Who are the Red Sox?

December 22, 2006 at 12:01 AM

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A thought has been rattling around in my mind the last several weeks. Before I go any further, let me backtrack to the glory days of Pedro, and the not so glory days of the Red Sox.

In 1999, Year One of Pedro's utter dominance, the Red Sox ranked third highest in the division, fifth in the AL and 10th in the majors in payroll. The payroll was a staggering ... $59 million. We were an above-average market with an above-average team who always wanted that World Series and came out to the neglected park in droves and won the wild card, winning 94 games.

In 2000, that payroll jumped to $77 million, good enough for seventh in the majors but we missed the playoffs, winning only 85 games. Despite dropping down to 82 wins the next year, the payroll skyrocketed (Hello, Manny Ramirez) to $109 million. The payroll dipped in 2002 by one million and we won 93 games. In 2003, the payroll went down to $96 million and we won 95 games.

2004 rolled around, and Red Sox hysteria was at its height, all thanks to the Impossible Dream of 1976 and Carlton Fisk. Winning the World Series after nabbing 98 wins the year after one of the most crushing playoff losses in baseball history, it happened with a $127 million payroll. In 2005, the team won 95 games with a $123 million payroll. In 2006, the payroll again decreased to $120 million, but the team stumbled badly to 86 wins. With all the moves this year (and moves still to be done, hopefully) the payroll should at least approach the luxury tax of $148 million.

(As an aside, I've realized I shouldn't care that we're spending so much money. Ticket prices will always rise no matter what - payroll dipped and they still rose. Plus, it's foolhardy for the Red Sox to cut payroll right now. When they can, I definitely would love them to. But we can't afford to cut payroll and contend right now. Such is the nature of playing in the division with financial behemoth New York, revived Toronto, and slumbering Baltimore.)

So essentially, in 1999, we were a team rich in history with long-suffering and devout fans, but devoid of the commercialization of 'Red Sox Nation' (I love 'Tessie' by the Dropkick Murphys, I like the movie Fever Pitch, but let's admit it: it's at disgusting levels). 2003 was the start of the commercialized Red Sox Nation with rabid fans and another playoff devastation to add to our list. After the sheer joy of winning it all in 2004, the following only grew and now the Red Sox are easily the second (if not the first, but we'll just give it to the Yankees, mainly because I do not want the pleasure of being first) most well-known, followed and covered baseball teams with movies being made, songs being made, dirt being sold (okay, I have one, but it was a present - I didn't buy it!) ... this baseball club is not a baseball club as it was in the days of 1999, but an economically-driven entertainment machine.

I don't like it, but that's how baseball clubs and other sports teams are operating. I love the revisions to Fenway, I love the better product on the field, but I don't like the commercialization. Even though the Green Monster seats were a great idea, sometimes I look at a picture of Fenway from the 1990s and smile to myself, missing it. Which brings me to my question. Who are the Red Sox? Some answers:

So, as always, the Red Sox will be talented, flawed and a high-upside work in progress. JAYSON STARK

Most teams have a distinct character, built up over the decades, a personality that persists almost without regard for actual record. The Twins will always be dependable Midwest farmers getting by on hard work, good soil and solid team fundamentals rather than stunning payrolls. The Athletics will always be West Coast free spirits going about the game their own way (whether that's drawing walks or drawing tattoos). The Yankees will always be pin-striped Gotham storm troopers dispatching opponents with cold corporate efficiency. The White Sox will always be the South Side blue-collar workers playing in the shadow of their yuppie northern neighbors. And for decades the Red Sox were the Calvinist, heroic underdogs always destined to fail tragically in the end. JIM CAPLE

However, of course, we are no longer that, right? Now, we are simply viewed as the New York Yankees, just in Boston. Oh, and with a different name. And really, what's the difference, people say. They're the same team, and the Red Sox could probably get a $200 million payroll if they wanted. As Caple says in that same article, "the Red Sox are finally on par with their hated rival and are delighted about it. ... The Sox knocking off the Yankees in 2004 didn't rid baseball of a menace. It simply meant there was another nuclear power in the ever-escalating arms race."

I can't really deny that. I think it would be silly for us to deny that. We have smart general managers, owner(s) who want to win, rabid and loyal fan bases, money, and excellent players on the team. One difference is that the Red Sox are content to field very good players, while the Yankees have an insatiable need to fill it with All-Stars. But really, the Red Sox have quite an assortment of players as do the Yankees, and we certainly have them beat on the pitching side every which way save for a closer.

Except that I think we're still the "Calvinist, heroic underdogs." I just don't think we're "always destined to fail tragically in the end" anymore. The Yankees are baseball's most successful franchise (sports', too) and have won 26 World Series rings. They have won the last nine division titles in a row, and a crazy four out of five World Series in a span from 1996 to 2000. It's pretty much awe-inspiring. They're the top, the glitterati, the glitz. Even in 'The Scout' when the Yankees were sneered at as a lousy team with no chance of getting to the World Series (they were bad once, you know!) ... they had that appeal of being a Yankee. That's why Steve Nebraska signed with the Yankees after the Yankees posted a $55 million bid for Nebraska, a young, unproven pitcher who was considered the best in the world. (Oh, the similarities...)

We did eliminate a chant of '1918' but the Yankees came up with the '26 Rings' chant instead. While we are at least on the same level as them, and were on top for a while in terms of bragging rights and there's no inferiority complex anymore, a struggle with the Yankees always seems like a David (Red Sox) versus Goliath (Yankees) affair. As Alex Belth at Bronx Banter said this past August about the Boston Massacre II: "This is the best that Yankee fans have felt about themselves vis a vis the rivalry with the Sox since Boston's historic playoff run in 2004."

Ah, but Belth also says: "Yankee fans have adopted a sense of entitlement when it comes to winning over the past decade...the most disturbing part of this attitude is that often prevented fans from appreciating just how difficult it is to win, no matter what kind of wild competetive advantages the Yankees have."

The Yankees still feel entitled. In October, the fans wanted the 2005 MVP run out of town and the owner, George Stienbrenner, wanted to fire one of the most successful managers in baseball history.

They finished in first place and made the playoffs. The Red Sox finished third, missed the playoffs, and did not call for Curt Schilling to be run out of town (he's the best comparison to A-Rod I can make: big acquisition that both teams dueled for, integral to the team's playoff chances, high-profile) and we did not ask for Terry Francona to be fired.

So in summation, no matter the commercialization, the hordes of Red Sox fans, the rising ticket prices, the "new" Fenway (which is definitely better than the old Fenway, don't get me wrong), the rising payroll, the media coverage, the New York Yankees comparisons ... the Red Sox are still the "Calvinist, heroic underdogs." Feel entitled to a win? Never. The Red Sox, the Red Sox fans ... cherish wins. They know how few and far in-between they come. They know how losses can ravage not only your day, your year, but your existence. (I never thought the pain of 2003 would abate. If 2004 had not happened, it would still be ravaging my insides.) That's who the Red Sox are. We may be financially on par with the Yankees, and that's how you have to survive in the American League East.

But we are not the Yankees. Not by far.

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it, Happy Hannukah to those that celebrate it, Happy Kwanzaa to those who celebrate it, Happy Holidays to those in the holiday spirit.

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21 Comments on "Who are the Red Sox?"

Posted by RH, December 22, 2006 12:14 AM

Two other rumors...

The Sox are showing interest in 1B/3B/OF Aubrey Huff and 1B/OF Craig Wilson, probably as bench players. Huff is looking for 3y/23M and Wilson is looking for 2y/9M, but the Sox would prefer to sign one of them to a 1-year deal. Weird thing about this is it means someone from the outfield is getting traded for sure, or they're no longer optimistic about getting the Drew deal done.

The other rumor is that the Sox have contacted the Phillies about RHP Ryan Madson and have talked to the Cubs about LHP Will Ohman. Neither really fits the criteria for a closer, though Ohman's 74K's in 65.1IP last season are impressive. This apparently started another rumor that the Sox could try to acquire Jacque Jones if the Drew deal were to fall through, but I doubt that has any truth to it (as much as I'd love to see Jones in a Sox uniform).

Doesn't look like Theo is taking time off to celebrate Hanukkah.

Posted by RH, December 22, 2006 12:59 AM

We can't be the Yankees because we hate the Yankees...we better not hate ourselves...

..and let's not start with JD Drew.

By the way, the Drew deal could/should be finished by Friday afternoon, though the Sox and Boras don't appear to be very close. Boras says Drew is healthy and wants more guaranteed money, while the Sox are concerned and want to guarantee no more than $9M a season with incentives that could bring it up to $75M total.

I think they'll wind up striking a compromise and Drew will get $55M guaranteed with inventives going up to $80M.

The Globe had a headline yesterday, "Sox, Drew Apart", that was strikingly similar to the "Sox, Dice-K Apart" headline from a couple of weeks ago. Both involve a ton of risk, a ton of money, and dealing with the same agent. Oh, and both could have a HUGE impact on the 2007 Sox' performance.

- - -

WE ARE NOT THE YANKEES.

Happy Holidays to everyone except those who don pinstripes in support of a certain evil empire.

Posted by MY BASEBALL BIAS - Your East Coast Bias Baseball Source » AL EAST ROUNDUP FOR 12/21/06, December 22, 2006 1:40 AM

[...] Evan Brunell over at Fire Brand of the AL offers a nice essay, ‘Who are the Red Sox’. Disclaimer: Not for Yankee fans. [...]

Posted by LorfTVP, December 22, 2006 2:12 AM

But the thing about this new Red Sox management is that we are finally rebuilding our farm system from the plague that ravaged it during the Dan Duquette era. Hopefully an increase in great prospects (Alas, I do know the success rate of prospects) and great drafts by the Red Sox should lower the amount of outside players we need to sign and lead to a lowering of the payroll. The management proved last offseason that they didn't WANT to spend money but this offseason they've sort of been forced into it. Next year, with Schilling, Lowell, and Clement, etc. gone, we should be able to lower the payroll, but with the market right now, we can't really count on it.

I agree wholeheartedly, we are NOT the Yankees. The gap between our payrolls is still larger than numerous teams.

Posted by Rick, December 22, 2006 8:33 AM

Faith and love, baby, faith and love. It's what being a Red Sox fan is all about, just like the holiday season.

Great article, Evan, and the new web site looks terrific, too.

Good health, happiness and another season of Red Sox baseball to you and yours.

Posted by Mike Boehm, December 22, 2006 10:31 AM

The problem with the spending is that the Major Leagues will soon be the AL East, and the other five divisions will become a minor league.

The Yankees' virtually unlimited budget has forced the Red Sox to increase payroll dramatically just to remain competative. The Blue Jays are following suit the last two years and are spending like they have a key to the Candian Federal Reserve.

Eventually the Orioles are bound to be sold to someone who remembers what writing a check feels like and they'll start to spend like crazy just to not be the laughing stock of baseball anymore.

And Tampa Bay...well let's face it. They'll just be a long for the ride.

But what you've got now is 3 (and hopefully a 4th on it's way) teams spending like mad to bring in every big free agent they can.

The rest of baseball is going to be soon left with young, less superstar like players who are competative among each other but who gets crushed by the AL East teams.

It's one thing when you have the Yankees hoovering up every big name free agent in baseball. It's another thing altogether when you have 4 teams in one division doing that.

This will result in one of two things happening. Either the rest of baseball will just accept an inferior status and hope for a good streak in the playoffs. Or they will start to spend like mad as well and A-Rod's contract will begin to look puny. Then baseball will turn into hockey where even the more wealthy fans are priced out of the game.

In short, baseball needs a salary cap.

Posted by Peter N, December 22, 2006 11:07 AM

The love for our Red Sox team starts with the uniform and ends with the baseball public's love. How nice is that? And as for JDD and Boras(s), that's what I wrote about this morning, and I highly doubt ANYTHING will be resolved today (Friday). And that is good!

Happy holidays to all of you lucky enough to be reading this new and better Sox site! Fire Forever!!

Posted by Evan, December 22, 2006 1:08 PM

Great post, Mike.

RH- why would we want Jones? Lousy arm, platooner, not that great of a hitter.

Posted by Jason, December 22, 2006 2:44 PM

"The New York Yankees comparisons � the Red Sox are still the �Calvinist, heroic underdogs"

Are you kidding me? Can you tell how many championships Celtics and Patriots won compares knicks and jets last decade..The Celtics won 15 championships and Patiots won 3 superbowls. Based on your point that Boston major sports teams are underdogs and compared to Ny sports teams.

As a Yankees fan, I'm thankful George Steinbrenner as owner and put a winning product on field and trying to win World Series every year. Other Sports Teams in Ny are garbage and joke.. It's been fourty years since jets and knicks haven't won the title.

The Redsox are full of Mercanaries. Yankees have more homegrown than the Redsox. Don't tell me that Varitek's is a "true redsox homegrown" when He spent four years in minors seattle mariners organization. He was part of trade with Derek Lowe for Heathcliffe slocumb. Redsox are copycats and trying to be like The Yankees. For example, Jeter's was named Captain and next day Varitek was also named captain for the Redsox. Varitek should not be captain for Redsox and It should be Trot nixon. So far this offseason , Redsox spent $215 million this offseason and yet redsox fans still complaining they still need a closer. are you kidding me? Redsox Fans are becoming Yankees Fans and be greedy. All Redsox Fans wants all high price free agents to be sign with Redsox..

#10

Posted by Evan Brunell, December 22, 2006 3:51 PM

Jason:

I'll try to answer your questions and comments as best as I can.

"Are you kidding me? Can you tell how many championships Celtics and Patriots won compares knicks and jets last decade..The Celtics won 15 championships and Patiots won 3 superbowls. Based on your point that Boston major sports teams are underdogs and compared to Ny sports teams."

My point has nothing to do with basketball and football. It has everything to do with the Red Sox and baseball. I never once mentioned these teams or sports, so this has no bearing.

"As a Yankees fan, I'm thankful George Steinbrenner as owner and put a winning product on field and trying to win World Series every year. Other Sports Teams in Ny are garbage and joke.. It's been fourty years since jets and knicks haven't won the title."

I have no problem with that - but the Yankees have 26 World Series ring. In second place is the A's with ... nine. That's a lot.

"The Redsox are full of Mercanaries. Yankees have more homegrown than the Redsox. Don't tell me that Varitek's is a "true redsox homegrown" when He spent four years in minors seattle mariners organization. He was part of trade with Derek Lowe for Heathcliffe slocumb."

Red Sox homegrown players: Manny Delcarmen, Kason Gabbard, Craig Hansen, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, David Pauley, Curt Schilling (he came up in the Boston system before being traded. You don't have to include him if you don't want), Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, David Murphy. Those are the people on the current 40-man roster who appeared in the Red Sox major leagues last year that are homegrown. Jacoby Ellsbury, Edgar Martinez and Clay Buchholz are not far off. That's ten homegrown players not including Ellsbury, Martinez and Buchholz.

The Yankees homegrown players using the same criteria: T.J Beam, Jeff Karstens, Andy Pettitte (if you include Schilling, include Pettitte. If Schilling doesn't count, neither does Pettitte.), Mariano Rivera, Chien-Ming Wang, Jorge Posada, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, Melky Cabrera, Kevin Thompson. That's ... ten. Same as the Red Sox. (Phillip Hughes not far off.)

The main difference is that most of the Yankees' homegrowns are OLD and will retire soon. The Red Sox's are young and have many years ahead of them. The Yankees built their team around homegrown players and then filled them out with mercenaries, trading away the farm system. This is what the Yankees did correctly in the early 90's - built around their minor league system and then went and got pieces to complement them. However, since 2001, they've literally been BUYING these pieces ... Giambi, Mussina, A-Rod, etc. They're not complementary - they're the main cogs. The Red Sox under Dan Duquette either traded all their prospects or their prospects failed to develop except for Nixon and Garciaparra. Like the Yankees, these players are getting old. We had no choice but to fill in the pieces, which is why we didn't exaclty destroy the competition until Theo got the right pieces. Even then, THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR we can be considered as "buying" the competition, but even that that only really counts for Matsuzaka - we signed Lugo cheaply and he turned down more money from the Mets to go to the Red Sox, and everyone knew from Day One JD Drew was going to be a Sox. The Red Sox are where the Yankees were in 1994, 1995, 1996: building around their homegrown players. No, the Yankees do not have more homegrown players than the Red Sox. You're wrong, and that number will go down in the future BIG TIME once Pettitte, Rivera, Posada and Jeter all retire.

"Redsox are copycats and trying to be like The Yankees. For example, Jeter's was named Captain and next day Varitek was also named captain for the Redsox. Varitek should not be captain for Redsox and It should be Trot nixon."

First off, it was not one day, it was a year or so. But I digress ... Varitek was always the captain, he was just OFFICIALLY named the captain when he signed his brand new contract - it was sort of a reward for signing the contract. And you're wrong on Nixon being captain. Nixon is a great player, but Varitek has played more full-time and more effectively than Nixon at the most important position on the diamond: catcher. And he does it brilliantly, winning a Gold Glove and being one of, if not the most respected, catchers that pitchers admire.

"So far this offseason , Redsox spent $215 million this offseason and yet redsox fans still complaining they still need a closer. are you kidding me? Redsox Fans are becoming Yankees Fans and be greedy. All Redsox Fans wants all high price free agents to be sign with Redsox.."

I think it's more like $170 million, actually. And yes, we're still complaining for a closer, just like you Yankee fans are still complaining for a first baseman and a better bullpen and better starting pitchers even though YOU HAVE A PAYROLL STILL OVER $40 million HIGHER THAN US! So take your comments and put it right back to the Yankees. Even though we've spent all that money, the payroll is STILL small compared to the Yankees, and the Yankees STILL are trying to fill needs.

All Red Sox fans want homegrown players, if you read Red Sox blogs you would know this. All Yankee fans want are All-Stars that sign contracts worth $100 million.

Thanks for reading.

#11

Posted by RH, December 22, 2006 8:07 PM

The Sox added another pitcher today, signing Runelvys Hernandez to a minor league deal with a spring training invitation.

Hernandez had promise, then missed a season (2004) due to ligament replacement surgery and has never been the same since. He projects as a long-reliever for the Sox, but we already have DiNardo, Gabbard, and another ex-Royal in Kyle Snyder in that role.

Hernandez, according to my friend, is not afraid to challenge hitters, and unfortunately, in his case, that's not a good thing. He has decent stuff, but it's not overpowering, and it won't beat most ML hitters unless he controls it perfectly -- another thing he doesn't do well. Hernandez is however, very good at staying calm on the mound -- he doesn't get distracted by runners on base or big-time situations (as few of those as he saw in KC), making him an ideal candidate for the bullpen.

At 27-years-old, he's still got time to improve and Hernandez could become a decent middle-reliever or spot starter, first for Pawtucket, and then for the Sox.

The Sox also offered a minor league deal to ex-Rockie Mike DeJean, but he has a few of those to choose from, including one from the Yankees.

#12

Posted by Jack, December 22, 2006 8:21 PM

I was drafting a blasting response to that Yankee tool Jason in my head when I read your response Evan. Nicely put (Again!). The Yankee fans need to remember that no matter how much they whine about the Sox spending money and outbidding them on Dice-K, they still have far and away the highest payroll in MLB and they consistently attempt to pry away Sox players (most recently Johnny bleeping Damon) or beat the Sox to any free agent or trade the Sox are pursuing (A-Rod, Contreras, Mike Gonzo this year, etc, etc.). They want it all, but hey who doesn't? It is just that they feel they are entitled to it all -- every win, every free agent, every player in a trade, etc. The Sox and Sox fans live and die with every win, every signing, every offseason, hot stove, spring training, regular season. For us it is a way of life and an annual journey. For Yankees fans it is merely expected success. Nothing makes me happier when the Sox aren't playing anymore in October any given year than to root against the Yankees and to see them fall to a team like Detroit. There have to be what like a gazillion Yankee blogs out there? Jason do us a favor and read and comment on one of your own sites. It is fun to blast the enemy but you really come off like a jackass as Evan was able to refute your every point. You are a Yankees fan, Georgey Porgey buys everyone and everything for your team, you have nothing to complain about... except getting that smug grin smacked off your face in the playoffs every year.

#13

Posted by Sam, December 22, 2006 8:39 PM

Hey, according to some, the Devil Rays have the best farm system in baseball. It's indisputable that they have one of the top farm systems in baseball. And baseball did just change the CBA, a change that included a major readjustment to the rules that govern the Amateur Draft.

Young talent is going to become significantly less easy to come by for teams like the Yankees & Red Sox, teams that win every year. Young talent is going to become easier to sign & stockpile for teams like the Devil Rays, teams that lose every year. Given time, attrition will take its toll on the big-budget bruisers.

So I know you guys don't care, but don't write the Devil Rays off as yet -- at least, not any more than you write off a team like Baltimore.

And I still say that the last thing any fan of the Red Sox or Yankees should want is a salary cap. A salary cap would positively decimate both franchises. The damage would last for decades. Decades.

#14

Posted by mouse, December 22, 2006 9:00 PM

Actually, the Devil Rays personally scare the crap out of me because of their huge potential. They get some young pitching to go with Kazmir and the likes of Upton, Dukes, Crawford and Baldelli and they could be extremely dangerous.

I kinda hope that happens. I like a lot of the players on the D-Rays...just not when they're playing the Sox. ;)

#15

Posted by RH, December 22, 2006 11:22 PM

This becomes an interesting cycle though...

The Devil Rays (or other such teams) will draft the best players and stockpile young talent, but these same players are the ones that will become free agents at age 26-28, and will join the big money teams just as they enter their prime. In other words, Tampa Bay will continue developing the stars that will bring championships to Boston, New York, etc...

...and we can only thank them for that.

The Rays do scare me a bit because of the upside of all of their youngsters, but they aren't going anywhere soon -- not with that bullpen (I shudder at the thought of the Sox' bullpen being worse than the Rays' next season) and not with the lack of depth in their starting rotation. They're one step away from serious contention, but the Rays just don't have the money to take that extra step and scare the socks off the Sox and the yank the stripes off the Yanks.

Side-note: I wonder if there's any team stupid enough to sign Rudy Seanez and surrender a 1st-round pick for him -- how'd he become a Type A free agent?

#16

Posted by Chris C, December 22, 2006 11:23 PM

Evan, thank you for your reasoned and restrained response to the yankee fan. I must also add that unless he actually is a seventh grader that a community college course or two in basic grammar and spelling might be in order. Of course, we are talking about a yankee fan so what should we really expect?

Past that, I run a retail store that goes predictably nuts this time of year and am wholly exhausted. One more day. I may order more fuzzy dice before opening day.

Merry Christmas, or what have you, Festivus even, to all of the Sox fans out here. I've got tix for 4 games so far next year, hope to meet some of y'all at the Tiki Room before some games, especially on 9/25, which I am already calling 'Clinch Night'.

#17

Posted by BS, December 23, 2006 12:18 AM

Jason: I don't normally respond to Yankee fans, but simply need to add to the rebutal from other commenters on your statements, especially the copycat statement. I will be more specific.......

Redsox are copycats and trying to be like The Yankees. For example, Jeter�s was named Captain and next day Varitek was also named captain for the Redsox. (Look familiar)?

Let me just say that back in the mid to late 60's a left fielder by the name of Carl Yazstremski was named Captain of the Red Sox when that was unheard of..............When and who was the first Captain of the Yankees??????

#18

Posted by Craig, December 23, 2006 5:56 AM

Nice column Evan.

I'd agree that our identity has changed. For several years now I've said that the old David v. Goliath anecdote no longer applied; that in reality, it was Goliath v. Goliath.

Commercially, the Sox have become titans on par with the Yankees, but from a success perspective, they still dwarf us. A few more rings though and that will surely change.

You can't have it all - and I'm not suggesting any of us is asking for it. With success comes commercialization, notoriety, etc. It's how the Sox handle it that matters and I personally think that evil genius Larry Luccino aside, the Sox are in good hands with John Henry. The Yankee corporate stormtrooper mentality emanates from Boss George and John Henry is the anti-Steinbrenner. Yes, his net worth is Steinbrenner-like, but unlike George, he seems to be warm, generous and decent - almost fatherly - and that has always seemed to soften the Sox - at least for me. As an aside, I'm not suggesting that Larry L. is bad for the Red Sox. He brings far much to the table and is clearly one of the two or three most effective execs. in baseball - I'm just glad he's not the principal owner (I'm also damned glad he's not working for George). ;)

Oh, and all this business about Tek being named a Captain. The Sox have had 3 captains to my knowledge - Tek, Jim Ed and Yaz. I believe the Yankees have had their own idependent captain tradition that also precedes Jeter. As I recall, Thurman Munson was a Yankees captain and wasn't Lou Gehrig one? I don't think anyone's copied anyone.

#19

Posted by RH, December 23, 2006 1:12 PM

Side-note:

The Yankees and Pirates may be closing in on a deal that would send Mike Gonzalez to NYY for Melky Cabrera and Scott Proctor.

#20

Posted by Sam, December 23, 2006 5:55 PM

RH, you're correct that it is a cycle, but you're forgetting a key component of the cycle: the luxury tax. The long-term effect of which, in this new CBA structure, will be that the harder the big teams try to win, the more they help the teams underneath them to overtake them in the standings.

#21

Posted by Pebbles, December 24, 2006 1:16 PM

The Sox fans wanted to run Manny out of town -- not Schill. Running Manny out of town would have been more ridiculous than running A-Rod out of NY.

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