The next 2 years they are hamstrung contract wise after 2012 the only one left on the books is Soriano.

If they want a free agent can they approach them and guarantee all the money but make the big years starting in 13?

As long as the money is guaranteed maybe a player will take it.

For example let's use a nice even 40 over 4.

give them 12 each in 13 and 14

8 each in 11 and 12.

Thats how alot of deals work already. A 4 yr deal of 8,8,12,12 is completely normal. Go look at all of their big contracts right now. I bet they all escalate.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Look at the breakdown of Z and Soriano's deals Soriano more so

http://www.baseball-reference.com/playe ... #contracts


http://www.baseball-reference.com/playe ... al01.shtml

So yes, you can, but no no no you do not want to. If the player gets hurt, completely sucks or gets comfortable and mails it in then you are absolutely screwed and in a worse situation than now.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

A backloaded contract? Hmmmm. Sounds like a GREAT IDEA!!!

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So if you went into a store and bought something for 2 dollars, could you give the clerk 2 paper dollars? What if you gave the clerk one paper dollar and 4 quarters. What if you gave him 8 dimes, 4 nickles, and 4 quarters?

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Lmao.. is she fucking serious? Can you offer a back loaded contract? Really?

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Wow thats crazy even for you Shamus

Have you ever heard Steve Stone speak?

He says "back loaded contract" like its involuntary

Oh lord. The reason the Cubs are in so much financial trouble is the backloaded contracts Hendry was giving out for the past 4 years of Trib ownership. Miss a little miss alot.

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The way out, is to draft and develop more players like Colvin, Castro and Soto. If they can develop a couple more between now and 2012,... then they can determine what positions they are in need of help in and sign free agents at that point. If they sign guys now, but still can't truely contend, they might block the development of a player who otherwise could make the major league team. Colvin was hindered by the signing of Byrd this season. Byrd has done a nice job, I'm not saying otherwise. But they already had Soriano and Fukudome, who were gonna play because of their big contracts, then they add Byrd and Nady and there wasn't much opportunity for Colvin. I would put the empasis on developing players within their system, until some more of the bad contracts (Zambrano/Ramirez..to some extent Dempster-he's good, but paid like a Cy Young candidate) expire. Then, they can see what they need at that point and use the money available to fill in the holes. This would be unpopular, (fans want to win NOW) but I think the way to go.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Does the concept of time value of money mean anything to you?

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