Still doesn't make sense why Boston spends $148 million and the Cubs $100. They're competing with the Yankees. We're spending as much if not more than our division rivals. Money isn't the issue. It's how it's spent. Jones + Izturis + Dempster + Rusch = $17MM Howry + Eyre (luxuries) = $8MM Prior (never healthy) = $4MM There's nearly $30MM in money for players that essentially do not make your 90+ loss team any better. Ouch. Howry and Eyre do make your team better but the money that they are being paid, namely Eyre, is the issue. Also, I don't think you can really count Jacque Jones in there as somebody who doesn't make the team any better. It's true that, if counted on as a major player in the lineup then it's not worth it. But Jacque should not be counted on as a Lee or Ramirez type player and isn't being paid to be such a player.