It is the biggest factor, by far.

Really? Then why are the Marlins winning? And the Rays? And the Twins?

 

Payroll is one factor, but smaller-market teams can win with good player development and smart personnel decisions. The Reds, Astros and Pirates haven't had much of either in recent years.

Really? Then why are the Marlins winning? And the Rays? And the Twins?

 

Payroll is one factor, but smaller-market teams can win with good player development and smart personnel decisions. The Reds, Astros and Pirates haven't had much of either in recent years.

 

You've named 3 small market teams. Clearly, they are the exception rather than the rule. They've also been doing a great job for years.

 

I'm not saying that small market teams are at an unfair advantage. It's not unfair that some teams are willing / able to spend more money. There's no doubt that they can compete.

 

Take a look at these numbers:

 

NY Yankees - $201,449,189

NY Mets - $149,373, 987

Chicago Cubs - $134,809,000

 

Those are the top 3 highest spending teams. There are 6 other teams who have spent $100,000,000+ with the Dodgers being the last, at $100,414,592.

 

There are 3 teams in the $90 millions.

 

The Cincinnati Reds are at $73,558,500. That comes in at #19.

 

The Marlins are last at $36,834,000.

 

http://content.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/salaries/totalpayroll.aspx?year=2009

 

You don't think payrolls affect who the team to beat is each year?

You've named 3 small market teams. Clearly, they are the exception rather than the rule. They've also been doing a great job for years.

Tampa Bay's been successful for years? And here I was thinking that last year was their breakout season.

 

Those teams have managed some success because of the reasons I mentioned ... productive farm systems and smart personnel decisions.

 

Most of the small-market teams that haven't been very succesful are lacking in those two areas.

You don't think payrolls affect who the team to beat is each year?

I didn't say it wasn't a factor. I said it wasn't the only factor.

Tampa Bay's been successful for years? And here I was thinking that last year was their breakout season.

 

Those teams have managed some success because of the reasons I mentioned ... productive farm systems and smart personnel decisions.

 

Most of the small-market teams that haven't been very succesful are lacking in those two areas.

I didn't say it wasn't a factor. I said it wasn't the only factor.

 

Tampa Bay hasn't been successful for years, but they've been running a successful minor league program.

 

And I said it's the biggest factor. And it is.

 

Even the Marlins had to buy their championship in '97. It worked out well for them, but I find it hard to believe that they'd be in the same position today if they weren't willing to spend the money back then.

Even the Marlins had to buy their championship in '97. It worked out well for them, but I find it hard to believe that they'd be in the same position today if they weren't willing to spend the money back then.

The Marlins' success today has nothing to do with 1997 ...

 

The Marlins weren't exactly a bunch of mercenaries then ... even though it was their fifth year as a franchise, three of their regulars (Charles Johnson, Luis Castillo and Edgar Renteria) were products of their farm system.

 

Like all successful small-market teams, that was one that made the right moves t go with what its organization was producing.

Cubs fall (again) to the Reds today.

Tampa Bay hasn't been successful for years, but they've been running a successful minor league program.

 

And I said it's the biggest factor. And it is.

Even the Marlins had to buy their championship in '97. It worked out well for them, but I find it hard to believe that they'd be in the same position today if they weren't willing to spend the money back then.

 

 

Aren't you forgetting their 2003 Title? That team was made up almost entirely of players signed as minor league free agents, drafted or traded for by the Marlins. Miguel Cabrera, Mike Lowell, Derrick Lee, Luis Castillo, Alex Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, AJ Burnett, Brad Penny, Dontrelle Willis, Carl Pavano and Braden Looper to name a few. The Marlins developed them and made a championship run with them then traded a lot of them off to get the players that are off to such a great start this year. They didn't buy the 2003 title.

Ramirez and Marmol both get hurt tonight. Bradley's hurt, Soto was hurt earlier...Not a good way to start the year...

Cubs finally win one today and the bats showed up in full force. Fukodome continues to be a bright spot and show the reason the Cubs signed him. D-Lee left the game with neck spasms. We are banged up bad, they HAVE to call up an infielder this week. They've had Zambrano fielding ground balls at 3rd.

Zambrano to third?

 

Wow.