I spent all last offseason tricking myself into thinking the Cubs were going to go after Bryce Harper. They never did. It was never a thing. The first reports of the Cubs budget being restricted were true to some extent, as the team still spent close to $250 million in 2019, but the biggest signings in the offseason were Daniel Descalso and Brad Brach.
On multiple occasions this season Cubs president (on the business side) Crane Kenney said that the team's new TV network should provide the baseball operations department plenty of resources to spend in the offseason.
Here's what Kenney said back in May. Via The Athletic.
“Those additional resources are available immediately next year,” Kenney said. “The team has a rights fee significantly higher than what they’re receiving today, so that’s from the start. Then there’s the question on the network side of what profits are enjoyed, if any, (so) they could also be used for investment in the team or other assets around the ballpark or other interests of the (Ricketts) family. That’s probably a little further down the road. But from the team’s perspective, the rights agreement that they’ve got in place with (Marquee) will give them more resources next year than they had today.”
Just last week Kenney said the Cubs would still have a top payroll in 2020.
OK, cool. So, the Cubs already have a big payroll and the new TV deal that's supposed to bring in more money than the previous contract should give the front office an additional boost.
Apparently not yet, as Patrick Mooney threw this bucket of cold water on Cubs fans on Friday.
Via The Athletic.
As Epstein inspects every aspect of his front office and tries to build the next great Cubs team, he won’t be counting on new money from the Marquee Sports Network, the cable channel the team is launching with Sinclair Broadcast Group in February 2020.
“The new TV deal, at least for the first few years, basically means the exact same thing for us as the old deal,” Epstein said this week in Pittsburgh. “The first few years will basically replicate the old deal, and then with potential for real growth down the line.”
Cool, cool, cool.
All right. I mean, again it's not like the Cubs didn't have a high payroll in 2019, but it seems like they have to trade away some of their contracts if they're going to go out and sign a big free agent.
The Cubs currently have $110 million guaranteed committed to eight players and once you figure in arbitration raises and a few options it gets to $170 million for only 13 players.
There are ways the Cubs can shed payroll because Tom Ricketts doesn't have the money to spend.
Tyler Chatwood was actually decent coming out of the bullpen in 2019, but he's still making too much if he's just a reliever. The good thing is he was better and only has one more year left on his deal, which should make him easier to trade.
Jose Quintana has been a disappointment, but with a $10 million option for 2020, he could still draw plenty of interest in the trade market.
How about Jason Heyward back to Atlanta? Or the Giants? Eat half the salary and move on? Maybe?
Again, I'm not holding my breath, but that doesn't mean the Cubs won't make any big moves. I'll just happily be surprised if they do instead of expecting it this time around.
Oh and one last thing, no excuse not to have a big payroll again.
I mean, it's Phil Rogers who wrote that dumbass story, but thanks for making everyone's point. Hilarious how some people love to stick up for billionaires because they might have to spend an extra yacht in "luxury tax."
So, surprise me Theo. And great job with the TV deal Crane.
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