Brian Cash-man is at it again!

July 9, 2010

17:54:27

The beloved New York Yankees, winner of last year's World Series, should be renamed the New York Pirates.  I woke up this morning to news that the Yanks had a deal together that would send Cliff Lee to New York.  As if they don't have enough all-star players already on their roster.

In December of 2008, the 26-time chanps at the time, had to bounce back from another disappointing season.  CC Sabathia came to the Empire State for $161 million over seven years.  He came off of a 11-1 record to go along with a 1.65 ERA in 17 games with the Milwaukee Brewers.  Just a type-A pitcher wouldn't be enough.  Mark Teixeira joined in the same month for a mere $180 million over 8 years.  These two, Sabathia and Teixeira, were undoubtedly the best two available free agents.  Earlier, Alex Rodriguez received a 10-year extension in November 2007 worth $275 million.  Manny Ramirez was rumored to join the enemy as well.

How does one team afford such great players?  According to bizofbaseball.com, average ticket prices for a Yankee game increased 49.4% in 2009 from a year prior.  The opening of new Yankee Stadium added fuel to the fire.  The same stadium that cost $1.5 billion to built.  Most money came from the team while some was taken out of taxpayers' pockets.  Fans have even reported large concrete cracks throughout the grounds.  I forgot to mention that a decent seat literally costs an arm-and-a-leg, ranging from $500-$2500.  Concession stands rake in easy money also.  A basic hot dog is up near $8.  Who can get a hot dog without a drink?  A "Coke and a smile" will run you at least $5.  Sounds like a scam if you ask me.  On  the other hand, you can't blame the Yankees if people are willing to pay the price.

All of the efforts paid off for GM Brian Cashman as his team took the title.  It only cost him over $200 million in payroll to do so.  Now the relentless General Manager won't let up.  He's determined to grab the very same pitcher that shut down the Yanks during the World Series.  Cliff Lee is a proven left-hander who won 22-games with the Indians in 2008.  A free agent in the offseason, Lee could end up in a New York Pirates uniform even if he doesn't get traded here. 

Big business isn't on its way out of Yankee Stadium anytime in the near future.  The Baseball Almanac indicates that attendance for the Yankees is around 30% above the average for all other MLB teams.  True fans who can't afford a ticket will have to continue to watch the game on cable or read the newspaper.  This is why what the Yankees have done is bad for baseball.  Small market teams have little to no chance to compete.  They build home-grown players in their farm systems only to see them sign with the Yankees, Red Sox, or Mets.  You can't have a sport where the same couple of teams are the favorites to win every year.  It can kill the sport.

Let's hope the deal falls apart.  Commissioner "Bud Selig might also have an epiphany one day and decide that he won't let teams like the Yankees ruin America's favorite pastime.