I’m not sure if this actually changes anything for the Yankees. They will continue to spend money like a drunken sailor on shore leave. You wonder if there will ever be a day when they spend the money with a plan in mind. As in like Theo Epstein and the Red Sox.
With their proposed spending on Sabathia and Burnett they seem to want to go back to their “throw money at free agents till we win” plan that has helped them make the playoffs but has failed to capture the brass ring. I doubt next year will be any different.
Think about it, the Twins have been more successful that past few years than anyone by drafting properly, recognizing who to get rid of and when, not tying themselves to foolish long term contracts and fantastic amateur and professional scouting.
The Steinbrenners would be better off if they spent the $140 million on purchasing the entire Twins organization…not the club, but the GM, personnel people and scouts. Or perhaps the Rays.
Oh yeah, it helps having the number one pick in several recent drafts like the Rays. However, you have to draft and spend properly at that number one position and that’s not always easy (can you say Padres and Homer Bush?).
You might say that players like Joba and Hughes et al, mean they are focusing more on player development. However, the problem is that they should have been big time players for Peavy and they weren’t. Simply because the cupboard of minor leagues is bare. Who were they gonna trade for Peavy? Or Matt Holliday or…anyone. I’d rather have Peavy than Sabathia because he is cheaper, his numbers over the last three years are comparable and he is younger.
I’ve said it again and again. With the Yankees’ money they should have the absolute best organization from top to bottom, including scouts, personnel, etc. in levels below the major leagues. There truly is no excuse. That’s why the Red Sox have improved so much recently. They’re a better organization than the Yankees with somewhat the same amount of money to spend. And they should own other countries with their money. They could leave no stone unturned for offshore amateur talent.
It isn’t Yankee hating. After all, if I hated the Yankees I would keep my mouth shut and let them screw up. Again and again and again and again and again and again and again.
Tags: Burnett, Bush, Epstein, George, Hal, Hank, Homer, Padres, Peavy, Red, Sabathia, Sox, Steinbrenner, Theo, Twins, Yankees
