“Make money money, go shopping… take money money, go shopping!” That’s a lyric from a rap song that, to me, best describes Major League Baseball today or, more specifically, the salary gaps between teams. It’s gotten… well, for lack of a better word, redonkulous.
We have athletes whose heads are so far deep in money, the dollar signs in their eyes are blocking their view of the ball.
Now, normally I don’t like to be disparaging to teams in my articles, but this is different. This is a rant. Meaning, I can say whatever the hell I want. So I do not hold my tongue when I say I despise the New York Yankees. Of course, they’re the greatest baseball team in the history of the Major Leagues. I won’t argue that. They’re one of the best sports franchises of all time. I won’t argue that. They know how to manage and develop consistently winning teams year after year. You got me there, Yanks. Well, you know what just isn’t fair? The amount of money you’re allowed to pay your players!
While all of our other major North American sports have wisely adopted a salary cap system, spending at free will still continues in baseball. Who does this benefit? The teams that generate the largest amount of revenue. The Yankees are no strangers to this of course, they fill their ballpark every game with fans, have a loaded owner by the name of George Steinbrenner, and various household names (for example, Derek Jeter) to attract attention. Of course they have money. Just how much, you wonder?
Let’s put this into perspective for you folks. In 2009, the New York Yankees dished off just under $200 million in change to their roster. Okay, that’s a crapload, obviously. But maybe it’s not a big deal if the other teams are forking over something similar. Well, compare them to the Florida Marlins. They were paying their roster roughly $36 million last season. Hmmm… So we have a difference of $164 million between teams. Is that fair? IS THAT JUST?! I’m ranting right now while Yankees players are probably bathing in their dollar bills!
It’s unreasonable to knock on the Yanks for this reason though. How can you blame them? They have the money to work with; of course they’re going to spend it. Small market clubs like the Marlins simply cannot compete with the dollars they throw around. Of course the Fish from Florida aren’t the only ones suffering. Feeble teams like the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates, who’ve had hopeless teams for the past several years are paying just a cut over $40 million to their respective teams. Spending less equals winning less. It’s a reality in sports.
The simple solution: put a salary cap on teams! The number to set it at is difficult; I’d suggest something like $90 or $100 million. As much as I love the baseball season, the MLB needs to even up the playing field. It’s not just the Yanks who are stealing though. Teams like the Mets, Cubs, and Red Sox shoot cash around like fourth graders shoot spitballs.
So brace yourself for an exciting MLB season. But think twice about the legitimacy if you see the Yankees holding the trophy for a second straight year, as my fellow esteemed sports writer Rob Myerson predicted.
