RANT: It's not even November Yet and...

[LookinUp]

The prospect of the Yankees opening up the check book already has me infuriated. It makes me sick that the O's can totally covet a player like Teixeira and potentially not even have a chance to sign him. We certainly won't be signing Tex AND Darvish, FRod or Sabathia. I'm not advocating that we do. I am saying that it's patently unfair that a few teams operate under totally different rules based on money that they make purely by virtue of their geography. At least we have a decent revenue stream. I feel terrible for Athletics, Twins and Royals fans.

MLB has a real problem on its hands and they really need to fix it. The Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and Angels are likely to target several VERY expensive FAs this year while other teams, particularly the Orioles, are much more limited in what we can realistically do.

I am anything but a socialist, but MLB needs to go to 100% revenue for its own good. This is sports, not the free market. Everyone should be playing with the same rules.

End Rant.

[Enjoy Terror]

On my hunt through other team messageboards, you should see some of the signatures:

Yankees:

"Offseason List:

1) Sign Sabathia

2) Sign Tex

3) Trade Igawa & Melky for Larry Bowa & Megan Fox"

[LookinUp]

On my hunt through other team messageboards, you should see some of the signatures:

Yankees:

"Offseason List:

1) Sign Sabathia

2) Sign Tex

3) Trade Igawa & Melky for Larry Bowa & Megan Fox"

Yeah, every fan site wants their team to sign all of the best players. That will never change. I'm not bemoaning the idea that we might not get any of them, I'm bemoaning the idea that the Orioles, and about 15-20 other teams, really have no shot at getting just about any of them. The financials in this sport are totally out of wack.

Alternatively, look at the power rankings for the NFL right now. Fans is most cities care because parity pays.

[Enjoy Terror]

Well, they tried capping payrolls 15 years ago, but a fat load of good that did. I think it's something that absolutely needs to happen, and to be honest with you... the Yankees would plummet into the cellar trying to catch their minor leagues back up to actually put good and inexpensive talent on the field. The Orioles, Rays and Red Sox would all be fighting for number one in the AL East for a long time.

[hoosiers]

The NYY going on a massive shopping spree is my preferred choice of action. Their overspending on under-productive players is our best ticket to compete.

Besides, the annual whining here when the NYY spend their $ is annoying. None of Mussina, Pavano, Giambi, ARod, Matsui have helped them to a major championship and all were part of a team that missed the playoffs this year.

[LookinUp]

Well, they tried capping payrolls 15 years ago, but a fat load of good that did. I think it's something that absolutely needs to happen, and to be honest with you... the Yankees would plummet into the cellar trying to catch their minor leagues back up to actually put good and inexpensive talent on the field. The Orioles, Rays and Red Sox would all be fighting for number one in the AL East for a long time.

Only if baseball took some draconian actions to implement a hard cap right away. I wouldn't advocate that because two wrongs don't make a right. By that, I mean that it would be wrong for MLB to undercut the current financial model in one offseason. It wouldn't be fair for NYY, and it wouldn't necessarily fix things for KC right away anyway.

What they could do is ramp up the soft cap/revenue sharing system they have now over a 5-6 year period. They could also simply keep the rules in place but then go to a hard cap/full revenue sharing situation in something like 4 years. That way it would give teams time to adjust their business plans accordingly.

[Enjoy Terror]

Well, it might fix things for KC because realistically they would be able to compete for players like Tex and Sabathia just like everyone else. Until the playing field is even monetarily, those teams are stuck relying on their farm systems.

[LookinUp]

The NYY going on a massive shopping spree is my preferred choice of action. Their overspending on under-productive players is our best ticket to compete.

Besides, the annual whining here when the NYY spend their $ is annoying. None of Mussina, Pavano, Giambi, ARod, Matsui have helped them to a major championship and all were part of a team that missed the playoffs this year.

I guess the 13 year run on the playoffs had nothing to do with the money they spent. Don't get me wrong, I understand and agree with your point, but we cannot ignore the fact that the money they spent has still paid dividends.

Whining is annoying. It's also annoying to watch a league full of the haves and have nots every year. It's also hard to ignore the fact that the haves are now learning to spend their money in places to build their franchises the right way. It's easy to see that the MLB draft is also about to start turning into a story of the haves and have nots. Ditto international signings. It's just a matter of time before the big-market teams begin to offer guys signing bonuses that the little guys can't afford. Given the fact that we know negotiations happen prior to the draft, this is unavoidable.

It's true that some have nots make a dent into the playoffs seamingly every year. Unfortunately, while the focus is on teams like the Marlins and Rays when they're winning, they're after thoughts during the years and years and years that they're losing.

I'm not whining about players. I'm ranting about a fundamental problem with MLB.

[LookinUp]

Well, it might fix things for KC because realistically they would be able to compete for players like Tex and Sabathia just like everyone else. Until the playing field is even monetarily, those teams are stuck relying on their farm systems.

Yeah, I agree. My only point about phasing something in would be that MLB shouldn't implement a policy that would be punitive against the haves of today. For example, a hard $100m cap starting next year would be untenable for teams that have entered into long term contracts with so many players.

[Greg Pappas]

The prospect of the Yankees opening up the check book already has me infuriated. It makes me sick that the O's can totally covet a player like Teixeira and potentially not even have a chance to sign him. We certainly won't be signing Tex AND Darvish, FRod or Sabathia. I'm not advocating that we do. I am saying that it's patently unfair that a few teams operate under totally different rules based on money that they make purely by virtue of their geography. At least we have a decent revenue stream. I feel terrible for Athletics, Twins and Royals fans.

MLB has a real problem on its hands and they really need to fix it. The Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and Angels are likely to target several VERY expensive FAs this year while other teams, particularly the Orioles, are much more limited in what we can realistically do.

I am anything but a socialist, but MLB needs to go to 100% revenue for its own good. This is sports, not the free market. Everyone should be playing with the same rules.

End Rant.

I agree in general...

I've advocated a more level playing field in the game, for years. At least in other sports like football and basketball they have caps... soft or hard, but still caps.

Baseball is flourishing though. So... the likelihood of change is probably on the low end of the spectrum.

[lint06]

As an Orioles fan, I understand the frustration, but yes, teams like the Royals or the Twins or the A's have to a tougher time than we do. they have to be better at everything not involving spending dollars. Personally, I'd like to see a team salary cap, as well as a floor. Ratchet the payrolls down to 110 million a year, at most, and 65 million at the least. Now,the big spenders can still spend big, but they can't outspend the lowest spenders by 3 or 4 or 5 times. And, the small market teams may have to spend a bit more, but I think it forces a better team onto the field.

[Greg Pappas]

Only if baseball took some draconian actions to implement a hard cap right away. I wouldn't advocate that because two wrongs don't make a right. By that, I mean that it would be wrong for MLB to undercut the current financial model in one offseason. It wouldn't be fair for NYY, and it wouldn't necessarily fix things for KC right away anyway.

What they could do is ramp up the soft cap/revenue sharing system they have now over a 5-6 year period. They could also simply keep the rules in place but then go to a hard cap/full revenue sharing situation in something like 4 years. That way it would give teams time to adjust their business plans accordingly.

Yes, any such system would probably need implementing at the end of the current longest contract, to be fair to all involved. But that's still at least an idea that most teams would look forwad to.

I guess the 13 year run on the playoffs had nothing to do with the money they spent. Don't get me wrong, I understand and agree with your point, but we cannot ignore the fact that the money they spent has still paid dividends.

Whining is annoying. It's also annoying to watch a league full of the haves and have nots every year. It's also hard to ignore the fact that the haves are now learning to spend their money in places to build their franchises the right way. It's easy to see that the MLB draft is also about to start turning into a story of the haves and have nots. Ditto international signings. It's just a matter of time before the big-market teams begin to offer guys signing bonuses that the little guys can't afford. Given the fact that we know negotiations happen prior to the draft, this is unavoidable.

It's true that some have nots make a dent into the playoffs seamingly every year. Unfortunately, while the focus is on teams like the Marlins and Rays when they're winning, they're after thoughts during the years and years and years that they're losing.

I'm not whining about players. I'm ranting about a fundamental problem with MLB.

Well said, all...

Yeah, I agree. My only point about phasing something in would be that MLB shouldn't implement a policy that would be punitive against the haves of today. For example, a hard $100m cap starting next year would be untenable for teams that have entered into long term contracts with so many players.

Again, we see this very similarly.

[Enjoy Terror]

I wouldn't even begin to understand how to work it out fairly. How do you set the boundaries on new contracts while trying to get rid of the current ones?

[Skeletor]

Is this really a problem? The Sox-NYY deal, as annoying as it is, has been good for baseball. When the Yanks get beat, it's a big story. And when the Rays beat the Sox here in a couple days, it's going to be a good story.

As much as I hate the Yanks and the Red Sox, it would be a travesty to now punish them for building their franchises into rich, money-making enterprises. Sure, the Yanks are spending 180M in payroll, but they're still making money. I can't hate them for being smart businessmen.

The Sox do it a more intelligent way. The Rays do it the best way and should give hope to teams like KC and Pitt. The Rays are going to be good for years to come and they still have a stacked system. Next year, the Rays attendance will be up, their merchandising is going to go through the roof. Someday sooner than you think, the Rays are going to be able to afford a $125M payroll.

[LookinUp]

I agree in general...

I've advocated a more level playing field in the game, for years. At least in other sports like football and basketball they have caps... soft or hard, but still caps.

Baseball is flourishing though. So... the likelihood of change is probably on the low end of the spectrum.

I would argue that this is false if you look at the long term. Selig's done a couple of things right. Interleague play has paid dividends. That will continue, but on a smaller scale than before. Similarly, the new stadium craze has paid off immensely. This too shall pass. Heck, from a bottom line perspective, Selig was completely smart to ignore steroids. That certainly paid off, but that ship has sailed as well.

I look at this sport and see a sport that's losing popularity with young people because of the competition from any of 100 different areas. I see a sport that is fooling itself. It's a benefactor of the times, not a better product.

The competition is unavoidable. However, giving people in more cities something to root for should be their primary goal. This will bite MLB in the butt if they don't fix things. Unfortunately, TV revenue from the NY market seems to be their goal. I just think their priorities are out of wack.