Baseball 2009

manofmystery wrote: rushfan4 wrote: I hate to say it because I am all for free market, but I would really like to see a salary cap in baseball.  They did it in Hockey, and now the Red Wings, who used to be the Yankees of the NHL, have been brought back to the pack.  They can no longer go out and buy the best players available like they used to before the cap.    I'd like to point out that they have a salary cap in basketball and only 2-3 teams have a shot at the title each year, and they are the same 2-3 teams every year

The kicker here is that for superstar NBA players their salaries are just a drop in the bucket compared to the money that they make in endorsements.  Michael Jordan made over $100 million a year in endorsements, while his salary was whatever the league maximum was (probably more in the $5 to $10 million dollar range).  The big endorsement dollars are going to come from the big cities New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.  LeBron is doing fine in Cleveland, but all the rumors are that he will leave Cleveland after this year to go to New York.  Why?  Because his endorsement income would probably triple.  That is why I find it so odd that the Knicks have been so bad for so many years.  They were decent during the Patrick Ewing years, but still never won the title (if my memory is correct).  The Pistons had a shot at the title for about 5 or 6 straight years, but those days are now over.  From the East it will probably be Cleveland, Boston, or Orlando, and from the West, it will probably be the Lakers again, but maybe San Antonio or Denver. 

JJLehto wrote: EH. I was about to go on about how I do like the idea of a salary cap, but until then we have this system...most other teams would do the same....yadda yada I don't really care. I'm just going to say this: Jeter, Posada, Pettitte, Mo veteran yankees (Andy had that brief stint with Texas but fine) Matsui the MVP....Yankee his entire career. Cano, Cabrera, Gardner, Coke, and Hughes all brought up through the Yankees farm system. Aceves was NO big name player. Marte and Nady were acquired with minor league players, Harriston and Hinske were no big name players, acquired by the Yanks for very little. Swisher was traded for a utility man. I've made the point. The Yanks core has been intact for years, many of their players have been developed or acquired with out the BUY BUY BUY method. Sure there's A-Rod, Damon, and for 09 CC, AJ and Mark. But lets not say its ALL the team....we all love money. But a player still has the choice. CC LOVED cleveland and was honestly upset about leaving. (Took out a full page ad in the paper thanking the city and fans). Why do it then? Because who could turn down $130 million? I could! I think he was making enough already..... And besides player greed and the need for more money, anything think good players would still go the Yanks for the historical factors? And players who enjoy the history of the game are ones you want. Done

There are a lot more home grown players on the Yankees than they have had in previous years, but there is still the money factor involved in their ability to retain them.  Yes, Matsui has always been a Yankee, but he was a star in Japan and the Yankees were able to spend the most money to bring him to New York, so he belongs in the A-Rod, Damon, Texiera, CC, AJ, Mark category. 

Yes, music and sports are my two main addictions.

Vin Scully is joining the Dodgers for his 61st season of broadcasting them.

The man is a legend.

rushfan4 wrote: The Yankees recalled Curtis Granderson from their minor league system and sent down some hacks to their minor league affiliates the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Tigers got a good pitcher in Max Scherzer.(sp?)

Surprise, surprise, the Cubbies couldn't get any takers for Milton Bradley. It seems he is on their to dump list. They are talking with Mike Cameron. 

rushfan4 wrote: crimhead wrote: Surprise, surprise, the Cubbies couldn't get any takers for Milton Bradley. It seems he is on their to dump list. They are talking with Mike Cameron.  I was reading rumors yesterday that the Tigers might be willing to trade Carlos Guillen to the Cubs for Milton Bradley.

What's the GM for the Tigers smoking!?!  Bradley has been a cancer everywhere he goes. Even if the Cubbies covered 90% of his salary why would you want him in your clubhouse or on your field? If they need a good cheap outfield talk to the Nats. Nyjer Morgan would be better than Bradley. Younger and cheaper.

Halladay has been a consistent Cy Young award pitcher for longer than Cliff Lee, so from that standpoint it is a good trade, and apparently he signed for less money then what Cliff Lee was asking for.  But Cliff Lee is a damn fine pitcher.

crimhead wrote: So the Phils are getting Halladay for Lee. Good move?

Halladay is the best pitcher the Jays ever had, including those who helped them win the World Series.  I'd even say he is easily a top 5 Blue Jay all-time.  Mr. Consistent.  Gives the bullpen the night off.  I'll miss him greatly, even though we supposedly got some good prospects. 

I'll remain a supporter of the Jays, but the phillies are my new #2 team (didn't have an old #2 ).  I want to see Roy win the World Series.

It's official now Lee's gone for much less than his value (3 mediocre prospects, especially when we dumped 2 of our top 3 for Halladay) mostly because our GM won't budge on his $140 Mil payroll.