The main driver of teams' payroll are their cable contracts. The Yankees are able to pay that sort of payroll because they live in the largest media market in the world and make north of $300 million per year just in TV rights (according to Forbes tho I never really trusted their MLB numbers). The Indians make like $40 million.
So that means no matter what the Indians offer a free agent, the Yankees can offer more and it not impact their bottom line.
Yes, you can do it the way the Yankees and Dodgers do, but it is not necessarily the case for small market teams:
Pittsburgh cable contract is $18M / yr. 98 wins. Playoffs. Payroll $88M.
Kansas City cable contract is $20M / yr. 95 wins. Trip to WS. Payroll $113M.
St. Louis cable contract $25M / yr. 100 wins. NL Central Champs. Payroll $120M.
Toronto cable contract $36M / yr. 93 wins. AL East Champs. Payroll $122M.
Cleveland cable contract $40M / yr. 81 wins. No playoffs. Payroll $86M.
Clearly these other small market teams, are getting a great
ROI with small cable contracts. Why can't the Indians do so as well?
It doesn't seem to be the cable contract size or payroll size, as these are relatively all about the same, which leaves the management team and owners as the culprits? Poor drafting, poor trades, poor signings, etc. etc. etc?
So to try to get this thread back on track, that leaves it up to management and the owners to attract a power hitter or two to Cleveland with the player assets and finances they have available. Who should that be and what do the Indians give up for the player(s)?
Or do they just sit on their hands and hope that the minor leaguers coming up through the farm system will provide the power needed in the next 2-4 years?
Edit: Updates for latest cable contract deals included.