Looks like Tom Ricketts has seen fit to talk to the media today. My vantage point is that the Cubs have drawn their line in the sand, and Scott Boras has drawn his, now they just have to compromise because Ricketts won’t undermine Jed Hoyer by directly negotiating with Boras. It also does sound like he would very much prefer Cody Bellinger return to the club.
Here’s some snippets from Meghan:
There might be more as she tacks on but you can click through if you wish.
Just a quick add-on re: intelligent spending:
Comments
9/9 former Cubs today.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
CespedesBBQ guys a bit bored it seems
https://sports.yahoo.com/a-comprehensive-chronological-look-back-at-travis-kelces-online-baseball-fandom-173133467.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
They asked him what would have to happen to increase spending and he said, “More revenue.” Not sure if he unintentionally blurted out the quiet part, but a flat-out admission that you’re not going to let on-the-field success cut into your embarrassingly high profits is not what you want to hear from ownership. Not even a mention that spending on the roster is an investment in further revenue . . . just incredible.
Up until that remark, you could have interpreted his comments as half PR spin and half attempts at negotiation. But capping it off with what amounts to “we ain’t spending any more” shows it was pure spin with 0% intention of adding a free agent at anything other than a discount.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
They have about $30MM left to spend if they’re not crossing that line then, less if they intend to wait for the deadline to add…even fake salary caps are dumb
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
At this point the odds seem less than a coin flip that they’ll be buyers at the deadline.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
For that we really have to wait and see, as precedent suggests that teams can load up and still suck ass while others can surprise, especially with the Counsell effect. Whatever they end up doing, I just want it to work.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I suppose you read the Jesse Rogers writeup and if we’re being kind of cynical perhaps he is paraphrasing the line from Jerry Dipoto re: winning 54% of your games in aggregate or whatever it was he said that pissed everyone off
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39558743/cubs-waiting-cody-bellinger-serious-contract-talks
Rice CubeQuote Reply
MLBTR’s writeup
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/cubs-chairman-on-cody-bellinger-some-discussions-but-not-a-negotiation.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
David Peralta –> nonroster invite
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/cubs-to-sign-david-peralta.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
That’ll put the screws on Bellinger.
BVSQuote Reply
Now Dom Smith too!
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/cubs-dominic-smith-agree-to-minor-league-deal.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Hot stove heating up with these peralta and smith signings 🔥
berseliusQuote Reply
It’s weird to me that the first round draft pick column doesn’t need to be picked by that team.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Woot
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Ricketts with another big rip on that vape pen (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Expecting a few more stolen bases and runners trying for the extra base this year due to the new focus on obstruction rules
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39524850/sources-mlb-enforce-obstruction-bases
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Aaaaaaaaaah the comments are predictable
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Oops
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Nashville and SLC are the frontrunners it seems
https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/insider/story/_/id/39533275/mlb-expansion-32-teams-line-cities-nashville-montreal-portland-salt-lake-city-orlando-charlotte
Rice CubeQuote Reply
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PerkinsQuote Reply
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Cubs legend Eric Hosmer –> retired
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The flies, they drop
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/twins-rumors-not-in-market-blake-snell-jordan-montgomery.html#google_vignette
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Lot of Moneyball fans playing today, judging by Hatteberg above 10%.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Took a gamble that most people wouldn’t pick Hatteberg as a gimmick and lost
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Senga –> shoulder issue
Mets –> 🤷🏻♂️
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Tim Anderson –> Miami (dying laughing)
Mitch Keller –> extension (grumble)
Cody Bellinger –> probably flogging his agent
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Every year we wonder if Boras has overplayed his hand, and this time it seems very likely.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
DOWN (to florida) GOES ANDERSON
berseliusQuote Reply
FYI
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2024/02/22/mlb-network-airing-a-special-on-game-7-of-the-2016-world-series-with-joe-maddon-and-terry-francona/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
OK so I can’t tell if Jomboy did some embellishment or if this is the original image but this could be pretty bad…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Yup, these are probably going to be revised unless they want to start broadcasting MLB games on PornHub
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39577625/mlb-players-add-see-pants-concerns-new-uniforms
Rice CubeQuote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
Not bad for all small market teams.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
stupid Pirates
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Today’s practice game lineup
LF Happ
3B Morel
C Amaya
1B Mervis
RF Canario
CF PCA
SS Vazquez
DH J Hudson (?)
2B Shaw
I believe Wicks is starting.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Now to hope the mlb feed does not cut off the first Chicago Cubs Baseball Is On The Air of the year
berseliusQuote Reply
Boo looks like no pat
berseliusQuote Reply
But still Chicago cubs baseball is on the air
berseliusQuote Reply
Jesse Chavez is still in the league?!
berseliusQuote Reply
Christopher!!!!
andcountingQuote Reply
berselius,
Not for long at this point (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
PCA with a no-business-being-a-double double.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
His blue hair also makes it look like his headband is way too tight.
andcountingQuote Reply
Runs!
andcountingQuote Reply
After 1, Ian Happ is hitting .500. You love to see it.
andcountingQuote Reply
The Morel bomb was impressive as were the various 2-out hits but this is fun baseball right here
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Bold prediction: Wicks will not win a Gold Glove this season
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Pretty good rip by Shaw, he might be up around August or September depending on how fast he plows through the system
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Fixed.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Why tho
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
IT’S NOT MY FAULT! Hey, Nico’s trips to the IL are like duck season. It doesn’t last long, but it’s for sure happening.
andcountingQuote Reply
Bote sighting
Rice CubeQuote Reply
PCA running wild
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
https://twitter.com/Phillies_Muse/status/1761087400640434390?t=Z810rl7DTXYUH8rgB1AvJQ&s=19
Rice CubeQuote Reply
That .300 career average column was not my friend.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Hardest part was trying to guess which of the 3 most common catchers batting .300 would be least guessed (dying laughing)
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Madrigal bouncing out to the pitcher will never not be hilarious.
andcountingQuote Reply
Our hero <3
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Brennen Davis!
andcountingQuote Reply
Boat.
andcountingQuote Reply
Good game that I recently missed
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I’m hearing Boog say, “Grounder to 2nd and wisely throws to first for the final out,” and I’m like . . . what else would he do? But the second baseman’s name is Wisely.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
He chose…Wisely
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Undefeated Cubs headed to the world serious
berseliusQuote Reply
Fun info from MLBTR re: Tony Clark’s statements
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/mlbpa-director-tony-clark-on-pitch-clock-free-agency-olympics.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Guess SF (team and/or city) has a bad reputation
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Feels like the odds are high that a lot of baseball players watch Fox News :/
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Probably true for NFL and NHL too. Wouldn’t surprise me if it’s true for the NBA too. Seems all athletes are religious nutbags.
In better news, Bellinger re-signed with the Cubs. 3/80 with two opt outs. 30/30/20
dmick89Quote Reply
Well dang, new midnight shit –> https://www.obstructedview.net/big-belli-burger/
Rice CubeQuote Reply