It’s 2-1, in a best of seven. I’m pulling for the Rays…well I’m pulling for anyone not named Sox…but this series is still very much up for grabs.

it appears as though, yeah, we’re talking about the same concept here.

but i differ on the Pettitte/Johan thing. while i prob would have made the trade myself, i understand why the trigger wasnt pulled.

you had a trusted veteran on a one year deal, and you can keep all of your developing young arms in the system, instead of giving a pitcher a long term deal for big money and giving away the young pitching you have to do it.

i dont think it exactly falls in like with the Beltran/Damon, and now Teixeira principle, though.

For baseball this is probably the worst outcome. Viewership is down significantly this year, something around 20%, for the playoffs. The drop off will be much higher for the WS if this is the World Series matchup.

Of the teams that are duking it out, Dodgers/ Red Sox would lose the least number of viewers. Dodgers/ Rays would be second as it at least has the two coasts somewhat involved.

Red Sox/ Phillies would be pretty poor. I know I wouldn’t bother watching it.

With viewership down, it means revenue will be down as well. As to the games, attendance is probably only sold out at Fenway. Dodger’s had a lot of open seats. Phillies had open seats. Rays had open seat despite the bandwagon crowd.

The Beltran and Damon situation you bring up is an apt example of what I ment. Teixeira is a good example too. If the Yankees don’t sign him, wouldn’t it just force them to over pay next year for a lesser bat? (Matt Holliday?).
Choosing Andy Pettite over Johan Santana, sort of fits into that sutuation as well. Why over pay for either older players on the down swing of their careers or mediocre players who aren’t worth the money when the Yankees can afford to sign good players?

I agree with your point about spending wisely, but it’s also important to define “wisely”. To me that means you only invest long term in FA who are All-Stars in their prime that fill a specific and immediate need. It’s also important they do not block a high level Triple-A prospects. That’s why I have been on record with CC and Tex—just as you suggested—with an interest in shorter term deals for either AJ Burnett or Derek Lowe if both Pettite and Mussina retire or CC goes elsewhere.

It’s not “throwing money around” to hire as a consultant one of the top personnel evaluators in the game.

But he won for NY and b/c of that will always be remembered fondly. If you win in any sport in NY you are a hero.

As for his management of the Dodgers vs. Girardi’s management of the Yanks, one question: which team had the better record? Is it Girard’s fault he is in a tougher division? Torre’s team didn’t get over .500 until August. They also didn’t have the injuries that we had, and they made a great trade to land Manny. Does anyone here seriously think they would have over-taken the D-backs without him?

Phils-Rays for WS 2008.

what i said does not contradict itself.

i’ll say it again… their problem isnt that they are just throwing around money to fill a need. sometimes you just need to sign a FA to fill a need.

but they have not been spending the money wisely.

thats my point. picking the wrong players to give the money to.

throw the money around all over the place, as much as you want to… they can afford it.

but instead of targeting not eactly the top level guy (Carlos Beltran) to plug in a need, and settling for a player the next year who might cost a little less, but is less of a player (Johnny Damon)... just sign the best available option. do the research, and figure out who’s the best option and use the money that you throw around on the best option.

every FA comes with risk, especially the longer-term commitments.

but do the research, and figure out that you’d rather give $45 million to a proven Ted Lilly than $25 to an unproven Kei Igawa for example.

this offseason: noone will fault the Yankees for giving CC whatever he wants, nor should they… best pitcher on the market, fills a need, and is a workhorse.

Mark Teixeira, same situation. best player to hit the 1B market in quite some time. in his prime, all-star production on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

but what the yankees of the past would do is sign Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez, because they are a little cheaper, and then sign Kevin Millar, because he can fit a platoon well with Juan Miranda.

they are going to spend the money, that we know… so they need to stop screwing around and take decisive action on bringing in the best player, period.