Yep. It came down to money - he was offered a boatload to leave. Trust me: the Astros didn't want him to leave. This leaves both of their broadcast booths completely empty. Good news, if you prefer him: Brownie doesn't want to leave.
Didn't get to read this thread. Will miss Jimmy D! All the best to him, but not to his Cubs. Screw 'em.
JD several times today said it was not about money. In fact he is making HALF of what Bob Brenly made for the same job last year. JD left because he felt that the Cubs were a better opportunity...period. “I’m comfortable that if this didn’t come up, I would get something done with the Astros,” he said. Deshaies is under contract with Houston until the end of February 2013 The president of the Astros’ George Postolos also wants Jim to be a part of the team in the coming season. “I spoke with George at the end of the year, and he was reassuring and said we like your work and we want you back,” Deshaies said. http://www.aliefpost.com/2012/11/ho...-jim-deshaies-mulling-a-move-to-chicago-cubs/
How many times have you heard someone say it wasn't about the money, and you knew it was really about the money? How much is he making compared to the Astros. Brenly's salary is irrelevant.
What about this surprises anyone? Just another bad move by Jim "I Want To Grow Up And Own A Baseball Team" Crane and the crew. If they really wanted JD to stay, money talks, and there's not much of that going into this organization these days. This is a third-rate outfit in a second-rate league run by a joke of an owner. The perfect storm. Sorry, but I have lived in Houston all my 60 years and it sucks to see this team on this bad of a nosedive into mediocrity.
I work with someone in the organization who, you just have to trust me, would absolutely, positively know, and when I asked about JD leaving, he gave the universal sign for cool, cash money. It's a great opportunity for JD; he stays in a division he very obviously knows and will quadrubillionple his exposure. But... the only draw was his wallet, which is a right he earned so hats off to him for cashing in.
I will trust my sister, that works for the organization and works with JD and Brown day to day during the season..... it wasn't the money... and there wasn't even much negotiations with JD, because he wasn't their first choice, Dan Plesac had the job until he worked something out with MLB Network.
Others on this board can verify - I guarantee you, WADR, that my source is better than your sister. I'm not big-timing here; I'm just telling you. If you want to go offline, and you can promise discretion, send me a message and I can fill in details. Otherwise, trust me...
Only Jim knows 100% for sure. Cubs are an attractive job, and they gave him a raise. Don't know if the front office discussed a multi-year contract with him before the end of the season or not. If they didn't, then I blame them for JD leaving, otherwise I blame the Cubs for giving him money. I certainly don't believe JD left simply because he liked the Cubs over the Astros. Edit: I don't question it being about the money more than anything else.
