Settle down, Boston

Yeah, this is about to happen. I’m going to defend the Yankees. Over the last couple weeks they’ve spent more than a third of a billion dollars signing three free agents, CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira. This has caused whining and histrionics all over the country, with Boston serving as the epicenter.

There have been maybe three distinct approaches people have been taking in their whining and moaning. Some people have been saying that in these economic conditions it is irresponsible for the Yankees to be spending so much money. Others have said that they are buying a championship, and it’s not fair. And some people have been saying that this just shows how desperately MLB needs a salary cap. They’re all wrong.

The Yankees are not responsible for the US being in a recession; they didn’t force banks to give out questionable mortgages or swindle investors. If they have the money to spend, it is their right to spend it. A more appropriate criticism would be that they are spending all this money while New York tax-payers have been forced to foot the bill for the billion dollar New Yankee Stadium. With so many states running budget deficits, this is reprehensible, but no one seems to be talking about it.

As for charges that the Yankees are buying a championship, well, that’s ridiculous. Yes, they are spending more than any other team in baseball, even though it may end up being less than they spent last year. But that doesn’t guarantee a World Series trophy. They’ve spent more money than anyone for years, but haven’t won it all since 2000. The Yankees dynasty of the late 90s didn’t win by signing high profile free agents, they won by developing players, like Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams. Look at the last few teams to win the World Series, and who they were led by: the Phillies were led by Utley, Howard, Rollins, and Burrell, all of whom were drafted and developed by the reigning champs. The Red Sox likewise have had great success in developing players, like Jon Lester, Jonathon Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, and the prospects they were able to trade for Josh Beckett. Teams succeed by drafting well and developing players; that’s how the Rays and Brewers were able to turn their franchises around, and why the Rangers are going to be a dangerous team for the next decade. The Yankees, meanwhile, have taken a different approach, signing A-Rod, Carl Pavano, Kevin Brown, Hideki Matsui, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield, Johnny Damon, Randy Johnson, and Roger Clemens. But, much to Suzyn Waldman’s chagrin, they have nothing to show for it. So no, the Yankees haven’t bought a World Series. Settle down.

Finally, this nonsense about a salary cap needs to be addressed. For some reason people seem to think that a salary cap will lead to a greater competitive balance. It won’t. The only thing that a salary cap will do is increase owners’ revenues. The Marlins had the lowest salary in baseball, less than the left side of the Yankees’ infield, and were in contention through August. With the way that salaries are structured, like the arbitration rules, teams do not need to spend a ton of money to be successful. Instituting a salary cap will only serve to highlight which teams have the best front offices. The Red Sox will still be one of the top five teams in baseball, and the Pirates and Royals (seriously, Mike Jacobs?) will still be awful. Good management will always be able to succeed with a salary cap, like the Red Wings in the NHL. The teams that win consistently aren’t the ones the spend the most, they are the ones that are the best run, that get the most value out of their players. Adding a salary cap won’t change that.

So I’m not ready to cancel the 2009 season and just declare the Yankees champions. They have solidified the front of their rotation, but the last two spots are question marks (assuming Joba goes to the bullpen.) First base has been upgraded, both offensively and defensively, and they have the best third baseman in the game, but the middle of the infield is suspect. Jeter is one of the worst defensive shortstops in the game, and is several years past needing to be moved to the outfield, and Robinson Cano is coming off a terrible year. The outfield is also a mess, with Nady being the only player who can be reliably slotted into a position. And no one on the roster is able to play center, except for Melky Cabrera, who should be on the bench. So while the Yankees have improved, there are still a lot of weaknesses. Go Phillies.