Post by sharksrog on Dec 14, 2012 14:00:54 GMT -5
Yes, the Dodgers are spending more money on salaries than any team in history. They have exceeded $200 million and supplanted the Yankees.
But that isn't what should make them most feared. They should be most feared because of their plan to STOP spending the most money.
Shrouded behind the huge salaries the Dodgers are paying is their revitalization of their scouting department, especially internationally. The Dodgers are spending huge free agency money to build up their roster, but their long-term plan is to do it the old-fashioned way: from within.
That strategy has worked efficiently for teams such as the Giants, Nationals and Rays. The strategy is becoming more and more widespread. Draft, develop, then fill in holes with free agent signings.
Whereas once about three out of four good free agents hit the free agent market, now it's only about one out of four.
Tim Lincecum probably will hit the free agency market, but the Giants locked up Matt Cain ahead of time. They have already locked Madison Bumgarner up, and probably would have done the same with Pablo Sandoval if not for the weight issue. They signed Ryan Vogelsong.
Do you think they will allow Buster Posey to become a free agent? How about Brandon Belt, if he does what they expect? Sergio Romo, if Sergio stays healthy and effective? They are already said to be exploring a multi-year deal with Santiago Casilla.
Teams are building less and less with free agents. As they do so, the pool of free agents dwindles in quantity and shrivels in quality.
That means the free agents who DO hit the market become more and more overpriced. The largest contract -- with a higher annual value than any previous multi-year pitching contract -- went to a pitcher whose ERA has been below 3.44 only once in his career.
(By comparison, Tim Lincecum has had four, Matt Cain each of the last four seasons, Madison Bumgarner each of the last three, and Ryan Vogelsong each of the past two.)
The New Wave is drafting, developing and retaining. The Dodgers are a huge exception, but only temporarily.
That is what makes them all the more worrisome. Right now they're trying hard to build a winning team. In the future they plan to do so from within -- without trying so hard or so desperately.
But that isn't what should make them most feared. They should be most feared because of their plan to STOP spending the most money.
Shrouded behind the huge salaries the Dodgers are paying is their revitalization of their scouting department, especially internationally. The Dodgers are spending huge free agency money to build up their roster, but their long-term plan is to do it the old-fashioned way: from within.
That strategy has worked efficiently for teams such as the Giants, Nationals and Rays. The strategy is becoming more and more widespread. Draft, develop, then fill in holes with free agent signings.
Whereas once about three out of four good free agents hit the free agent market, now it's only about one out of four.
Tim Lincecum probably will hit the free agency market, but the Giants locked up Matt Cain ahead of time. They have already locked Madison Bumgarner up, and probably would have done the same with Pablo Sandoval if not for the weight issue. They signed Ryan Vogelsong.
Do you think they will allow Buster Posey to become a free agent? How about Brandon Belt, if he does what they expect? Sergio Romo, if Sergio stays healthy and effective? They are already said to be exploring a multi-year deal with Santiago Casilla.
Teams are building less and less with free agents. As they do so, the pool of free agents dwindles in quantity and shrivels in quality.
That means the free agents who DO hit the market become more and more overpriced. The largest contract -- with a higher annual value than any previous multi-year pitching contract -- went to a pitcher whose ERA has been below 3.44 only once in his career.
(By comparison, Tim Lincecum has had four, Matt Cain each of the last four seasons, Madison Bumgarner each of the last three, and Ryan Vogelsong each of the past two.)
The New Wave is drafting, developing and retaining. The Dodgers are a huge exception, but only temporarily.
That is what makes them all the more worrisome. Right now they're trying hard to build a winning team. In the future they plan to do so from within -- without trying so hard or so desperately.