Cubs Sale Done Just in Time for Trade Deadline
UPDATE: Bruce Levine has some pretty good info and runs down the steps for the sale to become official.The most important paragraph for those concerned with the 2009 season:
A source close to the sale told me that the Ricketts family will be able to direct -- in an off-the-record capacity -- chairman Crane Kenney and general manager Jim Hendry in what they would expect for the future as far as trades and acquisitions by the trading deadline. In other words, Ricketts will be able to direct Hendry as to whether he can spend more money for the 2009 season.
Of course, the headline is a bit of a misnomer, as the owners probably won't vote on it until August and a bankruptcy judge has to approve it as well. That being said, it appears the two sides have finally agreed for just a little less than $900M. Whether the Ricketts can or will allow for the Cubs to take on any salary to endear themselves to some of the fans remains a question mark. The Cubs two biggest needs would probably be bullpen help and a left-handed hitting second basemen(and a psychiatrist for our left fielder). I can only think of one left-handed hitting second basemen that might be available and that's Felipe Lopez and that's just a waste of time. They could seek out a right-handed hitting second sacker (that sounds dirty), but that would pretty much ruin the Cubs carefully laid offseason plans that helped get them into this mess. If they do decide to bite the bullet on that, I think guys like Freddy Sanchez, Aaron Hill or Dan Uggla could possibly be had.
Either way, for those of us in the speculating and crazy-ass rumors business, it'll keep the interest-level high through July 31st.
Three roster moves a coming before the game tonight as well with Aramis Ramirez, Reed Johnson and Angel Guzman due back from rehab assignments.
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