re: Cubs fan discussion: Mike Olt makes the team

Baltimore has some pieces too

quote:

---

Whittenmeyer

---

From yesterday:

quote:

---

But the baseball operation’s new piggybank might be a difference maker in the next year or two.
An evolving understanding of the team’s resources in relation to capital projects, rooftop politics and other factors delaying and squeezing the money flow to baseball led to a new tack for the baseball department: carrying some of one year’s payroll budget into the next, or two years of savings into a third.
It’s the first time the Cubs have allowed their front office to do that.

It won’t do much to bolster the chances for this season, but if the $15 million to $20 million saved this year leads to, say, Max Scherzer (not likely) or another big name next year — or two big guys the year after — then the rebuild has a chance to take tangible shape.

Just this past winter, Epstein said, “We didn’t fully understand the scope of our situation,” when the team signed Edwin Jackson to a $52 million contract that was based on projections that were too optimistic for the business timeline.

Now?

“I think we understand the realities of where we are and where we could be because admittedly we didn’t spend every last dollar this winter, for the first time,” Epstein said. “And then, more importantly, where we’re going.”

---

Link

I don't think anyone is really a fan of this guy and he certianly doesn't pump sunshine, and might even be infairly critical, but I don't think that discredits the underlying point that the front office is hamstrug by debt structure limitations.

and as always hat tip to bleachernation.

quote:

---

Yeah that's what I was trying to say earlier...whatever the case may be, they are holding money by not spending on overpaid free agents (or unable to sign because of other teams overbidding) seems like the path they are following.

---

Ahh when you said rickettss would spend i was thinking more than one player. yea i agree that if we don't get anyone for subsequent years we'll be able to get one player here and there. But that just confirms to me that we're boned by the debt structure stuff until an infusion of revenue either through TV/jumbotron/advertising.

And if we could actually spend to make a difference...slowly building up until we're out of the bottom 10 and lose the protected draft pick only to then pull the trigger doesn't make much sense.