feedID=10336%5B/quote%5DI wish I had a friend in STL right now. I always wanted a Pujols jersey but didn’t want to spend the money to get the authentic one.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]yes, this. there has to be a backstory behind that move. did that guy knock up ricketts’ daughter, so he wanted him deported?
unfortunately, we’ll never know.[/quote]If so, he did it with swiftness that puts Mark Grace to shame, considering that the Cubs only had him for like an hour after picking him in the Rule 5 draft.
Honestly, who does that? We’ll pick a guy in the Rule 5 just to sell him to Mexico? I’m surprised you can even do that (don’t you have to keep him on the roster?). And even if you can, why the hell do Thoyer know you can do that?
How much cash did they get, anyway? How much would possibly be worth just paying attention to all that shit?
It’s just too weird. This *has* to be part of some larger scheme, even if only slightly larger.
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting](dying laughing)
I thought for sure it had to be something. I haven’t been around much lately, but I know Mr. Gorilla Cock generally holds to a higher standard than . . . um, that.[/quote]The application in this case was perfect. I’m still (dying laughing) every time I even skim that comment. We need the +1,000,000 button again. (dying laughing)
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I wish I had a friend in STL right now. I always wanted a Pujols jersey but didn’t want to spend the money to get the authentic one.[/quote]Some clever Chicago businessman should go
buytake them all and re-sell them with “HA HA HA” painted on the bottom.fang2415Quote Reply
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]The application in this case was perfect. I’m still (dying laughing) every time I even skim that comment. We need the +1,000,000 button again. (dying laughing)[/quote]
GBTS deserved the +1,000,000 for putting that into this yesterday
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]GBTS deserved the +1,000,000 for putting that into this yesterday
[/quote]
GBTSQuote Reply
(dying laughing). We should fire B, MB, AC, and Aisley and just have the whole blog be GBTS, Mr. Gorilla Cock, and the guy from Muskat’s post yesterday. That shit would be epic. (dying laughing)
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I wish I had a friend in STL right now. I always wanted a Pujols jersey but didn’t want to spend the money to get the authentic one.[/quote]
I’ll see what I can do. I’ve got some connections.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I’ll see what I can do. I’ve got some connections.[/quote]
What size, RC?
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I’ll see what I can do. I’ve got some connections.[/quote]Thank you, Mr. 424.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]What size, RC?[/quote]I usually wear a medium or a large.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=fang2415](dying laughing). We should fire B, MB, AC, and Aisley and just have the whole blog be GBTS, Mr. Gorilla Cock, and the guy from Muskat’s post yesterday. That shit would be epic. (dying laughing)[/quote]It would certainly end this “Cubs” charade. I don’t think I’ve made an actual informed, constructive comment on the team in months. (dying laughing)
GBTSQuote Reply
So… the Cubs got Jeff Bianchi. Goody?
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]It would certainly end this “Cubs” charade. I don’t think I’ve made an actual informed, constructive comment on the team
in monthsever. (dying laughing)[/quote]I’ll flag this one myself.GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]It would certainly end this “Cubs” charade. I don’t think I’ve made an actual informed, constructive comment on the team in months. (dying laughing)[/quote]
We take our discreditation seriously in these parts.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]So… the Cubs got Jeff Bianchi. Goody?[/quote]
TJS patients are the new market inefficiency.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]TJS patients are the new market inefficiency.[/quote]Too bad the Cubs can’t get Strasburg or Wainwright this way.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Too bad the Cubs can’t get Strasburg or Wainwright this way.[/quote]
You haven’t let them finish. Patience.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Actually the last time the Cubs went on Tommy John mode, they ended up with Dempster. But they also had to sort through Van Poppel, Wade Miller, and a few other reclamations that never panned out to get him.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]TJS patients are the new market inefficiency.[/quote]He had Tommy John’s Surgery as a shortstop? Or did you mean Thoracolumbar Junction Syndrome?
fang2415Quote Reply
I like how Alvin uses a video of Darvish striking out Murton as proof that Darvish would be successful in the major leagues.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]TJS patients are the new market inefficiency.[/quote]Then they shouldn’t have traded Tyler Colvin.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]He had Tommy John’s Surgery as a shortstop? Or did you mean Thoracolumbar Junction Syndrome?[/quote]
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/7428/cubs-claim-inf-bianchi-from-royals?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Too bad the Cubs can’t get Strasburg or Wainwright this way.[/quote]
[quote name=Aisle424]You haven’t let them finish. Patience.[/quote]You see, that’s where Enrique Reyes and the Sultanes de Monterrey come in.
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424].[/quote]I was wondering where his 2010 numbers were. Anyway, TJS isn’t nearly as big a deal for position players, is it?
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]I was wondering where his 2010 numbers were. Anyway, TJS isn’t nearly as big a deal for position players, is it?[/quote]Xavier Nady had TJS (I think twice) and when the Cubs signed him, he wasn’t allowed to throw at full strength from the outfield. Guess it depends on the player.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Also, Xavier’s hitting fell off a cliff.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Xavier Nady had TJS (I think twice) and when the Cubs signed him, he wasn’t allowed to throw at full strength from the outfield. Guess it depends on the player.[/quote]
GBTSQuote Reply
That said, I think most players come back from TJS just fine. Most pitchers are able to retain their previous velocities, too, though some have mechanical issues, some of which go away in time.
ACTQuote Reply
When Kerry came back from TJS in 2000, he was pretty rocky, but his 2001 season was a carbon copy of his rookie year.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]You see, that’s where Enrique Reyes and the Sultanes de Monterrey come in.[/quote]Pardon me: Looks like Reyes is the manager. Roberto M. Ramirez is the Gerente General, so I assume he’d be the one involved in a four-team transaction between the Cubs, Cardinals, Nationals, and Sultanes for Strasburg, Wainwright, Ricky Alvarez, and cash considerations.
No dinner for me under the Thoyer regime.
fang2415Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
I have so many FAILgifs that take place in Miller Park.
GBTSQuote Reply
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]That said, I think most players come back from TJS just fine. Most pitchers are able to retain their previous velocities, too, though some have mechanical issues, some of which go away in time.[/quote]Anyway, I think Thoracolumbar Junction Syndrome patients are the real inefficiency.
fang2415Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
This Xavier Nady gem too.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]
[/quote]Koyie Hill never would’ve dropped that ball. Even if his fingers fell off, he’d just grit it out.
fang2415Quote Reply
Sherman said Theo wants to make a statement signing in his first year. I don’t buy that. I don’t Theo gives a shit about that stuff.
mb21Quote Reply
Ah the Soriano contract. I haven’t thought in a positive way about that offseason since, oh, about the time everything went south in ’09.
Of course, my reactions at the time were mixed at best too:
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Sherman said Theo wants to make a statement signing in his first year. I don’t buy that. I don’t Theo gives a shit about that stuff.[/quote]
Yeah I don’t buy that rationale either. If Theo gets Fielder it’s because the Cubs fucking need him.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Fixed.
BerseliusQuote Reply
I think the Cubs need him. There isn’t shit available on the free agent market (offensively) in the next few years.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=fang2415](dying laughing). We should fire B, MB, AC, and Aisley and just have the whole blog be GBTS, Mr. Gorilla Cock, and the guy from Muskat’s post yesterday. That shit would be epic. (dying laughing)[/quote]
I was fired two months ago, it just hasn’t been reported yet.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I was fired two months ago, it just hasn’t been reported yet.[/quote]
They’ve been trying to decipher the riddle of Aramis’ contract. They should have something on it by the All-Star break.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]They’ve been trying to decipher the riddle of Aramis’ contract. They should have something on it by the All-Star break.[/quote]
They’re not even there yet. They’re still working on breaking down Ron Coomer’s and Matt Stairs’s contracts.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Huston Street ———-> SD
BerseliusQuote Reply
This might turn out to be an Unobstructed View, but worthy of discussion:
http://movies.yahoo.com/news/jennifer-aniston-voted-hottest-woman-time-184651500.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]This might turn out to be an Unobstructed View, but worthy of discussion:
http://movies.yahoo.com/news/jennifer-aniston-voted-hottest-woman-time-184651500.html%5B/quote%5DShe's got nothing on that kerrysotherwife chick from BCB.
mb21Quote Reply
http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/cubs-talk/post/Baseball-execs-think-Fielder-will-sign-w?blockID=609132&feedID=661&awid=7522054370183769962-914
FWIW
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/cubs-talk/post/Baseball-execs-think-Fielder-will-sign-w?blockID=609132&feedID=661&awid=7522054370183769962-914
FWIW[/quote]
It could go either way (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
Will people please, please, please stop saying this? Do they pay no attention to the past decade in Boston or, for example, the Adrian Gonzalez trade?
mb21Quote Reply
Ryno and I were discussing the potential Nomar trade for 4 weeks before it finally went through. We knew the Red Sox were working tirelessly trying to acquire A-Rod. It was the Yankees who jumped in and in a matter of a day got the deal done. We heard about the Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell trade. We heard a lot about when Ortiz was re-signed (about the same time as Lee).
Where is this stealth shit coming from?
mb21Quote Reply
The fact there have been so few rumors regarding Fielder almost certainly means the Cubs have, to this point anyway, not been involved. That’s not to say they won’t jump in. They might. They might not. It’s 50/50.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Ryno and I were discussing the potential Nomar trade for 4 weeks before it finally went through. We knew the Red Sox were working tirelessly trying to acquire A-Rod. It was the Yankees who jumped in and in a matter of a day got the deal done. We heard about the Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell trade. We heard a lot about when Ortiz was re-signed (about the same time as Lee).
Where is this stealth shit coming from?[/quote]
The media feeding excuses as to why they still don’t have any decent sources.
Aisle424Quote Reply
I can believe that these guys would PREFER to not telegraph every move, but they have dealt with media that were probably better at their jobs and weren’t always successful in hiding their plans.
Also, it might be more accurate to say this is a trademark of the Ricketts. They held the Hendry thing under wraps for a month. Nobody knew what was going to happen with Quade. We don’t have the foggiest clue whether Maddux was their first choice or not before “settling” on Sveum.
The Ricketts have gone quiet for about a year now except in very carefully planned scenarios where media access is controlled.
Aisle424Quote Reply
The Carl Crawford signing last year is an example of how everybody knew the Red Sox were going after him. Brian Cashman knew it and made the Red Sox pay more. Thoyer undoubtedly did the same thing with the Yankees too.
The Cubs hired an intelligent front office. They didn’t hire a front office that keeps secret their intentions any more than any other organization.
mb21Quote Reply
And it wouldn’t surprise me that they have communicated their desires to not be public with Theo and Jed and the rest of the Superfriends.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]The media feeding excuses as to why they still don’t have any decent sources.[/quote]It’s ridiculous. I’ve heard this a million times over the last week and it’s like people completely forgot about the last decade.
mb21Quote Reply
I’m actually starting to become a fan of the Ricketts if they have clamped down this much on the local media. That is a thing of beauty.
Aisle424Quote Reply
The Cubs’ intentions towards Stewart have been well-known for quite some time, and the DeJesus signing wasn’t news, either.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I can believe that these guys would PREFER to not telegraph every move, but they have dealt with media that were probably better at their jobs and weren’t always successful in hiding their plans.
Also, it might be more accurate to say this is a trademark of the Ricketts. They held the Hendry thing under wraps for a month. Nobody knew what was going to happen with Quade. We don’t have the foggiest clue whether Maddux was their first choice or not before “settling” on Sveum.
The Ricketts have gone quiet for about a year now except in very carefully planned scenarios where media access is controlled.[/quote]That’s a good point about Ricketts. I hadn’t thought about that, but there’s always a reason to use a source. I can’t pretend to know all the reasons, but the front office will use their sources to pass information the same way other front offices do. They should.
I don’t expect the Chicago media to ever have any quality sources. That would require them getting off their ass and doing something, which is something I’m confident Paul Sullivan and Gordon Whittenmeyer will never do. Maybe Bruce Miles will. I’m sure Levine and Kaplan will because their readers demand it.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]The Cubs’ intentions towards Stewart have been well-known for quite some time, and the DeJesus signing wasn’t news, either.[/quote]Exactly. That the deal apparently was completed on Tuesday isn’t a sign of the front office being tight-lipped, it’s that the media is too lazy to get the information.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]And it wouldn’t surprise me that they have communicated their desires to not be public with Theo and Jed and the rest of the Superfriends.[/quote]I think this is possible, but I also think they’d have told Ricketts there are sometimes uses for letting information slip. Imagine no other team being interested in Pujols. You let it slip that you’re interested and that there’s a mystery team involved. Maybe you mention a third team too.
mb21Quote Reply
Clearly, baseball executives read my comment at the beginning of the last thread.
Suburban kid 2 or 288Quote Reply
Obstructed ZooQuote Reply
Obstructed ZooQuote Reply
[quote name=”Obstructed Pew“].
DumbassQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]This might turn out to be an Unobstructed View, but worthy of discussion:
http://movies.yahoo.com/news/jennifer-aniston-voted-hottest-woman-time-184651500.html%5B/quote%5D
Jennifer Aniston #1. I agree. Not sure how Britney made #4, but whatever.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]This might turn out to be an Unobstructed View, but worthy of discussion:
http://movies.yahoo.com/news/jennifer-aniston-voted-hottest-woman-time-184651500.html%5B/quote%5DSomething tells me there’s just a smidgen of recency bias in there. Even so, there’s really no excuse for leaving Claudia Cardinale out of the top five.
Also, Gloria Steinem was surprisingly good-looking.
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Jennifer Aniston #1. I agree. Not sure how Britney made #4, but whatever.[/quote]
I’m cool with Jen in the top 5. I also thought some of the ladies in the 90-100 range could have been better choices than Britney.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]Something tells me there’s just a smidgen of recency bias in there. Even so, there’s really no excuse for leaving Claudia Cardinale out of the top five.
Also, Gloria Steinem was surprisingly good-looking.[/quote]Well, Jennifer Aniston was a Friend I recently enjoyed.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Trevor Cahill ——–> D’Bags
BerseliusQuote Reply
Julia Roberts certainly deserved to be in the top 100, but is this the picture you’d show to make that argument?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Julia Roberts certainly deserved to be in the top 100, but is this the picture you’d show to make that argument?
.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Well, Jennifer Aniston was a Friend I recently enjoyed.[/quote](dying laughing)
Well played, RC.
AndCountingQuote Reply
Commenter on Fangraphs makes the point I was trying to make on Moore but better:
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/matt-moore-the-most-valuable-trade-chip-in-baseball/#comment-1653953
fang2415Quote Reply
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Julia Roberts certainly deserved to be in the top 100, but is this the picture you’d show to make that argument?
][/quote]
This comment applies to many more on the list. Historically objectively hot with not hot pictures.
Suburban kid 2 or 288Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid 2 or 288]This comment applies to many more on the list. Historically objectively hot with not hot pictures.[/quote]I noticed that. I hadn’t gotten through the entire list yet. There were a lot of pictures there that I thought were horrible examples of one’s hotness. (dying laughing) Madonna was the best example. That was a horrible picture.
mb21Quote Reply
I’m guessing Josh thinks they’re all ugly.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid 2 or 288]This comment applies to many more on the list. Historically objectively hot with not hot pictures.[/quote]Yes, this. Was about to say that and post some example pictures but then realized that somebody else would probably do it. (dying laughing)
fang2415Quote Reply
Jeff Baker, Blake DeWitt, Jeff Bianchi, and Darwin Barney are all on the 40-man roster. This reminds me of when the Cubs had Todd Walker, Mark Grudzielanek, Neifi Perez, and Jose Macias. Is Ramon Martinez still playing?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Jeff Baker, Blake DeWitt, Jeff Bianchi, and Darwin Barney are all on the 40-man roster. This reminds me of when the Cubs had Todd Walker, Mark Grudzielanek, Neifi Perez, and Jose Macias. Is Ramon Martinez still playing?[/quote]
Manny Alexander!
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Jeff Baker, Blake DeWitt, Jeff Bianchi, and Darwin Barney are all on the 40-man roster. This reminds me of when the Cubs had Todd Walker, Mark Grudzielanek, Neifi Perez, and Jose Macias. Is Ramon Martinez still playing?[/quote]Doesn’t seem like there’s much comparison at all. I’d much rather have the latter group, which had two good hitters and a very good defender.
Suburbankid 22Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Manny Alexander![/quote]Rey Ordonnez?
Suburbankid 22Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburbankid 22]Doesn’t seem like there’s much comparison at all. I’d much rather have the latter group, which had two good hitters and a very good defender.[/quote]Also, Neifi for All-Star!!
Suburbankid 22Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid 2 or 288]This comment applies to many more on the list. Historically objectively hot with not hot pictures.[/quote]I think Audrey Hepburn should’ve been way higher and I think she died before I was born.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburbankid 22]Also, Neifi for All-Star!![/quote]If Girardi can make it…
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I think Audrey Hepburn should’ve been way higher and I think she died before I was born.[/quote]
They definitely skewed the list to modern people. Where is Goldie Hawn? Lynda Carter? Morgan Fairchild?
Elizabeth Taylor in her day was pretty damn hot, but Christina Hendricks is on the list? Nothing against her, but nobody is going to remember who she is within 5 years.
So it is definitely flawed, but they got #1 right, in my opinion. My list will always begin and end with Jennifer Aniston.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburbankid 22]Doesn’t seem like there’s much comparison at all. I’d much rather have the latter group, which had two good hitters and a very good defender.[/quote]I agree, which is why it’s so frustrating. Grudz and Walker were legitimate starters (above average). Neifi was one of the best fielders the Cubs have had in the last decade. Barney is a good defender, but the others don’t compare to Grudz and Walker.
My point was that these teams had four 2nd basemen. After that Hendry moved on and started acquiring left fielders.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]They definitely skewed the list to modern people. Where is Goldie Hawn? Lynda Carter? Morgan Fairchild?
Elizabeth Taylor in her day was pretty damn hot, but Christina Hendricks is on the list? Nothing against her, but nobody is going to remember who she is within 5 years.
So it is definitely flawed, but they got #1 right, in my opinion. My list will always begin and end with Jennifer Aniston.[/quote]I thought Anna Kournikova was way too low. She’d be my number 1.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]
My point was that these teams had four 2nd basemen. After that Hendry moved on and started acquiring left fielders.[/quote]
Until he assembled the (dying laughing)lipop Guild of Theriot, Fontenot and Miles.
Aisle424Quote Reply
I actually prefer (dying laughing)lipop Guild to L ollipop Guild
Aisle424Quote Reply
new shit: http://obstructedview.net/articles/major-league-baseball/how-much-is-prince-fielder-worth.html
mb21Quote Reply