Single Greatest Thread Ever

[J. Walter Weatherman]

Brian Bogusevic

Did anyone here have this on their radar? Theo and Jed are always one step ahead.

After a bunch of dumb jokes we basically decided that we're looking down the barrel of a Ruggiano/Schierholtz platoon in RF next season.

If you liked Valbuena/Ransom you'll love Ruggiano/Schierholtz!

Those folks that dumped their season tickets must feel awful right about now.

I've reached the point where I have to declare that I have no issue with what Theo and Jed are doing but the red tape with TV deals and Wrigley's renovation is getting to me. Like this is just fucking embarrassing.

Yeah, I'm sick and goddamn tired of talking about TV deals and rooftop owners and city ordinances and the like. And I'm sure there are things the Ricketts could have done differently to speed up the process (WHY IS CRANE STILL THERE). But by and large I think the rot on the business side was just as bad as the rot on the baseball operations side. When you've got a baseball team and the TV/radio networks they're "negotiating" with under the same corporate umbrella, the team probably isn't going to get a fair, arm's-length deal. So to a large extent the Ricketts just have to wait out the shitty long-term media deals that they inherited when they bought the team.

So just focus my anger on that fat fucking widow of Jim Murphy's then? 

That works for me.

I have a hard time believing you'd be able to focus your anger on just a single target.

So much anger.

March 17th July 21st - Irish Car Bomb Specials!

Analogy'd

[CBStew]

A reminder that we have 4-8 hours until Stew shows up and complains about Ruggiano's batting average last year.

Sorry to disappoint you.  I like this trade.

[CBStew]

Brian Bogusevic

Did anyone here have this on their radar? Theo and Jed are always one step ahead.

After a bunch of dumb jokes we basically decided that we're looking down the barrel of a Ruggiano/Schierholtz platoon in RF next season.

If you liked Valbuena/Ransom you'll love Ruggiano/Schierholtz!

Those folks that dumped their season tickets must feel awful right about now.

I've reached the point where I have to declare that I have no issue with what Theo and Jed are doing but the red tape with TV deals and Wrigley's renovation is getting to me. Like this is just fucking embarrassing.

Yeah, I'm sick and goddamn tired of talking about TV deals and rooftop owners and city ordinances and the like. And I'm sure there are things the Ricketts could have done differently to speed up the process (WHY IS CRANE STILL THERE). But by and large I think the rot on the business side was just as bad as the rot on the baseball operations side. When you've got a baseball team and the TV/radio networks they're "negotiating" with under the same corporate umbrella, the team probably isn't going to get a fair, arm's-length deal. So to a large extent the Ricketts just have to wait out the shitty long-term media deals that they inherited when they bought the team.

Speaking of things that Stew isn't going to like to hear...

On the other hand, tell me again why I should feel sorry for billionaires who make bad business deals?

[CT III]

Brian Bogusevic

Did anyone here have this on their radar? Theo and Jed are always one step ahead.

After a bunch of dumb jokes we basically decided that we're looking down the barrel of a Ruggiano/Schierholtz platoon in RF next season.

If you liked Valbuena/Ransom you'll love Ruggiano/Schierholtz!

Those folks that dumped their season tickets must feel awful right about now.

I've reached the point where I have to declare that I have no issue with what Theo and Jed are doing but the red tape with TV deals and Wrigley's renovation is getting to me. Like this is just fucking embarrassing.

Yeah, I'm sick and goddamn tired of talking about TV deals and rooftop owners and city ordinances and the like. And I'm sure there are things the Ricketts could have done differently to speed up the process (WHY IS CRANE STILL THERE). But by and large I think the rot on the business side was just as bad as the rot on the baseball operations side. When you've got a baseball team and the TV/radio networks they're "negotiating" with under the same corporate umbrella, the team probably isn't going to get a fair, arm's-length deal. So to a large extent the Ricketts just have to wait out the shitty long-term media deals that they inherited when they bought the team.

Speaking of things that Stew isn't going to like to hear...

On the other hand, tell me again why I should feel sorry for billionaires who make bad business deals?

I'm not going to disagree with you there, Stew.  I like the hiring of Theo and Jed but everything else about the Ricketts' tenure has been a goddamned Clown College.

[Slaky]

Brian Bogusevic

Did anyone here have this on their radar? Theo and Jed are always one step ahead.

After a bunch of dumb jokes we basically decided that we're looking down the barrel of a Ruggiano/Schierholtz platoon in RF next season.

If you liked Valbuena/Ransom you'll love Ruggiano/Schierholtz!

Those folks that dumped their season tickets must feel awful right about now.

I've reached the point where I have to declare that I have no issue with what Theo and Jed are doing but the red tape with TV deals and Wrigley's renovation is getting to me. Like this is just fucking embarrassing.

Yeah, I'm sick and goddamn tired of talking about TV deals and rooftop owners and city ordinances and the like. And I'm sure there are things the Ricketts could have done differently to speed up the process (WHY IS CRANE STILL THERE). But by and large I think the rot on the business side was just as bad as the rot on the baseball operations side. When you've got a baseball team and the TV/radio networks they're "negotiating" with under the same corporate umbrella, the team probably isn't going to get a fair, arm's-length deal. So to a large extent the Ricketts just have to wait out the shitty long-term media deals that they inherited when they bought the team.

Speaking of things that Stew isn't going to like to hear...

On the other hand, tell me again why I should feel sorry for billionaires who make bad business deals?

Because it's preventing the Cubs from spending more money

[Saul Goodman]

Brian Bogusevic

Did anyone here have this on their radar? Theo and Jed are always one step ahead.

After a bunch of dumb jokes we basically decided that we're looking down the barrel of a Ruggiano/Schierholtz platoon in RF next season.

If you liked Valbuena/Ransom you'll love Ruggiano/Schierholtz!

Those folks that dumped their season tickets must feel awful right about now.

I've reached the point where I have to declare that I have no issue with what Theo and Jed are doing but the red tape with TV deals and Wrigley's renovation is getting to me. Like this is just fucking embarrassing.

Yeah, I'm sick and goddamn tired of talking about TV deals and rooftop owners and city ordinances and the like. And I'm sure there are things the Ricketts could have done differently to speed up the process (WHY IS CRANE STILL THERE). But by and large I think the rot on the business side was just as bad as the rot on the baseball operations side. When you've got a baseball team and the TV/radio networks they're "negotiating" with under the same corporate umbrella, the team probably isn't going to get a fair, arm's-length deal. So to a large extent the Ricketts just have to wait out the shitty long-term media deals that they inherited when they bought the team.

Speaking of things that Stew isn't going to like to hear...

On the other hand, tell me again why I should feel sorry for billionaires who make bad business deals?

Because we're the ones who suffer/how many more tears?

[Quality Start Machine]

Brian Bogusevic

Did anyone here have this on their radar? Theo and Jed are always one step ahead.

After a bunch of dumb jokes we basically decided that we're looking down the barrel of a Ruggiano/Schierholtz platoon in RF next season.

If you liked Valbuena/Ransom you'll love Ruggiano/Schierholtz!

Those folks that dumped their season tickets must feel awful right about now.

I've reached the point where I have to declare that I have no issue with what Theo and Jed are doing but the red tape with TV deals and Wrigley's renovation is getting to me. Like this is just fucking embarrassing.

Yeah, I'm sick and goddamn tired of talking about TV deals and rooftop owners and city ordinances and the like. And I'm sure there are things the Ricketts could have done differently to speed up the process (WHY IS CRANE STILL THERE). But by and large I think the rot on the business side was just as bad as the rot on the baseball operations side. When you've got a baseball team and the TV/radio networks they're "negotiating" with under the same corporate umbrella, the team probably isn't going to get a fair, arm's-length deal. So to a large extent the Ricketts just have to wait out the shitty long-term media deals that they inherited when they bought the team.

Speaking of things that Stew isn't going to like to hear...

On the other hand, tell me again why I should feel sorry for billionaires who make bad business deals?

Because it's preventing the Cubs from spending more money

Which is forcing Jepstink to rebuild through the farm system.

[Bort]

Brian Bogusevic

Did anyone here have this on their radar? Theo and Jed are always one step ahead.

After a bunch of dumb jokes we basically decided that we're looking down the barrel of a Ruggiano/Schierholtz platoon in RF next season.

If you liked Valbuena/Ransom you'll love Ruggiano/Schierholtz!

Those folks that dumped their season tickets must feel awful right about now.

I've reached the point where I have to declare that I have no issue with what Theo and Jed are doing but the red tape with TV deals and Wrigley's renovation is getting to me. Like this is just fucking embarrassing.

Yeah, I'm sick and goddamn tired of talking about TV deals and rooftop owners and city ordinances and the like. And I'm sure there are things the Ricketts could have done differently to speed up the process (WHY IS CRANE STILL THERE). But by and large I think the rot on the business side was just as bad as the rot on the baseball operations side. When you've got a baseball team and the TV/radio networks they're "negotiating" with under the same corporate umbrella, the team probably isn't going to get a fair, arm's-length deal. So to a large extent the Ricketts just have to wait out the shitty long-term media deals that they inherited when they bought the team.

Speaking of things that Stew isn't going to like to hear...

On the other hand, tell me again why I should feel sorry for billionaires who make bad business deals?

Because it's preventing the Cubs from spending more money

Which is forcing Jepstink to rebuild through the farm system.

Which angries up Stew's blood until he needs a calmative.

[SKO]

Brian Bogusevic

Did anyone here have this on their radar? Theo and Jed are always one step ahead.

After a bunch of dumb jokes we basically decided that we're looking down the barrel of a Ruggiano/Schierholtz platoon in RF next season.

If you liked Valbuena/Ransom you'll love Ruggiano/Schierholtz!

Those folks that dumped their season tickets must feel awful right about now.

I've reached the point where I have to declare that I have no issue with what Theo and Jed are doing but the red tape with TV deals and Wrigley's renovation is getting to me. Like this is just fucking embarrassing.

Yeah, I'm sick and goddamn tired of talking about TV deals and rooftop owners and city ordinances and the like. And I'm sure there are things the Ricketts could have done differently to speed up the process (WHY IS CRANE STILL THERE). But by and large I think the rot on the business side was just as bad as the rot on the baseball operations side. When you've got a baseball team and the TV/radio networks they're "negotiating" with under the same corporate umbrella, the team probably isn't going to get a fair, arm's-length deal. So to a large extent the Ricketts just have to wait out the shitty long-term media deals that they inherited when they bought the team.

Speaking of things that Stew isn't going to like to hear...

On the other hand, tell me again why I should feel sorry for billionaires who make bad business deals?

Because it's preventing the Cubs from spending more money

Which is forcing Jepstink to rebuild through the farm system.

Which angries up Stew's blood until he needs a calmative.

Which leads Bort to guard his stash of laudanum with increased paranoia.

[Eli]

I'm feeling too lazy to really crunch numbers, but I was wondering today if the Cubs are actually going to be worse in 2014 than 2013. Especially if they trade Samardzija for prospects. For some reason, that realization surprised me, perhaps because I had assumed we'd see linear progress for a few years even if they weren't a playoff team.

On the optimistic side, I think it's fairly likely that Rizzo, Jackson and Castro will have better years than last, but I don't see many other strong upside cases beyond those three (Olt, perhaps?). And bullpens are sort of fickle, so that's a potential area for improvement. It couldn't get much worse.

On the flip side, they'll be missing about 400 solid innings from Garza, Feldman and Shark, and I doubt Travis Wood will replicate what he did last year. Same for Welington Castillo and Nate Schierholtz. Soriano was up and down, but he was fairly productive overall. Same for DeJesus.

Of course, this is all back of the napkin stuff, especially with the offseason not over yet. But assuming they don't surprise us and add Tanaka, Choo or some other impact player, what is everyone's guess on how many games they win?

[BH]

I'm feeling too lazy to really crunch numbers, but I was wondering today if the Cubs are actually going to be worse in 2014 than 2013. Especially if they trade Samardzija for prospects. For some reason, that realization surprised me, perhaps because I had assumed we'd see linear progress for a few years even if they weren't a playoff team.

On the optimistic side, I think it's fairly likely that Rizzo, Jackson and Castro will have better years than last, but I don't see many other strong upside cases beyond those three (Olt, perhaps?). And bullpens are sort of fickle, so that's a potential area for improvement. It couldn't get much worse.

On the flip side, they'll be missing about 400 solid innings from Garza, Feldman and Shark, and I doubt Travis Wood will replicate what he did last year. Same for Welington Castillo and Nate Schierholtz. Soriano was up and down, but he was fairly productive overall. Same for DeJesus.

Of course, this is all back of the napkin stuff, especially with the offseason not over yet. But assuming they don't surprise us and add Tanaka, Choo or some other impact player, what is everyone's guess on how many games they win?

The draft is pretty strong next year, I'd be surprised if they want to be any better than this year..

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

I'm feeling too lazy to really crunch numbers, but I was wondering today if the Cubs are actually going to be worse in 2014 than 2013. Especially if they trade Samardzija for prospects. For some reason, that realization surprised me, perhaps because I had assumed we'd see linear progress for a few years even if they weren't a playoff team.

On the optimistic side, I think it's fairly likely that Rizzo, Jackson and Castro will have better years than last, but I don't see many other strong upside cases beyond those three (Olt, perhaps?). And bullpens are sort of fickle, so that's a potential area for improvement. It couldn't get much worse.

On the flip side, they'll be missing about 400 solid innings from Garza, Feldman and Shark, and I doubt Travis Wood will replicate what he did last year. Same for Welington Castillo and Nate Schierholtz. Soriano was up and down, but he was fairly productive overall. Same for DeJesus.

Of course, this is all back of the napkin stuff, especially with the offseason not over yet. But assuming they don't surprise us and add Tanaka, Choo or some other impact player, what is everyone's guess on how many games they win?

78, and I will have watched with interest for the first time in 3 years and enjoyed it.

[Tonker]

I'm feeling too lazy to really crunch numbers, but I was wondering today if the Cubs are actually going to be worse in 2014 than 2013. Especially if they trade Samardzija for prospects. For some reason, that realization surprised me, perhaps because I had assumed we'd see linear progress for a few years even if they weren't a playoff team.

On the optimistic side, I think it's fairly likely that Rizzo, Jackson and Castro will have better years than last, but I don't see many other strong upside cases beyond those three (Olt, perhaps?). And bullpens are sort of fickle, so that's a potential area for improvement. It couldn't get much worse.

On the flip side, they'll be missing about 400 solid innings from Garza, Feldman and Shark, and I doubt Travis Wood will replicate what he did last year. Same for Welington Castillo and Nate Schierholtz. Soriano was up and down, but he was fairly productive overall. Same for DeJesus.

Of course, this is all back of the napkin stuff, especially with the offseason not over yet. But assuming they don't surprise us and add Tanaka, Choo or some other impact player, what is everyone's guess on how many games they win?

78, and I will have watched with interest for the first time in 3 years and enjoyed it.

Holy shit.  I don't quite know what to make of that, except to say that it's ludicrously optimistic.  I had hoped that the Cubs would be competing in 2014, but that's clearly not going to happen.  60-65 wins.

[R-V]

I'm feeling too lazy to really crunch numbers, but I was wondering today if the Cubs are actually going to be worse in 2014 than 2013. Especially if they trade Samardzija for prospects. For some reason, that realization surprised me, perhaps because I had assumed we'd see linear progress for a few years even if they weren't a playoff team.

On the optimistic side, I think it's fairly likely that Rizzo, Jackson and Castro will have better years than last, but I don't see many other strong upside cases beyond those three (Olt, perhaps?). And bullpens are sort of fickle, so that's a potential area for improvement. It couldn't get much worse.

On the flip side, they'll be missing about 400 solid innings from Garza, Feldman and Shark, and I doubt Travis Wood will replicate what he did last year. Same for Welington Castillo and Nate Schierholtz. Soriano was up and down, but he was fairly productive overall. Same for DeJesus.

Of course, this is all back of the napkin stuff, especially with the offseason not over yet. But assuming they don't surprise us and add Tanaka, Choo or some other impact player, what is everyone's guess on how many games they win?

Why do you have to be such a buzzkill? You couldn't even let us enjoy the Justin Ruggiano acquisition for a full day?

[Eli]

I'm feeling too lazy to really crunch numbers, but I was wondering today if the Cubs are actually going to be worse in 2014 than 2013. Especially if they trade Samardzija for prospects. For some reason, that realization surprised me, perhaps because I had assumed we'd see linear progress for a few years even if they weren't a playoff team.

On the optimistic side, I think it's fairly likely that Rizzo, Jackson and Castro will have better years than last, but I don't see many other strong upside cases beyond those three (Olt, perhaps?). And bullpens are sort of fickle, so that's a potential area for improvement. It couldn't get much worse.

On the flip side, they'll be missing about 400 solid innings from Garza, Feldman and Shark, and I doubt Travis Wood will replicate what he did last year. Same for Welington Castillo and Nate Schierholtz. Soriano was up and down, but he was fairly productive overall. Same for DeJesus.

Of course, this is all back of the napkin stuff, especially with the offseason not over yet. But assuming they don't surprise us and add Tanaka, Choo or some other impact player, what is everyone's guess on how many games they win?

Why do you have to be such a buzzkill? You couldn't even let us enjoy the Justin Ruggiano acquisition for a full day?

Wasn't trying to be a buzzkill at all. Genuinely curious what everyone else thinks. Personally, I'm going to guess 66 wins again since I really don't want them to be technically worse than last year. 68 wins if they keep Samardzija all season.