The MLB Cardinals’ new 15-year deal with FS Midwest reportedly will "boost their annual local TV revenue" by at least $20M starting in '18, giving them a "financial advantage not only over the Cubs, but also the three other NL Central teams that compete in smaller markets," according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSPORTS.com. The first-year number of the Cardinals' deal of nearly $55M "will grow to about" $95 million by the end. By contrast, the Cubs’ current deal with CSN Chicago runs through ’19, and "no new agreement is in place." How the Cardinals' new deal "affects the current free-agent landscape remains to be seen, but the belief among some in the industry is that the Cardinals are in a flexible enough position" to add a pitcher such as David Price and a hitter such as RF Jason Heyward or 1B Chris Davis. The Cubs, though, "likely can pull off only one major acquisition." Sources said that the Cubs payroll figures to be $130-140M "for the foreseeable future." Their contractual and arbitration commitments for '16 "already project to be" in the $120M range (FOXSPORTS.com, 11/30). In St. Louis, Derrick Goold notes the Cardinals around MLB are "viewed increasingly as a sleeping bull when it comes to spending, especially this winter." They have "usually spent beyond their market -- ranking in the top 10 in spending until recent years." Cardinals Chair & CEO Bill DeWitt Jr. "has volunteered," first in '14 "and again since, that payroll will increase at a higher rate in the coming years" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 12/1).
