free agency gives the pom pom toting Chicago media to repeat this story every year, whether based in fact or not

It seems odd that "players sign for less", the team is "awash in money" yet we always hear about budget constaints

Anyway, who is signing for less to be a cubbie this year?

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Everybody they sign.

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You know me like that.

If Mike Trout didn’t sign his 6 year/$144 million extension about four years ago, he would’ve been a free agent this offseason. And after yet another brilliant (albeit injury-shortened) season, Mike Axisa estimates that Trout’s bidding could’ve reached upwards of $600 million (I don’t think that’s outlandish for a 26-year-old best player in baseball). And if that’s not enough of a drool-worthy thought-experiment, consider that Axisa figures the Chicago Cubs, with their high-payroll, open center field job, and overall competitive team would have been among the most serious suitors. Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Willson Contreras, and Mike Trout. In one lineup. OMG. Just, OMG.



575m for the Cubs

Excerpt:

... In a related story, prized future free agent Bryce Harper hinted - very carefully - during a Nationals Public Relations event that he would love to sport the Cubbie Blue in the future. 'Anybody would be lucky to play for that organization,' Harper said to reporters Monday, 'They're the class of the NL, and it's worth taking less to compete for a World Series every year.' Those are strong words from a man who has maintained for years that he is committed to a title in Washington. Harper went on to half-heartedly assure National fans that his heart is still in Washington - for now. 'I love playing in D.C. I've made great friends here, and we have a talented roster. Everyone just dreams of playing in Wrigley Field, the mecca of baseball. Whether it happens for me or not remains to be seen, and until it does, I'm committed to Nationals baseball.' The Nationals management could not be reached for comment...

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Public relations ain't what it used to be, huh.

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I cannot tell you the number of times I have heard a Boras player say "its not about the money" and "I control the negotiations" only to find when free agency hits that the highest bidder has won the services.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

So you’re saying Harper is a liar?

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"I love Chicago and it's only baseball team, The Glorious Cubs."

- Shohei Otani (via his interpreter)

Best thread of the winter. I'm no Beardown, but here goes.

Spiegel: "Bruce you tweeted that Alex Cobb had better offers ...."

Levine: "That's right, Matt. In fact, every offer he had was for more than what he signed for with the Cubs. I'm told that Cobb was very impressed with Laura Ricketts Powerpoint presentation about the Cubs many charitable endeavors in the community."

Spiegel: "Wow. Interesting. This organization has come a long way."

Really is incredible, isn’t it? So much respect for the organization.

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He may not be a liar but he's clearly an idiot since the Cubs compete for the World Series every 108 years rather than every year.

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Matthew, Tulsi, and Don

Yes, Heyward will probably renegotiate and take less so they can sign more players.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Matthew, Tulsi, and Don

Would you still say that if you found out that the entire post was a fake quote from a brilliant poster?

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Pairing Theo's proprietary data with the Ricketts community outreach is quite the 1-2 punch they have going for themselves.

It still makes me laugh that people mocked the White Sox for offering Fukudome more money and he still went to the Cubs. You got us!

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

In Bryce Harper's lifetime The Cubs have been pretty decent. Good, even.


I dont think the fake quote Leash posted was referring to stuff that happened 50+ years ago.

I dont want to be this guy, but the mocking of Theo and Ricketts would make a lot more sense if they hadn't won a World Series.

Do you really get the feeling Ricketts did anything other than say yes to Theo and write a check?

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

That's pretty much the job description.

Theo seems to get mocked MORE since his 3rd World Series win. Just kinda odd.

You know its a mocking of the blind worship in the cult.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I don’t want to be mean, but your arguments against the Cubs are getting embarrassing.

Ricketts literally did exactly what he’s supposed to.

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How was he doing prior to Theo?

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

He hired Theo and got out of the way. That’s exactly what he was supposed to do and exactly what Bears ownership gets killed for NOT doing.

This is almost not even worth responding to.

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and yet the power of dolphin compels you to

He also retained Crain Kenney

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Not how it's been being employed lately.


I love the take "Hey, you know Theo made a bad signing en route to winning his 3rd title in 14 years. What a loser!"


Where does Theo rank on the all time list of successful GMs?

Behind Billy Beane.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Let's see, he took the two of the three franchises with long running droughts and brought championships to them. He was hired at 28. I'd say he is as close to a genius as you can get in sports.

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Hawaii (fuck) You

Epstein and Sabean gotta be 1,2.

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Poor Jed. 0 titles as a GM.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Kenny would have done the same if JR didn't bump him up to president and then block his move to the Blue Jays because he so valued him.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.