There will probably be generations of Cubs fans who were born, lived, and will die in the time it takes for the Tribune Company to sell the team:
Sam Zell is considering a lineup change.
Tribune Co., led by Zell, is no longer negotiating only with the Ricketts family on a deal for the Chicago Cubs. Sources confirmed Thursday that the parent of the Chicago Tribune recently has entered into separate discussions with a group led by New York investor and former Chicagoan Marc Utay, whose earlier bid was trumped by the Rickettses . . . [Tribune spokesman Gary] Weitman said the media company is “assessing other alternatives” but would neither confirm nor deny that it is talking again with the Utay group.
The Cubs have been for sale for over two years. While current ownership hasn’t abandoned the team as such, the failure to find a buyer has likely caused them to forego all manner of potential competitive moves. Things like firing the G.M. and taking a risk on a big contract, which is something the Cubs should otherwise be able to do. Think about it: did you put the best oil in your car once you decided to sell it? Did you stain your deck the summer you put your house on the market?
No matter what the ultimate price the sale of the Cubs brings, this dilly-dallying has cost them dearly. Not so much for what has been done to the team, but by what has not been done and what deals rejected.
