With the signing of CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Mark Teixeira, the cries of “the Yankees are trying to buy another championship” have reached a fevered pitch. I have heard some form of this complaint for several years. Here’s the thing: the last time the Yankees won the World Series was 2000. If they have been trying to “buy” a championship for all these years, it seems to me that it doesn’t work. So if you were a Yankee hater, wouldn’t you want the Yankees to attempt to “buy” a championship?
The “trying to buy another championship” attack is based on pure ignorance. The team with the highest payroll does not always win the World Series. Player development, a smart front office and manager (ones who like OBP and plate discipline), injuries (rather the lack of) and pure luck all factor into the equation.
I don’t want to get into a debate whether the Yankees spending hurts or helps the game of baseball. All I can say is that the Yankees play within the economic rules laid down by MLB. Teams take in more money from MLB revenue sharing than they spend on their payroll (Marlins). A team has to cut payroll because the owner is going through a divorce (Padres). Another team trades away (arguably) the league’s best pitcher because they won’t pay what he will ask in free agency, while the billionare owner is building a publicly funded stadium, and then miss the playoffs by one game (think the Twins could have used Johan?). You tell me what is worse for the game.
I will never criticize a team that spends money in an attempt to win. Isn’t any team that spends money on a free agent trying to “buy” a championship? Or is it just the Yankees? I won’t apologize for the Yankees for trying to win. The question is: Why isn’t your team?
2 responses so far ↓
mdbirdlover // December 26, 2008 at 12:43 am |
Intriguing post. And I was surprised by the beautiful picture- Niagara Falls, yes? The Whirlpool Bridge?
Back to the post…it’s just the Yankees that are trying to buy a championship. “All I can say is that the Yankees play within the economic rules laid down by MLB. ”
The rules need to be re-visited. Just my opinion.
Doug Golonka // December 26, 2008 at 1:53 am |
Not the Whirlpool Bridge. An observation deck that goes out 1/3 of the way into the gorge.
Yes there is a revenue imbalance in MLB but that doesn’t excuse other teams for poor management. The Yankees (at least this offseason) were not throwing around their money indiscriminately. Sabathia right now is the 2nd or 3rd (at worst) pitcher in the league. Teixeira fills a huge hole for the Yankees. Not sure if i am ready to defend the Burnett deal yet.