BD wrote:
Unless Ricketts decides to open his check book, there is no flexibility to add much of anything in free agency. If there's a baseball executive out there who is able to find another team to take on some of these bad contracts, that guy should be hired. Actually, Hendry did pretty well in that regard, moving Milton Bradley for Carlos Silva (there's another guy that they should sell while thing's are going well although I still think most teams would be extremely hesitant to take on his contract).
It seems to be a long-shot that Lee and Lilly are back next season, and that opens up something close to $25 million, but how much more do Soriano, Fukudome, Ramirez (who I believe has a players option to return), Dempster and Zambrano make next season over this season? I'm not sure if there salaries stay where they are now or we see each add on an additional 1-2 million. Even if the Cubs do free up $20 million with Lee and Dempster leaving, will that free money be put back into the team for next season? I don't know that we'll have answer to that until next season.
I think a shrewd GM can use that $25M wisely. Plus maybe find a home for the Fuke without eating everything. We'll see. I'm hoping Ricketts at least takes a look at Kevin Towers, Paul DePodesta, Josh Byrnes, Rick Hahn, Ben Cherington, Kim Ng at the least. Don't know much about Randy Bush but being schooled by Hendry is a big negative.
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rogers park bryan wrote:
Some people are stars and some work backstage.