Big MLB Spenders Making Moves …
Baseball July 30th. 2009, 5:30pm
As a few of you noted via email or in the comments, ESPN’s Peter Gammons astutely pointed out last night that all of the MLB division leaders have one thing in common: a high payroll. We wrote a post about this during the All-Star break, but it’s gotten worse in the last couple weeks:
1. New York Yankees $201,449,289 – 1st place in AL East
5. Detroit Tigers $115,085,145 – 1st place in AL Central
6. Los Angeles Angels $113,709,000 – 1st place in AL West
7. Philadelphia Phillies $113,004,048 – 1st place in NL East
9. Los Angeles Dodgers $100,458,101 – 1st place in NL West
13. St. Louis Cardinals $88,528,411 – 1st place in NL Central
If the Cubs (3rd overall in payroll: $135 million) can overtake the Cardinals – currently only .5 games out – then all six division leaders will be among the nine biggest spenders in baseball. (The Mets, who are 2nd in payroll at $135 million, have suffered injuries to three of their top five players, and barring a miracle, will not sniff the postseason.) This doesn’t mean, of course, that there is a direct correlation between spending and success. But it does however, provide more evidence to one of our many wacky (yet obvious) theories: The more you spend, the better your chances are of making the postseason. Still sour on the salary cap?
At the same time, it is worth pointing out that a few thrifty teams remain in the postseason mix:
22. Texas Rangers $68,646,023 – 3.5 games back of Angels
24. Minnesota Twins $65,299,267 – 2 games back of Tigers
25. Tampa Bay Rays $63,313,035 – 7.5 games back of Yankees
30. Florida Marlins $36,814,000 – 6 games back of Phillies
24 Responses to “Big MLB Spenders Making Moves …”
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July 30th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Manny rocking the little league belt, love that guy.
I missed the Gammons segment you are referring to, was he complaining about it?
July 30th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Yes, because it just artificially lines the owners pockets. All a salary cap does is make old white guys richer and young dominicans poorer. Help young Dominicans.
July 30th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
to my knowledge, no. i think just pointing it out.
why does it have to be that way?
July 30th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Salary cap would ruin baseball. The only sport it works in is Football and that is because there isn’t a minor league system like they have in MLB. The Twins, Rays, and A’s are proof that through good scouting and smart trading, you can still compete with the big dogs.
July 30th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Mets only 6 back of the Wildcard with reportedly Reyes, Beltran and Delgado all coming back in 2-3 weeks.
I was jst getting used to the murderer’s row of Sullivan, Santos, and Berroa.
July 30th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
It’s easier to explain with a salary floor. If you require every team to spend at least 50 million then what the pirates are doing (which I kno you disapprove of) would never work, because they would have to bring in and pay veterans money that A. they don’t deserve and B. the Pirates don’t need. They are spending money just to reach the floor. Alternately, If you cap the ceiling players are not making money that would otherwise go to them. Albert Pujols might be worth 25-30 million but he still would only get 20. The owners aren’t going to lower ticket prices because of that. They are just going to pocket the difference. Now, you can tie the cap into revenues like the NFL does but my understanding of that (and I could be wrong so anyone who knows feel free to call me stupid) is that they don’t do that very well, A., and B. the NFL is much better at actually pooling their income sources so it’s more fair/makes more sense than MLB could. But even then the NFL is artificially keeping down salaries which the union knows and doesn’t care about because it sucks.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Get your cold beer ready!
/beer summit in 1 minute
July 30th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
I think it is amazing that the Rangers are suddenly smart with their money – after some of those awful contracts in the late 90s, early 00s.
And a salary cap in baseball will come right after an 8 team playoff in college football. And both will come right after hell freezes over.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
About 14 million of that is going to Sheff and 3 million to Fatty Renteria. But you and Gammons’ points are well-taken.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Michael Young disagrees with you, but more or less your right.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Also, those records aren’t up to date. Or were you making a point by posting your list from last week’s post? If so, I apologize.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
nicely done, Taguchi.
btw, The Pirates have traded pitchers John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny to the Chicago Cubs for Kevin Hart, Jose Ascanio and Josh Harrison. I’ve seen Hart on prospect lists, but not feeling this trade like I have the others. wouldv’e liked a middle infielder that is close to ready.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
They wouldn’t have to bring in any vets, just keep the players they trade away every year. I think the point is to make the Pirates stop doing what they are doing, which is fielding a AAA team every year and letting their best player or two get called up to the big leagues.
Personaly I think they need to get rid of guaranteed contracts before worrying about a salary cap. That would allow the small market teams an out if sign a guy to a long term deal and then the guy stops giving a fuck. As it is now, small market teams can’t afford to take that chance because one bad long term contract cripples their pay roll.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
I think it also worth pointing out that while 5 of the top 10 spending MLB teams are on the way to winning their division, 4 out of the top 10 spending NBA teams and 4 out of the top 10 NFL spenders won their divisions too.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
what are the odds joe biden said something stupid? or tried to instead of just shake gates’ hand went to give him dap?
July 30th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
i just choked on a corn chip laughing. +1
July 30th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
what are the odds joe biden said something stupid? or tried to instead of just shake gates’ hand went to give him dap?
I guess the “teachable moment” was to try to see if Obama can keep Biden from saying something stupid
July 30th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Poor Wolf Blitzer is stuck in a moment that he doesnn’t want to be in
July 30th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
-Joe Biden July 30th 2009
July 30th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Like when they brought in Matt Morris and his 10 million dollar salary, or when they gave Adam LaRoche 7 million. They can’t spend money well, so I’d rather they not.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Mole, following the Saints over the last 20+ years takes effort. Following the Pirates over the same span has to be infinitely harder to do. You have my sympathy, man.
July 30th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Like when they brought in Matt Morris and his 10 million dollar salary, or when they gave Adam LaRoche 7 million. They can’t spend money well, so I’d rather they not.
Don’t forget Kendall at $60M for 6, Pat Mears, Operation Shutdown. it isn’t about spending money, it is about when and for whom to spend it.
July 30th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
i forgot jeromy burnitz. I’ve been trying to forget him, but i guess it hasn’t totally taken
July 30th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
As a Pirates fan, I’m happy about what Neil Huntington is doing…for now. He’s got the right idea, but time will tell if he’s a good talent evaluator.
As for the salary cap issue, baseball needs one. Small market teams have razor thin margin of error. They can’t make bad decisions or they’ll be handcuffed for years (ex: Kendall and the Pirates). The salary cap certainly works in football and hockey. Without a salary cap, baseball will remain a caste system, with it’s haves and have-nots. And as long as the large market teams win, I don’t think Bud Selig cares about the Pirates or the Royals of the world.