2006-07 MLB Offseason Thread

[Guest Oedipus Rex]

I forgot if I mentioned it here already, but Ryne Sandberg will be managing the Single-A Peoria Chiefs this year. He wanted to manage the Cubs, but was turned away. So,

 

1) Reigning Manager of the Year, former Cub, native Illinoisan, Northwestern graduate

2) Recently inducted Hall of Famer, one of the best and well-liked Cubs in history

3) Cranky old man whom Steve Lyons doesn't trust

 

The Tribune Tower is one of the greatest buildings in America, but the baseball braintrust residing within is questionable, especially one that seems to function as a p.r. firm more than a baseball operation.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Hey Czech, is it making you nervous yet that everyone seems to be picking the Cubs to win the division? That can't be good karma for that team.

[Guest Oedipus Rex]

A little. I'm picking St. Louis to win it, not because I'm a shithead that has no faith in my team, I just objectively think St. Louis is a better team and a better organization, hence a better finish. However, I am a shithead, and I do have no faith in my team.

 

MESA, Ariz. -- The green doors tucked into the ivy in the left- and right-field bleachers of Wrigley Field will be decorated with 7-by-12 foot advertisements, touting Under Armour's signature logo.

It's the first time the Cubs have allowed any ad or sign on the outfield doors.

 

"The Chicago Cubs' mission is to develop a winning culture, and our partnership with Under Armour reflects that vision," said Jay Blunk, director of marketing and sales for the team. "The Cubs are committed to finding alternative and creative revenue streams to build the championship team our fans richly deserve."

Fucking Cubs. This is not necessary. I see this new guy is picking up where McDonough left off when it comes to whoring out our park. For UNDER ARMOUR, no less.

 

WE MUST PROTECT THIS FRATBOY HAVEN! CLICK CLACK!

 

Marvin, if you come in here and say "Wrigley should change it's scoreboard to an HD screen..", I'll pop you one.

 

Well how else will they pay for Soriano?

I don't know, maybe by charging $40 for the bleachers, which have been whored out to a beer company from St. Louis, or maybe scalping your own tickets, or selling a shitload of merchandise because you're one of the most popular sports teams in America? Are those revenue streams not "creative" enough?

[snuffbox 0]

When is the next baseball strike? I dont see these ridiculous contracts going someplace pleasant.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

They just signed a new CBA so we're safe for the forseeable future. I doubt these contracts are really bankrupting teams.

[Guest]

They're not bankrupting teams, but they're going to murder small markets even more.

[Guest Oedipus Rex]

The only thing that can murder a small market team is itself. I can't buy that "it's The System, man!" bullshit when so many teams have figured out how to not only survive, but excel, in this bloated contract era. A's do it well, Twins do it better, and now we're probably about to see the Milwaukee Brewers come of age after those horrible post-Selig years. If the Royals keep losing 100 games year after year, it's because they're operated by drooling idiots.

[Fuzzy Dunlop 0]

I forgot if I mentioned it here already, but Ryne Sandberg will be managing the Single-A Peoria Chiefs this year. He wanted to manage the Cubs, but was turned away. So,

 

1) Reigning Manager of the Year, former Cub, native Illinoisan, Northwestern graduate

2) Recently inducted Hall of Famer, one of the best and well-liked Cubs in history

3) Cranky old man whom Steve Lyons doesn't trust

 

The Tribune Tower is one of the greatest buildings in America, but the baseball braintrust residing within is questionable, especially one that seems to function as a p.r. firm more than a baseball operation.

 

Are you trying to say that Girardi and Sandberg would have been better choices? I'm not gonna say you're wrong, but "former Cub" and "Northwestern grad" really shouldn't be reasons for hiring someone.

[Guest Oedipus Rex]

It's not that they're inherently better managers, but from a public relations standpoint, one which is very important to our Chicago Cubs, it seems ridiculous to pass on Joe Girardi after he fell in our lap, following a year of "he wants to manage the Cubs soon" and "the Marlins would let him go to run the Cubs," not to mention NLMoY. It just seemed so perfect. I hope we win the pennant and more under Piniella, but part of me would still have preferred an old Cub running the team than another tired old recycled out-of-towner. 'sides, they probably would've been cheaper. That's the real reason the White Sox hired Ozzie Guillen. The sentimental part of having a celebrated White Sock as the manager was just an ancillary benefit. Sweet Lou made a really poor first impression with all his blustery attempts at knowing exactly where he was employed: I think he said something about "the north side White Sox" and "shopping on the Michigan Mile." Seriously, Lou, after you flew into O'Hare (Chicago's largest airport), you should've stopped at a goddamn bookstore and gotten some dopey All About Chicago tourist guide so that YOU KNOW WHICH GODDAMN SIDE OF TOWN YOU'RE ON, YOU PUTZ. Though I adore the mental picture of doddering old Lou mistakenly driving into shitty Bridgeport and being approached by thugs and methheads demanding $20 to "make sure nobody steals his car," as Lou asks where the Cub park is.

[Mik 0]

Hey, if these contracts have gotten you down - just keep in mind that the Marlins won't increase payroll until AFTER they open their new stadium.

 

Earliest POSSIBLE ETA: 2011

 

Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle become free agents when? Winter 2009.

 

I hate Jeff Loria and David Sampson so much.

[migoli 0]

If Barry Zito can get $126 million, I shudder to think what Carlos Zambrano might get. He might get $150.

 

And if he gets 150 that would have to put Johan at about $500 million

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

If Barry Zito can get $126 million, I shudder to think what Carlos Zambrano might get. He might get $150.

 

And if he gets 150 that would have to put Johan at about $500 million

 

Zambrano, if he has a 2007 similar to his 2006, will likely get a $200 million deal. Santana would be in line for the same if he were a free agent.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Marvin, if you come in here and say "Wrigley should change it's scoreboard to an HD screen..", I'll pop you one.

The OF bleachers would probably collapse or something.

 

They should build a new ballpark...with an HD Scoreboard.

[Guest Oedipus Rex]

I fucking hate this team. Whores. We don't need this bloated payroll, and we don't need this crap on the door.

[sfaJack 0]

Wait until they kill off the ivy to put up an ad for a proctologist.

[Guest Oedipus Rex]

I'm surprised by how many Cubs fans at NSBB are just bending over for this.

 

"Well when we didn't have ads we sucked, so maybe we'll be good with them!" Are you fucking kidding me. Get back to me when the Cubs lose 85 this year.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

I'm surprised by how many Cubs fans at NSBB are just bending over for this.

 

"Well when we didn't have ads we sucked, so maybe we'll be good with them!" Are you fucking kidding me. Get back to me when the Cubs lose 85 this year.

 

They should tear down all the ivy and make it like Major League 2 with ads all over the place.

[The Man in Blak 0]

The only thing that can murder a small market team is itself. I can't buy that "it's The System, man!" bullshit when so many teams have figured out how to not only survive, but excel, in this bloated contract era. A's do it well, Twins do it better, and now we're probably about to see the Milwaukee Brewers come of age after those horrible post-Selig years. If the Royals keep losing 100 games year after year, it's because they're operated by drooling idiots.

 

As I've said before, a higher payroll doesn't guarantee a championship, but it can go a long way towards mitigating risk. The Athletics and the Twins have managed to sustain success over the last few years through exceptionally savvy management and player development, but they are the exception to small market management, not the rule, and even they have had years during this period where they missed the playoffs due to injuries or underachievement. Teams with a lower payroll literally cannot afford to make mistakes and expect to contend for a championship consistently.

 

Now, as for the Cubs, they have spent a lot of money this offseason and, as a result, they are not only the Central front runners, but my current pick to take the National League as well. They have a remarkable balance of top-tier talent, as well as depth throughout the roster; they are stocked with young pitching talent that gained some valuable experience through the doldrums of last year, as well as young position players like Murton and Theriot who can step into starting roles in the event of an injury. In my opinion, there's no other team in the NL that looks as solid on paper as the Chicago Cubs do, going into the 2007 season.

[Guest Oedipus Rex]

I'm still not sold on the Cubs. They're not going to lose 96 games, but they're far from a sure thing with the Cardinals and Astros as perennial threats. I don't trust Mark DeRosa, Jason Marquis, or Ted Lilly to justify their contracts. I'm still not sure who's where in the outfield, but it'll be a blooper reel. The bullpen is questionable. Sorry, but I felt good about 2005 and 2006, and I got burned. I'm not getting excited yet.

[Hawk 34 0]

I fucking hate this team. Whores. We don't need this bloated payroll, and we don't need this crap on the door.

 

It's only a matter of time before we see corporate logos on the field itself.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

As a matter of contrast to the Baseball America rankings that I posted several weeks back, here is Baseball Prospectus' team prospect rankings. Same teams near the top and bottom, but the middle group has shifted around considerably. I think the main difference is rooted in the argument of depth versus upside.

 

http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=5870

[Mik 0]

Guess I should eat crow a bit as they have the Yanks ranked #1 in pitching and the Marlins #2.

 

I was pretty much right on as the Marlins are DFL in hitting. I disagree with BPro, who are of course experts while I am just a fanboy homer, but I still think that they are basing a great deal of that ranking on Phil Hughes.

[snuffbox 0]

Marvin is really trying hard to flammbait Czech with this Wrigley stuff.

[Mik 0]

Wow. 4 minute double post.

[Guest Oedipus Rex]

I'm already as irritated as possible by this event; Marvin's dopey goading can't really push me to 11, so to speak.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Guess I should eat crow a bit as they have the Yanks ranked #1 in pitching and the Marlins #2.

 

I was pretty much right on as the Marlins are DFL in hitting. I disagree with BPro, who are of course experts while I am just a fanboy homer, but I still think that they are basing a great deal of that ranking on Phil Hughes.

 

I think that most of that upside projection comes from Hughes, who now seems to be the consensus top pitching prospect. They have a lot of respectable arms in the system, but I don't see any of them being impact guys. Hughes may be getting too much praise these days for his own good. Yankees fans are going to expect a lot out of this guy right away, and well since TINSTAAP and all, it's probably only 50/50 he becomes something special.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Besides Hughes, there's Humberto Sanchez, Tyler Clippard coming up fast. Ian Kennedy, Joba Chamberlain and Dellin Betances are down in the lower end of the system. Then there's J.Brent Cox whose season will go a long way in deciding where Mariano Rivera ends up after this season. They've got quite a few interesting guys.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Besides Hughes, there's Humberto Sanchez, Tyler Clippard coming up fast. Ian Kennedy, Joba Chamberlain and Dellin Betances are down in the lower end of the system. Then there's J.Brent Cox whose season will go a long way in deciding where Mariano Rivera ends up after this season. They've got quite a few interesting guys.

 

I said that they have plenty of respectable arms (guys I see as future major leaguers), but nothing beyond Hughes with top of the rotation stuff. Sanchez probably profiles more as a bullpen guy and Chamberlain has had weight and injury issues that could derail him. I'm just not sold that they have the best pitching, although they are near the top.

[Brett Favre 0]

Clippard came on strong last year after playing through injury the first part of the year. He looks like he could be a 2 or 3 in the majors.

[Fuzzy Dunlop 0]

Hey, did anyone ever figure out if that DirecTV/MLBEI deal starts this season, or do those of us with digital cable get one more year?