Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

[teebone]

With what has occurred already and what might take place in the offseason how excited are you?

[Meatball]

Re: Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

Great poll question.


I won't believe anything until I start seeing it for myself. $115,000,000.00 payroll????? Ok, excuse me while laugh a little. This is the Tribune Co.. We are talking about blood sucking leeches.

Call me a homer, but I'll start paying attention when and IF they make the playoffs.

[maidenvoyage]

Re: Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

I thought the Tribune was going to start selling off it's assets, including the Cubs.

[dalnet22]

Re: Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

The Cubs will, at best, win 240 games over the next three years, and it will not include a World Series run.

[chippered]

Re: Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

I thought the Tribune was going to start selling off it's assets, including the Cubs.

I'd love to see this, but I think the cubs are probably one of a few profitable assets they possess.

[Jistic]

Re: Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

If you're over the age of 30 you shouldn't vote on anything else but option 1. Without different ownership nothing changes, trust me.

[poster]

Re: Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

Paul Sullivan says they are going to bid on Matsuzaka from Japan. Talk is cheap though.

[chippered]

Re: Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

Paul Sullivan says they are going to bid on Matsuzaka from Japan. Talk is cheap though.

The cubs always say they "bid" on the top free agents every year, but they continue to get outbid. My belief is they lowball most FA's to make it look good for the uneducated fan, but we'll see.

[teebone]

Re: Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

The cubs always say they "bid" on the top free agents every year, but they continue to get outbid. My belief is they lowball most FA's to make it look good for the uneducated fan, but we'll see.

I think you can go further out on a limb than "my belief" its pretty apparent they have done this. What they offered Beltran was a joke and it was obvious it was just aimed at appeasement. But still, part of me wonders if they hired McPhail to win while spending as little money as possible...but now theyre seeing empty seats (even though the tickets were sold)and the last thing they want is indifference. Theyve kind of put themselves in a corner.

[poster]

Re: Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

I will not get my hopes up yet, but they can sway me back with a good offseason. They better go after any big name pitcher available. The culture seems to be changing, but I can't fall into the trap yet. This should have happened years ago, but it didn't so they still have to show me something.

[dalnet22]

Re: Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

You look at teams like the Marlins and the current Tigers, and the Cubs obviously are missing a consistent fire. Prevalent yearly in probably 15 teams, this lack of consistency takes teams from .500 to cellar dwellers between May and August. Many of these teams (Rockies, Pirates, Reds, Rangers, Phillies) don't have the biggest markets in the league. Unfortunately, the Cubs, and their 100+ mil payroll, are an exception. It's apparently clear that money can not buy chemistry and attitude, only potential. I see no reason why money should be dumped into players like Beltran, Thome, and any other big name we were supposed to get if the chance of them helping is slim.

What we need are role playing veterans behind Lee, Zambrano, and whoever else steps up. The role players are available, but the leaders are unlikely to show up. If we're lucky, Ramirez, Prior, and Wood will return with stellar seasons, and we'll be back in the playoffs. Since that will not happen, we'll have to rely on Arod or Schmidt to make it happen.

If we could get Arod for Hill, Pie, and Eyre, then maybe we should do it. But, what's more important for a Cubs playoff run is that consistent drive that comes from leaders, captains, veterans, solid managing, etc.

[DrDoom77]

Re: Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

This is the Tribune Co.. We are talking about blood sucking leeches.

Didn't the Cubs have one of the league's highest payrolls last year? In years past they've been cheap, but over the last 3-4 years I was under the impression that they've been spending quite a bit. Nowhere near Yankee/Red Sox levels, but in the $90 million range, at least. Poor talent evaluation is their worst enemy these days, not their spending.

[dieselboy]

Re: Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

Even if the Cubs do improve next year, by expanding payroll, getting healthy, adding FAs, and now with Lou, they still have competition in the division.

The Cardinals are one game away from the WS, the Astros might be spenders this offseason, the Reds are trying to get into the postseason, and the Brewers are a young up and coming team.

[poster]

Re: Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

Every team in this division has major issues. This isn't the AL East where you know it will be hard to break the top.

[teebone]

Re: Cubs fans: how optimistic are you?

Didn't the Cubs have one of the league's highest payrolls last year? In years past they've been cheap, but over the last 3-4 years I was under the impression that they've been spending quite a bit. Nowhere near Yankee/Red Sox levels, but in the $90 million range, at least. Poor talent evaluation is their worst enemy these days, not their spending.

And how much money did they have tied up in Wood and Prior? Also it wasnt as much poor talent evaluation as much as it was how it was used and then there was also the type of talent they had. For example, it might have been different for LaTroy Hawkins but Dusty did everything to ensure that he failed...and remember, he was signed as a set up guy. Also, they have had too many slow guys with some pop and not enough guys who take pitches, lay down bunts, play defense, hit to situations. The acquisitions for the most part did as they were expected to though its just it was put together poorly as well as poorly managed.