One of the keys to a successful baseball organization is spending money wisely.
This week raises questions on how well the Cubs have been spending their payroll budget. Just look at a few players in the news this week:
Jorge Soler has had his second mental flare up in a month. The Cubs signed him to a $30 million deal.
Geraldo Concepcion is missing in action. The Cubs signed him to a $6 million deal.
Edwin Jackson currently has the 103rd best ERA in the majors. The Cubs signed him to a $52 million deal.
In just three players, the Cubs have invested $88 million. To put that in perspective, those three players alone are the equivalent cost of 29.3 percent of Tom Ricketts massive Wrigley expansion project.
Then there is the re-signing of Ian Stewart. He was a total bust last season after the big trade with Colorado. But the Cubs decided to re-sign Stewart to a $2 million contract for 2013. Then he got hurt (surprise). The time is running out on his rehab assignment in Iowa. It looks bad. Stewart is only batting .100, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 4 errors and a woeful .846 fielding percentage at third base. He does not deserve a major league roster spot.
So the new front office has spend $90 million with almost zero major league returns.
No wonder Ricketts thinks he needs as much new revenue streams as the ball park could hold because the baseball team is burning through millions in dead money.
