The MLB's Cheapest Teams: A Tale of Trying to Try
In the world of Major League Baseball, there's a fascinating story unfolding with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami Marlins. These teams, known for their frugal ways, are suddenly making moves in the free agent market that have raised eyebrows. But here's where it gets intriguing: they're not just trying to win, they're trying to convince.
You might have heard about their recent pursuit of players like Josh Naylor, Kyle Schwarber, and Michael King, and even Nippon Professional Baseball's Kazuma Okamoto. It's a surprising shift for teams that have traditionally been associated with low-payroll strategies. But why now? What's their game plan?
The 'We Tried' Strategy
Evan Drellich from The Athletic has proposed some theories, and one stands out as the most plausible. According to agent Sam Levinson, these teams are trying to convince the larger market clubs that they're committed to putting a better product on the field. It's a strategic move amidst potential changes to MLB's economic structure, especially with revenue sharing.
Revenue Sharing: The Key to Convincing?
The idea is simple: if the smaller markets can demonstrate that they're willing to spend on player acquisition, they might secure a greater contribution from revenue sharing. This could be a game-changer, especially with an expanded revenue-sharing model on the table. The Red Sox and Dodgers, for instance, have shown openness to such a model, which would pool broadcast revenue and reduce the advantage currently held by larger markets.
The Catch-22
However, there's a catch. If teams like the Pirates and Marlins continue to stick to their low payroll strategies, why should the Dodgers and Red Sox play ball? This is where it gets controversial. Hal Steinbrenner, owner of the Yankees, has supported a salary floor but is against a cap. He believes in improving competitive balance, but the other owners know that these clubs could spend more. They've let them off the hook for years, but now, with discussions about further pooling broadcast revenues, the time for change is now.
The Salary Floor: A Pipe Dream?
A salary floor seems unlikely, as MLB would want to attach it to a cap, and owners like Bob Nutting of the Pirates would demand as much. So, the other owners are hoping to get these teams to spend towards an unofficial point that suggests legitimacy. To achieve this, they might have to threaten to withhold revenue-sharing funds, a move that could force the Pirates and Marlins to reevaluate their strategies.
The Free Agent Pursuit: Success or Failure?
Whether the Pirates and Marlins succeed in bringing in these free agents remains uncertain. Miami might convince some players with opt-outs, and Pittsburgh has Paul Skenes, a potential difference-maker. But if they fail to attract free agents and raise their payroll, it will be a result of their own actions and inactions over the years. At that point, they'll have to hope they've convinced the larger market teams that they gave spending a genuine shot, or they might face a year of begging for expanded revenue-sharing.
So, what do you think? Is this a clever strategy or a desperate move? Will it work? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
