Baseball Baloney: "Our Goal Is To Be Competitive"
I get a kick out of listening to the pronouncements of baseball general managers and owners, especially as off-season trade and reshuffling rumors start to scamper about.
Recently, GM Ken Williams of the White Sox commented on the rumor that his club might be pursuing Yankee Alex Rodriguez.
He didn't confirm or deny it, settling for an intriguing hint that if there's an "impact player" coming onto the market, of course the White Sox will be considering him.
I think that's just a lot of baloney.
The White Sox are on a stealth economy campaign.
Williams failed to improve the club through trades after Spring Training.
He simply closed up shop, seeming to be active, but really conning the fans.
I infer he didn't want to spend the dough, knowing the Sox were a lock to be hugely profitable with the payroll they had, so why throw away that easy money? Owner Reinsdorf and Company are cashing in on their 2005 World Championship, and looking to get a nice annuity out of it.
Fans can't scream that the Sox never field a winner, and the team might find a way to milk that victory for another 80 years.
I believe the White Sox won't figure in a World Championship or be a serious post-season threat for at least five years, and maybe ten.
At this point, they're just posturing with regard to constantly improving the team.
While I'm not a baseball economist, I know enough about businesses to tell you that they're about profit, not perfection.
There is a sweet spot, financially, for teams that have winning records year after year, while always holding out the hope of post-season play.
They'll generally fill their stands with fans, as the Sox did in '06, sell a lot of hot dogs and logo merchandise, and their television rights will be an increasing asset, as will their franchises, in general.
But it makes no sense for these ball clubs to try to spend their way to the post-season, and especially to try to assure World Series Championships.
For several years the Yankees have won the Eastern Division of the American League, but they haven't earned a World Series crown in many moons, despite owner Steinbrenner's willingness to invest in serious and abundant talent.
Could he spend less, and profit more? This has to be the question other top dogs are asking themselves.
The Dodgers, this year, returned to respectability by winning the Wild Card in the National League, with a constantly improvised roster consisting of grizzly veterans and bright eyed rookies.
Look for their tilt to continue to be toward youth, and the cheap players this emphasis provides.
If the Dodgers can just balance themselves on the cusp of post-season play, but without a serious chance of prevailing, they'll still make a ton of dough.
This logic can be heard in the phrase used by countless GM's and owners: "Our goal is to be competitive.
" When you hear that, it might be a good time to pass on buying those season tickets!
Recently, GM Ken Williams of the White Sox commented on the rumor that his club might be pursuing Yankee Alex Rodriguez.
He didn't confirm or deny it, settling for an intriguing hint that if there's an "impact player" coming onto the market, of course the White Sox will be considering him.
I think that's just a lot of baloney.
The White Sox are on a stealth economy campaign.
Williams failed to improve the club through trades after Spring Training.
He simply closed up shop, seeming to be active, but really conning the fans.
I infer he didn't want to spend the dough, knowing the Sox were a lock to be hugely profitable with the payroll they had, so why throw away that easy money? Owner Reinsdorf and Company are cashing in on their 2005 World Championship, and looking to get a nice annuity out of it.
Fans can't scream that the Sox never field a winner, and the team might find a way to milk that victory for another 80 years.
I believe the White Sox won't figure in a World Championship or be a serious post-season threat for at least five years, and maybe ten.
At this point, they're just posturing with regard to constantly improving the team.
While I'm not a baseball economist, I know enough about businesses to tell you that they're about profit, not perfection.
There is a sweet spot, financially, for teams that have winning records year after year, while always holding out the hope of post-season play.
They'll generally fill their stands with fans, as the Sox did in '06, sell a lot of hot dogs and logo merchandise, and their television rights will be an increasing asset, as will their franchises, in general.
But it makes no sense for these ball clubs to try to spend their way to the post-season, and especially to try to assure World Series Championships.
For several years the Yankees have won the Eastern Division of the American League, but they haven't earned a World Series crown in many moons, despite owner Steinbrenner's willingness to invest in serious and abundant talent.
Could he spend less, and profit more? This has to be the question other top dogs are asking themselves.
The Dodgers, this year, returned to respectability by winning the Wild Card in the National League, with a constantly improvised roster consisting of grizzly veterans and bright eyed rookies.
Look for their tilt to continue to be toward youth, and the cheap players this emphasis provides.
If the Dodgers can just balance themselves on the cusp of post-season play, but without a serious chance of prevailing, they'll still make a ton of dough.
This logic can be heard in the phrase used by countless GM's and owners: "Our goal is to be competitive.
" When you hear that, it might be a good time to pass on buying those season tickets!