A Sign of the [Baseball] Times...

[Ksyrup]

In an article about the Rockies' willingness to listen to trade offers for Todd Helton and Preston Wilson, there is this:

"The Rockies payroll is expected to be just above $60 million in 2004. But the team has committed $53.1 million to six players: right fielder Larry Walker, catcher Charles Johnson, pitcher Denny Neagle, Atlanta pitcher Mike Hampton, Wilson and Helton.

How weird is seeing that?

[Fonzie]

It would seem that we now have the baseball equivalent of "dead cap space."

[Philliesfan980]

I think this is actually great for baseball. The days of the reckless spending (aside from the Yankees) might be over for quite some time. The bottom line is baseball doesn't have the revenues to support the attendance problem that 90% of baseball faces. With that being said, every move will be scruitinized a little more, which will lead to a better product in the end. Less long term contracts will be offered, and more players will begin busting their tails

[Maple Leafs]

Not sure if it changed when they signed IRod, but at one point this year I think Hampton was the Marlins highest paid player, despite not, um, playing for them.

[tucker342]

Originally posted by Philliesfan980
I think this is actually great for baseball. The days of the reckless spending (aside from the Yankees) might be over for quite some time. The bottom line is baseball doesn't have the revenues to support the attendance problem that 90% of baseball faces. With that being said, every move will be scruitinized a little more, which will lead to a better product in the end. Less long term contracts will be offered, and more players will begin busting their tails

I couldn't agree more. Don't count on it though. Owners are pretty slow learners