Between 1998 and 2002 the Yankees doubled their payroll. They took the money they made winning championships and put it into the team. They didn’t disband the team. They did t let their best players sign elsewhere. They didn’t stop trying to get better.

The Marlins didn’t do that. The Cubs didn’t do that. The Nationals didn’t do that. Not many teams do.

The difference, of course, it is much, much easier for the richest teams to do this than the poorer teams. There is no realistic scenario where Pittsburgh can compete with a motivated New York or Los Angeles franchise for free agents.

Not now but there was a time they appeared in 3 NLCS series in a row. They let Bonds walk. They’ve been on a downward spiral ever since. It’s not like the Yankees weren’t terrible and ignored while they spiraled out of control too. Then came Steinbrenner.

Here’s an article on the Pirates and how it pays for them to lose. The most interesting fact in the story is that the team’s payroll in 2010 was only 2 million dollars more than it was in 1992 (!).

https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5484947

Yes, a poor team can manage to win. And a rich team can manage to fail. What I have said it is much easier for a rich team to win; they can buy what they need whereas a poor team cannot compete on the free agent market with rich and also motivated teams, cutting off a hugely important avenue of talent. It is not, at all, an even playing field in which motivation alone is the deciding factor and makes bigger market teams tend to dominate the World Series.

Wanting to win isn’t a deciding factor but it is a factor. When there is no desire to win its not surprising a team doesn’t.

Well Said

Correct, I agree with you, the Yankees BUY championships. Other franchises like the Cardinals, Giants, etc. earn it on the field.

They might buy a piece or 2, but nowhere close to the Yankees blank checkbook. Thus, so fun watching them fail. Especially 19 of the last 20 years, and about to be 20 of 21. Mets already 21 of 21 failure seasons and counting. Thank you San Diego.

Let's go Astros!

Aren’t you supposed to want your best players to stay with your team? Don’t you want your owner to pay them? I don’t know what you’re looking for your own team to do.

Aren't you disappointed your team continues to overpay in the market and doesn't produce results?

Results like winning the division? Getting a first round bye in the playoffs? Yeah I’m really disappointed.

HOME RUN Alvarez!!!!!!

Let's revisit your lack of disappointment after the Astros visit your town.

The Houston Yordans are a force to be reckoned with !!!

Every thread needs a card

This is the only card this thread needs...

Nice card, scrappy player, but sadly practicing his golf swing

It won’t change the results of the regular season. I understand you don’t like the Yankees but shouldn’t your principles apply to any team? Or is it just the Yankees? In another thread you’re advocating for Trout to sign with the Dodgers while saying the Yankees buy championships in this one.

Now that my Mets are out of it, LET'S GO CLEVELAND !!!

Cleveland now has home field advantage in a 3 game Series, that doesn't hurt.

Oh yeah!

Bottom line and has been the case with the Yankees for months now.

They will live or die with Judge.

He gets hot they'll get out of this round.

He doesn't snap out of this slump, their season is over.

+1 Agree but it was sad to see him booed after all the cheers prior to the playoffs

You gotta love post season baseball!!!!!!!

"tick tock"

So much for long haired starting pitchers. Yikes.

Bob Costas is just stunned.

and More Yikes

Phillies started the wrong long haired pitcher. They should have started Syndergaard in game 4 against the Padres. I'm guessing he will start game 4 against Houston instead of Falter.