MLB '08 Season Discussion

[Akiyama]

Nah. I'm not saying there should be a min/max cap for baseball just because of this. I've been saying that for years. Having teams win the WS, then dump their cap completely (Hi2u Marlins) is just so retarded, and then some teams just choose not to spend the money at all. I just think it'd even the playing field just a tad. I don't care what the NYY do at all. They have all that money? Hell, spend away! Please your fans. That's what you're there for. It may be a business, but it's also entertainment for all the fans.

[Viq]

They have all that money? Hell, spend away! Please your fans. That's what you're there for. It may be a business, but it's also entertainment for all the fans.

This is the part that a lot of teams seem to miss. Do the Yankees and Red Sox outspend everyone? Of course they do. Do they have the highest ticket prices in the league? Of course the do. Demand is still greater than supply, because the teams put their money back into the product on the field. Good product = more revenue from ticket sales + more money from merch sales + better TV deals and/or owning their own networks. Consistently putting a good product on the field might as well be a license to print money for an MLB team. For a much more thorough analysis of what a single victory can mean in terms of profit for a team, pick up Vince Genarro's book Diamond Dollars.

[Andarvi]

This is the part that a lot of teams seem to miss. Do the Yankees and Red Sox outspend everyone? Of course they do. Do they have the highest ticket prices in the league? Of course the do. Demand is still greater than supply, because the teams put their money back into the product on the field. Good product = more revenue from ticket sales + more money from merch sales + better TV deals and/or owning their own networks. Consistently putting a good product on the field might as well be a license to print money for an MLB team. For a much more thorough analysis of what a single victory can mean in terms of profit for a team, pick up Vince Genarro's book Diamond Dollars.

Everyone please listen to this man.

[fren.]

Double whammy for the Sox. They drafted Tex out of high school and he turned it down for GT.

This is fucking insanity, but it's hard to blame them for wanting to put asses in the new seats which already cost a fortune. I'm so fucking stoked.

Hopefully everyone's healthy;

Damon
Jeter
Tex
ARod
Matsui
Posada
Cano
Nady
Swisher.

3 RH, 3LH, 3 Switch hitters. Holy shit lol

[Kyo]

Is that ur ideal lineup? If so tex is better in the 4 spot and arod in 3rd. Maybe a few more teaks, but jesus is that lineup scary to look at.

[promethius]

if you watched espn when the news broke out, these writers are idiots. They complained that the yankees spending is messing up the game, then when they were asked if they would go watch the team play if they were in thier town they were like "Hell yea i'll be the first on line". My point is, yes they spend a shit load of cash but not only do they bring people to their own stadium but also the ones they visit. When ever you seen a yankee V. rays game the crowd would be twice as large, and half of it was yankee fans. When the yanks go to places like baltimore, or kansas city a ton of the fans in the seats are what? yankee fans.

Now the whole salary thing is funny cause they are gonna actually be below the salary they had last year even if they sighn andy lol. Also witht he whole luxury tax thing the money goes back to the smaller clubs who refuse to spend money ie:Marlins,Nats,Pirates, and Rays to name a few. Instead of spending the money the owners keep it. if anything they are ruining the game. If you say you will not watch a yankee game at all this year because of this spending then you my friends are missing out.

P.S. yes they spent a ton but that doesn't mean they will be champions, it didn't work in the last 8 years so you can't say they have the world series on lock, even though i say this i think they will pull it out this year, but im a yanks fan so what do i know >.<

[Kyo]

if you watched espn when the news broke out, these writers are idiots. They complained that the yankees spending is messing up the game, then when they were asked if they would go watch the team play if they were in thier town they were like "Hell yea i'll be the first on line". My point is, yes they spend a shit load of cash but not only do they bring people to their own stadium but also the ones they visit. When ever you seen a yankee V. rays game the crowd would be twice as large, and half of it was yankee fans. When the yanks go to places like baltimore, or kansas city a ton of the fans in the seats are what? yankee fans.

Now the whole salary thing is funny cause they are gonna actually be below the salary they had last year even if they sighn andy lol. Also witht he whole luxury tax thing the money goes back to the smaller clubs who refuse to spend money ie:Marlins,Nats,Pirates, and Rays to name a few. Instead of spending the money the owners keep it. if anything they are ruining the game. If you say you will not watch a yankee game at all this year because of this spending then you my friends are missing out.

P.S. yes they spent a ton but that doesn't mean they will be champions, it didn't work in the last 8 years so you can't say they have the world series on lock, even though i say this i think they will pull it out this year, but im a yanks fan so what do i know >.<

Not trying to be an asshole, but you just repeated what three other people said prior ;x

[promethius]

Not trying to be an asshole, but you just repeated what three other people said prior ;x

Lol i just read a lil of the last page not this one because of the usual yanks killing the game blah blah blah post before, so missed some post until i got to them after posting last time,

I wonder whats gonna happen with swisher and the outfield situation they could potentially trade a cabrera/swisher or even matsui if they want to place swisher as a corner outfielder. Kinda leaves out gardner with no shot at the team sad cause i think he can be a solid player if givin the at-bats like the end of last season.

[Cephius]

It's no secret that many ESPN writers and analysts are Boston natives and thus... Red Sox fans. Most are good about being professional and showing no bias on the air, but it does come through from time to time. I have no problem with any of them except Peter Gammons, he is an admitted Red Sox homer and the spins he puts on stories are nauseating. Notice how he has been mysteriously absent during the whole signing? Where is he? Why isn't he commenting on this? If the Red Sox signed him, it'd be a great move. If the Yankees sign him, its bad for baseball. Shame for a guy with such broadcasting talent too. For the millionth time, the Yankee payroll isn't bad for baseball.

I'm not sure if I want A-rod batting 4th or if he'd benefit more from protection by Tex. Your best hitter is supposed to bat 3rd, and I think A-rod is turning into more of a classic power hitter, though he does still have incredible ability to hit for average. I'm more comfortable keeping A-rod 4th at this point.

[Kyo]

Your best hitter is supposed to bat 3rd

Im intrested to know what makes you think this.

[Cephius]

Im intrested to know what makes you think this.

I should probably amend that to be highest OBP guy. I say this because you want your 3rd hitter to be a patient guy who draws a lot of walks, hits for average and occasional power so he can drive in a run or two and keep a rally alive for your clean-up hitter.

[Kyo]

I should probably amend that to be highest OBP guy. I say this because you want your 3rd hitter to be a patient guy who draws a lot of walks, hits for average and occasional power so he can drive in a run or two and keep a rally alive for your clean-up hitter.

Ok I can pretty much agree with that, because if you used your prior statement it only showed true on a few teams. I still think if AROD hits in front of Tex he's gunna have an amazing year. I just think he's very comfortable in that slot from what Ive seen.

[Cephius]

Ok I can pretty much agree with that, because if you used your prior statement it only showed true on a few teams. I still think if AROD hits in front of Tex he's gunna have an amazing year. I just think he's very comfortable in that slot from what Ive seen.

Well, Pujols does hit 3rd, and he's probably the best or 2nd best pure hitter in the game. Toss up between him and A-rod at this point. Joe Mauer hits 3 also, as does David Wright. All of those guys are the best hitters on their team. I think we associate "best" with power numbers a bit too much. Joe Mauer is an incredible hitter, but he rarely hits HRs. That's why I changed "best" because it can be a bit relative. Evan Longoria, Chase Utley... look at most of the 3 hitters on most teams, most of the time they're the best hitters on the team, and the 4th hitter has the better power numbers.

[fren.]

Ok I can pretty much agree with that, because if you used your prior statement it only showed true on a few teams. I still think if AROD hits in front of Tex he's gunna have an amazing year. I just think he's very comfortable in that slot from what Ive seen.

ARod has better numbers batting third and he should bat third because he can still run well and he'll get to bat in the first inning. I doubt he will though, Tex is gonna slide into Abreu's slot.

Steve Phillips said that this signing only put the Yankees on the same level as the Rays. The AL East is now all balanced, yep.

The Rays FWIW, have one edge and that's in CF.

[Kang]

Sup guys. Been a while. Yankees signed another player today in Teixeira today lulz. I dunno if throwing all this money at players will earn them a playoff spot next year.

[Kurp]

What's the ETA of the Yankees signing Manny?

[Melena]

they'll get in this year barring injuries, it's just a question of who will win the division. Tampa, Boston, and NY are all scary, but one of them is going to be watching the playoffs from home.

[archibaldcrane]

Also, I'm terribly disappointed that C.C. didn't add a "no DHing for me kthx" clause to his Yankees contract.

Dude fires up the crowd when he's at the plate.

[fren.]

The Brewers and Jays got fucked over badly.

Losers: The Brewers. Part of their rationale in making the blockbuster trade for Sabathia was that, at season's end, they could recoup the value of the lefty, in part, by receiving a first-round draft pick from the team that signed him. Well, because Teixeira ranks higher than Sabathia in the Elias rankings, it is the Angels -- and not the Brewers -- who get the Yankees' first round pick. The Brewers, rather, will get the Yankees' second round pick, an enormous disappointment for Milwauke

The Jays also thought they were gonna get a first round pick from the Yanks, but now they'll get a third round pick.

This means a ton for teams who can't make blowout bids for bigtime FA's and use the draft/farm to compete. The Brewers essentially traded their best prospect for a third round draft pick. Fucking lol.

[Kyo]

Yah lol, I read that earlier, had a laugh.