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Guys, I’m going to be really honest here. I’m getting pretty annoyed about all these damn reports saying the Cubs aren’t going to be aggressive in free agency, basically giving Tom Ricketts the built in excuse of not exceeding the top tier of the luxury tax.
It’s pretty weird because all season long fans have been under the assumption that the reason the Cubs stayed under the luxury tax in 2018 was to go after Bryce Harper or Manny Machado in free agency. And yes, things changed, mainly that Tyler Chatwood was awful and Yu Darvish got injured, so they’re not a 100 percent guarantee in 2019.
The Cubs traded for Cole Hamels and because of the uncertainty with Darvish and Chatwood the Cubs had to pick up the lefty’s $20 million option. Of course, that decision was easier to make after his 12 great starts with the Cubs after they got him from the Rangers.
But all this shit about the Cubs needing to clear salary started on Thursday night. Before the Cubs eventually picked up Hamels option, Ken Rosenthal tweeted this.
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#Cubs might make a trade to clear salary before picking up Hamels’ $20M option, sources tell The Athletic. At this point, a long-term deal for Hamels is unlikely. If Cubs decline option and make Hamels a free agent, #Rangers will pay his $6M buyout. But goal is to keep him.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 2, 2018
All right, fine. Just clearing up some salary. That doesn’t mean it’s an automatic thing that the Cubs are all of a sudden going to close shop. The trade eventually did happen, as Drew Smyly and his $7 million salary for 2019 went to Texas.
Drew Smyly has a base salary of $7M in 2019, plus another $6M in performance bonuses. By moving his contract, the #Cubs will essentially pick up Cole Hamels' $20M option for a net cost of $13M.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 2, 2018
There was also this by ESPN’s Buster Oleny, once again saying the Cubs won’t be spending any big money in free agency.
Other teams' read on the Cubs' situation this winter: They have very little payroll flexibility, and will have to spend very carefully to affect upgrades for the 2019 season. The days of having a cheap core of young players are over for the front office.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 2, 2018
And then Patrick Mooney of The Athletic pooping all over every Cubs fans Bryce Harper party.
Sources: The Cubs have financial concerns that may limit their ability and motivation to make a huge splash this winter. Looking at what the Cole Hamels deal means for Bryce Harper: https://t.co/R5BMkS7Nm7
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) November 2, 2018
Via The Athletic.
That winning environment and star power will help fuel the Harper-to-Chicago buzz during next week’s general manager meetings in Southern California. Epstein will always be known for making bold, aggressive moves. But Friday’s accounting for Smyly and Hamels sure didn’t make it look like the Cubs are about to hand out the biggest contract in major-league history.
That part is just his opinion and damnit, I strongly disagree.
Mooney brings up the Cubs blowing by the first and second tier of the luxury tax and how they’ll have to win a bidding war with other teams like the Phillies, who have the most payroll flexibility. And of course the line about financial concerns.
But I’m calling bullshit.
Again, you can’t guarantee anything. I’m not saying Harper to the Cubs has ever been a foregone conclusion, but I simply will not accept the fact that this front office will look at their roster, look at the free agents available and just say, “well, sorry, don’t have the money to make our team better.”
I refuse to believe that. It would be irresponsible by Tom Ricketts to not give the green light when it comes to a player like Harper or Machado. At the very least, the Cubs have to give a competitive offer.
So, with that, I have to believe that Theo Epstein is creating the biggest smoke screens ever and these reporters are falling for it. I fucking hope that’s the case.
Oh, and the Cubs having financial concerns? What? You’re not the Milwaukee Brewers. You’re not the Tampa Bay Rays. Financial concerns? Get the fuck out of here with that excuse. The Cubs are worth $3 billion and are about to have a new TV deal, while basically owning everything around Wrigley Field.
Poor Ricketts.
