Think It's All Good? Think Again

Just when you think it's safe to go back in the water, the Cubs start pulling the "cheap" crap again.

In today's Tribune, Dave Van Dyck gets off the ottoman to tell us that the Cubs are likely buyers, but they won't be buying the best.

Among late-inning relievers possibly on the market are Roberto Hernandez of the Mets, Jeremy Affeldt and Mike McDougal of Kansas City, Danys Baez of Tampa Bay, David Weathers of Cincinnati, Billy Wagner of Philadelphia and Eddie Guardado of Seattle. Wagner and Guardado are probably out of the Cubs' price range.

Now, this could simply be the Cubs trying to keep the market lower than were they to indicate their interest.

More likely it's the Cubs, who are dropping $40 million in contracts in 11 weeks, preping the fans for a bargain basement acquisition.

Well, Mr. Denis FitzSimons, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Tribune Company, might want to be aware that this team has already spent in excess of $100 million in payroll alone on the 2005 Cubs. If you allow the team to spend only an additional $3 million instead of $5 million, you’re going to waste the WHOLE THING.

Look up "penny wise, pound foolish" and you’ll see the Cubs marquee.