When the Cubs appear to be a decent club (In the year 2525?), it would seem to me that there would be an influx of good ballplayers on other teams that would jump at the chance to join the organization to be a part of baseball history. You know, guys that would be able to tell their grandchildren what they had chosen to be a part of. As a blinded and long-suffering Cub fan, is this a realistic consideration or will it not even enter into the equation? I sincerely believe opportunists are watching and waiting, but are currently turned off by the obvious. This could change in a heartbeat.

.............or, are players today so jaded, it wouldn't make any real difference to them where they won? God, I hope that isn't the case.

I dont think being jaded has anything to do with it. Sure, there are many players who grew up a fan of a certain team, Cubs or otherwise, and would love nothing more to actually play on that team. Probably doesnt happen that often.

Players are happy to just be part of any team, whichever team has shown interest in them, drafted them, traded for them, whatever. It is sooooooooo difficult to make it to the show, you cant be choosy in this regard. You go where/when someone will have you. The tens of thousands of players all over the USA, Latin America, Far East and other locales are all trying to gobble up just a precious few spots that are available. Only the very best players make it to the show, after having passed by many other talented players.

All that said, sure, I'm sure many players would welcome the chance to be part of MLB history on a Cubs WS team. I suspect there would even be possible FA's out there that might opt for a role here even when other options are available to them, for that challenge and opportunity of a lifetime.

But, to answer your query, I dont think players care all that much where they win, just as long as they do win, somewhere.

90% of today's players would play in H-ll if the money was right. IMO

When Hendry was here alot of players wanted to be part of Cubdom. (probably those ridiculous contracts he liked to hand out)

I think the same will be said about Theo/jed.

I appreciate your assessment and largely agree with your analysis. The dificulties of simply making the big time are almost insurmountable. Although it is a ruthless business, I'm still banking on the once-in-a-lifetime fun angle that some guys might feel in taking the ultimate chance on being on this particular roster. It will be a roster that will live forever. Of course, given the current malaise, I'm not seeing guys lining up for the possibility. That is, at least not yet.

It's all about the dollars (as it should be). Some of the tools here actually make it sound like Theo came here for free to be a part of baseball history when in fact he had 20million (life of his contract dollars) other reasons to sign along the dotted line.

What makes you think that Theo & Company will be guilty of over-reach when it comes to contracts? I'm not disagreeing with you at all, but now you've got me worried about it because I haven't seen that tendency to be honest. You playing a gut hunch, here?

Actually i'm thinking that players know what there gonna get with Theo he's been around the game long enough to have dealt with almost every FA since 2003.

I'm sure he has a good repoire with most agents and if a player really wants to play here and Theo wants him, I think the odds are pretty good said player will be in a Cub uniform.

It's just a hunch.(or wishful thinking) on my part, but I really believe that will be the case.

Well if that's the case, I think that brighter days are not that far away, either. Why wouldn't you sign up under Theo given his success and proven acumen? I'm playing your exact same hunch.

Well, you have to get started first.....no pitcher wants to sign with what
he sees as this offense, and closer....no big hitter is going to sign with what he sees
as a pitching staff and people to protect him.....that is way Theo is doing it
the way he is.....you have to get the ball rolling, have to get the machine started......

"90% of today's players would play for the Snotz at the Cell, if the money was right. IMO"

There, I fixed it for you. As you stated, the players go where the money is.

....step by incremental step. That's why the Rizzo callup means more than what meets the eye.