6141
by TFIR
joez - you said I think we wasted $30,000,000.00 of those dollars. But......the organization is strapped for cash
First of all, I trust your $30 million quote there was simply trying to make a point, as I am sure it isn't accurate.
But whatever,
I don't mind you making your point about, say, (just as an example) $15 million spent on various guys (Byrd, Uribe etc) as opposed to spending $15 million on one better guy. Of course, this is a legitimate point.
But just to start off, surely you do realize that spending $15 million on 4 guys is more economical than spending $15 million on one guy?? I am not saying it is better, I am saying it is more cost efficient. So your comment saying "the organization is strapped for cash?" is not accurate. A "strapped for cash" organization would prefer $15 million on 4 guys BECAUSE it's more economical. So the Indians ARE at least consistent with what they say (we are strapped) and what they do ($15 mill on 4 players).
But another flaw to your argument is this. A $15 million dollar player doesn't want JUST $15 million. He wants $15 million per year. If he is good enough to make $15 million, then he is good enough to want a multi-year contract. (Remember Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher?) And as we know, still that guarantees nothing a la Bourn and Swisher.
There's a saying, "There's no such thing as a bad one year contract". For obvious reasons. If they suck, at least they are gone - unlike Bourn and Swisher. This team can't afford another killer mistake like those 2 contracts. Shall I add Pronk to that list?
So, given their circumstance, I think they did an excellent job gathering low risk guys who just might pay off.
I think back to last year when the Mets, with loaded pitching like our Indians, acquired Kelly Johnson and our buddy Uribe during the season. Those are no superstars, but they immediately improved after those pickups, the team started hitting.
I think there is reason to like the low risk pickups. Don't get me wrong, I do understand the point of spending bigger on one guy. But to remind, one guy fills one position AND will not want a one year contract.
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain