Season ending e-mail from the Tribe

[InBoobieWeTrust]

But this is what I don't understand-- the Yankees went out and signed Tex... However, they traded Soriano for AROD,

They were able to trade for A-Rod because the Rangers couldn't afford him and they could.

 

[PIP]

True, but keep in mind the Mets, Braves, Dodgers, Red Sox and Angels were all trying to get him as well... The Yankees had the player to get it done...

 

[Steve_424]

But this is what I don't understand-- the Yankees went out and signed Tex... However, they traded Soriano for AROD, they traded Jackson for Granderson-- guys like Kearns, Thames and Gardner are getting big hits or making quality plays-- surrounded by guys like Posada, Jeter and Cano, who are homegrown...

Some make it seem as if the Yankees are fielding 100 million dollar all stars at every position... Furthermore, if you look at the first 4 titles for Jeter and company, it was guys like Knoblauch, Brousius, O'Neill, Bernie Williams, Curtis, Tino Martinez etc with a bullpen of Mendoza, Nelson, Lloyd, Stanton and starters of Wells, Cone, Pettite, Hernandez etc..

The advantage the Yankees have is simple.

When Jeter, M. Rivera, A-Rod, Posada, Cano, etc hit free agency, the Yankees were able to keep them with no problem. They also had extra money to sign premier free agents to surround them with.

When Thome, Ramirez, Sabathia, Lee, Martinez, etc hit free agency (or came close to it), the Indians lost them because they couldn't afford to re-sign them. They can't afford to sign premier free agents, so they are forced to build within and/or find hidden gems.

It's really that simple...it's not the Yankees fault - they play by the rules. The system in MLB is just royally screwed up.

But if somebody can't see the outrageous, incredible advantage the Yankees have over every other team, they're either naive or in denial. It's blatantly obvious.

 

[Steve_424]

True, but keep in mind the Mets, Braves, Dodgers, Red Sox and Angels were all trying to get him as well... The Yankees had the player to get it done...

And if they didn't get him, they would've found the next best player available and purchased him instead.

 

[PIP]

Didn't the Indians offer Manny the same money as the Red Sox ?

They wouldn't add an extra year to Thome if I recall..

Lee and VC still had time on their deals and they dealt them for garbage

 

[Steve_424]

Didn't the Indians offer Manny the same money as the Red Sox ?

They wouldn't add an extra year to Thome if I recall..

Lee and VC still had time on their deals and they dealt them for garbage

1) The Indians offered Ramirez 8 years, $136 M ($17 M per), with part of it deferred. He signed with the Red Sox for 8 years, $160 M ($20 M per), with two $20 M options.

2) The Indians offered Thome 5 years, $60 M ($12 M per) with a ton of incentives. He signed for 6 years, $85 M ($14 M per) with the Phillies.

3) Lee is already talking Sabathia money, so they Indians figured they might as well deal him. I had no problem with that. I disagreed with the Martinez move at the time and still do...although that will change if Hagadone pans out. I don't think they got the value they should have for the two players, although I wouldn't call it crap by any means.