Article: On Terry Ryan, Truth And Gravity

[ND-Fan]

I think Fans were looking for even better signings than four listed above. Like Sanchez, Santanna, kuroda, and Brandon McCarthy ( not that good last year but still better than Twins pitching). If the Twins had invested in top of tier free agency pitching Say grienke and Sanchez the cost per year would have been 40 million per year seeming a lot of money but look we already have invested this year 20 million so far this year and if we add another free agent will put us close to 30 million. But these two pitchers would have provided us top number 1 and 2 pitcher for several years to come. If we go through another round of inflation on pitching it probably mean cost of these pitchers will start to look like a bargain. Both young pitchers that would be going through prime of pitching years. Also we wouldn't have given up any prospects to acquire this pitching. If figures were correct this would have put the Twins at little over 100 million with 30 million left to fill in other needs and Twins would have been competitive in this division. Also these contracts would be expiring at time some of better prospects would begin to start to cost us money. This still doesn't mean we couldn't trade these players down road for other prospects or needs in players. Tell me what the Attendance would have been with winning team this past year and also added tv revenue that would have come from being playoff team. Subtract that from their salaries and tell me what the excitement level would be around the Twins organization would be. How many season tickets would be sold, club uniforms and etc., and also tv revenue. Tell me how excited fan base would be with all prospects coming and team already able to compete.

 

This is what Seattle is trying to do jump start their franchise and they are paying much more premium to do this with 10 year contracts instead of 6 year contract and 5 year contract. I think Twins are going to get their now but its much more difficult road they are traveling maybe little less risky. The Twins are not bottom small market team they are middle to upper middle revenue team if they get good product on the field. They have potential to draw substantially over 3 million,they have large fan base in the Midwest and spread over US, and this would also relate to Tv viewership and merchandise etc. Also this fan base is loyal and follows the Twins willing to travel hundreds of miles to watch them if they have good product to watch. The Twins are unique market in baseball their much more a regional team than most of other teams in baseball a smaller version of Red Sox. If you look at Tv market they have Twin Cities plus tv markets in North Dakota, South Dakota, large part of Iowa, parts of Montanna, as well as greater Minnesota. They also draw Canadians that like to watch MLB especially when Toronto is playing because its closest drive for many western Canadians to watch baseball. I think press in Twins Cities doesn't realize and many Twin City residents that the Twins draw is much larger than Metro area and this why it always amazes marketing people that Twin Cities can support four Pro teams to extent they do its because they are regional draw for pro sports. So much said of this The Twins have money if they so choose to spend it and develop a contending team. I think Twins if they invested so much back like they talked to into team from revenue could be a contending team year in year out if continued to develop players and uses FA to fill in gaps when they are unable to develop right kind of player.

[Thrylos]

When looking at free agent signings Pelfrey and Correia pitched 338 IP and combined for a 4.65 ERA. Try to find two pitchers that signed short term contracts similar to those two for comparison.

 

So what?

 

Really.

 

What Ryan did was to make a 96 loss team to another 96 loss team.

 

Or do IP matter more?

[jokin]

So what?

 

Really.

 

What Ryan did was to make a 96 loss team to another 96 loss team.

 

Or do IP matter more?

 

Guilty of observer bias.

[Teflon]

The Twins have an extra $25 million for 2014 thanks to the new national TV deals MLB negotiated. Since that more than covers the per annum expense of Nolasco and Hughes, you can't say the Twins are digging deep in their pockets to make these acquisitions - so, no, I don't think their philosophy is changing. The just happened to be walking by the liquor store and found a $20 on the sidewalk.

[old nurse]

So what?

 

Really.

 

What Ryan did was to make a 96 loss team to another 96 loss team.

 

Or do IP matter more?

If you took 4 pitchers that put up the seasons that Marcum, Dempster, Jackson and Saunders had in place of the fill in pitchers Willihammer listed and the two signed by Ryan as FA to nearly balance out innings pitched between the two groups, you still have a 96 loss team. The claim that Ryan was right to be crucified because he didn't sign these guys is not proven.

[wagwan]

Sorry I'm A big Zen Fan. Great book I reread it every year. It really helps my teaching.

 

The Twins needed to change. They are changing.....

[Thrylos]

The claim that Ryan was right to be crucified because he didn't sign these guys is not proven.

 

Agreed.

 

Still Ryan should be out because he led the team to 2 consecutive 96 loss seasons. Not a single move or a set of moves or non-moves. Just because of the awful results.

[diehardtwinsfan]

In other words, in "discovering" these "facts", Ryan is admitting that his Plan A was a colossal failure on the field, anyway (Financially, they did just fine, hollowing out the team, failing to use short-term contracts for flipping purposes....... Going forward, I've got a strong feeling the financials didn't look nearly as good, but for the "found" $25M in media money, hence, "Time for implementing the Plan B!.... just ignore that we said it was next to impossible, just a year ago") .

 

I think Ryan's plan A last year was rebuilding. I also don't think he was going to come out and say it (right or wrong, that's a different debate). The class was really weak, and as much as we slammed him for KC/Pelfrey, those are looking like pretty good moves in hindsight. He's already spent that 25M in found money and based on the rumors, it doesn't sound like the Twins are done. Given what they have coming up the pipe, I think they should be done other than some low risk/high reward type deals. They've added 2 guys that should be able to stabilize the rotation in 2015/16, which is what the next wave was going to need.

[Major League Ready]

Or 7.66 x Kirbys annual amount....ok Now riddle me this, how much have ticket prices increased since then? How much has revenue increased? How many more avenues of revenue werent avalible back then?

 

This is yet another example of completely ignoring the point. As stated previously, some have pointed to Kirby’s deal as proof that the Twins were able to pull-off large free agents deals prior to the Terry Ryan era. For starters, it is quite different to retain a FA as compared to signing one on the open market. In addition, Mauer’s deal was also for 8/184 taking him through age 35. Kirby’s deal was 3/$9m through age 31. If you know the team’s history this well, how on earth do you not recognize Joe Mauer’s deal when making this point. Plus, Mauer’s deal was far and away a much bigger commitment even in price adjusted terms given the number of years. In keeping with the theme of this thread, even the most obvious examples are ignored when FANS have a point of view.

 

The 7.66X was offered only to put the deal in relative terms. Obviously, ticket prices have gone up since 1989. Have they gone up enough that Mauer’s contracts is less of a financial burden? I doubt it. I could not find the average ticket price in 1989 but the average ticket price was 31.49 when Target field opened. In relative terms the average ticket price would have had to have been less than $4.11 to explain an increased capacity to spend. (31.49/7.66=$4.11.) I would guess the average ticket price has gone up by 3-4X.

[johnnydakota]

Joe Mauers contract , was not Just about production..It is about being a home town hero.

While I thought it was a bit long. We can see the team has recouped the value of his contract.

The Twins now have a big payday in MLB-tv revenue, which they didnt have in 89, also this year a 30+ million bump from the all star game, My point was as contracts go up so do revenue, since selig took over revenue has gone up over 600% while players salaries have gone up 435%

[jokin]

I think Ryan's plan A last year was rebuilding. I also don't think he was going to come out and say it (right or wrong, that's a different debate). The class was really weak, and as much as we slammed him for KC/Pelfrey, those are looking like pretty good moves in hindsight. He's already spent that 25M in found money and based on the rumors, it doesn't sound like the Twins are done. Given what they have coming up the pipe, I think they should be done other than some low risk/high reward type deals. They've added 2 guys that should be able to stabilize the rotation in 2015/16, which is what the next wave was going to need.

 

Howard Sinker has a much different take:

 

".....(Mike Pelfrey represents) an uncomfortable fallback if the Twins fail to bring in one of the bigger names who are still weighing their options. (Matt Garza, Bronson Arroyo and Ervin Santana.)

In a better Twins world, Correia comes to spring training in Fort Myers as the No. 4 starter with competition wide open for the final spot among Pelfrey and the others, which is better than filling the rotation by default and prayer....

 

I also don't want to believe that the amount of Pelfrey chatter is an indication that the Twins aren't really serious contenders for the others... It also shouldn't obscure the fact that, as Terry Ryan has pointed out, the roster still needs to be upgraded in other areas. Making assumptions about Josmil Pinto's ability to be the starting catcher is unwise and there are outfield needs in the short term that were made clearer when the Twins tried unsuccessfully to sign the speedy-but-flawed Rajai Davis. (Cutting a minor-league deal with Jason Kubel does nothing for the notion that the Twins need outfielders who can catch the ball.)

 

I'm struck by the direction that the New York Mets appear to be taking this off-season. After finishing 22 games behind the division leaders in the National League East last season, they have signed Curtis Granderson and Bartolo Colon. They are still a flawed team, but a flawed team that is hovering around the .500 mark come August can position itself to be in the postseason discussion in baseball's expanded playoffs.

 

That's what I want from the Twins in 2014, to be in the postseason discussion come late summer rather than careening toward another season when we wonder whether they'll be closer to losing 90 games or 100. Yes, "playoff discussion" is weak soup compared to our expectations from a few years back. But an equation of improved roster + improved performance + a surprise or two should be able to yield some excitement that's been lacking from Target Field for the last three years.

 

For the Twins to be taken seriously in 2014 and a team to be reckoned with in the years following would keep me happy for now."

 

I agree. 3 years of ineptitude, punching-bag and laughingstock-status is enough. The Kubel signing looks like a classic Terry Ryan low-risk bargain-bin quick fix. I hope there is more to come than just this type of move to address the glaring needs in the batting order. And they still have to go get a quality SP.... and Paul Maholm as a back-end starter for 2 years makes more sense than Pelfrey.

[OldManWinter]

Intellectually interesting topic. Brings out the best in contributors.

 

"Whole truth" in complex decisions takes years to develop, you cannot digest it into a sound bite.

 

Anyway, thanks for stimulating the readers.

[Major League Ready]

Joe Mauers contract , was not Just about production..It is about being a home town hero.

While I thought it was a bit long. We can see the team has recouped the value of his contract.

The Twins now have a big payday in MLB-tv revenue, which they didnt have in 89, also this year a 30+ million bump from the all star game, My point was as contracts go up so do revenue, since selig took over revenue has gone up over 600% while players salaries have gone up 435%

 

 

What does any of this have to do with objectivity and ignoring Joe Mauer's contract while making a point of Kirby's contract. And, given we are talking about willingness to make large FA committments, Kirby's 3 year deal was not even remotely in the same leauge as Mauer's 8 year deal, yet Mauer's deal was ignored while Kirby's contract was highlighted as proof of a great willongness to spend in the past.

 

The rest of the supporting facts make no sense in the context either.

 

You are using increased revenue in 2014 to justify a decision that was made in 2010.

 

Increases in leauge revenues are not relevent to comparing contracts to to Kirby and Mauer. The Twins don't pay players with leauge revenues. They utilize their own revenue so a meaningful measure would be to compare the Twins 1989 revenue to present. Unless present revenue is great than a 766% increase, the twins do not have increased capacity in relative terms.Even this measure is not all that relevent, at least not in itself. It probably makes more sense to look at percentage of payroll budget as well as the delta in revenue growth between the top markets and the twins. Mauer's contract was about 20% of payroll in 2010. Kirby's was 18.6% of 1990 and 13.7% in 1991.

[cmathewson]

Speaking of facts and perception - I wonder how one would try to measure this. I'm not sure it's that important to the discussion, because what is important is Ryan's perception of that free agent pitching pool. But my perception is completely the opposite. I don't think last year's was worse.

 

I tried to show this before last offseason started, by comparing it to the previous five years, using the dollars likely to be thrown at them (and still underthrew the mark on those dollars considerably). But I suppose one could say that the dollars show how thin it was, though I would disagree.

 

I wonder how we could do that. Maybe compare some basic metrics from teh year before for each pitcher?

 

You could take the top 10 FAs for the two years by IP and FIP in their previous three years and line them up. I'm pretty sure the picture will be abundantly clear.

[Kwak]

I think Ryan's plan A last year was rebuilding. I also don't think he was going to come out and say it (right or wrong, that's a different debate). The class was really weak, and as much as we slammed him for KC/Pelfrey, those are looking like pretty good moves in hindsight. He's already spent the $25MM in found money, and based on the rumors, it doesn't sound like the Twins are done. Given what they have coming up the pipe, I think they should be done other than some low risk/high reward type deals. They've added 2 guys that should be able to stabilize the rotation in 2015/16, which is what the next wave was going to need.

 

No, Ryan hasn't spent a dime of that found money. Examine the payroll (found on hyperlink at top of TD header) and we find that the payroll is still lower than that of the 2013 season. Ryan has simply redeployed the salaries of Morneau, Blackburn, Carroll, Butera, and Pelfrey to salaries for Nolasco and Hughes. There is still another $2MM or so remaining for redeployment. None of the "found $25MM has been used.

[Mike Sixel]

No, Ryan hasn't spent a dime of that found money. Examine the payroll (found on hyperlink at top of TD header) and we find that the payroll is still lower than that of the 2013 season. Ryan has simply redeployed the salaries of Morneau, Blackburn, Carroll, Butera, and Pelfrey to salaries for Nolasco and Hughes. There is still another $2MM or so remaining for redeployment. None of the "found $25MM has been used.

 

This is true, we know that. Simple facts. And of course, last year was not high.

[jokin]

No, Ryan hasn't spent a dime of that found money. Examine the payroll (found on hyperlink at top of TD header) and we find that the payroll is still lower than that of the 2013 season. Ryan has simply redeployed the salaries of Morneau, Blackburn, Carroll, Butera, and Pelfrey to salaries for Nolasco and Hughes. There is still another $2MM or so remaining for redeployment. None of the "found $25MM has been used.

 

Yup. Until TR ponies up for Arroyo/Garza/Pelfrey/Santana plus a Catcher, plus a Bat, it's more of the same old/same old. I was genuinely surprised that a major, roster clearing, trade wasn't accomplished at the Winter Meetings, and the best that has come out of it so far has been Kubel on a minor league deal.

[PseudoSABR]

Until TR ponies up for Arroyo/Garza/Pelfrey/Santana plus a Catcher, plus a Bat, it's more of the same old/same old.

This is an absurd standard to set. If I didn't know you were serious, the statement on itself would appear overtly sarcastic.

[ltwedt]

"So much of why some of us cut Ryan more slack and others are harshly critical stems from our amazing ability to see the "facts" so differently, or to create a fact set that supports our agenda."

 

Great Article, John - but this is what TR does with maddeningly regularity. He creates facts to support his agenda - that being to run this ball club as cheaply as possible, while BSing his way to explain why we have 3 consecutive 90+ loss seasons.

[jokin]

This is an absurd standard to set. If I didn't know you were serious, the statement on itself would appear overtly sarcastic.

 

What's absurd about this standard? Is Howard Sinker "sarcastic" too? Going straight to the horse's mouth, Terry Ryan himself has admitted that these needs should be addressed this offseason as priorities. As of right now, assuming no other major additions occur, the Twins payroll will be lower than 2013, which was lower than 2012, which was lower than 2011- yep, the facts are absurd, aren't they?

 

The fact that the Twins have for all intents and purposes admitted that what they have done with the SP over the last 2 years has been an utter failure, means that they are going forward with a changed mindset. This major philosophical change means that breaking the trend, ie, spending on higher quality talent, should include other areas of deficiency- it makes little sense to take half measures only. Should the $25M be put to use in this philosophical change? I certainly hope so! As of today, they still haven't spent one penny of the "found revenue". Adding another quality pitcher to rotation (of those listed above, less Pelfrey), a Big League bat and a proven catcher shouldn't even cost the full $25....

 

hardly "an absurd standard to set"......

[Major League Ready]

What's absurd about this standard? Is Howard Sinker "sarcastic" too? Terry Ryan has admitted that these needs should be addressed as priorities. As of right now, assuming no other major additions occur, the Twins payroll will be lower than 2013, which was lower than 2012, which was lower than 2011- yep, the facts are absurd, aren't they?

 

The fact that the Twins have for all intents and purposes admitted that what they have done with the SP over the last 2 years has been an utter failure, means that they are going forward with a changed mindset. This major philosophical change means that breaking the trend, ie, spending on higher quality talent, should include other areas of deficiency. Should the $25M be put to use in this philosophical change? I certainly hope so! As of today, they still haven't spent one penny of the "found revenue". Adding another quality pitcher to rotation (of those listed above, less Pelfrey), a Big League bat and a proven catcher shouldn't even cost the full $25....

 

hardly "an absurd standard to set"......

 

Absurd is hard to measure. If you can manage to ignore that 29 other teams also got an extra $25M, and if you presume this is every free agents 1st choice, then, I guess it is a perfectly reasonable expectation. It also helps if you ignore Seattle just got a $2B TV contract, the Angels have a $150M/yr contract and the LAD have a $250M/yr contract and we have not talked about Boston or New York.

 

It is also December 14th. So, to suggest the 2014 payroll is below 2013 would be quite premature. For god sake, we are a week removed from the two largest FA signings in the teams history.

[jokin]

Absurd is hard to measure. If you can manage to ignore that 29 other teams also got an extra $25M, and if you presume this is every free agents 1st choice, then, I guess it is a perfectly reasonable expectation. It also helps if you ignore Seattle just got a $2B TV contract, the Angels have a $150M/yr contract and the LAD have a $250M/yr contract and we have not talked about Boston or New York.

It is also December 14th. So, to suggest the 2014 payroll is below 2013 would be quite premature. For god sake, we are a week removed from the two largest FA signings in the teams history.

 

On December 14th of last year, Ryan was done, completely done, in "upgrading" the team for 2013. And because we have made the 2 largest signings, means it's not anywhere close to time to stop with the upgrades. To come out of the Winter Meetings with zip can only be regarded as a setback to new-look Plan B. And your "Cry Poor" approach is so 2009, the Twins have the money available, even though a few of the clubs you mention are in a better financial position- the ones you mentioned are all Big Game Hunting, I don't think anyone's realistically projecting the Twins to compete for most of those names, just to make prudent, but solid incremental improvements at glaring areas of need. It's true, 29 teams have received media money, but each club's situation is unique, many clubs aren't spending at all, but rather are looking to stand pat or even further significantly reduce, not increase, bloated payrolls- these are clubs where a salary relief deal might work in the Twins favor for a trade.

 

To reiterate, the Twins as of yet, still haven't increased payroll over last year, they passed or withdrew from seriously competing on some very needed and acquirable international and MLB FAs, and there isn't anyone, even Terry Ryan, arguing that the current projected Twins offense has improved over the anemic 2013 production- and they certainly have no excuses for needing to do better than Pelfrey as their third SP signing

[cmathewson]

What's absurd about this standard? Is Howard Sinker "sarcastic" too? Going straight to the horse's mouth, Terry Ryan himself has admitted that these needs should be addressed this offseason as priorities. As of right now, assuming no other major additions occur, the Twins payroll will be lower than 2013, which was lower than 2012, which was lower than 2011- yep, the facts are absurd, aren't they?

 

The fact that the Twins have for all intents and purposes admitted that what they have done with the SP over the last 2 years has been an utter failure, means that they are going forward with a changed mindset. This major philosophical change means that breaking the trend, ie, spending on higher quality talent, should include other areas of deficiency- it makes little sense to take half measures only. Should the $25M be put to use in this philosophical change? I certainly hope so! As of today, they still haven't spent one penny of the "found revenue". Adding another quality pitcher to rotation (of those listed above, less Pelfrey), a Big League bat and a proven catcher shouldn't even cost the full $25....

 

hardly "an absurd standard to set"......

 

Spilled milk. They are spending the money. And they are not done.

 

Last year, they didn't. Not because they did't want to, in principle. But because they had very few options and a lot of competition for the talent. So they decided to give the likes of Worely and Diamond the chance. It didn't work. Not many pundits on this site called that regression. What they did pick at we're the two FA signings, ironically.

 

Anywho, the offseason is young. They have been more aggressive this year than ever. Let's wait until Feb. to make some of these claims.

[jokin]

Spilled milk. They are spending the money. And they are not done.

 

Last year, they didn't. Not because they did't want to, in principle. But because they had very few options and a lot of competition for the talent. So they decided to give the likes of Worely and Diamond the chance. It didn't work. Not many pundits on this site called that regression. What they did pick at we're the two FA signings, ironically.

 

Anywho, the offseason is young. They have been more aggressive this year than ever. Let's wait until Feb. to make some of these claims.

 

This evening, the Twins just went over last year's payroll threshold, and though competing with no one, they signed Pelphrey and gave him a raise. And I don't see any irony at "picking at" the FA signings from last year, they were a joke for a GM who apologized to the fans for the team he put on the field in 2012 and said he was putting his total focus on upgrading the Starting Pitching, but instead, cut payroll by some 20%.

 

We're in agreement that this offseason is young, but as I pointed out, Ryan shut the operation down for the winter at this point in time just one year ago...and hardly looked very vigorous and "aggressive" at the Hughes signing this year; if anything, he looked like his pet dog had died and wondering how many days were left before he retired again. To complete the makeover this year and return the team to some semblance of respectability, there is still much work to be done- ie, signing or trading for: another quality pitcher, a bopper bat and a decent Catcher, this will require some heavy lifting, I hope Terry is up to the task.

[PseudoSABR]

[Terry Ryan] hardly looked very vigorous and "aggressive" at the Hughes signing this year; if anything, he looked like his pet dog had died and wondering how many days were left before he retired again.

With this kind of fact-based analysis, you're right to point out that only fools would disagree with you.

[old nurse]

There are time I think some Twins fans are like my brother's ex-wife. She never ceased at bringing up past perceived transgressions, nor capable of accepting increased positive actions of her spouse. It will never be good enough even though there are outside limitations as to what can be done.

[howieramone1406390264]

The Twins were in the exact same situation last year as this year, is not a fact. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any of my teams that were ever in the exact same situation from one year to the next, much less a rebuilding team. The Twins did not suddenly change the plan. A light did not suddenly come on. I'm hopeful that more and more are starting to realize, the Twins are a well-run, respected organization that doesn't take shortcuts.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Hey guys, this thread has a chance to get derailed. Please remain civil. Thank you.

[diehardtwinsfan]

This evening, the Twins just went over last year's payroll threshold, and though competing with no one, they signed Pelphrey and gave him a raise. And I don't see any irony at "picking at" the FA signings from last year, they were a joke for a GM who apologized to the fans for the team he put on the field in 2012 and said he was putting his total focus on upgrading the Starting Pitching, but instead, cut payroll by some 20%.

 

We're in agreement that this offseason is young, but as I pointed out, Ryan shut the operation down for the winter at this point in time just one year ago...and hardly looked very vigorous and "aggressive" at the Hughes signing this year; if anything, he looked like his pet dog had died and wondering how many days were left before he retired again. To complete the makeover this year and return the team to some semblance of respectability, there is still much work to be done- ie, signing or trading for: another quality pitcher, a bopper bat and a decent Catcher, this will require some heavy lifting, I hope Terry is up to the task.

 

I guess the question I would have to ask you Jokin is exactly what is that would satisfy you as a fan. I honestly didn't expect the Twins to go out and get 3 pitchers this offseason (and 2 is what I've been saying they should get all along). And in so doing, they took two of the better guys on the market. You could make a case that all 3 of these guys will out-perform their 2013 numbers and could be bargains for what they've signed for. Add to it that you have some talented pitchers coming up in the system and room will need to be made for them.

 

I get that money needs to be spent, but spending money for the sake of spending doesn't make sense in my book. I could see them going hard after Drew (if he's still there) simply due to the lack of talent at SS in the high minors and at the major league level, but position by position, they are largely set.

 

C - Pinto, Doumit, Mauer as an emergency. Perhaps room for another option, but this won't cost much.

1B - Mauer, Parmelee.

2B - Dozier, with Rosario being in Rochester for 2014.

SS - Florimon, needs an upgrade, no question. Very little on the market though other than Drew.

3B - Plouffe. Definitely a place for an upgrade, but there's a pretty nice one sitting in Rochester next year. No big contract here for that reason alone, and I think you have to give Plouffe one more chance.

OF - Willingham, Presley, Arcia, Parmelee. 2 potential upgrades in Buxton and Hicks in the minors. Another place where big contracts make little sense, and again I think Parmelee in particular deserves one more chance.

DH - Doumit, Parmelee, Plouffe, Colobello. Other than Doumit, these 3 are more of a see what sticks. I could see a contract to fill this position, but I also think it makes more sense to see if they can get a break out from one of these hitters.

 

They've already signed 3 pitchers, and you have a guaranteed contract in KC as well. Gibson, Deduno, Diamond, Worley, Darnell, and eventually Meyer are all guys who will be looking at getting some PT next year, and there's only 1 spot for them as of now. As it is, this is pretty crowded. I get that several of these guys will likely wash out, but there's also the possibility that some of these guys outperform some of the guys we signed. And if they make it somewhere else, people will be screaming about why we let them go.

 

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you here, but I get the impression that no matter what the front office does, it won't win. I'd really like to know what it is you think they should do.

[Major League Ready]

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you here, but I get the impression that no matter what the front office does, it won't win. I'd really like to know what it is you think they should do.

 

DHTF,

 

I think there are a couple things that create the discontent with the front office. However, the two most prevalent are failure to recognize the competitive Landscape for FAs and the concept of rebuilding and how long-term contracts put that process at risk.

 

Let’s go back to last year. People were mad that we did not get one of the top three. (Grienke, Sanchez, or Jackson). Every team wanted Grienke and Sanchez. The situation with Sanchez was very simple. He wanted to stay where he was and his team offered market rate. It’s kind of like Mauer who every team would have loved to have. What kind of response would a fan from another team have gotten if they suggested their team should have ended up with Mauer. To complain about not getting Sanchez requires that we ignore the surrounding circumstances.

 

Complaining about not getting Grienke requires that one buries their head very deeply in the sand called economics. The Dodgers had just signed a TV deal that would net them $6B after revenue sharing or somewhere north of $250M/yr. The Twins new contract provides $29M/yr. In more general terms, the top 6-8 teams have landed the top FAs. People hoping or expecting something different is simply a product of love for their team. We better come to accept it because the landscape is changing in a way that will widen the gap. Of course, LAA signed a $150M/yr deal 2 years ago which matches the Rangers deal and Seattle just inked a deal that provides somewhere around $115M/yr. The Phillies are next in line for a huge TV contract. Of course, The Yankees are the Dodgers equals in terms of revenue and Boston is not far behind.

 

The second theory has been covered several times. It would not matter what any of us write on this topic. Those who cling to this premise are not going to change their position. The use of Boston as anecdotal evidence is a good example of how far knowledgeable baseball fans will bend their supporting logic. Those who argued the timing premise know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Red Sox and Twins of 2012 were not even remotely parallel situations but they supported trade scenarios and FA signings citing this example.