Goat Diapers

Over at Goatriders.org, there's been some debate about the Cubs, the Trib and the role of the fans. Today, they mentioned some talkback directed there from here. Nornally, it's only the yoots over there that don't make sense. Today, the insanity is starting to spread.

They make some arguments. They go like this:

1) The Cubs will make more money if they win due to October attendance, TV ratings, etc.

I agree.

2) The Cubs need to spend money on some good players to give the appearence of winning because that will keep fans coming.

I agree.

3) Because of 1 and 2, lower attendance will only cause payroll to be cut -- which will likely happen anyway in 2007, the year after the team sets an attendance record.

Hummunahwha?

The reality is: Cubs are likely going to cut payroll in 2007. The REASON payroll is going to be cut is BECAUSE an attendance record is going to be set for a 95 loss team! The Trib will conclude, correctly, that fans don't care about winning so long as they can see a few familiar, lovable faces. Laces like Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Carlos Zambrano. Why do you think they keep killing Carlos and risking his arm? Because he needs a Cy Young or because fans might ignore the team if they don't see him?

Next year, the Cubs will spend enough to keep these guys and maybe one or two others, and that's it. Why spend more? Why should any business spend more on a product when it's selling to the maximum of production?

We fans want them to improve the product. That can happen by spending more on new players and by eating salaries of players who are bad ball players. Then again, if people spend more as the product gets WORSE, any smart business will reduce spending to maximize profits.

The 2007 team needs a reason to spend more, not less, right? They need a reason. The answer is simple. We need to make them fight for our dollars. How does any business get people to start buying a product they are buying less and less of? Advertise and improve the product.

That will happen as soon as people start buying less of the Cubs.

Oh, and the Trib reads the blogs.