MLB 2008-09 Hot Stove League

[Leo]

I am not really sure what we are arguing about here. We all know that games are played on the field, not on paper. On paper, the Yankees are significantly improved over a team that won 89 games last year. As bobbob and I admitted earlier, we both would have said that the Yanks were a virtual lock last year -- given 14 yrs in a row, and the roster they had on paper. We would have been (or were) wrong. Of course we can be wrong again this year. Except that this team is vastly improved over the one from last year. And last year's team won 89 games with an injured Wang, an ancient Mussina, and a disappointing Pettite. 89 games!

 

This is why they play the games.

 

And they can't get here soon enough.

So ready for '09.

What's the latest on Abreu?

[bjorn_skurj]

This is the best money they've ever spent.

Yes. The Yanks have done some stupid things with their riches in the past, but they got the blue-chippiest of blue-chippers in Teixeira and two proven pitchers. It may well not all work out - is Girardi the leader that Torre is? How much does Jeter have left? - but they have prepared themselves the best they can. AL East should be a fantastic division next year. Boston better find another terror to put in Ramirez's place or it will be tough sledding for Ortiz.

[MrRain422]

an injured Wang

 

This is a good metaphor for the season that they had.

[Beltmann]

Brewers Owner Suggests Salary Cap After Yankees Spree

 

By Danielle Sessa

 

Dec. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said Major League Baseball may need to impose a salary cap to preserve competition after the New York Yankees spent $424 million to sign three players.

 

The Yankees agreed on an eight-year, $180 million deal with Mark Teixeira, according to a baseball official familiar with the contract, continuing to acquire the most expensive free- agents on the market before moving into a new $1.3 billion ballpark next season. New York signed former Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia for seven years and $161 million, and got pitcher A.J. Burnett for five years and $82.5 million.

 

 

[Lammycat]

A salary cap and a salary minimum are good ideas.

[bobbob1313]

If they get a cap, the Yankees are going to make stupid amounts of profit, and will just start throwing even more money at international and draft signees. It won't do anything to bridge the gap, it'll just make them dominate one more aspect.

 

And all a salary floor will do is force a smart team like the marlins to give out big contracts to mediocre players to meet the minimum. Blah.

[Lammycat]

How will a cap allow the NYY to make more money? I'm confused.

 

How will a minimum force teams like the Marlins to throw money at mediocre players any more than is done right now?

 

A cap has worked very well in the other major sports (the NFL is pretty well run and the best example) and having a minimum will prevent teams being incompetently run by frugal owners who refuse to keep up with the Jones'.

 

Plus, it'll keep fans appeased at the hopes that their team actually has an equal shot at "competing" and stop harping about the money the big-market teams are able to part with.

[bjorn_skurj]

As a Mets fan, I am not really for the salary cap.

[bobbob1313]

If the yankees are forced to spend less money, they'll be forced to pocket that money.

 

And in re specific case of the marlins, they are either going to be forced to give risky long term contracts to their own players or to veterans. They've been unbelievable successful by avoiding contracts, and it would force them to have to change their strategy.

 

And I think baseball is too far gone to have a salary cap. When the Yankees and marlins have a 180 million dollar disparity, how are you going to force those two teams to come closer?

[Lammycat]

If the yankees are forced to spend less money, they'll be forced to pocket that money.

 

And in re specific case of the marlins, they are either going to be forced to give risky long term contracts to their own players or to veterans. They've been unbelievable successful by avoiding contracts, and it would force them to have to change their strategy.

 

And I think baseball is too far gone to have a salary cap. When the Yankees and marlins have a 180 million dollar disparity, how are you going to force those two teams to come closer?

Spending less will pocket more? But they won't be able to spend more, anyway.

The Marlins have been unbelievably successful?

 

You'll force those two teams to come closer by a salary cap.

 

Yeesh, seems like there's gripe for the distance between teams (monetarily) and gripe for bringing them closer together (monetarily). It's a lose-lose.

[MrRain422]

Randy Johnson to San Fran.

[bobbob1313]

Last 10 years: 4 winning seasons, 1 world series win. How many teams can top that? Yankees, both sox, cards and that's about it.

 

And for the Yankees, this seems pretty simple. Their still gonna bring in the money, but they won't e able to spend it. Thus, more profit.

 

If anything, that's going to hurt small markets more because they still won't have the economic resources, but they'll be forced to spend money, and hey may not be able to afford it.

 

And you are ignoring the vast logistic issue of actually getting the marlins and Yankees close. The players union

Is going to have a fit once the Yankees have to cut a bunch of people.

 

You should be able to spend what you can afford on both sides of the issue.