Marlins 2009 -- Most Bang for the Buck

Here is an an analysis I did last fall -- measuring team salary divided by wins -- what teams got the most bang for their buck, as it were. The Yankees won the World Series of course, so their fans are not complaining, but the Mets, Cubs and Astros -- those general managers should be fired for the miserable performance after they spent all that money:
Team 2009 payroll 2009 victories Cost per Victory
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Marlins $36,834,000 87 $423,379.31
Padres $43,734,200 75 $583,122.67
Twins $65,299,266 87 $750,566.28
Rays $63,313,034 84 $753,726.60
Rangers $68,178,798 87 $783,664.34
Pirates $48,693,000 62 $785,370.97
Rockies $75,201,000 92 $817,402.17
Athletics $62,310,000 75 $830,800
Cards $77,605,109 91 $852,803.40
Giants $82,616,450 88 $938,823.30
Reds $73,558,500 78 $943,057.69
Brewers $80,182,502 80 $1,002,281.28
Nats $60,328,000 59 $1,022,508.47
Orioles $67,101,666 64 $1,048,463.53
Dbacks $73,516,666 70 $1,050,238.09
Dodgers $100,414,592 95 $1,056,995.71
Blue Jays $80,538,300 75 $1,073,844
Royals $70,519,333 65 $1,084,912.82
Braves $96,726,166 86 $1,124,722.86
Mariners $98,904,166 85 $1,163,578.42
Angels $113,709,000 97 $1,172,257.73
Phillies $113,004,046 93 $1,215,097.27
Chi Sox $96,068,500 79 $1,216,056.96
Indians $81,579,166 65 $1,255,064.09
Red Sox $121,745,999 95 $1,281,536.83
Tigers $115,085,145 86 $1,338,199.36
Astros $102,996,414 74 $1,391,843.43
Cubs $134,809,000 83 $1,624,204.82
Yankees $201,449,189 103 $1,955,817.37
Mets $149,373,987 70 $2,133,914.10

The Last World Series Moment at Yankee Stadium

This Week in Baseball just gave highlights of the great moments at Yankee Stadium, including the Aaron Boone home run that sent the Yanks to the World Series in 2003. The program did NOT present any highlights of that Series. But we Marlins fans have etched in our memories that final play in that World Series, Josh Beckett celebrating, thrusting his arms skyward.

Why George Steinbrenner Should Be in the Hall of Fame

There's a big push on, you know. My buddy French is outraged. He looks only at the negatives. Twice banned from baseball -- once in 1974 for two years for a felony conviction on illegal campaign contributions, the other time in 1990 when he was suspended for life for paying a small-time gambler $40,000 to get "the dirt" on Winfield, after Winfield complained The Boss failed to deliver on a promis to give $300,000 to Winfield's foundation. What French argues is that George is best known basically for firing Billy Martin (five times) and for spending a lot of money on ball players. In his first 23 seasons, George fired managers 20 times.

But now let's look at the positives. Ronald Reagan pardoned George (all he did was make illegal contributions to Republicans, and what's wrong with that?) and the suspension "for life" lasted a mere three years, because ballball loves him so.

The real reason George belongs in the Hall of Fame is because -- yes! yes! yes! -- of all the money he spent. Underlying the money is how incompetent George is with that money. When you're spending twice as much money as most contenders -- and 10 times what the Marlins pay -- the Yanks should be winning World Series every year. But look at his record.

From the time that Ruth arrived as a gift from the Red Sox, the Yankees have been regular champions. From 1923 to 1962, the longest they went without a World Series was a mere four years. Then arrived the CBS ownership and George (in 1973)... and the Yankees went a record 15 years -- 1962 to 1977 without a World Series victory. Free agency arrived in 1975, when the big pocket book of the Yankees could really made a difference. But after titles in 1977 and 1978 -- an astonishing 18 years went by under George without a World Series title. Now, he's in the midst of a seven-year drought -- and counting. This year he's still struggling to catch up to the lowly team formerly known as the Devil Rays, which must cause great suffering, since he lives in Tampa. (Have a little sympathy!)

For George to give so much money to needy baseball players is indeed a reason to be in the Hall. He has justified today's system in which poor small market teams (Kansas City, Pittsburgh) have very little chance. If he had been competent and the Yanks had rolled to title after title, baseball probably would have to revamp. But every once in a while (think 2003) a small market team with a payroll a fraction of the Yankees) wins .. and that continues to justifiy the system. And so, for his utter incompetence to spend dollars to get titles, I hearby nominate for the Hall of Fame, George ... well, on second thought, forget it...

Damn Yankees

Saw the Marlins for the first time this year Saturday night -- Section 451, row 6 -- love that view, too bad those seats aren't available often ... Of course, being a Marlins fan, I'm used to the other team's fans dominating the game.... The plus was Volstad looked sharp... The minus was that sickening crash of De Aza in left center in the top of ninth, not only losing the game but also (once again?) a highly talented young guy who was out much of last year .... And today's Herald gives a roster payroll of $17 million -- by far the lowest in the majors ... geez.....

Mr. Optober and the Profitable Marlins

From French:
I saw the article in the Times about negotiating strategies that seemed to say that ARod and the yankees still may get together. Somehow I doubt that--the next generation Steinbrenners probably don't want to begin their tenure by backing down to the selfish and unloved superstar...
In fairness, I should say that I read a really interesting article in some on-line offshoot of Fortune that discussed the Yankees based mostly on the financial data the Yanks had to publish as part of their bond offering for the new stadium. The conclusion was that the Yanks will be rolling in dough once the new stadium is up and running, and $30+ million is not at all unreasonable.

I agree with you that in terms of what he's been quoted as saying, he's over-reaching--why sign someone to a 10 year deal because in 7-8 years he might be going for some big and famous records?-- and announcing during the WS probably means that Selig's minions are working the phones behind the scenes to try to keep some owner from doing something really egregious. Of course, Selig seems less adept at that than Ueberroth was.

But the columnists I read (espn, cnnsi, fox sports for Rosenthal) aren't saying anything about the possibility that ARod has painted himself into a corner... If anything, their consensus seems to be that Boras had a deal pretty close to in place before ARod opted out (I love his new nickname--Mr. Optober), citing JD Drew's experience last year. Of course, those guys have to write something, and there's not all that much to write between now and February. But no one is writing articles about why ARod may be headed to Japan ...

The good part of all this is that Lowell will get a bunch more money than he might have otherwise. Good for him.

On the Marlins: In addition to being one of 3 teams to win multiple WS sin '97, they are (according to Forbes) the most profitable franchise in MLB.

Who Wants A-Rod?

This from Saturday Night Live: "A-Rod declared for free-agency, looking for a team with a lot of money that wants to lose."

Did Girardi Ruin Young Arms, Etc.?

First this from the NYT: "Another note of caution is Girardi’s handling of young pitchers. Three rookies from his Florida rotation — Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco and Aníbal Sánchez — sustained major arm injuries last season. Cashman was not specific, but he said he was “very comfortable with the knowledge of what went on in Florida.”

And now this from Herald: Mark Wiley comes back as pitching coach. "Wiley, 58, is hoping he can restore some of the glory to Willis, who has been in decline the past two seasons.''There are a lot of different things that can happen to lead to [a slump],'' Wiley said. ``There is a certain strength that Dontrelle has to have to perform at his best, and I think at some times, there were certain parts of the strike zone that he didn't command as well as he did in that year where he won all those games.''

Did Girardi ruin some young arms? Why is Dontrelle now so bad? Did he ruin himself last year by pitching in that spring World Classic? He hasn't been the same since... There are mysteries to pitching I don't understand...

A-Rod: A Star in Decline

Orlando sez: Well, I didnt get the path right, but I got the destination, Boston (though I admit Yanks had been my first choice). ARod might be the player he is anywhere, but he'll never be as big a star, because no profile is as high as being a yankee.

Now it's time to turn off the TV till after the superbowl.

DON'T TRADE MIGGY: One Fan's View

Ronnie sez: At 24, Miguel Cabrera is already putting up daunting numbers -- averaging 32 HR, 115 RBI and batting .318 over the last four years. He also has been incredibly clutch, hitting a game winning HR in his first game. And who can forget his 2-run shot to right just after the brush-back pitch from Clemens in the '03 World Series? He is the most feared hitter in our lineup, making everyone else that much better. When Miggy enters the Hall of Fame, he should do so as the first Marlin so honored.

Yet talk is building about the possibility of moving Miggy. If the Marlins do move him, they should only do so for the highest of returns. Trade him to the Yankees? Only if you get back Melky Cabrera, Joba Chamberlain AND Phil Hughes. The Yankees may scoff at such an offer. So be it. The Marlins are in a position of strength. You only move a future Hall of Famer if you get the highest quality in return. So: Don't trade No. 24.

Young Marlins Getting Respect

Ronnie sez: In today's Palm Beach Post, columnist Charles Elmore has a razor-sharp take on the Yankees' decision to let A-Rod go and to hire Joe Girardi as manager. In the body of this terrific column, Elmore cites telling information while contrasting the Fish with the Yanks. To wit: "The Yankees rank 27th out of 30 teams for talent under 29 years old, according to the 'Bill James Handbook 2008' to be released Thursday. The baseball analyst, rating players statistically on runs created and runs allowed, pegged Hanley Ramirez of the Marlins No. 2 and Miguel Cabrera 13th on the top 25 young players in the league. The aging Yankees placed no one in the top 25."