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.”
