And if that speech truly was the difference between winning and losing then it was worth it. But that doesn't mean we should keep paying for garbage. Good move although it would have been nice if it could have been made years earlier when we could have gotten something - anything - in return.
I don't remember any news reports saying Heyward and his agent pulled guns on the Cubs brass to get them to offer an 8 fucking year contract. It rarely works out, just ask the Angels...
This is revisionist history
It wasn't the player, it was the contract...8 years is a lifetime plus in MLB years. Look. There is no argument that Mike Trout was a generational talent at the time, but the last three years he has been hurt, the Angels are still paying him 35 million to sit at home. My point is if you are going to do along term contract don't risk the franchise to do it. I am for a front loaded contract with a big signing bonus, and then build in ways to get out of the contract after 4 years or so. But, not the attitude of (if it works out, fine, but if it doesn't the tea is screwed for the length of the contract.
Again, if the cubs hadn’t given him 8 years, someone else would of likely…he was that in demand at the time.
Exactly, if you are wrong as a GM you hamstring the club for years. Jason, who is a hell of a person, has never been a consistent hitter. He had some good average years in Atlanta and St. louis, but only hit 20 home runs once. So, the Cubs knew they were not getting an offensive dynamo. But even if he had been boffo at the plate, players go through slumps, injuries, etc.. If the Ricketts are willing to pay players 20+ million to sit on the bench, fine. But, for that to work, you have to be willing to pay their replacement also. The Ricketts have not shown that kind of generosity. If a player wants a ten year contract, then build flexibility into the contract for both sides. I know last year the Cubs were sending Heyward out there when they knew he had lost the ability to hit. I mean there were times when his struggling to even get comfortable in the batter's box was evident. However, it was fun to watch him throw suckers out at home from right field.
