If you were paying attention to the Jake Peavy sweepstakes this year, you probably already figured this: due to the ownership change, the terrible economy, and the already hefty payroll, the Chicago Cubs won’t be able to add payroll in-season this year.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry conceded this truth yesterday.
”It’s challenging,” he said. ”We’ve always been treated well [by parent Tribune Co.]. It’s one of those unfortunate things where sometimes you get caught in situations that aren’t ideal. We were optimistic the sale would get done before the season, and then by spring. From our point of view, it hasn’t affected why we’re not playing well.” CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
This is all, of course, not to say that the Cubs can’t make moves – but it will be like the ill-fated Congressional pay-as-you-go plan: for every dollar the Cubs wish to add, they’ll likely have to figure out a way to cut a dollar.