JMan-
Even as a Yankee fan I was not excited about the deal. Will it work out for all involved..probably.
1) The transaction is not good for baseball. It highlights a few of the problems in the game.
2) As a fan, I get to spend 9 months reading and hearing about how the team I grew up with is ruining the game. (Very few remember the tough 80s for the Yanks...it was not easy being a fan or player then, ask Don Mattingly.)
In threads like this it is easy to lose sight of a few things:
1) Steinbrenner is working within the rules of the game and generally being a good business person. One can argue whether or not spending $200 million will win championships but there is also merchandising, gate receipts, TV contracts, and more importantly FRANCHISE VALUE that all play into why George does what he does.
2) The Yankees pay a luxury tax. Jesus, when does the rest of ownership accept accountability for the agreements and decisions made. For example, Tom Hicks decided to overpay for ARod not the Yanks. It is sad that a short time ago the game was almost halted due to these issues. A deal was struck yet people are STILL talking about the problems in the game?!?!? Give me a break!!!
3) Time and time again, this game shows that a team with good scouting and smart player signings can trump teams with large payrolls. Generally, a large payroll will keep a team in the heat of battle and win games. However, once the playoffs start it is truly "anyone's game."
4) Let us not forget that the O's tried to spend their way to a championship for many years and it didn't work. As I said in another thread, the Yankees get heat for it because they are CURRENTLY doing it better than other teams have done in the past.
Stop bitching, fix the system. (Comment not necessarily directed at you Jman.)
Even as a Yankee fan I was not excited about the deal. Will it work out for all involved..probably.
1) The transaction is not good for baseball. It highlights a few of the problems in the game.
2) As a fan, I get to spend 9 months reading and hearing about how the team I grew up with is ruining the game. (Very few remember the tough 80s for the Yanks...it was not easy being a fan or player then, ask Don Mattingly.)
In threads like this it is easy to lose sight of a few things:
1) Steinbrenner is working within the rules of the game and generally being a good business person. One can argue whether or not spending $200 million will win championships but there is also merchandising, gate receipts, TV contracts, and more importantly FRANCHISE VALUE that all play into why George does what he does.
2) The Yankees pay a luxury tax. Jesus, when does the rest of ownership accept accountability for the agreements and decisions made. For example, Tom Hicks decided to overpay for ARod not the Yanks. It is sad that a short time ago the game was almost halted due to these issues. A deal was struck yet people are STILL talking about the problems in the game?!?!? Give me a break!!!
3) Time and time again, this game shows that a team with good scouting and smart player signings can trump teams with large payrolls. Generally, a large payroll will keep a team in the heat of battle and win games. However, once the playoffs start it is truly "anyone's game."
4) Let us not forget that the O's tried to spend their way to a championship for many years and it didn't work. As I said in another thread, the Yankees get heat for it because they are CURRENTLY doing it better than other teams have done in the past.
Stop bitching, fix the system. (Comment not necessarily directed at you Jman.)
