AJ Burnett agrees to join Yankees

by CubFan81 on Dec 12, 2008 4:37 PM CST Comment 74 comments

ESPN is reporting that AJ Burnett just joined CC Sabathia in the Yankees spending spree. He's agreed to a 5 year, $82.5M deal. Between him and CC the Yankees have just guaranteed nearl 1/4 of a BILLION dollars to two players. Opt out clauses never end well for the team, though I'm not entirely sold on his health so Toronto may still come out ahead.

It'll be interesting to see how this affect Derek Lowe's price since the Braves have failed to land Peavy and Burnett. Might they turn their attentions towards Lowe? Could the Yankees make it 3/3 and add Lowe to their rotation as well? Does the economy ever really affect them?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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5 years, thats insane

for a guy with his history, good luck AJ Pavano

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Dec 12, 2008 4:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

WE THINK UHLIKE LOL11!1!

by NittanyCub on Dec 12, 2008 4:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

mentioned this in another thread...

was reading user comments in NY paper and several Yankee fans were not pleased at the Sabathia signing. One person ended a rant with saying something to the effect of “great, we just signed CC Pavano…”

Now they have AJ Pavano. Crack me up…

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 12, 2008 5:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

well they are really reacting to a non-playoff season

So as a fan, I would be stoked. They can afford it, so why not? It will most assuredly blow up in their faces, probably w/ Burnett more so than CC…..but they’re that committed to winning and that embarrassed by losing

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Dec 12, 2008 5:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hot damn.

AJ Burnett for that much money, considering his history? Have fun, New York.

by NittanyCub on Dec 12, 2008 4:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

He is NOT worth that much money

"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game

by Chanman25 on Dec 12, 2008 5:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The Yankees think they can buy a championship.

Haven’t they learned their lesson yet?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 12, 2008 5:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well, it's not like the Cubs players are all home grown.

That’s one of the things that I’ve increasingly disliked about this team; they seem to care less about developing their farm and more about buying free agents. I bet in 2 years, the Alfonso Soriano contract will look incredibly bad.

by NittanyCub on Dec 12, 2008 5:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's not so much the home-grown thing...

… as the fact that the Yankees think that throwing as much money as possible at as many people as possible will guarantee winning.

It doesn’t.

And that goes for the Cubs, who could use Felix Pie instead of spending a fortune on Milton Bradley.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 12, 2008 5:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

I know Fukudome hasn’t been what everyone has wanted him to be, but at least he shows promise; not like Kei Igawa.

Here’s a guy who the Yankees spent 20,000,194 dollars just to talk with him, to then give him a 5 yr/20 contract. At least Fukudome knows how to man right field, and can draw a walk— and hopefully get back to where he was in the first month of last season. I think the Yankees took Igawa off their 40-man roster.

by NittanyCub on Dec 12, 2008 5:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

How is this any different...

… than the off season in which the Cubs spend a load and a half on Soriano, Lilly, Marquis, and DeRosa?

by dmlichte on Dec 12, 2008 9:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Felix Pie does not equal Milton Bradley

For your information, the Supreme Court has roundly rejected prior restraint.

by Less is Walrond on Dec 12, 2008 11:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

At least they're spending big on pitching

instead of hitting… Sabathia will be dominant for quite some time, but I don’t get the Burnett signing.

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Dec 12, 2008 5:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Is the FED gonna bail out the Yankees too?

At this rate… they’re gonna need it.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Dec 13, 2008 11:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You guys think that Hendry is dolling out bad contracts

Take a look at the Yankees. They are much worse. They have an aging Damon, Matsui, Rivera, and Jeter locked up for a couple of years, with lucrative offer deals for A-Rod, Sabathia, and Burnett. Wow..

"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game

by Chanman25 on Dec 12, 2008 5:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Let's take a look at their 3B, SS, and their top 2 pitchers.

Rodriguez = 275 over 10
Jeter = 189 over 10
Sabathia = 161 over 7
Burnett = 82.5 over 5

707.5 million for four players. Let’s see how much they’d make for next season

Rodriguez = 32
Jeter = 20
Sabathia = (somewhere around) 23
Burnett = (somewhere around) 16.5

91.5 million for the four of them, which is ironically enough, the amount of money Zambrano signed for 5 years.

You know what? Fuck the Yankees.

by NittanyCub on Dec 12, 2008 5:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think they are selling divestitures that they don't know what they really are

This is a high risk move based on arrogance and a belief system. This economy is far from the bottom, with now the Hooverites in the Senate and Think Tanks playing with fire in the manufacturing sector and still no accountability in the Capital Markets.

I am being told that the November unemployment numbers will be less than December which will grow another level possibly to 3/4’s million, (and the November numbers will be adjusted up closer to 600,000), this is 1.4M since August, and January will be worse yet when the retail market adjusts.

Drilling back to MLB, the Cub sale should tell every executive what is plain as a nose on any face of every man or woman—— they can’t raise ticket prices, not next year and not for 3-4 years. Other revenues will evaporate and even if they got a new stadium so how are they going to pay for this?

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Dec 12, 2008 5:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you really that upset?

Who cares, if they want to do that, thats their prerogative and all sports have shown that you cant buy titles. You should be mad that our owners arent that committed to winning

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Dec 12, 2008 5:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, good job interpreting that post o' mine.

by NittanyCub on Dec 12, 2008 6:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ha, fair enough

I guess I just dont get in an uproar about the Yankees transactions

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Dec 12, 2008 6:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You guys think that Hendry is dolling out bad contracts

"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game

by Chanman25 on Dec 12, 2008 5:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The difference is that the Yankees can afford it

They have a river of money flowing through that organization

Some people have 3 layers, like pie. Blog Blog Blog

by berselius on Dec 12, 2008 5:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

hey I like posting things twice

stupid computer..

"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game

by Chanman25 on Dec 12, 2008 5:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

hey I like posting things twice

stupid computer..

"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game

by Chanman25 on Dec 12, 2008 5:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I've read recently that the Braves had no interest in Lowe.

I wonder why, and if that will change now.

They want one more stud pitcher. Do they revisit Peavy? Do they try to trade for someone? Who?

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Dec 12, 2008 5:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

One of their old pitchers might be available for cheap

My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.

by JohnM on Dec 12, 2008 5:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I read something about where Smoltz and Detroit were talking...

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 12, 2008 5:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Possible.

He’s from Michigan originally and was originally drafted by the Tigers.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 12, 2008 5:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and traded to Atlanta

for Doyle Alexander, IIRC.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Dec 12, 2008 5:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Correct.

The Tigers did get a division title out of it, but I’ll bet they would have rather had 20 years of Smoltz.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 12, 2008 7:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wasn't John considered a tad immature when he was in the Tigers' systerm?

I recall a story about ironing a shirt while it was on his body.

Still, the Tigers could have used a pitcher of his caliber through the 90’s.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Dec 13, 2008 10:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Yankees

needed two pitchers, but they’ve got their heads in the sand about their offensive problems.

Other than A-Rod, who in that lineup is a real all-star hitter? Well, Jeter is an all-star shortstop, but that’s only because the shortstops in the AL are all lousy hitters. He wouldn’t be close to one in the NL and he’s going to be 35 next year and he’s been in serious decline. Johnny Damon had a great year last year, but can he repeat it at 35 too?

Giambi and Abreu are gone. Counting on Posada to come back just as strong is foolish. They’re talking about trading Melky Cabrera for Mike Cameron, which would make them even older. At least Cabrera isn’t any good anyway. Their only good young hitter, Robinson Cano, is coming off a poor season.

Even if Burnett stays healthy, the signing of him and Sabathia only makes them an 85 win team. No way they compete in that division with that.

by Josh77 on Dec 12, 2008 5:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think a little patience is probably in order here...

I can’t believe that they’re completely ignorant of this. There been alot of Teixeira talk, and they’ve got plenty of powder dry for future moves.

The pitching is going at a premium — which they are the ones creating, at least partially — so I see why they moved quickly there. It’s still crazy cash, but somebody’s got to get it.

The bats are a little more interesting though. The prices look like they are dropping significantly, and I can see a smart GM waiting to see how much further they go before jumping in. Point being, I’m confident they’ll pick up at least one big bat, and possibly two before Spring Training.

by Damen Jackson on Dec 12, 2008 5:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If the Yankees

sign Teixeira, then they’ve got some offense. They’ll also have a payroll somewhere around $250 million and they’ll be tossing out around $100 million a year in luxury tax.

There are limits even to the Yankees money.

by Josh77 on Dec 12, 2008 6:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The New Yankee Stadium = Lower Luxury Tax

It boggles the mind, but the reason the Yankees can afford these massive contracts is their new stadium. The debt payments they have to make on Yankee II reduce the revenues that are tagged by baseball’s luxury tax.

The New York Times wrote a little bit about that this week: “Major League Baseball gives teams a tax shelter that justifies going into debt to build a stadium. Stadium costs, like bond payments and maintenance, can be deducted from the team’s net local revenue that are used to calculate revenue-sharing. By slashing the revenues that are taxed at a 31 percent rate, the Yankees will be able to shelter a chunk of the money that would have been shared.”

In short, the Yankees have more room to maneuver now thanks to the new Stadium.

by allyngibson on Dec 13, 2008 3:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, that's astonishing.

To think that a new park that is going to make them MORE money, actually SAVES them money.

Shrewd folks, those Steinbrenners.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 13, 2008 3:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Newsday is reporting

That signing Sabathia and Burnett (actually they say another free agent pitcher) means that the Yankees are out on Teixeira.

by Josh77 on Dec 12, 2008 7:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't be surprised...

… if Teix winds up with the Nats. That’d be a signing that would give them credibility.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 12, 2008 7:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Have heard Tex will take the most money…

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Dec 12, 2008 7:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But not much else

there a ways off

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Dec 12, 2008 8:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Which would in turn limit...

the Manny Ramirez’s market. So far, the only team showing interest in him is the Dodgers. I wonder if Boras will look at the whole picture kind of aspect of it and steer Teixeira to the Red Sox for a few million less. That would leave the Nats with a whole lot of money to throw at a name like Manny. If Tex goes to DC, then its all but assured Boston won’t get in on Manny and that would leave the Dodgers bidding against retirement for Manny. They should play it smart and not give him too much for too long.

by CubFan81 on Dec 13, 2008 12:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

thats what i was thinking

Arod is their only impact hitter…..maybe they’ll get in on Manny or Teixeira. But Nady had a hell of a year last year, and Swisher can at least hit HRs, they must be banking on Posada getting back to 07 form and Godzilla getting healthy

they still have some valuable trading chips as well

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Dec 12, 2008 5:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

the yankees make the "sexy" acquistions in the off season

However they never really tend to pan out in the regular season. They get these huge contracts that have come back to bite them.

"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game

by Chanman25 on Dec 12, 2008 8:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought the Yankees were cutting their budget this year

Apparently the only person that the recession has hit in NY is me!

by ak123 on Dec 12, 2008 6:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Im guessing they have a lot saved up

I cant even imagine how much money that TV network pulls in

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Dec 12, 2008 6:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Is it bad

to hate the yankees so bad that I would rather see the yankees lose than the cubs win??

Dear Santa:: All I want for X-mas this year is an official 2009 Jake Peavy Cubs Jersey. Oh and a Beimel one too. I've been a real good guy for the most part!!!

by cubsluver22 on Dec 12, 2008 7:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

Just root for the Cubs and forget about the Yanks. Too much wasted energy…

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Dec 12, 2008 7:22 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 13, 2008 4:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's not only bad

It’s freaking pathetic. Grow up.

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Dec 12, 2008 11:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

your probably right

but I cant stand the yankees

Dear Santa:: All I want for X-mas this year is an official 2009 Jake Peavy Cubs Jersey. Oh and a Beimel one too. I've been a real good guy for the most part!!!

by cubsluver22 on Dec 13, 2008 7:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, a lot of us feel that way.

But I’d much rather see the Cubs win than the Yankees lose.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 13, 2008 9:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and sometimes...

we’re fortunate enough to see both.

Wood throws a gem, Clemens is denied, Karros goes “fence” (another 3 feet higher and it would have been over the old high fence and into my glove) and a Cubs victory! Ah…. what a day, what a day…

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 13, 2008 1:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ahhh

wasnt that a fox saturday game? that was a great great game.

Dear Santa:: All I want for X-mas this year is an official 2009 Jake Peavy Cubs Jersey. Oh and a Beimel one too. I've been a real good guy for the most part!!!

by cubsluver22 on Dec 13, 2008 4:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, it was.

Boxscore here

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 13, 2008 5:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Where the Free agents go now?

I’m guessing:

Tex to Washington
Abreu to Anaheim so they can DH Vlad
Dunn will drop to some AL team. Maybe Boston?
Bradley to the Cubs.

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Dec 12, 2008 7:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I hope your wrong

I dont like bradley one bit

Dear Santa:: All I want for X-mas this year is an official 2009 Jake Peavy Cubs Jersey. Oh and a Beimel one too. I've been a real good guy for the most part!!!

by cubsluver22 on Dec 12, 2008 7:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather have Abreu or Dunn, but

both will cost more… Bradley’s just too injury prone and crazy.

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Dec 12, 2008 8:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Im coming around to Abreu

his track record is pretty impressive and he’s certainly more stable than MB

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Dec 12, 2008 8:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Abreu doesn't sound like a good clubhouse guy, but

at least he’ll play everyday… He’s be a nice 3 hitter, but I don’t think the Cubs can afford to give him a long contract. I see him going to Anaheim.

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Dec 12, 2008 8:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd love to see Tex go to the Nats, they need a player like him..

"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game

by Chanman25 on Dec 12, 2008 8:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

plus it would at least give me one reason to go see a Nats game

"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game

by Chanman25 on Dec 12, 2008 8:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

they deserve

a franchise type player. hometown guy whose got a great attitude from everything Ive read. nice new stadium, a bunch of youngsters, but a horrible gm.

Dear Santa:: All I want for X-mas this year is an official 2009 Jake Peavy Cubs Jersey. Oh and a Beimel one too. I've been a real good guy for the most part!!!

by cubsluver22 on Dec 12, 2008 8:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Joe Girardi...

… your team better get off to a good start otherwise you’ll be back under the employment of the Fox network.

by dmlichte on Dec 12, 2008 9:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

What about Manny?

Of all the free agents out there he should be getting the most attention along with Tex. You hardly hear his name these days. Makes me wonder if he is asking for too much for an aging malcontent that can flat out hit.

by Nibbles on Dec 12, 2008 10:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Here's the thing that makes the Yankees different....

they need to spend money to MAKE money.

The new ballpark is a phenomenal resource that will pay enormous cash out if they can keep it at or near capacity. More corporations paying heretofore unseen premiums for the privilege to witness Yankees baseball – and heck, ticket prices for the average fan across the board that are unprecedented in cost.

Nearly all teams function with a baseline of revenue generated from their home ballparks and this figure remains relatively static. The Cubs fill Wrigley consistently and the potential for squeezing more money out of it in its current state doesn’t exist.

If the Yankees fill that stadium consistently and return to division and championship competitiveness they will make the money they’re spending on these guys more times over than we can count. And if that Burnett/CC turns into Pavano/Johnson for a year, well, that’s just a cost of doing business because the next year the place will still be jammed based on talent alone.

WOXY.com - The Future of Rock and Roll

by Gibbon Jockey on Dec 12, 2008 10:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The Yanks can and will

buy another championship. You spend enough money, you get good talent.

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Dec 12, 2008 11:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

While that is true...

… and they can certainly buy enough players to contend every year, you cannot “buy another championship”.

Exactly how many championships have they won in the last eight years? Same number as the Cubs, I believe.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 13, 2008 4:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And in the five years before that...

They won four. They’ve also appeared in two World Series and made seven playoff appearances.

By my count, that’s exactly two more W.S. and four more playoffs.

I don’t mind buying championships. If the Cubs spent $750 million and won, I wouldn’t blink.

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Dec 13, 2008 8:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Right, they did win those four titles.

And you know how they did it? Those teams were mainly homegrown and had a lot of good role players like Paul O’Neill and Scott Brosius.

The Yankees’ string of WS titles ended precisely when they started throwing huge sums of money at everyone in sight.

YOU CANNOT BUY A WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP. It is not possible.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 13, 2008 9:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They also bought titles in 1977-78

The Marlins bought a title in 1997 and the D’Backs bought one in 2001, when they landed Johnson and Schilling.

The Cubs have “bought” their way to the playoffs the last two years.

The Yankees will be back in the World Series before everyone’s precious Devil Rays. Bank on it.

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Dec 13, 2008 12:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You can indeed buy a team that contends every year.

But you cannot buy a title. There are no guarantees.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 13, 2008 2:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess Lou Piniella helped the Yanks win a WS even after he left.

He told the Reds’ GM that O’Neill would never have a COF bat and that he should be traded.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Dec 13, 2008 4:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Still need to have a productive farm system

Many of the Yankees and Red Sox key acquisitions came via the trade route. They were able to acquire Beckett, Lowell, ARod, etc. because of the real (and in some cases ballyhooed) talent in the minors. Not only that but the farm products they decided to keep turned out pretty darn good – Jeter, Posada, Rivera, Youkilis, Pedroia, Papelbon.

As I always say, you’d ideally like to have the best of both worlds. The Cubs have the money; all they need to do is improve the talent pipeline flowing through the minors.

"Dying is the day worth living for" - Captain Barbossa

by CaliCub on Dec 13, 2008 9:58 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs