Payroll vs. Development
Here's an interesting STLToday piece on the Cardinals' approximate $90MM payroll ceiling for 2006. Here's Dewitt from the article:
DeWitt says calls for a $100 million payroll are misguided and overlook the franchise's increased commitment to becoming more self-sufficient.I think this is an interesting point. Jacking up the Major League payroll now may bring some instant gratification and short-term success, but putting that same money (or even a fraction of it) in player development could bring about returns exponentially larger than initial investments."It's not just what you spend on the major-league payroll," DeWitt said. "In the last year we've purchased a Double-A franchise (in Springfield, Mo.), paid more than double for early-round draft picks and opened an academy in the Dominican Republic. We've made a much greater investment in international scouting and player development. Perhaps those things aren't as apparent as major-league payroll, but they're there and they have tremendous significance."
Any thoughts?
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9 comments
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Whether it's "Moneyball"
Walt has used the Cards' farm system as much for trade bait to acquire veteran assets as to bring players to his team -- of the Cards' projected starting eight, only Pujols and Molina were developed in the Cardinals' system. Among the pitchers, only Reyes and Looper were originally Cardinal farmhands.
The Cards can be among the highest payrolls in the bigs... but I don't beleive any Birdfan who really thinks about it expects the Cards to be #3 (behind the behemouths).
Sports is the only business with two bottom lines... and fans care only about the bottom line marked "W/L", and not about the bottom line marked "P/L". But that's a rant for another day...
by The Ol Goaler on Feb 7, 2006 3:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Well...
by rockin redbird on Feb 7, 2006 3:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Don't the Yanks
I do think they could have spent a little more, but who was there? Giles signed early, the Burnett chase didn't pan out, who else? Mabye kept Sanders/Grud. The crop was thin. If they trade for quality players they would have further depleted the farm system.
It all probably goes back to Burnett. Shoulda, woulda, coulda, but now they can't.
by Just Rope Ball on Feb 7, 2006 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Those 90's Yankee teams
by matty fred on Feb 7, 2006 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Rockin'
by I Bleed Cardinal Red on Feb 7, 2006 4:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
the more opportunities the better chance
by RB on Feb 7, 2006 4:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
How much $$
I would guess that a minor league/player development system costs significantly less than major league payroll. At the same time, successful minor league player development probably has less to do with expenditure and more to do with what kind of personnel, organizational player development philosophy, etc.
It would be interesting to see percentages of expenditure for minor league/player development vs. major league payroll for every organization. Do organizations like the Braves expend a higher-than-average % on minor league/player development than, say, the Cardinals? Or is it more a matter of putting together good personnel?
Yet another reason it's too bad MLB organizations don't have to turn over their books ...
by matty fred on Feb 7, 2006 4:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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