Top 10 storylines according to this all about the big markets. 10 items 2 and 7 about LA, 3 and 6 about New York, the other two teams mentioned were the World Champs and the Nationals....

I figure the top ten off season stories would be something 1. What are the Cubs going to do? 2. What are the Astros going to do for their change to the AL. 3. Where is Ichiro going to go 4. What will the Phillies do to compete? 5. Will the Orioles sit pat or will they see the flaws in their team and attempt to fix it instead of relying on luck. 6. What are the Red Sox going to do? 7. Whatever is the free agent of the moment that people are caring about (There are no major/major free agents this year, Hamilton/ Greinke is the closest, but he's not really what I would term as a superstar free agent) and a couple that came from the article 8. Will replay be expanded? 9. who will be the surprise spender 10. Who makes it to the HOF?

Top 10 storylines according to this all about the big markets. 10 items 2 and 7 about LA, 3 and 6 about New York, the other two teams mentioned were the World Champs and the Nationals....

Storyline number 1 is actually the elimination of 22 teams leaving us with the Mets, Dodgers, Cardinals and Giants in the NL and the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels and Tigers in the AL.

Wasn't the latest on Pineda that June is more likely than April for a return? CC, Kuroda, Pettit, Hughes, Nova with Phelps as a backup is workable if everyone stays healthy...but CC just had (minor) surgery, Kuroda and Pettit are old, and Hughes/Nova have both had injury issues and are both at best labeled as inconsistent...I wouldn't call that "Elite," combine that with questions in the bullpen (Robertson seems like the only sure thing at the moment - Rivera up in the air, Soriano currently un-signed, Logan has been solid, but not spectacular the past couple of years...Rapada/Eppley were strong most of last year - but I wouldn't call them a safe bet. Best description I can come up with would be high-risk/high-reward....if Pineda comes back healthy, they have the potential for two aces in him in CC...two or 3 guys with #2 upside, and Nova who looked like he could turn into a strong middle/back end guy...the flip side of that is that it is not hard to envision a very weak rotation depending on injuries, aging, and slippage from the younger guys.

2. What are the Astros going to do for their change to the AL.

Suck. There's an interesting Astros story, but it's a five-year story. How good is Luhnow? Can anyone build a team from the complete wreckage of the Houston organization? Will the undercapitalized owner eventually be prepared to spend on his big market team? But this offseason is extremely unlikely to be interesting in any way. The Astros suck, and they won't sign any quality free agents. They won't trade anyone good, because there's no one good on their roster. They'll suck next year.

For me, the big second-order story of the offseason is:

11) What are the owners going to do with all this money? Both revenue and team values are skyrocketing. It seems likely that at least some owners are going to spend big. It won't necessarily be irrational - if revenues and projected selling values are extremely high, then it's rational to spend more money to improve your team, as you'll be paid back at a higher rate when you win.

11) What are the owners going to do with all this money? Both revenue and team values are skyrocketing. It seems likely that at least some owners are going to spend big. It won't necessarily be irrational - if revenues and projected selling values are extremely high, then it's rational to spend more money to improve your team, as you'll be paid back at a higher rate when you win.

Expand the rosters.

11) What are the owners going to do with all this money? Both revenue and team values are skyrocketing. It seems likely that at least some owners are going to spend big. It won't necessarily be irrational - if revenues and projected selling values are extremely high, then it's rational to spend more money to improve your team, as you'll be paid back at a higher rate when you win.

I think we're going to see just about every single young pre-arbitration regular receive a huge contract extension. 8 years, $65MM for Jason Kipnis? Why the hell not?

Wasn't the latest on Pineda that June is more likely than April for a return? CC, Kuroda, Pettit, Hughes, Nova with Phelps as a backup is workable if everyone stays healthy...but CC just had (minor) surgery, Kuroda and Pettit are old, and Hughes/Nova have both had injury issues and are both at best labeled as inconsistent...I wouldn't call that "Elite,"

What catomi said...the projection for the Yankees' pitching feels extremely optimistic. Not saying all that COULD happen, but with normal luck there are going to be a couple of reasonably large holes in that rotation.

I thought the Yankees weren't going to 'retool' through FA because of concerns over the upcoming cap taxes...is that out the window, or is the writer just ignoring it?

I admit, I will only believe it when I see it.

If the Rockies really make Jason Giambi their manager, that will be the best storyline of the off-season.

11) What are the owners going to do with all this money?

Invest with the Wilpons.

I say the best storyline would be if an MLB owner hired either Bobby V or Ozzie G next year to manage.
That controvery would be exceeded only by a story of Bud Selig resigning to go live in a madras in India tending elephants.

I say the best storyline would be if an MLB owner hired either Bobby V or Ozzie G next year to manage.

Better yet: someone hired them BOTH to manage.

11) What are the owners going to do with all this money?

Cry poverty, demand more free money from Young Masters Steinbrenner, and buy new vacation homes on whatever continent they don't have one yet.

It's like you think it's your money.

11) What are the owners going to do with all this money?

I've completely underestimated this. It's been impossible for me to imagine teams valued at 2B in the next decade, but that could happen.

My question is this - skyrocketing TV $$ paid that are influencing team market values (Angels, Yankees?) and sales prices of teams (Dodgers) are way out of proportion to actual TV ratings which are plummeting (i.e., eventually advertising revenues are not going to keep pace with what TV networks are paying).

Will we see some owners (particularly long-time ones) decide to sell in the next year or two to try and cash in on network insanity? Will somebody get out "just in time" before the bubble collapses?

and sales prices of teams (Dodgers) are way out of proportion to actual TV ratings which are plummeting (i.e., eventually advertising revenues are not going to keep pace with what TV networks are paying).

The big money is paid for the local rights, are ratings there plummeting?

It's like you think it's your money.

If you got mugged I'd be sympathetic too. That's just the kinda guy I am, a big softie.

Cry poverty, demand more free money from Young Masters Steinbrenner, and buy new vacation homes on whatever continent they don't have one yet.

yes, poor young masters steinbrenner, who worked so hard for what they have.

The big money is paid for the local rights, are ratings there plummeting?

Supposedly because cable and satellite companies need a reason to exist and live sports may be the best reason for anyone to continue to use them. I'm just wondering how long they can hold off their inevitable decline. If the cable companies throw in the towel, why would franchises be worth as much as they are?

It's like you think it's your money.


If you got mugged I'd be sympathetic too.

When someone gets mugged, I feel sympathetic to them as a victim of violence, for the fear they felt in that moment. By contrast, when someone shares their revenue with fellow members of a multi-billion dollar cartel as part of their contractual obligations to the cartel, which they have signed off on multiple times, I feel nothing.

When someone gets mugged, I feel sympathetic to them as a victim of violence, for the fear they felt in that moment

Fair enough! Upon further reflection Young Masters Steinbrenners' plight is more akin to the victim of a mob shakedown - "Nice little place you got here, be a pity of something happened to it.". As long as they pay the protection money to the Budfather they can stay in business. The fact that their family business predates the shakedowns is, of course, no protection against the racket.

So Darren, consider my previous contention cheerfully withdrawn. I'd still be sympathetic to your plight if the local chapter of the Legitimate Businessman's Club decided your family's widget factory was now part of their turf.

yes, poor young masters steinbrenner, who worked so hard for what they have.

So do you agree that it was unethical for th Budfather to shake down the late Mr. Steinbrenner, who built the franchise to unrivaled success and profitability through his business acumen and all-around dedication? Or are you just hurling canards?

I think it's clear that Mr. Steinbrenner Sr. Would have had at least as much success in Kansas City. Maybe more.

Why he's a regular Donald Trump!

I think it's clear that Mr. Steinbrenner Sr. Would have had at least as much success in Kansas City. Maybe more.

More than David Glass? I'd bet my own small business on it. Lest one forget how the penurous, labor-hating Glass conducted business:

Glass became the interim CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Royals on September 23, 1993, following the death of the founding owner, Ewing Kauffman.[3] Under Glass' leadership, the board cut the payroll budget from $41 million to $19 million. During the Major League Baseball strike of 1994-1995, Glass opposed any settlement with the players' union without a salary cap, and supported the use of strike breaking "replacement" players, despite a court ruling that Major League owners were in violation of Federal labor laws.[4]

During his tenure as owner, Glass has been criticized for using the same cost-cutting management style of the Wal-Mart company with the Royals baseball team, resulting in large personal profits for himself but a poorly-performing team.[4] Glass' management is cited for transforming the Royals from a winning team in the 1980s to one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball during the 1990s and 2000s.[4][7]

Glass created a controversy on 9 June 2006 by revoking the press credentials of two reporters who had earlier asked pointed questions to Royals management.[8] The harsh move to avoid criticism infuriated many within the press and led to a backlash of articles that extended far beyond the Kansas City sports community.[9]

No wonder he's such a loyal Budshovik. He's Bud's idea owner, now that Cadaverous Carl Pohlad has gone to the great beyond. Say what you will about Mr. Steinbrenner, winning was always his priority.

YR, I know you have an issue, and it's your issue, but cherry-picking MCoA's post and willfully ignoring the actually relevant part is pretty sad.

What's particularly funny is that he changed his story pretty much not at all. The "mob shakedown" is, of course, a violent criminal action extremely similar to a mugging and not similar in any way to the functioning of a cartel.