Feeling bad for Nats fans

[CuseCubFan69]

You have to wonder how teams like the Nats, DRays, Royals, and Pirates even get any fans at all to show up? If MLB doesn't do something to even out the small and large market teams, the league is going to get to a point where you have ML teams basically acting like AAAA squads with no chance to have good seasons and constantly breaking in young players just so the large market teams can scoop them up once they get too expensive. That's how the Cubs ended up with Ramirez, DLee, and now Soriano.

 

Isn't that already the case? Aren't teams like the D-Rays, Royals, Pirates just basically farming up players for other teams to eventually pluck off their rosters?

 

It's too bad they can't do it like the Marlins do.

 

True, but the Marlins small-market tactics have only worked for 1 title. I think you have to count the 1997 title as really more of a big-market type strategy-they didn't go with what they currently do until after 97, and they've had 1 playoff appearance and one title since then-so they've been successful, but not that successful.

 

I agree but they were more competitive than those teams mentioned in 2006. I think they'll be a force to reckon with if they continue along this path and make the right moves.

[Amazing_Grace]

You have to wonder how teams like the Nats, DRays, Royals, and Pirates even get any fans at all to show up? If MLB doesn't do something to even out the small and large market teams, the league is going to get to a point where you have ML teams basically acting like AAAA squads with no chance to have good seasons and constantly breaking in young players just so the large market teams can scoop them up once they get too expensive. That's how the Cubs ended up with Ramirez, DLee, and now Soriano.

 

Isn't that already the case? Aren't teams like the D-Rays, Royals, Pirates just basically farming up players for other teams to eventually pluck off their rosters?

 

It's too bad they can't do it like the Marlins do.

 

True, but the Marlins small-market tactics have only worked for 1 title. I think you have to count the 1997 title as really more of a big-market type strategy-they didn't go with what they currently do until after 97, and they've had 1 playoff appearance and one title since then-so they've been successful, but not that successful.

 

I agree but they were more competitive than those teams mentioned in 2006. I think they'll be a force to reckon with if they continue along this path and make the right moves.

 

I think "anomalies" like the small market Marlins winning in 03 are only possible because the bulk of MLB teams are decidedly mediocre, enabling a well run team to beat them regularly with a marginally smaller payroll. If, instead of 5 teams with 100M+ payrolls and 5 with under 50M, you have 10-15 of each, I think the situation becomes worse for the teams on the lower end. Also, it's worth noting the Cubs will be team #6 over the 100M dollar mark this year, and the Dodgers are sometimes over 100, they were close last year.

[Derwood]

Too bad Selig's luxury tax scam only insures that small market owners get to increase their profit margins on the back of Steinbrenner. Until owners are forced to spend luxury tax revenue on payroll, it's a broken system

[BigbadB]

They could have one of the worst rotations in baseball history.

 

fixed

[fromthestretch]

They could have one of the worst rotations in baseball history.

 

fixed

 

Indeed.

[BigbadB]

I think "anomalies" like the small market Marlins winning in 03 are only possible because the bulk of MLB teams are decidedly mediocre, enabling a well run team to beat them regularly with a marginally smaller payroll. If, instead of 5 teams with 100M+ payrolls and 5 with under 50M, you have 10-15 of each, I think the situation becomes worse for the teams on the lower end. Also, it's worth noting the Cubs will be team #6 over the 100M dollar mark this year, and the Dodgers are sometimes over 100, they were close last year.

 

A team like the Marlins has to hit all cylinders at the right moment for them to win. The Cleveland Indians did it once as well. The Indians might be on their way again this year. If a few prospects don't pan out, repeat the process without the big win, which is what I think Pittsburgh does. They counted on JR House, JJ Davis, a couple of other guys I may have forgotten about and guys added like Bay and Oliver Perez, and they try to win with that group. If they don't make it, they trade off the expensive parts (Kendall, Giles, etc...) and start all over again.

 

Develop and trade for a bunch of talent that will all gel at the right moment. Tear it down and repeat the process.

[Soul]

While I agree that's what teams like Pitt & KC must do to succeed, I think the larger question is whether teams should be relegated to this sort of "shoot the moon" philosophy while the Yanks and BoSox just win every year due to their spending.

 

Of course, nothing can account for spending tons of money badly, which is what the Cubs do.

[katway]

I can hear the sound of Nats season tickets being canceled all the way back here in Wisconsin.

 

Nats still do well because everyone that buys into RFK will be first in line when the new ballpark opens.

 

The rumor is that they are simply treading water until the new ballpark opens, focusing on minor league talent, and will only start to spend $ on free agents when the novelty of a new ballpark begins to wear off.

[BigbadB]

I can hear the sound of Nats season tickets being canceled all the way back here in Wisconsin.

 

Nats still do well because everyone that buys into RFK will be first in line when the new ballpark opens.

 

The rumor is that they are simply treading water until the new ballpark opens, focusing on minor league talent, and will only start to spend $ on free agents when the novelty of a new ballpark begins to wear off.

 

The problem, however, is that their farm system is still currently in a state of shambles.

[hardcorecubfan]

couldn't feel sorry for this team, DC never deserved a team it should have gone anywhere else but there.

[Amazing_Grace]

I think "anomalies" like the small market Marlins winning in 03 are only possible because the bulk of MLB teams are decidedly mediocre, enabling a well run team to beat them regularly with a marginally smaller payroll. If, instead of 5 teams with 100M+ payrolls and 5 with under 50M, you have 10-15 of each, I think the situation becomes worse for the teams on the lower end. Also, it's worth noting the Cubs will be team #6 over the 100M dollar mark this year, and the Dodgers are sometimes over 100, they were close last year.

 

A team like the Marlins has to hit all cylinders at the right moment for them to win. The Cleveland Indians did it once as well. The Indians might be on their way again this year. If a few prospects don't pan out, repeat the process without the big win, which is what I think Pittsburgh does. They counted on JR House, JJ Davis, a couple of other guys I may have forgotten about and guys added like Bay and Oliver Perez, and they try to win with that group. If they don't make it, they trade off the expensive parts (Kendall, Giles, etc...) and start all over again.

 

Develop and trade for a bunch of talent that will all gel at the right moment. Tear it down and repeat the process.

 

That's basically the problem. Teams have to rebuild for 3 or 4 years and have everything go right just to try to have enough players develop at the same time so they have a 1 or 2 year window to contend. The situation gets worse every year as the gap between high and low payroll teams widens and more teams are forced to give up signing first-tier players entirely.

[nilodnayr]

Too bad Selig's luxury tax scam only insures that small market owners get to increase their profit margins on the back of Steinbrenner. Until owners are forced to spend luxury tax revenue on payroll, it's a broken system

 

It would be better if they had to spend it on their minor league system, the draft, and scouting.

 

I feel like I've read that there are rules about this, but they just aren't being enforced.

[BigSlick]

I was just looking through a season preview article and saw their rotation.

 

Rotation

 

John Patterson

Tim Redding

Jerome Williams

Joel Hanrahan

Shawn Hill/cast of thousands

 

Patterson was out most of last year, but is a solid pitcher who still has some health question marks.

 

Redding hasn't had a win since 2004 and was never really good

 

Williams.......well we all know about him

 

I have a feeling this team could lose 110-115 games this year. This rotation is ugly. If your having doubts about the Cubbies this year just thank god your not a Nats fan.

 

Feel sorry for them all you want. They have perhaps the best Manager in the world. Check FireJoeMorgan.com if you want reassurance.

 

I want him to be my dad.