Payroll vs. Development

by matty fred on Feb 7, 2006 2:31 PM EST Comment 9 comments

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.
"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."

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.

Any thoughts?

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Whether it's "Moneyball"

or traditional scouting (or a mix of the two -- call it the "real world" option), player development is key for every club not named the Yanks or Sawx. How do you get cheap, young players to balance your high-priced vets? You bring them up from the farm!

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...

I do agree that those are good and important things that we often overlook. However, when your team is coming off back-to-back 100(+) win seasons but have no World Championship to show for it, I can't help but to still see all that as an excuse to be cheap. Pay for a couple big guns and dominant arms, win a World Series, and then sit back and build and wait for player development to pay off. I'd agree wholeheartedly if the Birds had just been decent these last few years, but 6 unsuccessful postseasons in the last 10 (especially the last two) tells me it's worth spending the money for a couple/maybe three big dollar signings that might get them over the hump. Obviously, I'm in the 'window is closing' camp, so that's just my 2 centavos.

by rockin redbird on Feb 7, 2006 3:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Don't the Yanks

try this every year. Besides their run in the late 90's, it hasn't seemed to work the last 5 yrs.

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

had a lot of home-grown talent IIRC. I'm pretty sure Jeter, B. Williams and Posada were all home-grown.

matty fred is a web log.

by matty fred on Feb 7, 2006 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And Pettitte

by Valatan on Feb 7, 2006 5:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And Rivera.

by flynn on Feb 8, 2006 11:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rockin'

I agree totally. Win now and worry about building up the farm system later. I too think that the window is closing, and the 2006 roster isn't looking as good as the 2005 roster at this point. I could be wrong, but why not spend a little more and try to win now with proven major league commodities, rather than put all of your hopes into "could be" minor leaguers. I understand wanting to build up a successful franchise from within but the emphasis should be on winning now while guys like Edmonds are still around. Honestly, do we have anyone in the minors who can replace a guy like Edmonds on offense and defense? None that I know of.

by I Bleed Cardinal Red on Feb 7, 2006 4:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

the more opportunities the better chance

Its a great idea to stack up a team and make them the prime pick to win it all but as we have seen in the past just being the best team in baseball which the cards have been the past 2 years doesnt mean you are going to win the w/s. All you can really ask for is making the playoffs. Once you are there then its a coin toss, as we have seen in the past the best team doesnt always win its the team that clicking at the right time. I would almost rather see the cardinals invest in the future and keep this ball club competitive for many years with ample chances at the playoffs. Dont get me wrong Bringing a w/s championship is the ultimate goal but as long the cards stay competitive and get in the playoffs consistantly that our chances of winning one increase greatly. I would rather have multiple shots at a title then one big overpriced one. Plus isnt it fun to watch a competitive team year after year. I know ive had a blast the past few years w/s or not.

by RB on Feb 7, 2006 4:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

How much $$

does it cost to operate a successful minor league/player development operation as compared to a major league payroll?

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 ...

matty fred is a web log.

by matty fred on Feb 7, 2006 4:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs