The Cardinals begin Spring Training games in earnest today and I will be near a radio to take in all the sounds of the game. I will listen to every pitch of every inning until it is over. Yes, I am a baseball junkie!

Those that know me will say that I have some humor and I can find song lyrics for almost all occasions. Today we turn our attention to baseball songs. There has not been a ton of them written but those that we have are to be cherished. Here is a short list of some of my personal favorites.

• Centerfield – John Fogerty – This is a must to add to your playlist that will get you fired up for the game, there is no better song than John Fogerty’s American favorite Centerfield. The guitar is awesome and has a regular style beat to it that keeps you tapping your feet. Add to that the hoarse, gravel voice of Fogerty and we have a baseball classic. WANT to LISTEN to this classic while you read the rest of my blog then click here for a YouTube version.
• Load up the Bases – Whiskey Falls- Load up the Bases will add country rock music to your baseball list. This is country music by Whiskey Falls at its finest. Baseball and Country Music are just made for each other.
• The Greatest – Kenny Rogers- The Greatest is a song about a boy dreaming about being the greatest hitter of all-time. He touches everyone sense of  how much baseball means in everyones life.
• Cheap Seats – Alabama - All across the United States small parks are cleaning up their stadiums and getting ready for the start of something special in their area, baseball. Sometimes we don’t care where we sit at a game, we just want to be there and take in the surroundings. This songs pays tribute to Americana.
• A Perfect Day for Baseball – Jason Siemer – The interesting aspect of this song is that it brings back the warm and fuzzy thought associated with baseball. The great weather to get you gloves out and have that first day of playing catch and hitting pepper games. We reminisce about how the weather is perfect and there is not a care in the world!

Baseball transcends politics, weather, religion and other issues of the world. Almost everyone can talk baseball and have a good time attend a game. Doesn’t matter if it is a Major League park or a Minor League diamond across America, baseball is America’s Pastime.

Later this week I will add blog about some of the greatest BASEBALL POETRY ever written.

PLAY BALL!

 

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Ooooh that smell
Can’t you smell that smell
Ooooh that smell

Those are the words from a Lynard Skynard song and they sum up my thoughts very succinctly concerning baseball and Spring Training. There is a certain feel about it. A certain mindset takes place when thinking,watching or listening to the Boys of Summer (not the band but the baseball players)  come back for Spring Training.

Ahh, yes! Baseball season has finally arrived and every fan from two-years old to one hundred and two are donning their favorite team`s baseball hat and heading for the park or stadium to take in the enjoyment of the great game of baseball.

When Spring comes so does baseball Spring Training.  Spring training is a time for major league teams to let rookies or new players audition for a spot on the team`s roster and let the existing players on the team practice and get ready for the upcoming season.

Spring training is held in warm climate areas such as Florida and Arizona as-well as other places. Many of the teams today have been taking part in spring training in the very same areas for many decades. A good example of this is the Los Angeles Dodgers who from 1953 ” 2008 had been holding their spring training operations at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. The Dodgers moved their spring training camp to Glendale, Arizona in 2008 due to a very lucrative offer from the newly built Camelback Ranchfacility there in Glendale, Arizona.

Spring training normally lasts around two months with the pitchers and catchers being the two positions to arrive to spring training first followed by the other players. Pitchers need to have a longer duration to get ready for the season because pitchers really have a more exhausting position to train for. After the rest of the team arrives, the practice begins.

Spring training consists of many exhibition or practice games and gives teams managers a chance to evaluate players for certain positions and to make the final cut for the team. It also gives the local community a connection with not only Major League baseball but the team itself. Many fans make it a point to travel to spring training to watch their home team practice, meet players, get autographs and sort of begin the upcoming baseball season early. Also, many college students hold their spring break at various cities that are having spring training.

The forward movement of the season of spring comes the season of baseball. The season of baseball in spring has the essence of the smell of fresh blooming flowers, freshly cut grass, and warm summer like temperatures coming with it.

(REPRINTED from HERE)

Bought your MLB package yet? Just do it! This is an awesome present for a baseball fanatic!  Order MLB-TV here .

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We always are talking about the offense some teams generate or the way the pitchers dominant teams so let’s look at the different baseball parks and analyze.

Here is what I perceive as hitters parks and pitchers parks and then we will check the second list for a more detailed, stat-oriented approach to the idea.

Pitchers Park - Meaning that the ballpark is great for pitching

Pitcher-friendly – Generally favorable to defense

Neutral – Neither pitchers or batters are favored

Hitter-friendly – Less forgiving to pitchers than to batters.

Hitters Park – The ballpark is a haven for batting

 

Pitcher Friendly

• Oakland-Alameda Coliseum
• Kauffman Stadium
• US Cellular
• PNC Park
• Citi Field
• Joe Robbie Stadium
• Turner Field

Pitchers Park

• Safeco Field – Pitchers Park
• Comerica Park – Pitchers Park
• Petco Park – Pitchers Park
• Nationals Park – Pitchers Park

 

Neutral

• Angel Stadium
• AT&T

Hitter Friendly

• The Ballpark in Arlington
• Metrodome
• Progressive
• SkyDome
• Tropicana Field
• Chase Field
• Busch Stadium
• Great American Ballpark

Hitters Park

• Coors Field
• Minute Maid
• Wrigley Field
• Miller Park
• Camden Yards
• Fenway
• Yankee Stadium

 

Below are the rankings of “hitter’s parks”, home teams and their rankings in runs scored.

1. Rangers Ballpark (Texas Rangers #1-AL) 1.142

2. Chase Field (Arizona D’backs #10-NL) 1.135

3. Coors Field (Colorado Rockies #8-NL ) 1.126

4. U.S. Cellular Field (Chicago White Sox #5-AL) 1.122

5. Fenway Park (Boston, Massachusetts #2-AL) 1.077

6. Comerica Park (Detroit Tigers #4-AL) 1.077

7. Great American (Cincinnati Reds #12-NL) 1.069

8. Wrigley Field (ChicagoCubs #1-NL) 1.068

9. Turner Field (Atlanta Braves #6-NL) 1.063

10. Camden Yards (Baltimore Orioles #8-AL) 1.051

11. AT&T Park (San Francisco, California #15-NL) 1.045

12. Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees #7-AL) 1.04

13. Nationals Park (Washington Nationals #14-NL) 1.038

14. Minute Maid Park (Houston Astros #11-NL) 1.036

15. Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia Phillies #2-NL) 1.029

16. Angel Stadium (California Angels #10-AL) 1.017
Ok, the list above does not entirely match the first list. Why? Because I gave my opinion in the first list of parks and the second was some stats to them. Proves I am not always right. (Hope my wife doesn’t read this blog today).

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Snow on da’ ground…..snow on da’ ground….. Drivin’ like a fool wit da’ snow on the ground….look at ya now – car spinnin ’round…..drivin like a fool wit da’ snow on Da ground!!!… Slow it down ..

We had more snow last night but I am smiling today. This is from a guy that dislikes snow. The smile is because I am getting ready to attend Spring Training in Florida.

No snow there. Nice and comfortable, sunny Jupiter Florida will be a nice break from the white stuff. I am also attending games in Viera and possibly Port St Lucie, Florida.

Why Spring Training?

There is nothing as magical as spring training for a northern baseball fan: that sudden rush of warm air when departing from the three-hour airplane ride, the realization for the carbound that the snowline is firmly in the rear-view mirror and the outside temperature is fast approaching short-sleeve territory.

Spring training is almost as old as baseball itself. The best evidence points to spring training first taking place in 1870, when the Cincinnati Red Stockings and the Chicago White Stockings held organized baseball camps in New Orleans. Other baseball historians argue that the Washington Capitals of the National League pioneered spring training in 1888, holding a four-day camp in Jacksonville.

The specific origins really don’t matter. By 1900, spring-training was firmly established as a baseball ritual, with most American and National League teams heading out of town so players could train and managers could evaluate. Small Florida and Arizona communities were suddenly known across the nation because of the allure provided by major-league baseball. St. Petersburg. Fort Lauderdale. Tucson. Sarasota. Bradenton.

The previous words came from Spring Training Online and they are very true. Magical and comforting.

On another note, I am considering making the 9 hour drive to Memphis to catch a minor league game. Anyone been there and can give me some advice for my trip?

QUICK REMINDER:

MLB Network 2011 Spring Training Game Schedule

All times Eastern. STARTS TOMORROW

Sat., Feb. 26 1pm Philadelphia Phillies at New York Yankees
Sat., Feb. 26 11pm (td) Colorado Rockies at Arizona D-backs

 

Enjoy the snow.

 

 

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Check out my previous National League Central Preview.

American League Central

The Chicago White Sox look poised to regain the American League Central Division. The signing of Adam Dunn and his dingers coupled with the return play of Paul Konerko, puts manager Ozzie Guillen’s team back in the saddle again. Add to the mix Carlos Quentin, Akex Rios and Alexei Ramirez and there is a potent line-up.

The rotation smacks of veteran presence with Mark Buehrle, Jake Peavy, Gavin Floyd, John Danks and Edwin Jackson. The bullpen is the biggest question mark they have going into 2011 with the loss of Bobby Jenks and the closer role handed over to inexperienced Matt Thornton and his 17 career saves.

2011 Prediction: 92-70, 1^st place

The Minnesota Twins return some valuable commodities from the injury list for 2011. Back to close game will be Joe Nathan from Tommy John surgery and a full year of Matt Capps makes this bullpen formidable again. Jon Rauch performed well last year but the whole gang makes them eons better.

The return of Jim Thome leads an offensive explosion that is aided by a healthy Justin Morneau and ever consistent Joe Mauer. Look for an even better breakout year for Delmon Young for this team to be on fire.

The pitching staff is banking on Francisco Liriano to continue as ace material but then they fall off rapidly with Carl Pavano, Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey and Brian Duensing. This team will struggle to get games to the closer many times.

2011 Prediction: 86-76, 2^nd place

Manager Jim Leyland has struggled now for over 4 years trying to put a competitive team on the field for the Detroit Tigers. On paper they have a very good offensive team. Victor Martinez may be the key to scoring some runs this year. Add in Miguel Cabrera, if he stays away from legal issues, with Jhonny Peralta, slugger Ryan Raburn and Austin Jackson and tis has lots of power and the ability to drive in runs.

The ace of the pitching staff is left in the hands of Justin Verlander. He is definitely capable of handling those duties and will be followed by Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer. Brad Penny is added to this staff but they are not a top of the line rotation. In the bullpen we have fire-baller Joel Zumaya and Jose Valverde that can man late inning situations. Joaquin Benoit was a solid add to the team and lefty Phil Coke provides help from that side of the pitching mound.

2011 Prediction: 80-82, 3^rd place

This is the year the Kansas City Royals break out of last place. Not much better than the fifth place team but they qualify slightly. Joakim Soria is the only household baseball name left in a Royals uniform. Offensive starts with Billy Butler and trends quickly downward to Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur. This team lacks many quality players to ever be taken seriously. Saving grace for them is that they have been proclaimed to have the best prospects in the Minor Leagues.

2011 Prediction: 70-92, 4^th place

Yes, I do believe there is a team worse than the Royals. It is the Cleveland Indians. They have shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera and….. I can’t really find any more.

The pitching rotation is one weak starter in Fausto Carmona  and then a group of Class AAAA pitchers of Mitch Talbot, Justin Masterson and Jensen Lewis. The bullpen has Chris Perez as closer and then more of the same, players that would never make most Major League rosters. This is one very weak team.

2011 Prediction: 63-99, 5th place

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Cincinnati Reds

Looking back at 2010- They finished in 1^st place with a 91-71 record. They led the league in runs scored at 4.88 per game and allowed 4.23 for 7^th in the National League.

Who did they lose? Orlando Cabrera is gone at shortstop along with long-time pitcher Aaron Harang. They also lost part-time outfielder Jim Edmonds.

Who did they add? Edgar Renteria is their new shortstop as he leaves the World Champion SF Giants.

What would it take for them to win? Another season like 2010 where almost all the players had career years is the way to win it again. They return most of their position starters. Joey Votto came into his own and if he is really that good, the Reds are back in the saddle. Don’t forget the $50M contract Jay Bruce signed after having a great second half of the season. Also, the young pitching is top notch.

Why they won’t win. I have to believe that the weakest part of this team is Dusty Baker as manager. Will he overuse his pitchers the way he did Mark Prior? If Dusty pushes these young pitchers, then August could be dog days in Ohio.

Keep an eye on: Scott Rolen is a great arm with a gold glove and he is a catalyst when going well. I have to believe he is not a cleanup hitter for this team. If Dusty Baker moves Bruce to bat behind Votto, then the team is better off.

2011 Prediction: 93-69, 1^st place

Milwaukee Brewers

Looking back at 2010- The Brewers finished in 3^rd place behind the Reds and Cardinals with a 77-85 record. They scored an average of 4.63 runs per game for fourth in the NL and allowed 4.96 for 14^th spot in the National League.

Who did they lose? All-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain and Dave Bush are all gone.

Who did they add? The loaded up on starting pitching with starters Zack Greinke, Shawn Marcum, reliever Takashi Saito and infielder Yuniesky Betancourt and outfielder Mark Kotsay.

What would it take for them to win? This team can hit and they can score runs in bunches. The top of the order can mash the ball. They have the potential for Rickie weeks, Casey McGehee, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Corey Hart to hit 25 homers each. They improved their pitching from 2010 as it was near the bottom in almost all the categories. A new manager, Ron Roenicke , can have a positive effect on a team for quite some time. Look for the Brewers to finally steal some bases.

Why they won’t win. There simply is no depth to this team. They traded away their future in the off-season and if injuries bite them, they will have to go outside the organization in an attempt to find replacements.  Shortstop is a black hole. Betancourt is not good and you may see 40 year old Craig Counsell manning that spot most of the year.

Keep an eye on: Speedster Carlos Gomez may be primed for a breakout season. He has the tools.

2011 Prediction: 90-72, 2nd place, NL Wildcard

St. Louis Cardinals

Looking back at 2010- The Cardinals finished in 2^nd place 86-76 which was 5 games behind the Reds. The scored 4.54 runs per game for 6^th in the National League and allowed 3.96 for 5^th in the NL..

Who did they lose? Ryan Ludwick was traded at mid-season and Brendan Ryan was traded in the off-season. Felipe Lopez was released before the season ended.

Who did they add? At mid-season they added Jake Westbrook to the starting corps and in the off-season, Lance Berkman, Ryan Theriot, Gerald Laird and Nick Punto came onboard.

What would it take for them to win? More Albert Pujols would help along with a rejuvenated Lance Berkman would equal success for the Cardinals. If Colby Rasmus fulfills his expectations and the rotation comes together that means wins for the team. Yadier Molina needs some rest during the season to be prepared for any post-season.

Why they won’t win. Adam Wainwright is experiencing ligament issues in his pitching elbow and has become a Tommy John surgery candidate. This is a big blow to lose a 20 game winner.  The Cardinals have one of the best 3-4 hitters but once the lineup gets past 5 the team gets much worse on offense.

Keep an eye on: Lance Berkman returning to his Astros offensive output and Colby Rasmus getting on base and a steal or two.

2011 Prediction: 85-77, 3rd Place

Chicago Cubs

Looking back at 2010- The Cubs finished 16 games behind the league leader with a 75-87 record for 5^th place in the National League Central.  They average 4.23 runs per game which were 10^th the National League and they allowed their opponents to score 4.73 runs per game.

Who did they lose? The Cubs lost 3 players at mid-season last year in Derrek Lee, Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot. In the off-season they lost Xavier Nady and Tom Gorzelanny.

Who did they add? They added starting pitcher Matt Garza, relief pitcher Kerry Wood, first baseman Carlos Pena and added Blake DeWitt at mid-season last year.

What would it take for them to win? A continued bounce back from Carlos Zambrano after his horrid start last year would be a good starting point. After he returned he had a 1.41 ERA and went 8-0 to finish the year. A good season from new acquisition Matt Garza helps make the rotation good in starters 1-5. Opening day starter Ryan Dempster has given the Cubs three straight 200 quality innings and if he continues the Cubs fortunes improve.

Why won’t they win. Age. Too many players in their declining years usually means it can go either way. Alfonso Soriano hit just .250 in the last few years at $18M a year and Aramis Ramirez had his worst numbers as a Cub player. Wrigley Field is one that could be kind to Carlos Pena but he is just a shell of himself when he rocked In 2007.

Keep an eye on: Tyler Colvin had about 400 appearances at the plate and smacked 20 home runs. He needs to be in the line-up as much as possible. Starlin Castro hitting .300 was a definite bonus but like most young players he needs to solidify his defense a bit as he had 27 errors in 2010. Castro has to work on the throwing errors for the most past.

2011 Prediction: 4^th place 78-84

Houston Astros

Looking back at 2010- The Astros slipped into 4^th place at the end of the season. They had a 76-86 record and finished 15 games behind the Reds. Their offense was dismal at 3.77 runs per game which made them 15^th in the NL and they allowed 4.5 runs for 11^th in the NL.

Who did they lose? They had two mid-season losses in Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman. Both were jettisoned out of Houston to help acquire some young talent.

Who did they add? They added starting pitcher mid-year with the acquisition of J.A. Happ and they signed Bill Hall to patrol some outfield for them.

What would it take for them to win? Lead-off hitter Michael Bourn needs to increase his on-base percentage and he needs to continue to steal bases. If they can get 25 home runs from Hunter Pence again this year they are in the plus zone. Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers make for a good 1-2 punch but they have to get 200 innings out of them to be successful. Carlos Lee must return to form.

Why they won’t win. Carlos Lee in big decline and with a very hefty contract makes for bad baseball. A full year without Roy Oswalt on the mound and Lance Berkman will hurt. Bill Hall isn’t going to replace anyone on this team, he is just going to add to the below “average-ness” of the Astros.

Keep an eye on: Roy Oswalt may be replaceable by former Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ. He has post-season experience and in 2009 was second in Rookie of the Year voting.

2011 Prediction: 68-94, 5th Place

Pittsburgh Pirates

Looking back at 2010- They are a dismal 57-105 for last place in the NL Central. They finished last in runs scored at 3.62 per game and also last in runs allowed at a whopping 5.35 per game.

Who did they lose? Zack Duke, Lastings Milledge, Andy LaRoche and Delwyn Young all are gone for the Pirates.

Who did they add? Kevin Correia, Lyle Overbay, Matt Diaz, Chris Snyder and Scott Olsen all are added to strengthen the team.

Looking back at 2010? They need all the other teams to quit soon after the season begins. They have one of the best young players in the game in Andrew McCutchen. That translates into trading him very soon. Joe Tabata is a good outfielder and Neil Walker can be a surprise for this team.

Why they won’t win. Because they are the Pirates. The pitching is tremendously horrible. Can you name their ace? He finished last in ERA and WHIP among those that qualified. The team will allow tons of runs. Oh, the ace is Paul Maholm.

Keep an eye on: The development of McCutchen might be the only bright spot.

2011 Prediction: 62-100, Last Place

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To quote Pat Benatar:

Well you’re the real tough cookie with the long history
Of breaking little hearts, like the one in me
That’s O.K., lets see how you do it
Put up your dukes, lets get down to it!
Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Why Don’t You Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Fire Away!

You come on with a come on, you don’t fight fair
But that’s O.K., see if I care!
Knock me down, it’s all in vain
I’ll get right back on my feet again!

Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Why Don’t You Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Fire Away!

I am going to give you a chance to beat me out of a job. Yes, it is a sweeet one. It is with Major League Baseball. Now how cool is that?

I received an email from them and I am offering up a snippet for you.

The winner of this Dream Job will move to NYC to star in a baseball web series and be a part of a live interactive experience for baseball fans that will include watching every MLB game while they’re happening over the course of the entire baseball season and Postseason, blogging opinions, interacting with fans through social media and appearing in video blogs.  The web series will be distributed on MLB.com and through social media outlets.

The winner will be a person who:

o   has an encyclopedic knowledge of the entire league

o   entertaining personality

o   unique writing style and voice

o   a sense of humor

o   be comfortable in front of a camera

o   and most importantly, love baseball

So allow me to point how I am the best candidate for that job.

Encyclopedic baseball mind of the leagues- oh yeah, that is me. I offer up information to my adult kids and others at all times. I watch baseball all the time. I write baseball everyday and I read 30-40 blogs per day. As a member of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance and the United Cardinal Bloggers I am attached to baseball all the time.

I am glad I live in this time for the simple reason that I wouldn’t want to be known for the quote by Rogers Hornsby, “People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” I can live it year round.

Encyclopedic mind: check

#2 Entertaining personality- I got myself covered there, too. Just go back and ask many of my students about that topic. I love to be with people and don’t know a stranger. After 37 years of marriage, my wife still knows when we go to the mall that I am going to talk to every person wearing Cardinal gear. That’s me.

Entertaining personality- Check. Score: Me 2  You 0

#3- Unique writing style and voice- I can only claim a half a point in this category. I can definitely write any style needed. I probably taught many of them. I can do research and cite the source correctly. Can you? But the voice is nothing special. Wait, let me try my Sam Elliott impersonation. Nah, didn’t work, my voice doesn’t go that low. Just an ordinary voice that has spoken millions of words.

Score: Me 2.5   You 0.5

#4- Sense of humor: I can out-fun you, out joke you all day every day. Humor was a big part of my classroom for 34 years. Love to find the fun aspect of all the things I am involved in. Mark Twain wrote, “Humor is the great thing, the saving thing.  The minute it crops up, all our irritation and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place.”

Humor: Check. New Score: Me 3.5   You 0.5

#5- Be comfortable in front of a camera- That is me. Bet you didn’t know that my degree in college is Radio and Television. Yep, it is. But my wife was a teacher and it fit best for our lifestyle to have the same time off and then when kids came into our life, we could vacation together. I don’t regret that move at all. Cameras are not a bother to me.

Do I need to keep the scoreboard up and running? I am ahead.

#6- love baseball- Without a doubt I do this. But not to short change you, there are many passionate fans that share the same love as I do for the game of baseball. I started when I was 16 years old driving my two friends (I just made that sound like I only had two friends, didn’t I?)  3 hours away on weekends to watch baseball and have been doing that ever since.

So this was light-hearted. I hope I didn’t demean you in any way. In fact I am such a good guy (Leo Durocher said good guys finish last) that I am going to give you the URL so that you may apply. Who knows, there may be tons of baseball fans that are better than I am. You can find that information at the end of this blog. My last parting words are that I enjoy retirement. In fact, I have not found anything that I don’t like about it. I could just as easily watch baseball for MLB in NYC as I do in Central Illinois.

Job information: Fans can apply online at http://mlb.com/dreamjob/.

Good Luck.

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It is time to make an early prediction for each division. I have a purely unscientific method of choosing these standings and the wins and losses for each team. I will revisit this each month and adjust them as the season progresses and as teams make additions and subtractions from their rosters. For comparison purposes you might check this post.

American League East

Red Sox              97            65

Yankees              93            69

Rays                     84            78

Blue Jays            77            85

Orioles                75            87

American League Central

Twins                    85            77

White Sox           83            79

Tigers                    81            81

Royals                   70           92

Indians                  66           96

American League West

Rangers            92               70

Angels               86               76

Athletics           79               83

Mariners          70               92

National League East

Phillies            95                67

Braves             87                75

Mets                 80                82

Nationals       77               85

Marlins           74              88

National League Central

Cardinals            89             73

Reds                      87            75

Brewers               85             77

Cubs                      76             86

Astros                  68              94

Pirates                 67              95

National League West

Giants                    87           75

Rockies                 84           78

Dodgers               82             82

Padres                   81            83

Diamondbacks  68            94

Where did I miss it? Hit me with your best shot.

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The trade by the Denver Nuggets of Carmelo Anthony brings me to the point that this is bad for sports. Couple pf points about the NBA and then I promise to bring it back to Major League Baseball. To allow “stars” to congregate together on just a few teams is bad business. Do you think the Nuggets will ever have another star? Only if he blossoms there. but he will soon escape to the big market teams and the lure of advertising opportunities and championships.

I think MLB needs a salary cap, or something that helps balance the talent among the teams.

What is a salary cap?

A salary cap is a limit on the amount of money each team can spend to fill its roster, therefore requiring the team to work within a set budget as it adds each player. It is not rare for sports associations to have to work within monetary constraints: both the National Football League and the National Basketball Association have salary caps. It is a way of helping to ensure fairness so that the competition between the different teams remains intense and interesting instead of having one or two wealthier teams dominate and consistently win.

The league does have the “luxury tax” rule that requires some revenue sharing to better balance the owners income that can be used for signing players. However, it’s never worked as projected as an alternative to an annually fixed salary cap like the NFL uses.

All MLB owners are millionaires or billionaires, so it’s difficult to feel sorry for the ones that can’t or won’t spend as much.

The owners willing to spend the big money can still sign the proven free agents and pack their team with all stars and higher quality players. You don’t have to look any farther than the AL East to see how that is working.

I think this disparity in how much money teams spend has a detrimental affect on the game. Lower tier teams are less likely to spend resources developing minor league talent, since they know they’ll only get a few years production from the guys before losing them as free agents to a team that has the big bucks.

So what we see is owners staffing their core teams with average to mediocre players, then trying to sign two or three stars to make the teams competitive with the Yankees and Red Sox. It might work for a year or two, but it’s not a good way to build a consistent winning team.

What are your thoughts on this?

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