The Cubs yesterday formally introduced free-agent acquisition Jason Heyward, and there is "no sense trying to dampen the enthusiasm" around the team, as everyone "wants to be part of the Cubs’ hysteria," according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY. The team has 100,000 fans "on their eight-year season-ticket waiting list" and ticket renewals "have never been higher." The Cubs also "can’t sell enough corporate sponsorships." By investing $272M in free agency this winter with the signings of Heyward, 2B Ben Zobrist and P John Lackey, the Cubs "have gone from destiny’s darlings to the neighborhood bully who should scare the daylights out of everyone." Cubs Chair Tom Ricketts said last year's press conference introducing P Jon Lester "was a big turning point in the organization, that a high-profile, highly sought-after free agent who wants to win a championship chose the Cubs." Ricketts: "That was big. Now, with [Heyward's] press conference, it shows we’re in position where a lot of guys want to play here. An incredible opportunity to get a veteran free agent, who plays the game the way we want everyone to play the game, who actually makes us younger. It’s crazy. Just crazy." He added, "People were optimistic a year ago, but the expectations are that this is a team that should compete to win the division and should be in the playoffs. And if we don’t make the playoffs, I’m sure they’ll be very disappointed." Nightengale notes the Cubs "will have a new TV deal" by '19, and by the time it arrives, it "will be the most lucrative of any franchise in baseball" outside the Dodgers’ $8.5B deal with Time Warner Cable. It is the reason the Cubs agreed to pay Heyward a $20M signing bonus, which "will be deferred until their TV contract kicks in" (USA TODAY, 12/16). In Chicago, Mark Gonzales notes Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein yesterday "repeatedly thanked" Ricketts and the business department for their assistance in "allocating more money and structuring deals creatively." The additions in the last two weeks "signal that the future is now" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/16).
THEY SHOWED HIM THE MONEY: Heyward's eight-year, $184M contract makes him the second-highest paid outfielder in MLB history, and MLB Network's Ron Darling doubted if he is "going to be worth" that amount over the length of the deal. Darling said, "He’s going to be an ancillary player on the team. ... But you know what it is? He fits. He fits in this ball club of all these young talented players.” MLB Network's Bill Ripken added, "I see this marriage working out. Is he going to be the player for 184? I cannot answer that, but he’s going to be a good player for the Chicago Cubs and he doesn’t have to carry a huge load” (“MLB Tonight,” MLB Network, 12/15). MLB Network’s John Smoltz said, “Offensively, he's not going to make that difference. He's not the player right now where ... he single-handedly changes their lineup. That's the difference. The Cubs were smart. They have enough pieces around him. They don't have to bat him third, fourth or second. They can choose to bat him wherever they want and hope that the upside is in his offense, because his defensive speed won’t go anywhere” (“MLB Now,” MLB Network, 12/15).
OUT OF HIBERNATION: In Chicago, Mike North writes a "newly renovated ballpark, a great fan base, sound front office, and tough players with good character all adds up to success." It does not seem that long ago the Cubs "were years away from a sniff at a World Series, but they are now the hunted and looking darn good -- at least on paper." The team also "has an owner who wants to win as much as the fans" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 12/16). ESPN CHICAGO's Jesse Rogers wrote the Cardinals "are still a class organization, but the Cubs have entered their airspace." Rogers: "Not in terms of championships, of course, but with the vibe." The Cubs "have created something out of nothing," and manager Joe Maddon "accelerated that process" (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 12/15).
