Name one freaking team that does all that and can't compete because the big boys are stealing their players. Do it, now. There isn't one. The only teams that aren't competitive are run by morons. Plenty of small market teams compete, and they compete with regularity. Baseball is a sport where players are paid relatively little while they are at their best, and overpaid significantly as they regress. It's in most teams best interest to let the big boys overspend on the older stars. The fact is this is how major league baseball is set-up, so if you are a fan of a team, and you want to see them win, you should hope they play the game to the best of their ability. I didn't take any less enjoyment out of the Stanley Cup win because the Blackhawks did it with a roster they could not keep together due to salary cap rules. I would not for a second regret a world series title won by a roster that had to be overpaid to achieve it. Brewers? They've already lost Sabathia, and will most likely lose Fielder as well. I guess small market teams are able to keep one or two of their players, but not all of them. And yes, I agree that any team that is run well can be competitive based on free agency rules. But can you envision the Brewers making the postseason every year? No.