Welcome to the "new normal" ... I saw Ricketts influence before the season started ... he and Hoyer took enough money to the winter meetings to buy the moon and then signed only one FA ... I also believe that acting on Ricketts orders, Hoyer instructed Counsel to pull Imanaga after 7 no-hit innings to avoid having to make the payout on the no-hit bonus clause in Imanaga's contract.
I feel The Ricketts feel like they spent in 2016 and won a chip. Since that moment they knew they can milk us fans for years off that and develop around the park to rake in massive amount of profits while producing mediocre teams and have the scapegoat (Jed) speak for their mid level market spending on free agents. Ricketts care about their profits and portfolio.
The hotel is also a monstrosity too. And at $1500 a night it'll take my 30 years to pay for a week staying there. And that's not even for a suite. That's the middle class hotel room where the entire floor shares the bathroom and shower🤣🤣🤣 Same situation as Prince Akeem and Semni.
Spent in 16? There payroll was 184 million that year now you will say thats alot then put this in persoective det had 200 royals were at 147 the cubs in 16 won with players in arbitration players an two big contracts lester an heywood the cubs git lucky they didnt spend!!! An they made 434 million that year!!! So thats about 250 mill in profit that year atleast!!!! Ricketts is making money over money an i keep saying you want to make tommy sweat make wrigley look like the cell an see what he does then plus the thing i cant stand is noone brings up hiw all tgese teams are loosing there tv deals yet still spend an the cubs are making proffits off there deal an yet you see nothing spent
Spent in 16? There payroll was 184 million that year now you will say thats alot then put this in persoective det had 200 royals were at 147 the cubs in 16 won with players in arbitration players an two big contracts lester an heywood the cubs git lucky they didnt spend!!! An they made 434 million that year!!! So thats about 250 mill in profit that year atleast!!!! Ricketts is making money over money an i keep saying you want to make tommy sweat make wrigley look like the cell an see what he does then plus the thing i cant stand is noone brings up hiw all tgese teams are loosing there tv deals yet still spend an the cubs are making proffits off there deal an yet you see nothing spent
Your exactly right, Ricketts only cares about lining his pockets. He could care less about us fans. As long as he keeps filling the ballpark, he's happy
It's only sad that he claims to be a cubs fan. He's gone on record saying his first time at Wrigley was when he turned 21. That MFer ain't a real fan. With that fact I've been a fan longer than Tom Ricketts who has a good 20 years on me.
It's called capitulation. Dodgers are getting Sasaki and possibly Fried, or Burnes, or Snell, and will resign pretty much everyone. And what happens if the Dodgers get Soto on top of everything? I smell dynasty for the remainder at the decade. PS: making more money and spending less is called "good business". Hedging against market drawdowns.
I haven't gone to a cubs game in almost 4 years, I'm on fixed budget, and cannot afford to go watch a game live, very disappointing, rickets, and hoyer don't give a crap about
I mean they’re not wrong our front office kinda put themselves in a corner of trying to build a team off of analytics which I can see some value in but it also doesn’t help that Jed has often second guessed himself a lot and it doesn’t help knowing that Tom Ricketts is reluctant to spend any sort of money on a big name and honestly I don’t mind the cubs passing on Burnes as his strike out numbers regressed and with Soto his defense is just not there while his bat is huge the defense is just not worth it
Luck had nothing to do with 2016. They were the best team in baseball. Injuries, the league learning how to pitch them, and age were the issues post-2016
As a loyal Cubs fan, let me inform you of what their M.O. is, and has been for the past decade or so. The Cubs are willing to do, what they consider to be, one "big" contract at a time. Keep in mind, the Cubs definition of a "big" contract differs greatly from what the Dodgers or Mets would consider a big contract. The Cubs definition of big is roughly 5 + years and $175M+ in money. Anything that meets or exceeds that criteria is what they consider "big." Additionally, the Cubs are willing to do one, just one, of these types of contracts at a time. Meaning, they are willing to let the team have one of those contracts on the books at a time, but never more than one. So, in the past, this "big" contract was Heyward. We finally got rid of him, so they were willing to do another one, which turned out to be Swanson, so that's it for them. They will not sign another, what they consider to be, "big" contract as long as Swanson is on the team. That equals no Soto and no Burnes, which they've basically admitted already. They will swim in the mid to lower tier of free agents, going for quantity over quality. Players like Nathan Eovaldi, Nick Pivetta, Patrick Corbin, Frankie Montas, Shane Bieber, Joc Pederson, Christian Walker, etc etc. Maybe a reliever or two. That's all we can expect from them.
You're spot on. And maybe one day, Ricketts will wake up and realize that he needs multiple big contracts to produce a proven franchise-winning era... until then, we gotta put a lot of "hope" into each season
Only blemish I find in this comment are as follows: Christian Walker sure his offense is wishy washy and streaky at best (MOST Hitters are that way anyways) but he has won 2 Gold Gloves and Eovaldi IS a BIG moments Pitcher, Just ask the Red Soxs and Rangers Fans.
Well said. In the rickets letter, he stated how the Cubs are more than just about winning. Touting the charities and Wrigleyville experience. Why did he feel the need to bring that up? It’s an indirect way of telling cubs fans that winning another World Series isn’t number one on the list.
I completely agree with your take on the Morel situation; we should have let him play a regular position instead of moving him around. Following the same concept, maybe 2025 is the right time for guys like Matt Shaw and Owen Caissie to have regular roles on the big league roster and see how they perform. Unless we can trade these prospects for a superstar like Kyle Tucker, it may be better to focus on long-term success rather than going all-in now due to contract structures. For the Cubs' long-term success, it would be wise to let Owen Caissie play right field and Matt Shaw play second base at the beginning of the 2025 season. This might make it necessary to trade Cody Bellinger or even Nico Hoerner. If Cody has an MVP-caliber season like in 2023, he’ll likely opt out, and the Cubs may not pursue him. If he plays similarly to his 2024 level, he’ll likely opt in again and block Cubs' prospects. Cody doesn’t seem to be in the Cubs' long-term plan, so why not trade him this year? The same goes for Nico. Are we going to re-sign him after 2026? If we’re confident that Matt Shaw will perform, the answer is probably no.
I don’t care if we’re not in on Soto and Burns. BUT - we need to get (1) a big bat, clutch, true cleanup hitter that doesn’t cost $700M; (2) another strong starter, like Fried; and (3) a true consistent closer (and maybe another bridge guy too). Also, let Shaw play and keep other top prospects for 1-2 years from now. (And I said this before getting to where you said exactly this.).
Agreed. If you look at all the hot stove reports, the Cubs are only rumored for Fried. A lot can happen between now and Spring Training, but vibes on the rumor-front are not promising for getting these key players
@@SetupManCubsApparently another Japanese phenom pitcher has just announced he’s available in FA, so maybe Shota (and Seiya) can convince him to join us. We’d be the Yokohama Cubs, but the guys we have already are among our best players.
Totally fair point… but if Rickett’s offered him $650 million he might.. he just might consider signing with us. Soto is going to sign with the team that offers him the most amount of money he can possibly make.
He hears all of this, but when he asked very loudly for 'more revenue' in Ariz waiting for Belli to sign... nobody there said 'Why do you need more revenue? Isn't the 450-470-500mil per year that Forbes and other publications says you take in enough to spend 250mil 2yrs out of every 3 or at least every other season..
Agree that Ricketts is not backing his team to the full. Also regarding his money "using it for evil, not for good" statement! Seems to me I saw that in Genesis 50:20!? Back this team Tom! We want perennial winners. You promised, remember? Good piece, Kyle.
great video, love the perspectives given here. it's just like sad that after the 2015 ~ 2021 core broke up, the cubs are just sitting in mediocrity forever. we all love wrigley field, we love chicago, we go and spend on the expensive hot dogs and expensive tickets, just to have a dead 50/50 chance to see a win. it's frustrating that every chicago team is like this, or worse: bears, bulls, cubs, white sox, blackhawks, sky, etc. are all just "mid at best, awful at worst". it's a little sad that every podcast for every chicago team is "how can we fix our billionaire owners?" because every franchise (mccaskeys, reinsdorf, ricketts, etc.) deals with the same rich, greedy, issues.
When the Cubs traded everyone in 2021, I was worried that the Cubs would not be able to create a future playoff team. It is currently looking like my fear may be a reality.
It’s really disappointing. And it’s mainly because Jed tried to do a hybrid rebuild + being competitive. Should have just called it what it was… a rebuild
@@SetupManCubs cubs will have to tear it all down this summer and next winter. Jed will be fired and the next guy will be in charge of a rebuild. We won’t be rooting for wins, but we will be rooting for prospects coming back. You have to get the trades right for Steele, Imanaga, Suzuki and Happ. Craigers is being paid to be in charge of rebuild that he will not be around to see the results, and who knows if it will work. Three rebuilds in less than 15 years is pretty bad. Also I’m at the point I’d rather have Jerry reinsdorf as an owner. Hell, I’ll take Tribune again. They at least believed in having a superstar.
Imagine if Mark Cuban wasn’t blackballed when he attempted to purchase the Cubs. As the Mavs owner, he’s shown that he’s willing to open the vault and spend the money to field a quality team. A completely different team with a championship mindset.
Just letting you know that at the 9:08 mark, you went double screens talking with us lol...regarding the info, I don't envy Jeds position. After 2016, the selling/trading the future for bullpen, fill in starters, AAAA players, and such...maybe he is hesitant to do the same thing. I was one of those last year that really liked bringing back Cody bug really thought we should build for another year and focus on th3 youth movement
It was on the downside from 2015-2020 when Theo left, but you still felt confident in him. After 2018 it’s all gone downhill, and I know Theo wasn’t gonna stay forever but when he said “the offense is broken” and then that off-season all the sudden they can barely afford $5 million for journeyman backups - writing was on the wall. No ability to act like a major market team unless you were starting at a near Pirates level payroll (2012-2013). You *can* win with the Cubs budget, but you can’t be scared to death of risk Jed and do it. You need to make bold moves and have a top star ALWAYS. If your top star is aging out you start the process to get the next one. You can’t just get a ton of “meh pretty good” and spend $200m+ that way. All I wanna know is what the F ever happened to the Cubs Way that built the first title in 108 years? It’s been straight up abandoned.
I know it;s easy to say..., but as long as Wrigley Field is packed every game , Rickett's will never spend for superstars and big name players !!! So we will have to live with this , until they sell the team!!
As a Cubs fan. I don't think the Cubs need much. They were okay in 2023, and in 2024 they were hoping to be better by signing Imanaga, trading for Busch and signing Neris. Neris didn't work out and Swanson + Bellinger regressed. And their outfield is locked with PCA, Happ, Bellinger and Suzuki, so where does Soto go? I think they only really need more bullpen pieces, another serviceable arm in the rotation. (Nick Martinez maybe?) And maybe they trade Suzuki and sign Santander. But they don't need to do much tbh. So I'm not mad that they're out on Burnes and Soto already
Burnes has a lot of miles on his arm. That also means he’s been very durable. I think you have to sign Fried and Jansen or d’Arnaud. And then trade for SEA starter and/ or trade for big bat. But only trade for one of those. Bc the stater could be in the form of Burnes & Eovaldi(of course the Cubs low-balled him). Or Manaea? He’s onto something. I was hoping for a Rooker and Mason Miller trad!?! Usually when they say, they’re keeping a guy, they’re upping his value. Bc they should t be competing until their new ballpark. He’d be great to DH and I actually think Ballesteros hit tool is the most valuable part of this minor league system. Maybe you pair soft trade lefty to piggyback with Horton?(Miley). The death of the 4/5/6/7 AAA(AAAA)-MLB pipeline should produce someone enticing for a trade piece, along with a Triantos/Alcantara/ another top 20 and top 30 guy should get a good 1 year rental like Vlade/Alonso or the starting pitcher you need NOT named Max Fried or Corbin Burnes. Paredes to me has the most value (much like Bregman) bc his swing and the Crawford seats?!!!? Like come on! Ballesteros and Cam Smith And/or Caissie should be brought up to hit for Chicago. And Shaw is Up there on everyone’s list(not quite as high, but still high on him)but with him ready? I think he makes Nico/Paredes trade able. Or even Busch and play Belli at 1b and let Caissie play RF some this year. By some, I mean a lot. Or Shaw play a lot somewhere. 1 rookie developing plus a Ballesteros who can catch play first and DH) … PCA should hit behind 1.Happ 2. PCA 3. Suzuki 4. Bellinger 5.Guerrero AssadBuschOC 6.Ballesteros 6. Torres 7.G. Torres 7Ballesteros 8. Shaw/Smith 9. Swanson Steele may need to be your closer (gets fatigued)has dawg in him! And sign 2/3 SP but good teams keep the right players. Trade ones that help you get better, and can help the other team, but NOT go be the next Top 10 MLB player.
Elaborate plan! I like a lot of it, but Steele is not a closer. He's one of the top starters in baseball. He doesn't get fatigued... the league gets fatigued. He, like many starters now, have been conditioned to shut it down around 85-90 pitches
Incredibly well done, sir. I have to agree. The frustrations are rising and getting ready to boil over. Tom Ricketts wanted to buy the team because he was a fan. Wouldn't a fan want to see them win? Was he really ever a true fan? Hell with the profits, go win and watch your money double and triple. I'm starting to wane on the Ricketts is a garbage owner too. But again, awesome piece of content.
If the Cubs plan is anything less than "win 100 games, win the division, crush the NLDS opponent" I'm watching the Dodgers. I moved to California 25 years ago. I gave up on the Bears 15 years ago to improve my mental health. I thank the Ricketts for the World Series, but we deserve more than to revert to being a forgettable team in a Historic ballpark.
it's plain and simple. put together an exciting team that I feel like is going to be a fun team to watch, that I think can win the division. I'll sub to marquee. Put together a boring team that can only compete if lucky, I'll tune out. Now it doesn't have to be Soto. But they better have a big time trade brewing.
@@SetupManCubs it’s not that I want to trade everyone lol. I just think you need to trade anyone of value for a full on rebuild. It will take a while, but this organization needs another overhaul.
It’s more complex than that. How can you give Jed more money when we can’t beat the brewers who spend way less. Jed has to prove his plan is working where a Soto is final move. I don’t agree with the strategy but that’s what I think is Tom’s perspective. Jed is also super risk averse, so he’s not going to shoot his shot until he knows it all comes together
You said the same thing as me, just differently. I said Jed has made some bad contract moves, as well. But, you can't ignore what a Soto would do for this lineup. Along with another starter and reliever. If we only focused on Soto, and that was all the money they could spend, then yup... bad investment. But if they get multiple guys for multiple holes, Soto becomes that big missing piece. So yes, it goes a lot deeper, but Tom is acting like he doesn't have money... he has plenty of it. A luxury tax threshold should not be his measuring stick.
@ cubs should be building super teams but for whatever reason Tom and Jed don’t think it’s not worth the risk because if you’re wrong it’s a clogged overpaid roster for 3-4 years. Cubs are a 2nd rate organization right now, with no edge in any category but a great fan base and a great ballpark
I was sorta excited when Hoyer had extended Hoerner and Happ for 3 years last year and when he re-signed Bellinger to a contract. I was mainly excited because I assumed that with those short-term deals that Hoyer was going to act very aggressive during that time frame. But with news like this where we're out on Soto and Burnes and with the lackluster 2024 season, I just become more and more confused with those sorts of deals. By the end of 2026, practically everyone we have on guaranteed salaries, except Dansby, could be gone. I just think that this team that we see right now is gonna be nearly completely different by the 2027 season and that we are gonna call this rebuilding that they did from 2021 to 2026 a complete failure. And possibly without Jed too!
Right? Why sign extensions to your hometown guys if you aren’t going to bring in real winners to support them? Dansby was a step in the right direction, but need more
It's getting harder and harder to defend it. They missed out on Ohtani. Now they are gonna pass up on Soto and/or Burnes? The Soto one really gets me to be honest. Sure, he isn't the best defensively, but to pass up on his bat just cause of that? I dunno man. Though you do raise a good point about Burnes strikeout rate being slashed by a considerable margin.
spot on and good stuff Kyle. Here's an analogy. Let's say there are 3 places to buy a decent suit, a nice suit, or the bomb. The Cubs do alot of shopping at the Men's Warehouse. The shirts are nice, good ties. nice jacket. Sometimes they wander on to 5th Avenue or go to Paris and get a really nice suit and some good shoes from England. Then they wait 5 years, The Dodgers live on 5th Avenue and it's nothing but Armani. Occasionally they run into Yankees people on 5th Avenue but it's a big Avenue. Most of the rest of the league shop at the Men's Warehouse, but a good chunk stay at Kohl's. You can buy 5 shirts and get one free. I mean, the Padres have 3 guys making what, 300 million? That's just 3 guys. The Dodgers have Betts and Freeman and Ohtani. The Cubs have Swanson. They had Heyward. They had Lester. Jury is out on Swanson as 23 was a good year and last year he started slow and had a knee problem etc. I don't think you need to have 5 guys all making 35 million or more. But you should have 2 guys making 30 or 35 or 40 million and supplemented by Happ and Shote and Nico, etc. The numbers go up for 2026. But you gotta pay Max Fried and get a closer and if you can get Toronto to sign and trade Vladi and we ship Busch and a couple AA guys? That's a win. Cubs are never going to pay Soto 50 million a year for ten years. But he's so young that if they can pay him 40 million for 10 years and another 40 million over 10 years? Get creative like Ohtani did, that would work. I don't get why Tom would not get a stud hitter and pitcher. That's really all we need besides some non-Hader like guys in the 9th (pay wise). Yes, it took way too long to figure out that Morel has power and speed. But he can't catch and has an inaccurate arm and his batting avg is .200. He should be in LF anyway. Not a dirt dude.
I'm a regular fan of Foul Territory. @scott braun @a j and @kratz regularly read and respond to the comments on the live RUclips channel. Regardless of whether you're @bob nightingale @alanna rizzo or a nobody like me. They regularly respond and often ask for questions for their guest. Very decentralized channel. @foul Territory is a Fantastic program.
I've been a fan of the Cubs since 1950, went to my first game in 1958. I don't give a shit about Wrigleyville, the Jumbotrons, the ivy, the pretty girls, the beer cup snakes in the bleachers, that stupid mascot running out waving a W flag, or all of that between inning crap on the boards. I only want the Cubs to win the division, then go deep in the playoffs and win another world series. The Cubs could have signed Justin Verlander in 2017 but chose to keep John Lackey instead. How did that work out, Ricketts, Epstein, Hoyer?
I have my disagreements with the guys at FT quite a bit. Largely because they're seemingly biased towards the Cubs. AJ Pierzynski is a known Cubs hater and Kratz leans that way as well due to his time with the Brewers. All of that aside I do occasionally agree with them on some things regarding the Cubs. This happens to be one of the times they're correct. I'd also recommend going back a couple weeks and watching a segment they did about MLB teams "Scrooge index". The Cubs to no one's surprise are very high on that list. They're spending a good amount less than 50% of their profits on the teams payroll. Again I recommend going an watching the segment as they go into detail about it much better than I can. The Cubs have 2 big issues to me. 1 of which is that Ricketts is not a good owner by essentially giving this team a salary cap at the first luxury tax. 2nd is that Hoyer thus far has shown he doesn't spend the money in his given budget wisely enough to make this team truly competitive.
@SetupManCubs ruclips.net/video/-yiRMhLCqGg/видео.htmlsi=pDXIg69QGK_9T1IB Couldn't remember which full episode it was from but I was able to find this segment.
@ young prospects need three years, look at Merrill and Chourio, they were 2021 prospects, same as PCA. Unless some once in a generation talent like Bryant. We were spoiled by Bryant Swcharber Baez .
I use to be a diehard Cubs fan until 2021. What did it for me was: BLM backing, Schwarber, Beaz and Rizzo being traded. I was done with the “rebuild” mentality. If the fans keep packing the stadium for a mediocre team why would the Ricketts spend money? Just like the Bears, they sell out every game but lose every season. You want to make a statement stop going to the games. Force their hand! Plus I can’t stand Ian Happ
I’m personally done. I’ll still go the games now and then, but I’m not going to watch like I used to. It’s pointless. This team isn’t winning anything for a long time.
Why you guys only can see one way to improve? Which is adding big money players?? Why? Why can’t PCA be that superstar ? Why can’t Busch be the all star next season? Why can’t Isaac hit 35 HR? He hit 31 two years ago. Why can’t Cody be like his 2023? Why can’t Shaw be like this years’ Jackson Merrill ?? Why have to be a superstar free agent and not other ways ?? Why can’t we trade for some superstar?? Why people like to push Jed and the Cubs be used by Boras as leverage on his players ??
Crow Armstrong hit around .230 at the bottom of the order , Busch is just an average 1st baseman and Paredes is an average 3rd baseman that will never see 35hrs. again . Then there's the big time catching problem . They spent the entire year with the worst catcher in baseball and put a bandage on it with endless excuses rather than fix the problem . As long as you guys keep drinking that prospect Kool Ade you're playing right into the Ricketts Hoyer bullshit line . Why do Cubs fans always settle for mediocrity ?
The problem is that is the exact mentality that we went into 2024 with. If "yada yada player can do XYZ" then we have a chance at the playoffs. That plan didn't work. If you have the resources, why wouldn't you go after the big guys? Top 6 payroll teams in baseball made the playoffs. The Cubs shouldn't be #7 in payroll. They should be top 5 minimum. But again, do we even trust Jed with an open checkbook? It's a catch 22
@@SetupManCubs no, 2024 I know they can’t win it all. The whole team was not ready, too many yady yada players to give chances to develop, actually only three positional players PCA Busch and Amaya and Morel. Were they failures besides Morel? No, there were more young pitchers to evaluate, and injuries and failures were obvious also some success. So I want them to invest in pitching this offseason. But positional players we have to give more opportunities to develop.
@patricklee4316 Right after he was hired MLB changed the rules regarding flipping players for draft capital. His business model he used in Boston no longer worked. Don't get me wrong I think he kept some guys to long. He didn't see eye to eye with outside baseball interests as well with the Ricketts , minus Laura.
Simple and plain: no one is going to pay for the Marquee network to watch the Cubs win 82 games. Nobody is going to buy jerseys and collect merchandise if they don’t have players that everyone wants to own their jersey and such. Why throw away the millions of dollars they’d make filling wrigley for a playoff game and the ad revenue to play “on the margins.” I don’t want margins, I want records.
Unfortunately, I think that is not the case. And that's why Tom is comfortable. If we boycotted, that plan would change. But personally, I went to the most Cubs games in 2024 than I have in my life... why? Because Wrigleyville is amazing. And when I couldn't be there, I watched just about every game on tv. I'm in an abusive relationship! I can't leave lol
@ I went to Chicago for the first time and it was near Wrigley. I chose not to go because half of the Cubs starter’s were injured at the beginning of May and I didn’t want my first time at wrigley to be depressing.
I agree if your not willing to do the job of being the owner of the cubs and poney up for a superstar that the fans are yearning for AS THE DAMN CHICAGO CUBS then sell the team but we’ll all unfortunately know the ricketts wont and I’m scared they’re gonna be just as cheap as the other Chicago franchise and mess it up with their cheapness
I do get (and semi-agree with not going after Burnes). Mainly because Boras will want top dollar and probably get it. But, the numbers show Burnes' best days are behind him. His strikeout numbers have dropped dramatically. He's a fine pitcher, but won't be worth the $200+ mil that Boras will want
Honestly, I worry that we're slipping back into the Trib days. I never thought we'd have to live through this again as fans. There is no excuse to operate this way when you could deliver a winner. Here's a shocker, you will make even more money. I'm the most optimistic Cubs fan you'll meet, but this hurts. Prove us wrong.
Im glad people are starting to see whats really happening over there, the ricketts soent the money to win it all and now have a never ending cow they can milk for as long as they want. It's why i left tue fandom its just so fake now its not the Cubs anymore
Anyone who thinks real talented players, with other options, will sign to play for hoyer is kidding themselves. hoyer shamed us all and made us one of the least desirable destinations with what he did to Rossy and our team. Our rebuild was over. We were ready to win and hoyer yanked the rug out from under everyone and at best set us back a year or two, he may have reset the rebuild. Baseball is a game of honor and respect. Thanks to hoyer, we have none of either. Players want to play for a guy like Rossy and it was clear we were on the verge of something. Now anyone who signs to play for our historic franchise will be old and/or have few other options. And if we get any talent it will have to be grossly overpaid for. It blows my mind people are so blunt and don't get it. The Rickett's especially. They allowed us to break the last curse and overcome everything to win our World Championship, I'll never forget that. But then they let jed dishonor everyone and disrespect our culture and history, then agreed to bring him back. They let him cut ties with our heroes instead of bringing them into the fold to continue to inspire us and our boys, to continue our new winning tradition. After 36 years, I personally won't spend a cent on this team until he's gone and it's hard to say when I'll feel the love for the team I had just about 1 year ago.
Rumor has it that Rossy was the main part of the problem. I don’t know how much truth there is to this, but I heard he was toxic with the players at the end of the season. If that’s true, Jed’s move makes sense. But again, it’s just a rumor I heard
@@SetupManCubs Never heard any such thing. Highly doubt it. jed probably bought that rumor wherever it exists. The fact that every returning player regressed and at times we looked like a little league team this season is a pretty good indicator. If I'm wrong you'll see some of the top players sign.
Its pathetic man truly i live in texas and whent to go watch the cubs on opening day when they played the rangers and let me tell you the house was packed and i tought to my self must be nice when your front office actually spends money...new stadium and all star ball players on the field it was nice
Yeah, and let's be honest... that didn't work out for the Rangers this year. However, it did in 2023, and I expect them to bounce back. So, there's no automatics/guarantees. But man, you have to reward loyal fans with a great product. "Good" isn't great enough.
Jed has made some good moves and some bad moves, unfortunately his bad move far exceed the good ones. Ricketts has joined the Chicago failed ownership club. For a major market city, we have some of the worst owners in all of sports.
The Cubs are not a big market team. They never have been. They don't sign players to massive contracts. We all knew they were never gonna sign Soto. Why is this surprising? They are trying to draft right and develop young talent like with the 2016 team.
Allocated to an extent. But the Ricketts could allocate a lot more if they were serious about producing a great product. But yes, Jed has definitely misspent in many cases.
I hope they go after Roki Sasaki now that he's gonna be posted. Yeah Tom Ricketts is a terrible owner. He's not even the owner of the Cubs and won't be until his father passes away. Then his 3 siblings Steve Dave, Karen and Billy Joe Bob with each inherit an equal share 25% each.
Nobody gives a damn how these losers feel. None of them work or have ever worked in a front office for a reason. Also, what is your source for why Theo left? I call BS on the source that you won’t name. Don’t record something based on a rumor from somebody that refuses to put their name with it.
@ I’m not calling you a liar, I’m calling your source one. That’s never been reported or even hinted at ever. If you’re going to say something like that publicly, you need to cite a source. If you’ve ever listed to these three guys ever, you’d understand that all they do is sit there and complain about not getting to spend other people’s money. If it was up to them, Bellinger would be on a 10 year 250 million dollar deal. Pretending these people understand what it would take to put a team together without a billion dollar patrol is laughable
No one compares to Ohtani. Giving Soto 500M or more is screwing the franchise. His defense sucks can’t run for a young guy… he’s overrated. Ohtani brings you tons of money and team Japan that won WBC. No one is even close.
No, no one is close to Ohtani. Agreed his defense is garbage. But Soto's bat and approach is the most elite of any player since Barry Bonds. He has more career walks than strikeouts, career OPS+ of 160, and career OBP of .421. Lowest OBP in one season was .388. Last Cub to have an OBP over .388 was Anthony Rizzo in 2019. And for reference, Rizzo's career OBP is .361. These are the reasons he will get paid. He's on base machine who drives the ball and doesn't strike out a ton. It's really a kind of hitter that we may never see again
@@SetupManCubs he’s worth 400M max. He’s not close to bonds even as a hitter as he doesn’t hit for power like bonds or is a threat to run the bases. He’s simply not that good.
Cub fans need to choose... party @ Wrigley or boycott until ricketts either sells or builds a WS team. YOU ARE NOT GETTING BOTH Stop subscribing to marquee
@@SetupManCubs New subscriber (today). Agree 100%, as long as ricketts is there we will always be a "a team that will be great... next year. But keep those stupid beer snakes going, ricketts is counting every damn cup
When you look at payroll, 7th highest doesn't appear cheap. But when you know how much they are making (and how many different flows of income they have since they basically own Wrigleyville), then yes... very cheap
7:00 i hate how rickettsville evolved out of wrigleyville. The wrigleyville of the pass felt like what is was neighborhood where people lived (wasnt the most flash but had an certain feel to it). Rickettsville feels so corporate, sterile...like a boardroom.
Interesting take! I only went to old Wrigleyville twice (15 and 19 years old). So I don't have the experience that most Illinois locals do. But man, I don't think there is a single ballpark in America with the pre/postgame experience that Wrigleyville can provide. I love the way it is
Early 2000s wrigley. Just felt like a working class neighborhood when all the fans left. The restaurants in people's yards and basement gave it the feeling of a quick conversion when the game was on only to return back to someone's house afterwards. Now just sterile, glass fronted buildings (hate of modern architecture) carefully crafted by an architect who specializes in fan experiences and approved by a board of people in very expensive suits whose only interaction with the "common man" is when give the valet the keys to thier BMW. That is just what I think. I am sure wrigley will be filled no matter what, beer prices will go up and the such.
Watch - Cubs compared to Dodgers: ruclips.net/video/NYyGWEalArM/видео.html
Welcome to the "new normal" ...
I saw Ricketts influence before the season started ... he and Hoyer took enough money to the winter meetings to buy the moon and then signed only one FA ... I also believe that acting on Ricketts orders, Hoyer instructed Counsel to pull Imanaga after 7 no-hit innings to avoid having to make the payout on the no-hit bonus clause in Imanaga's contract.
Time for the fans to send a $$ message to mr' Wrigley'to spend like a big market team. loveable losers biz plan dead & gone.
I think this was The Setup Man’s best video ever. Very well said.
Conveys what many frustrated fans are feeling.
Thank you! Makes my day to read this
I feel The Ricketts feel like they spent in 2016 and won a chip. Since that moment they knew they can milk us fans for years off that and develop around the park to rake in massive amount of profits while producing mediocre teams and have the scapegoat (Jed) speak for their mid level market spending on free agents. Ricketts care about their profits and portfolio.
Exactlyyyyyy
The hotel is also a monstrosity too. And at $1500 a night it'll take my 30 years to pay for a week staying there. And that's not even for a suite. That's the middle class hotel room where the entire floor shares the bathroom and shower🤣🤣🤣
Same situation as Prince Akeem and Semni.
Bingo
Spent in 16? There payroll was 184 million that year now you will say thats alot then put this in persoective det had 200 royals were at 147 the cubs in 16 won with players in arbitration players an two big contracts lester an heywood the cubs git lucky they didnt spend!!! An they made 434 million that year!!! So thats about 250 mill in profit that year atleast!!!! Ricketts is making money over money an i keep saying you want to make tommy sweat make wrigley look like the cell an see what he does then plus the thing i cant stand is noone brings up hiw all tgese teams are loosing there tv deals yet still spend an the cubs are making proffits off there deal an yet you see nothing spent
Spent in 16? There payroll was 184 million that year now you will say thats alot then put this in persoective det had 200 royals were at 147 the cubs in 16 won with players in arbitration players an two big contracts lester an heywood the cubs git lucky they didnt spend!!! An they made 434 million that year!!! So thats about 250 mill in profit that year atleast!!!! Ricketts is making money over money an i keep saying you want to make tommy sweat make wrigley look like the cell an see what he does then plus the thing i cant stand is noone brings up hiw all tgese teams are loosing there tv deals yet still spend an the cubs are making proffits off there deal an yet you see nothing spent
Your exactly right, Ricketts only cares about lining his pockets. He could care less about us fans. As long as he keeps filling the ballpark, he's happy
That’s the entire Ricketts family
@@whatareuthinking1 feck ricketts damn
It's only sad that he claims to be a cubs fan. He's gone on record saying his first time at Wrigley was when he turned 21. That MFer ain't a real fan. With that fact I've been a fan longer than Tom Ricketts who has a good 20 years on me.
It's called capitulation. Dodgers are getting Sasaki and possibly Fried, or Burnes, or Snell, and will resign pretty much everyone. And what happens if the Dodgers get Soto on top of everything? I smell dynasty for the remainder at the decade. PS: making more money and spending less is called "good business". Hedging against market drawdowns.
Love your analysis man. You have gotten so good in the last year.
Thanks! Means a lot :)
Since the signing of Swanson, you can't deny that the Cubs front office doesn't show their hand AT ALL.
We need a star! Ricketts made it so expensive for the average fan to attend a game.
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I haven't gone to a cubs game in almost 4 years, I'm on fixed budget, and cannot afford to go watch a game live, very disappointing, rickets, and hoyer don't give a crap about
thank you so much for this video, you are The Man! or Setup Man! or Both. Just thank you my friend
Happy you liked it!
From 20:21 is exactly how the Bulls have operated since 1999
I mean they’re not wrong our front office kinda put themselves in a corner of trying to build a team off of analytics which I can see some value in but it also doesn’t help that Jed has often second guessed himself a lot and it doesn’t help knowing that Tom Ricketts is reluctant to spend any sort of money on a big name and honestly I don’t mind the cubs passing on Burnes as his strike out numbers regressed and with Soto his defense is just not there while his bat is huge the defense is just not worth it
Jed’s indecision is definitely starting to surface
Cubs just got lucky 2016, Except for Schwarberg, all players are either not playing or average hitters
Luck had nothing to do with 2016. They were the best team in baseball. Injuries, the league learning how to pitch them, and age were the issues post-2016
As a loyal Cubs fan, let me inform you of what their M.O. is, and has been for the past decade or so.
The Cubs are willing to do, what they consider to be, one "big" contract at a time. Keep in mind, the Cubs definition of a "big" contract differs greatly from what the Dodgers or Mets would consider a big contract. The Cubs definition of big is roughly 5 + years and $175M+ in money. Anything that meets or exceeds that criteria is what they consider "big." Additionally, the Cubs are willing to do one, just one, of these types of contracts at a time. Meaning, they are willing to let the team have one of those contracts on the books at a time, but never more than one. So, in the past, this "big" contract was Heyward. We finally got rid of him, so they were willing to do another one, which turned out to be Swanson, so that's it for them. They will not sign another, what they consider to be, "big" contract as long as Swanson is on the team. That equals no Soto and no Burnes, which they've basically admitted already. They will swim in the mid to lower tier of free agents, going for quantity over quality. Players like Nathan Eovaldi, Nick Pivetta, Patrick Corbin, Frankie Montas, Shane Bieber, Joc Pederson, Christian Walker, etc etc. Maybe a reliever or two. That's all we can expect from them.
You're spot on. And maybe one day, Ricketts will wake up and realize that he needs multiple big contracts to produce a proven franchise-winning era... until then, we gotta put a lot of "hope" into each season
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Only blemish I find in this comment are as follows: Christian Walker sure his offense is wishy washy and streaky at best (MOST Hitters are that way anyways) but he has won 2 Gold Gloves and Eovaldi IS a BIG moments Pitcher, Just ask the Red Soxs and Rangers Fans.
I was WRONG, Walker Just won his Third... In a ROW!
Well said. In the rickets letter, he stated how the Cubs are more than just about winning. Touting the charities and Wrigleyville experience. Why did he feel the need to bring that up? It’s an indirect way of telling cubs fans that winning another World Series isn’t number one on the list.
Don't get me started on that letter 😝
I completely agree with your take on the Morel situation; we should have let him play a regular position instead of moving him around. Following the same concept, maybe 2025 is the right time for guys like Matt Shaw and Owen Caissie to have regular roles on the big league roster and see how they perform. Unless we can trade these prospects for a superstar like Kyle Tucker, it may be better to focus on long-term success rather than going all-in now due to contract structures.
For the Cubs' long-term success, it would be wise to let Owen Caissie play right field and Matt Shaw play second base at the beginning of the 2025 season. This might make it necessary to trade Cody Bellinger or even Nico Hoerner.
If Cody has an MVP-caliber season like in 2023, he’ll likely opt out, and the Cubs may not pursue him. If he plays similarly to his 2024 level, he’ll likely opt in again and block Cubs' prospects. Cody doesn’t seem to be in the Cubs' long-term plan, so why not trade him this year? The same goes for Nico. Are we going to re-sign him after 2026? If we’re confident that Matt Shaw will perform, the answer is probably no.
I don’t care if we’re not in on Soto and Burns. BUT - we need to get (1) a big bat, clutch, true cleanup hitter that doesn’t cost $700M; (2) another strong starter, like Fried; and (3) a true consistent closer (and maybe another bridge guy too). Also, let Shaw play and keep other top prospects for 1-2 years from now. (And I said this before getting to where you said exactly this.).
Agreed. If you look at all the hot stove reports, the Cubs are only rumored for Fried. A lot can happen between now and Spring Training, but vibes on the rumor-front are not promising for getting these key players
@@SetupManCubsApparently another Japanese phenom pitcher has just announced he’s available in FA, so maybe Shota (and Seiya) can convince him to join us. We’d be the Yokohama Cubs, but the guys we have already are among our best players.
Also, keep in mind, this isn't a friggen video game. You can say......Go get Soto. Well, what if Soto just doesn't want to play in Chicago?
Totally fair point… but if Rickett’s offered him $650 million he might.. he just might consider signing with us. Soto is going to sign with the team that offers him the most amount of money he can possibly make.
Of course. But to say you are bowing out before even trying… doesn’t that speak louder than anything?
I wish the fan would stop going
Again, after how he hit in 2023, fans were screaming to "find a place for him". Hindsight is easy.
No hindsight. I never agreed with $200 mil. 4 years $100 mil was my max at the time.
It's very good that so many podcasters and fans are having this financial conversation now...
Now, will Ricketts listen?
He hears all of this, but when he asked very loudly for 'more revenue' in Ariz waiting for Belli to sign... nobody there said 'Why do you need more revenue? Isn't the 450-470-500mil per year that Forbes and other publications says you take in enough to spend 250mil 2yrs out of every 3 or at least every other season..
@@SetupManCubsnot at all he laughs at this why would he listen are fans goin to stop showing up nope
ownership has been cheap since 18
Agree that Ricketts is not backing his team to the full. Also regarding his money "using it for evil, not for good" statement! Seems to me I saw that in Genesis 50:20!? Back this team Tom! We want perennial winners. You promised, remember?
Good piece, Kyle.
Thanks Tom! It’s Ricketts turn
Appreciate your video, better than any other Cubs videos. Perfect explanations of what's needed for this team
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it
Knowing the cubs are so filthy rich and try to operate like the Rays is one of the most infuriating things as a fan.
great video, love the perspectives given here. it's just like sad that after the 2015 ~ 2021 core broke up, the cubs are just sitting in mediocrity forever. we all love wrigley field, we love chicago, we go and spend on the expensive hot dogs and expensive tickets, just to have a dead 50/50 chance to see a win.
it's frustrating that every chicago team is like this, or worse: bears, bulls, cubs, white sox, blackhawks, sky, etc. are all just "mid at best, awful at worst". it's a little sad that every podcast for every chicago team is "how can we fix our billionaire owners?" because every franchise (mccaskeys, reinsdorf, ricketts, etc.) deals with the same rich, greedy, issues.
Spot on
:D
When the Cubs traded everyone in 2021, I was worried that the Cubs would not be able to create a future playoff team. It is currently looking like my fear may be a reality.
It’s really disappointing. And it’s mainly because Jed tried to do a hybrid rebuild + being competitive. Should have just called it what it was… a rebuild
@@SetupManCubs cubs will have to tear it all down this summer and next winter. Jed will be fired and the next guy will be in charge of a rebuild. We won’t be rooting for wins, but we will be rooting for prospects coming back. You have to get the trades right for Steele, Imanaga, Suzuki and Happ.
Craigers is being paid to be in charge of rebuild that he will not be around to see the results, and who knows if it will work. Three rebuilds in less than 15 years is pretty bad.
Also I’m at the point I’d rather have Jerry reinsdorf as an owner. Hell, I’ll take Tribune again. They at least believed in having a superstar.
Belli is a big reason to NOT listen to fans.
They didn't have a choice. Had they lost Belli, they would have been even worse than last year, but WITH Counsell
Imagine if Mark Cuban wasn’t blackballed when he attempted to purchase the Cubs. As the Mavs owner, he’s shown that he’s willing to open the vault and spend the money to field a quality team. A completely different team with a championship mindset.
Right? I was so disappointed when he was denied
Soto is still a young superstar, not even considering him is irresponsible of the cubs
Just letting you know that at the 9:08 mark, you went double screens talking with us lol...regarding the info, I don't envy Jeds position. After 2016, the selling/trading the future for bullpen, fill in starters, AAAA players, and such...maybe he is hesitant to do the same thing. I was one of those last year that really liked bringing back Cody bug really thought we should build for another year and focus on th3 youth movement
That was intentional lol
Nothing that can happen now, can be compared to tearing it down in 2021.
It was on the downside from 2015-2020 when Theo left, but you still felt confident in him. After 2018 it’s all gone downhill, and I know Theo wasn’t gonna stay forever but when he said “the offense is broken” and then that off-season all the sudden they can barely afford $5 million for journeyman backups - writing was on the wall. No ability to act like a major market team unless you were starting at a near Pirates level payroll (2012-2013).
You *can* win with the Cubs budget, but you can’t be scared to death of risk Jed and do it. You need to make bold moves and have a top star ALWAYS. If your top star is aging out you start the process to get the next one. You can’t just get a ton of “meh pretty good” and spend $200m+ that way.
All I wanna know is what the F ever happened to the Cubs Way that built the first title in 108 years? It’s been straight up abandoned.
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I know it;s easy to say..., but as long as Wrigley Field is packed every game , Rickett's will never spend for superstars and big name players !!! So we will have to live with this , until they sell the team!!
Yeah, that's the unfortunate part
Phenomenal take
Gracias!
As a Cubs fan. I don't think the Cubs need much. They were okay in 2023, and in 2024 they were hoping to be better by signing Imanaga, trading for Busch and signing Neris. Neris didn't work out and Swanson + Bellinger regressed. And their outfield is locked with PCA, Happ, Bellinger and Suzuki, so where does Soto go? I think they only really need more bullpen pieces, another serviceable arm in the rotation. (Nick Martinez maybe?) And maybe they trade Suzuki and sign Santander. But they don't need to do much tbh. So I'm not mad that they're out on Burnes and Soto already
You’re more hopeful than most 🙌🏻
Burnes has a lot of miles on his arm. That also means he’s been very durable. I think you have to sign Fried and Jansen or d’Arnaud. And then trade for SEA starter and/ or trade for big bat. But only trade for one of those. Bc the stater could be in the form of Burnes & Eovaldi(of course the Cubs low-balled him). Or Manaea? He’s onto something. I was hoping for a Rooker and Mason Miller trad!?! Usually when they say, they’re keeping a guy, they’re upping his value. Bc they should t be competing until their new ballpark. He’d be great to DH and I actually think Ballesteros hit tool is the most valuable part of this minor league system. Maybe you pair soft trade lefty to piggyback with Horton?(Miley). The death of the 4/5/6/7 AAA(AAAA)-MLB pipeline should produce someone enticing for a trade piece, along with a Triantos/Alcantara/ another top 20 and top 30 guy should get a good 1 year rental like Vlade/Alonso or the starting pitcher you need NOT named Max Fried or Corbin Burnes. Paredes to me has the most value (much like Bregman) bc his swing and the Crawford seats?!!!? Like come on! Ballesteros and Cam Smith And/or Caissie should be brought up to hit for Chicago. And Shaw is Up there on everyone’s list(not quite as high, but still high on him)but with him ready? I think he makes Nico/Paredes trade able. Or even Busch and play Belli at 1b and let Caissie play RF some this year. By some, I mean a lot. Or Shaw play a lot somewhere. 1 rookie developing plus a Ballesteros who can catch play first and DH) … PCA should hit behind
1.Happ
2. PCA
3. Suzuki
4. Bellinger
5.Guerrero AssadBuschOC
6.Ballesteros 6. Torres
7.G. Torres 7Ballesteros
8. Shaw/Smith
9. Swanson
Steele may need to be your closer (gets fatigued)has dawg in him!
And sign 2/3 SP but good teams keep the right players. Trade ones that help you get better, and can help the other team, but NOT go be the next Top 10 MLB player.
Elaborate plan! I like a lot of it, but Steele is not a closer. He's one of the top starters in baseball. He doesn't get fatigued... the league gets fatigued. He, like many starters now, have been conditioned to shut it down around 85-90 pitches
Incredibly well done, sir. I have to agree. The frustrations are rising and getting ready to boil over. Tom Ricketts wanted to buy the team because he was a fan. Wouldn't a fan want to see them win? Was he really ever a true fan? Hell with the profits, go win and watch your money double and triple. I'm starting to wane on the Ricketts is a garbage owner too. But again, awesome piece of content.
Thanks for the kind words. And yes, you would think he would see multiple championships and a franchise to be the biggest money-maker
@ you would think. Unreal. It really is discouraging for all Cubs fans.
“Spending less when they are making more” - How do we know the Cubs are making a lot of money though? Might not be true
We have Wood!! That’s Kerry with A K!
If your from Chicago you know
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If the Cubs plan is anything less than "win 100 games, win the division, crush the NLDS opponent" I'm watching the Dodgers. I moved to California 25 years ago. I gave up on the Bears 15 years ago to improve my mental health. I thank the Ricketts for the World Series, but we deserve more than to revert to being a forgettable team in a Historic ballpark.
Don't let my wife read this lol. She's still working on making our daughter a Dodgers fan
it's plain and simple. put together an exciting team that I feel like is going to be a fun team to watch, that I think can win the division. I'll sub to marquee. Put together a boring team that can only compete if lucky, I'll tune out. Now it doesn't have to be Soto. But they better have a big time trade brewing.
Keep Busch trade Bellinger
@@jimdecker4760trade both
Lol, you would trade all 26 men if you could, Patrick
@@SetupManCubs it’s not that I want to trade everyone lol. I just think you need to trade anyone of value for a full on rebuild. It will take a while, but this organization needs another overhaul.
It’s more complex than that. How can you give Jed more money when we can’t beat the brewers who spend way less. Jed has to prove his plan is working where a Soto is final move. I don’t agree with the strategy but that’s what I think is Tom’s perspective. Jed is also super risk averse, so he’s not going to shoot his shot until he knows it all comes together
You said the same thing as me, just differently. I said Jed has made some bad contract moves, as well. But, you can't ignore what a Soto would do for this lineup. Along with another starter and reliever. If we only focused on Soto, and that was all the money they could spend, then yup... bad investment. But if they get multiple guys for multiple holes, Soto becomes that big missing piece.
So yes, it goes a lot deeper, but Tom is acting like he doesn't have money... he has plenty of it. A luxury tax threshold should not be his measuring stick.
@ cubs should be building super teams but for whatever reason Tom and Jed don’t think it’s not worth the risk because if you’re wrong it’s a clogged overpaid roster for 3-4 years. Cubs are a 2nd rate organization right now, with no edge in any category but a great fan base and a great ballpark
Totally fine not going after Soto and especially Burnes. Obviously something in the lineup needs to change
100% agreed
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All the other teams that had expensive experiences went to the playoffs.
I was sorta excited when Hoyer had extended Hoerner and Happ for 3 years last year and when he re-signed Bellinger to a contract. I was mainly excited because I assumed that with those short-term deals that Hoyer was going to act very aggressive during that time frame. But with news like this where we're out on Soto and Burnes and with the lackluster 2024 season, I just become more and more confused with those sorts of deals. By the end of 2026, practically everyone we have on guaranteed salaries, except Dansby, could be gone. I just think that this team that we see right now is gonna be nearly completely different by the 2027 season and that we are gonna call this rebuilding that they did from 2021 to 2026 a complete failure. And possibly without Jed too!
Right? Why sign extensions to your hometown guys if you aren’t going to bring in real winners to support them? Dansby was a step in the right direction, but need more
2026 will be the start of another rebuild. Three rebuilds in 15 years. That is sick.
So the cubs are after Nathan Eovaldi and Nathan Eovaldi already rejected their offer
Didn't see that. Where did you get that info?
It's getting harder and harder to defend it. They missed out on Ohtani. Now they are gonna pass up on Soto and/or Burnes? The Soto one really gets me to be honest. Sure, he isn't the best defensively, but to pass up on his bat just cause of that? I dunno man. Though you do raise a good point about Burnes strikeout rate being slashed by a considerable margin.
Soto’s bat is next level. I would DH him. The fact that he was a GG finalist was the biggest punchline of the 2024 baseball season
Still scratching my head on $8m for the manager…
Good Show . For the Cubs mediocrity makes money .
spot on and good stuff Kyle. Here's an analogy. Let's say there are 3 places to buy a decent suit, a nice suit, or the bomb. The Cubs do alot of shopping at the Men's Warehouse. The shirts are nice, good ties. nice jacket. Sometimes they wander on to 5th Avenue or go to Paris and get a really nice suit and some good shoes from England. Then they wait 5 years, The Dodgers live on 5th Avenue and it's nothing but Armani. Occasionally they run into Yankees people on 5th Avenue but it's a big Avenue. Most of the rest of the league shop at the Men's Warehouse, but a good chunk stay at Kohl's. You can buy 5 shirts and get one free. I mean, the Padres have 3 guys making what, 300 million? That's just 3 guys. The Dodgers have Betts and Freeman and Ohtani. The Cubs have Swanson. They had Heyward. They had Lester. Jury is out on Swanson as 23 was a good year and last year he started slow and had a knee problem etc. I don't think you need to have 5 guys all making 35 million or more. But you should have 2 guys making 30 or 35 or 40 million and supplemented by Happ and Shote and Nico, etc. The numbers go up for 2026. But you gotta pay Max Fried and get a closer and if you can get Toronto to sign and trade Vladi and we ship Busch and a couple AA guys? That's a win. Cubs are never going to pay Soto 50 million a year for ten years. But he's so young that if they can pay him 40 million for 10 years and another 40 million over 10 years? Get creative like Ohtani did, that would work. I don't get why Tom would not get a stud hitter and pitcher. That's really all we need besides some non-Hader like guys in the 9th (pay wise). Yes, it took way too long to figure out that Morel has power and speed. But he can't catch and has an inaccurate arm and his batting avg is .200. He should be in LF anyway. Not a dirt dude.
Love this. Spot on
Bring back Pepsi to Wrigley
I'm a regular fan of Foul Territory. @scott braun @a j and @kratz regularly read and respond to the comments on the live RUclips channel. Regardless of whether you're @bob nightingale @alanna rizzo or a nobody like me. They regularly respond and often ask for questions for their guest. Very decentralized channel. @foul Territory is a Fantastic program.
Good stuff
Sad about Soto story!
I've been a fan of the Cubs since 1950, went to my first game in 1958. I don't give a shit about Wrigleyville, the Jumbotrons, the ivy, the pretty girls, the beer cup snakes in the bleachers, that stupid mascot running out waving a W flag, or all of that between inning crap on the boards. I only want the Cubs to win the division, then go deep in the playoffs and win another world series. The Cubs could have signed Justin Verlander in 2017 but chose to keep John Lackey instead. How did that work out, Ricketts, Epstein, Hoyer?
Unfortunately, as a business, they have to focus on attracting new fans. But the goal should still be the same: winning attracts fans
And the ricketts are increasing ticket prices again for an 82 win season if they're lucky
I have my disagreements with the guys at FT quite a bit. Largely because they're seemingly biased towards the Cubs. AJ Pierzynski is a known Cubs hater and Kratz leans that way as well due to his time with the Brewers.
All of that aside I do occasionally agree with them on some things regarding the Cubs. This happens to be one of the times they're correct. I'd also recommend going back a couple weeks and watching a segment they did about MLB teams "Scrooge index". The Cubs to no one's surprise are very high on that list. They're spending a good amount less than 50% of their profits on the teams payroll. Again I recommend going an watching the segment as they go into detail about it much better than I can.
The Cubs have 2 big issues to me. 1 of which is that Ricketts is not a good owner by essentially giving this team a salary cap at the first luxury tax. 2nd is that Hoyer thus far has shown he doesn't spend the money in his given budget wisely enough to make this team truly competitive.
You nailed it. Also, if you know the exact video, drop it in the comments. I'd love to check it out
@SetupManCubs ruclips.net/video/-yiRMhLCqGg/видео.htmlsi=pDXIg69QGK_9T1IB
Couldn't remember which full episode it was from but I was able to find this segment.
The plan is to let the young talent develop! Like what Astros, Braves did. Develop the young prospects.
Agreed. And during Jed's era, he has proven he doesn't know how to give that runway to the prospects.
@ young prospects need three years, look at Merrill and Chourio, they were 2021 prospects, same as PCA. Unless some once in a generation talent like Bryant. We were spoiled by Bryant Swcharber Baez .
I use to be a diehard Cubs fan until 2021. What did it for me was: BLM backing, Schwarber, Beaz and Rizzo being traded. I was done with the “rebuild” mentality. If the fans keep packing the stadium for a mediocre team why would the Ricketts spend money? Just like the Bears, they sell out every game but lose every season. You want to make a statement stop going to the games. Force their hand! Plus I can’t stand Ian Happ
At least he’s not my A’s owner John Fisher
If they dont go hard on Soto they should loss their entire fan base
Won’t happen, but I hear ya
I’m personally done. I’ll still go the games now and then, but I’m not going to watch like I used to. It’s pointless. This team isn’t winning anything for a long time.
The plan is to make Jed the fall guy thats what i Hate everyone bashes Jed yet he is doin what ricketts tells him to do
Why you guys only can see one way to improve? Which is adding big money players?? Why? Why can’t PCA be that superstar ? Why can’t Busch be the all star next season? Why can’t Isaac hit 35 HR? He hit 31 two years ago. Why can’t Cody be like his 2023? Why can’t Shaw be like this years’ Jackson Merrill ?? Why have to be a superstar free agent and not other ways ?? Why can’t we trade for some superstar?? Why people like to push Jed and the Cubs be used by Boras as leverage on his players ??
Crow Armstrong hit around .230 at the bottom of the order , Busch is just an average 1st baseman and Paredes is an average 3rd baseman that will never see 35hrs. again . Then there's the big time catching problem . They spent the entire year with the worst catcher in baseball and put a bandage on it with endless excuses rather than fix the problem . As long as you guys keep drinking that prospect Kool Ade you're playing right into the Ricketts Hoyer bullshit line . Why do Cubs fans always settle for mediocrity ?
The problem is that is the exact mentality that we went into 2024 with. If "yada yada player can do XYZ" then we have a chance at the playoffs. That plan didn't work. If you have the resources, why wouldn't you go after the big guys? Top 6 payroll teams in baseball made the playoffs. The Cubs shouldn't be #7 in payroll. They should be top 5 minimum. But again, do we even trust Jed with an open checkbook? It's a catch 22
@@SetupManCubs no, 2024 I know they can’t win it all. The whole team was not ready, too many yady yada players to give chances to develop, actually only three positional players PCA Busch and Amaya and Morel. Were they failures besides Morel? No, there were more young pitchers to evaluate, and injuries and failures were obvious also some success. So I want them to invest in pitching this offseason. But positional players we have to give more opportunities to develop.
@sni6941 Amaya stinks , stop with the excuses and Busch was just average , nothing more !
Theo had a vision and a moving plan. Jed feels like he's over his head and winging it.
Yuppp 😞
Crane is calling the shots. Think Ted Phillips.
I still think Theo was overrated
@patricklee4316 Right after he was hired MLB changed the rules regarding flipping players for draft capital. His business model he used in Boston no longer worked. Don't get me wrong I think he kept some guys to long. He didn't see eye to eye with outside baseball interests as well with the Ricketts , minus Laura.
Jed can only spend what tommy says he can jed is a fall guy guys wake up jesus
Simple and plain: no one is going to pay for the Marquee network to watch the Cubs win 82 games. Nobody is going to buy jerseys and collect merchandise if they don’t have players that everyone wants to own their jersey and such. Why throw away the millions of dollars they’d make filling wrigley for a playoff game and the ad revenue to play “on the margins.” I don’t want margins, I want records.
Unfortunately, I think that is not the case. And that's why Tom is comfortable. If we boycotted, that plan would change. But personally, I went to the most Cubs games in 2024 than I have in my life... why? Because Wrigleyville is amazing. And when I couldn't be there, I watched just about every game on tv. I'm in an abusive relationship! I can't leave lol
@ I went to Chicago for the first time and it was near Wrigley. I chose not to go because half of the Cubs starter’s were injured at the beginning of May and I didn’t want my first time at wrigley to be depressing.
I agree if your not willing to do the job of being the owner of the cubs and poney up for a superstar that the fans are yearning for AS THE DAMN CHICAGO CUBS then sell the team but we’ll all unfortunately know the ricketts wont and I’m scared they’re gonna be just as cheap as the other Chicago franchise and mess it up with their cheapness
While I get Juan Soto but not being in on Burnes when we need pitching help. That makes no sense.
I do get (and semi-agree with not going after Burnes). Mainly because Boras will want top dollar and probably get it. But, the numbers show Burnes' best days are behind him. His strikeout numbers have dropped dramatically. He's a fine pitcher, but won't be worth the $200+ mil that Boras will want
@@SetupManCubs I have noticed that. I think we should sign the Japanese pitcher then.
Honestly, I worry that we're slipping back into the Trib days. I never thought we'd have to live through this again as fans. There is no excuse to operate this way when you could deliver a winner. Here's a shocker, you will make even more money. I'm the most optimistic Cubs fan you'll meet, but this hurts. Prove us wrong.
Put the bottle down.
That would be the worst.
I’d take the tribune in a heartbeat. Tribune gave us Sammy.
Im glad people are starting to see whats really happening over there, the ricketts soent the money to win it all and now have a never ending cow they can milk for as long as they want. It's why i left tue fandom its just so fake now its not the Cubs anymore
Trade Ricketts and Marquee, WAIT! I'll sweeten the deal. I'll toss in Reinsdorf and Chigago Sports Net.
lol
Need a starter and a closer and Juan Soto.
How can you pass on a future HOFer? They have not had one who has played in this century. If not now, when?
It really is sad. But technically, they have 2 that played this century (Maddux and McGriff). But I'm right there with you
I want to Win. I want to go to a playoff game.
Anyone who thinks real talented players, with other options, will sign to play for hoyer is kidding themselves. hoyer shamed us all and made us one of the least desirable destinations with what he did to Rossy and our team. Our rebuild was over. We were ready to win and hoyer yanked the rug out from under everyone and at best set us back a year or two, he may have reset the rebuild. Baseball is a game of honor and respect. Thanks to hoyer, we have none of either. Players want to play for a guy like Rossy and it was clear we were on the verge of something. Now anyone who signs to play for our historic franchise will be old and/or have few other options. And if we get any talent it will have to be grossly overpaid for. It blows my mind people are so blunt and don't get it. The Rickett's especially. They allowed us to break the last curse and overcome everything to win our World Championship, I'll never forget that. But then they let jed dishonor everyone and disrespect our culture and history, then agreed to bring him back. They let him cut ties with our heroes instead of bringing them into the fold to continue to inspire us and our boys, to continue our new winning tradition. After 36 years, I personally won't spend a cent on this team until he's gone and it's hard to say when I'll feel the love for the team I had just about 1 year ago.
Rumor has it that Rossy was the main part of the problem. I don’t know how much truth there is to this, but I heard he was toxic with the players at the end of the season.
If that’s true, Jed’s move makes sense.
But again, it’s just a rumor I heard
@@SetupManCubs Never heard any such thing. Highly doubt it. jed probably bought that rumor wherever it exists. The fact that every returning player regressed and at times we looked like a little league team this season is a pretty good indicator. If I'm wrong you'll see some of the top players sign.
Its pathetic man truly i live in texas and whent to go watch the cubs on opening day when they played the rangers and let me tell you the house was packed and i tought to my self must be nice when your front office actually spends money...new stadium and all star ball players on the field it was nice
Yeah, and let's be honest... that didn't work out for the Rangers this year. However, it did in 2023, and I expect them to bounce back. So, there's no automatics/guarantees. But man, you have to reward loyal fans with a great product. "Good" isn't great enough.
Jed has made some good moves and some bad moves, unfortunately his bad move far exceed the good ones. Ricketts has joined the Chicago failed ownership club. For a major market city, we have some of the worst owners in all of sports.
Chicago as a whole really does not have good owners. But thank God the Cubs aren't owned by Reinsdorf
These guys are not smart lol. Don’t care what they want or say
The Cubs are not a big market team. They never have been. They don't sign players to massive contracts. We all knew they were never gonna sign Soto. Why is this surprising? They are trying to draft right and develop young talent like with the 2016 team.
It's not surprising for Jed and Ricketts in this era of the MLB.
Ricketts allocated the funds; Hoyer just misspent them.
Allocated to an extent. But the Ricketts could allocate a lot more if they were serious about producing a great product. But yes, Jed has definitely misspent in many cases.
Sell the cubs, Tom! I’m done. I’ll enjoy Wrigley field, but other than that I’m done. This organization doesn’t have a future.
Burnes is going to get over paid. Whoever signs him will regret it in a year or two
I feel similarly
Ricketts is the prob. They have to have a owner that wants to win.
Agreed
What's their long term plan? To be as rich as Elon Musk? Winning another title couldn't be further from their plans, long term or otherwise.
I hope they go after Roki Sasaki now that he's gonna be posted.
Yeah Tom Ricketts is a terrible owner. He's not even the owner of the Cubs and won't be until his father passes away. Then his 3 siblings Steve Dave, Karen and Billy Joe Bob with each inherit an equal share 25% each.
Every team will be after Roki because he can only sign for Pennies. He’s a dodger.
@ShaneNewbanks
Yeah I know. It's unfortunate. And Manfred doesn't have the balls to veto that signing.
Sasaki will probably cost more than Yamamoto. I'd be shocked if the Dodgers don't end up with him
The offense just isn’t talented enough. It’s so simple but they won’t fix it.
Tough to fix a problem that they have created. Going to take some outside the box moves (if any)
Sell the team.
Im cubs fan so sad tom ricketts the owner doesn't not care about cubs fans
💯
Nobody gives a damn how these losers feel. None of them work or have ever worked in a front office for a reason.
Also, what is your source for why Theo left? I call BS on the source that you won’t name. Don’t record something based on a rumor from somebody that refuses to put their name with it.
@ I’m not calling you a liar, I’m calling your source one. That’s never been reported or even hinted at ever. If you’re going to say something like that publicly, you need to cite a source.
If you’ve ever listed to these three guys ever, you’d understand that all they do is sit there and complain about not getting to spend other people’s money. If it was up to them, Bellinger would be on a 10 year 250 million dollar deal. Pretending these people understand what it would take to put a team together without a billion dollar patrol is laughable
No one compares to Ohtani. Giving Soto 500M or more is screwing the franchise. His defense sucks can’t run for a young guy… he’s overrated. Ohtani brings you tons of money and team Japan that won WBC. No one is even close.
No, no one is close to Ohtani. Agreed his defense is garbage.
But Soto's bat and approach is the most elite of any player since Barry Bonds. He has more career walks than strikeouts, career OPS+ of 160, and career OBP of .421. Lowest OBP in one season was .388. Last Cub to have an OBP over .388 was Anthony Rizzo in 2019. And for reference, Rizzo's career OBP is .361.
These are the reasons he will get paid. He's on base machine who drives the ball and doesn't strike out a ton. It's really a kind of hitter that we may never see again
@@SetupManCubs he’s worth 400M max. He’s not close to bonds even as a hitter as he doesn’t hit for power like bonds or is a threat to run the bases. He’s simply not that good.
Jesus loves yall
Cub fans need to choose... party @ Wrigley or boycott until ricketts either sells or builds a WS team. YOU ARE NOT GETTING BOTH
Stop subscribing to marquee
I think we know Cubs fans won't boycott. It's the unfair advantage that ownership has
@@SetupManCubs New subscriber (today). Agree 100%, as long as ricketts is there we will always be a "a team that will be great... next year. But keep those stupid beer snakes going, ricketts is counting every damn cup
Ricketts is cheap!
When you look at payroll, 7th highest doesn't appear cheap. But when you know how much they are making (and how many different flows of income they have since they basically own Wrigleyville), then yes... very cheap
@ I know it’s being picky but I feel like they should be top three payroll at minimum.
Let's buy a soccer team instead.
lol right?
7:00 i hate how rickettsville evolved out of wrigleyville. The wrigleyville of the pass felt like what is was neighborhood where people lived (wasnt the most flash but had an certain feel to it). Rickettsville feels so corporate, sterile...like a boardroom.
Interesting take! I only went to old Wrigleyville twice (15 and 19 years old). So I don't have the experience that most Illinois locals do. But man, I don't think there is a single ballpark in America with the pre/postgame experience that Wrigleyville can provide. I love the way it is
Early 2000s wrigley. Just felt like a working class neighborhood when all the fans left. The restaurants in people's yards and basement gave it the feeling of a quick conversion when the game was on only to return back to someone's house afterwards. Now just sterile, glass fronted buildings (hate of modern architecture) carefully crafted by an architect who specializes in fan experiences and approved by a board of people in very expensive suits whose only interaction with the "common man" is when give the valet the keys to thier BMW. That is just what I think. I am sure wrigley will be filled no matter what, beer prices will go up and the such.
I have a feeling that marquee is losing alot of money and the sports betting (thanks governor tubby) is not the cash cow that ricketts thinks it is.