November 9, 2007
Phil Rogers, from the Tribune, wrote:"Not only will Major League Baseball not get its first $1 billion franchise, but it doesn't look as if the Cubs will be sold, at any price, before the 2008 season has begun."
"The slow pace of the process may be aggravating to the potential purchasers, but it doesn't appear to be causing any complications in the operations of the Cubs. General manager Jim Hendry believes he will have the authority to fill the team's needs this winter, saying he has received assurances the payroll will increase. He has begun the pursuit of Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome as well as at least two pitchers from Japan, starter Hiroki Kuroda and reliever Hitoki Iwase."
"One effect of the sale lagging is that McDonough, Hendry and their associates should not have to worry about job security in 2008. But there have been few if any signs of insecurity among the team's decision-makers. They know that a new owner may want to make changes, but they also know that those changes are rarely immediate, especially with a first-time owner. They also feel confident because of the team's turnaround under manager Lou Piniella last season."
Something not noted in the article but extremely significant is the possible "free spending" on free agents.
Much like last year's off season we might see another flurry of free agents this winter. The reason for this would be to hike up the net worth of the Cubs organization. Kinda like Soriano's contract. Long, big, and absurd, but in the eyes of the current sellers, they could care less how long it is, just as long as the player itself increases the value of the assets.
If my little hypothesis does happen, I wouldn't mind seeing half a dozen new players, just as long as their contracts don't extend until their early 40s. F'n Soriano. Like the signing but terrible contract.
...for those too lazy to read the whole article, it does say Mark Cuban is one of five serious bidders that have been approved to view the financials.
