Yankees interested in Zambrano?

[cherp]

<!--quoteo(post=72829:date=Dec 23 2009, 02:00 AM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Dec 23 2009, 02:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Well, this chart shows that Boston did outspend us, averaging 145 mil to our 115 mil. They also averaged the 2nd most victories in baseball over than period, while we played .500 ball (actually, one game over .500).<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


Just for payroll. Add in posting fees for Dice K and money spent on scouting and the minors...that's a freaking boatload more....

<!--quoteo(post=72829:date=Dec 23 2009, 02:00 AM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Dec 23 2009, 02:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Then last year, we outspent them by a good margin and totaled 83 wins. Not one, but TWO games over .500!
The Red Sox won 95.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I disagree that the Cubs outspent the Red Sox when you include all spending. But none-the-less this is only one season, and the Cubs performance was specifically tied to the performance of a few players making a ton of money, who were worth it recently but did not deliver to it in 2009.


<!--quoteo(post=72829:date=Dec 23 2009, 02:00 AM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Dec 23 2009, 02:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Are you going to seriously argue that we spend our payroll dollars more intelligently than the Red Sox? Or deny that our payroll has been amongst the top 5 in MLB for most of Hendry's "reign?"<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I don't believe the Red Sox are a WISE spender of money. They just spend a lot of money and can afford to take a lot of risks and cover it up if it doesn't work out. They spend a lot of money - and they do it well sometimes. But the Cubs have the same issue. They have good spend and bad spend.

<!--quoteo(post=72829:date=Dec 23 2009, 02:00 AM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Dec 23 2009, 02:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->And BTW, fuck the Red Sox.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

That - we agree on.

<!--quoteo(post=72829:date=Dec 23 2009, 02:00 AM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Dec 23 2009, 02:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I just wish to have someone in the front office who vaguely understands player value, and things like WAR.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I'm sure Jim "understands". I am also sure he doesn't believe the mathematical gyrations that are used to calculate these things. That doesn't leave him alone.

<!--quoteo(post=72829:date=Dec 23 2009, 02:00 AM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Dec 23 2009, 02:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Someone who comprehends how absurd it is to throw tons of cash at legions of middle relievers. Is that asking too much?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

He spent money on JD Drew. Not wise. Lowell? Not smart. DiceK? Ridiculous. 6mm per for 2 years for Scutaro? Ridiculous.

The amount of money they spent over slot for pitching, plus the international money explains how they fill a pen. If Hendry did that, with his current payroll, he would have about 15-20mm less to spend on major league talent per year.

I'm not saying Theo isn't good. He is. But it's easy to be good with the kind of money that he has to work with. Cashman is good too - with that much money. Look what the Dodgers did once they got rid of Depodesta - back at winning fairly quickly.

It's not WAR or VOP or CHIPSTAOCKLOSL that makes Theo good. It is Theo's skills at talent evaluation and an assload of money. Hendry's talent evaluation skills are darn good - that's how the Cubs have been so good the past few years. If he had another 20-30mm like Theo has...he'd probably still spend it on Milton Bradley or Alfonso Soriano and the Cubs would still be hit or miss year to year.

Give me a GM who comes from the scouting world any day. Hendry is no better or no worse than most. Soto, Soriano, Bradley and Zambrano (and others) were the problem last year - not Hendry.