deGrom clearly values money over winning. Sure why not? But I'm sure he could have 'survived' on a little less cash with a team with a legit WS chance. Greedy.
Stars are fun. Big contracts are fun. Joe seems a little giddy. But what is the last team to sign a player to an "Oh my God look at all that money" deal and have that player lead then to a title? I guess you can count the Dodgers (who were winning 97 games a year before he got there) and Mookie. Before that maybe the Yankees, and it has been a while since they won anything.
It's fun when you see all that money, or when your team signs a star. (As a fan of not very well run small budget team, I watch from afar) But you can come to my house and watch the Astros win it all again next year. Your team will be on the couch just like mine.
Great point. I think back to the Blue Jays renting out guys like Winfield, Molitor and Rickie, and that seems like a much better approach. Proven veterans helping get you over the top. Is there one large contract that aged well? Fact is there aren't very many teams led by superstar 34 or 35 year old players. Goldschmidt perhaps an exception?
Depending on what your definition of 'Oh my God' money is, the Astros themselves signed Verlander to a 2 years 66 million (33 per) and then a 1 year 25 deal and just won a World Series.
True, but there is a difference between a one or tow year pitcher contract and a massive long term deal like they are talking about with Judge. It seems those have never worked out for anyone.
The Mets are really all in for one year. I feel like this year was an overperformance for them. They had a lot of weak contact hits, and they kind of came back to earth as the season progressed. So will adding a 39 and 40 year old pitchers do it for them? Come on. It's the Mets. Anyone betting on this working isn't paying attention. Now, I expect it will look good early in the season. It will generate all kinds of attention and applause. But everyone has to know that the Mets will turn into a pumpkin by Sept 1 at the latest. Right?
I dunno about MY father's Yankees, but these sure as hell are not HAL's father's Yankees. D'you suppose Hal ever goes into the office, sees his daddy's picture and all those trophies, and thinks, "What am I missing here?"
Regarding Dombrowski, remember when he signed Prince Fielder to a 9 year $215M contract, even though they already had a slow-footed slugger who was limited defensively playing first base? God bless him!
I think the signing was great for Texas. I think it will energize their fan base beyond belief. Compare their action with the flurry of activity in Boston. All these signings are happening and the Globe announced a number change for Garrett Whitlock.
I do love the high variance of this Rangers team--will be interesting. They were better than their record last I think. They lost a lot of close games and Seager and Semien both got off to incredibly bad starts before rounding into form later in the season.
The entire AL West should be fun. The best team in baseball last year, the boom or bust Rangers, the upstart Mariners, the team that is bad despite having the two awesomest players since, like, ever, and the A’s, who are surely developing the newest generation of stars for them to trade away in two years.
Think of how much more flexibility the Yankees would have with Judge if they weren't still weighed down by that Aaron Hicks contract.
Why on Earth the Yankees brought back Brian Cashman is a mystery to me. Eleven different GM's have won the World Series since the Yankees last appeared in it, and he's had as much money to spend as anybody, more than most.
His defining moment of the future is going to be whether he's able to bring back Judge. If he f*cks this one up, is Hal going to take the fall?
Cashman should have been jettisoned years ago. Now we're stuck with him until 2026.
As a Twins fan, I'm not liking the big contracts getting thrown out there needing to pay a guy to age 40 to get him to sign so I needed that Cashman extension to make me smile. Clearly his job is not to win championships but to make the Steinbrenners money. He's doing that perfectly by spending 40% at most of revenue on player payroll with a team that hits lots of homers and makes the playoffs to keep the fans watching. Meanwhile, no pennant in 14 seasons and only 1 in the last 20 seasons. If Judge walks then maybe the Twins could even beat them in a playoff game soon!?!
I’m from Pittsburgh. I used to root for the Pirates. Now, there is no hope when the Mets sign 2 pitchers with an average age of 39.5 to $87 million. So, baseball is dead to me.
Unfortunately it's been dead for 30 years since Bobby Bonilla went to the Mets for 5 and $29M. Someone noted on Twitter the other day that Pirates' owner Nutting wouldn't pay 5/$29M for Bobby Bo *today.* It's bleak times.
I'm a Giants fan and I'd rather they sign Correa than Judge, but if we're doing the Barry Bonds thing, so be it.
What I like about the Turner contract is that it's basically put the deferrals into the actual contract--the first half of the contract is apparently cheaper, then it escalates at the end. Everyone knows he's probably not going to be good by the end of the deal, but that's okay--it just stretches out the Phillies' financial obligation. Feels like a lot of large deals to older players are being made with that assumption, with the extended years as a way to defer payouts and as a hedge against a miraculously extended career.
Bryce Harper is turning 30 next year if you can believe it. So, the win now ethos is correct. Harper has played 100 games in a season only once in the last three years (2021). I have a feeling he's not going to be putting up big years into his mid 30s. I just don't see him staying healthy consistently.
Joe, if you are ever in the mood for some flame wars, come to the Red Sox pages at The Athletic. DD is the hero to many and the destroyer of the farm system to others. Then it will devolve into anti Bloom statements and John Henry is a tightwad. Rex Sox fans claiming that they will follow the Phillies now. Good fun.
I hate Hal Steinbrenner almost as much as I hated George Steinbrenner, but for completely different reasons. George wanted to win at all costs, and those costs included the dignity of everyone in his orbit. Hal doesn't seem to want to win enough. He seems more concerned about the shareholders than the fans. And as a Yankees fan, I never, ever, EVER want to think about shareholders or fiscal responsibility or luxury taxes or anything like that. Not worrying about these things is supposed to be my right as a fan of the richest franchise in baseball. Clearly Hal didn't get the memo.
deGrom clearly values money over winning. Sure why not? But I'm sure he could have 'survived' on a little less cash with a team with a legit WS chance. Greedy.
Stars are fun. Big contracts are fun. Joe seems a little giddy. But what is the last team to sign a player to an "Oh my God look at all that money" deal and have that player lead then to a title? I guess you can count the Dodgers (who were winning 97 games a year before he got there) and Mookie. Before that maybe the Yankees, and it has been a while since they won anything.
It's fun when you see all that money, or when your team signs a star. (As a fan of not very well run small budget team, I watch from afar) But you can come to my house and watch the Astros win it all again next year. Your team will be on the couch just like mine.
Great point. I think back to the Blue Jays renting out guys like Winfield, Molitor and Rickie, and that seems like a much better approach. Proven veterans helping get you over the top. Is there one large contract that aged well? Fact is there aren't very many teams led by superstar 34 or 35 year old players. Goldschmidt perhaps an exception?
Depending on what your definition of 'Oh my God' money is, the Astros themselves signed Verlander to a 2 years 66 million (33 per) and then a 1 year 25 deal and just won a World Series.
True, but there is a difference between a one or tow year pitcher contract and a massive long term deal like they are talking about with Judge. It seems those have never worked out for anyone.
The Mets are really all in for one year. I feel like this year was an overperformance for them. They had a lot of weak contact hits, and they kind of came back to earth as the season progressed. So will adding a 39 and 40 year old pitchers do it for them? Come on. It's the Mets. Anyone betting on this working isn't paying attention. Now, I expect it will look good early in the season. It will generate all kinds of attention and applause. But everyone has to know that the Mets will turn into a pumpkin by Sept 1 at the latest. Right?
Aaron Judge can be the next Jeter to the Yankees. Or to the Giants, he can be like Albert Pujols was to the Angels.
Aaron... what would you like your legacy to be?
Or is it just about the money?
I dunno about MY father's Yankees, but these sure as hell are not HAL's father's Yankees. D'you suppose Hal ever goes into the office, sees his daddy's picture and all those trophies, and thinks, "What am I missing here?"
Regarding Dombrowski, remember when he signed Prince Fielder to a 9 year $215M contract, even though they already had a slow-footed slugger who was limited defensively playing first base? God bless him!
I do! I believe his reasoning was something like, "Who cares if he's slow if he don't hafta run?"
I think the signing was great for Texas. I think it will energize their fan base beyond belief. Compare their action with the flurry of activity in Boston. All these signings are happening and the Globe announced a number change for Garrett Whitlock.
Charlie Bercury
All big signings are popular in December. But, what will they look like in September & beyond? That's the question.
With drGrom on board the Rangers might actually finish with a winning record! *gasp*
Of course it could easily be 82-80 and they miss the playoffs
I do love the high variance of this Rangers team--will be interesting. They were better than their record last I think. They lost a lot of close games and Seager and Semien both got off to incredibly bad starts before rounding into form later in the season.
The entire AL West should be fun. The best team in baseball last year, the boom or bust Rangers, the upstart Mariners, the team that is bad despite having the two awesomest players since, like, ever, and the A’s, who are surely developing the newest generation of stars for them to trade away in two years.
Baseball!
" he never allows the demands of tomorrow to interfere with the pleasures and excitements of today."
Music Man reference #3 that I have seen. Not complaining-keep em coming.
The Music Man - the best musical ever!
The Music Man - the best musical ever!
Judge will be on either the Marlins or Reds because he feels sorry for them.
Think of how much more flexibility the Yankees would have with Judge if they weren't still weighed down by that Aaron Hicks contract.
Why on Earth the Yankees brought back Brian Cashman is a mystery to me. Eleven different GM's have won the World Series since the Yankees last appeared in it, and he's had as much money to spend as anybody, more than most.
His defining moment of the future is going to be whether he's able to bring back Judge. If he f*cks this one up, is Hal going to take the fall?
Cashman should have been jettisoned years ago. Now we're stuck with him until 2026.
As a Twins fan, I'm not liking the big contracts getting thrown out there needing to pay a guy to age 40 to get him to sign so I needed that Cashman extension to make me smile. Clearly his job is not to win championships but to make the Steinbrenners money. He's doing that perfectly by spending 40% at most of revenue on player payroll with a team that hits lots of homers and makes the playoffs to keep the fans watching. Meanwhile, no pennant in 14 seasons and only 1 in the last 20 seasons. If Judge walks then maybe the Twins could even beat them in a playoff game soon!?!
I’m from Pittsburgh. I used to root for the Pirates. Now, there is no hope when the Mets sign 2 pitchers with an average age of 39.5 to $87 million. So, baseball is dead to me.
Unfortunately it's been dead for 30 years since Bobby Bonilla went to the Mets for 5 and $29M. Someone noted on Twitter the other day that Pirates' owner Nutting wouldn't pay 5/$29M for Bobby Bo *today.* It's bleak times.
Are the Mets still payin Bonilla?
They'll be paying him until 2030.
Who thought of that great idea?
look it up it's incredible and worth your time. Madoff figures into it, even
also this was off of his second tenure with the team, not the 92 free agency
I'm a Giants fan and I'd rather they sign Correa than Judge, but if we're doing the Barry Bonds thing, so be it.
What I like about the Turner contract is that it's basically put the deferrals into the actual contract--the first half of the contract is apparently cheaper, then it escalates at the end. Everyone knows he's probably not going to be good by the end of the deal, but that's okay--it just stretches out the Phillies' financial obligation. Feels like a lot of large deals to older players are being made with that assumption, with the extended years as a way to defer payouts and as a hedge against a miraculously extended career.
Bryce Harper is turning 30 next year if you can believe it. So, the win now ethos is correct. Harper has played 100 games in a season only once in the last three years (2021). I have a feeling he's not going to be putting up big years into his mid 30s. I just don't see him staying healthy consistently.
You're telling me he didn't play 100 in the 60-game season?
Except Judge is not roided up.
Neither was Bonds when he joined the Giants.
Joe, if you are ever in the mood for some flame wars, come to the Red Sox pages at The Athletic. DD is the hero to many and the destroyer of the farm system to others. Then it will devolve into anti Bloom statements and John Henry is a tightwad. Rex Sox fans claiming that they will follow the Phillies now. Good fun.
I hate Hal Steinbrenner almost as much as I hated George Steinbrenner, but for completely different reasons. George wanted to win at all costs, and those costs included the dignity of everyone in his orbit. Hal doesn't seem to want to win enough. He seems more concerned about the shareholders than the fans. And as a Yankees fan, I never, ever, EVER want to think about shareholders or fiscal responsibility or luxury taxes or anything like that. Not worrying about these things is supposed to be my right as a fan of the richest franchise in baseball. Clearly Hal didn't get the memo.
The Yankees should let the Giants pay Judge.