Steve Stone Talks About Jason Heyward Contract
After Steve Stone left/was let go by the Chicago Cubs, he’s been very outspoken about the team, their players, and how things have been run on the Northside. While some Cubs fans have felt like he has been unnecessarily grim, and his departure has left him a little bitter, he has been mostly honest in talking about a Cubs organization that has mostly done things wrong for the better part of 100 years.
While the team certainly deserves praise for the turnaround, and for what the future hold, some have questioned several moves the team has made over the past couple offseasons, Stone often not being one of them. It does give you a little nervousness whenever Steve is asked to speak about the Cubs, and it was especially so when he was asked about new Chicago Cubs right fielder, Jason Heyward.
Not too long ago many MLB executives were asked about baseball’s offseason, the winners, the losers, and what they thought about particular free agent signings. In the findings the Heyward deal was voted as the second worst (behind Ian Kennedy) and second most outrageous of this offseason. But just how could Heyward, perhaps the best right fielder in all of baseball, be a bad signing?
Steve Stone: "A lot of people feel the Cubs overpaid for Heyward."
A lot of dumb people, maybe
— FullCountTommy (@FullCountTommy) March 12, 2016
Well count Stone in that group.
During the telecast of the Cubs and White Sox game, Steve brought up the stupidest thought of this offseason. Now, sure… $184 million is more than any person might be worth (amiright Bernie) but using simple baseball math (using a WAR to salary conversion), the deal works out. Also, this will certainly be a three year deal by Jason taking the first of two opt outs that were built into the contract.
So the Cubs get the best player in the game at the position for at least three seasons and as many as eight, but that’s a bad deal? Steve, take Lou Piniella’s advice and get outta the booth if you are so good at making baseball decisions. Till that time, I’ll take a line from your boss, “stay out of Chicago Cubs business.”
Steve Stone is one of the smartest people in the game, in the booth or on the mound. I agree… that the Cubs over paid! No one is worth that kind of money… and it’s the fans who gets the sticker shock when buying a ticket to a game. There used to be everyday fans at a game, no matter the weather, or the visiting team. If I owned a team, I would make Steve Stone my first choice to have working for me. He would of made a great commissioner… or team owner. Without a doubt, and I have been following baseball since 1945, he was the best co-announcer ever in my time. I thought I knew baseball, until I heard him set up the situation,and told you why in advanced… and was seldom wrong.
I agree with you on Stone. He is one of, if not the best broadcaster in the game. Like you mentioned, he was the first guy that I’ve heard that would tell you what was going to happen before it did. That said, he’s grown so bitter over the Cubs breakup it’s sad. He takes every chance to speak out about the team, and it’s often negative.
While on the subject of Steve Stone, When he worked the NBC Game of the Week in 1984, the 2nd half of the season the Cubs played at the Stick,right after the All-Star break. He was getting ready to do his Pre-game show when I handed him a brass luggage tag inscribed with my slogan-HOW DO YOU SPELL BELIEF? CUBS! and he decided to use it to open up his program with a close up…
However, after he teamed up with Harry, and Harry spoke out about his bad cigars, I made a sign that Arne Harris homed in on BAN CIGARS! and Harry Agreed. But Steve got even with me when I was kicked out of the ballpark for playing FRISBEE with Roger McDowell. before the game… and it broke my 75 game streak. I did not go home and sat outside the park until the game was over… and as Steve was coming out the door I said to him I was thrown out of the park today… and he said GOOD!
Haha (laughing with you) love the old stories.
He and Harry were the best ever !