His latest gem is this:
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What's interesting is that the Phillies and Giants are the only teams that won the division in, shall we say, real life if it was all decided by payroll. Also, the Yankees are the only other team that would make the postseason in both scenarios.
I'm not going to lie and tell you that baseball has no competitive balance problem, but it's really no different than the other leagues. This graphic illustrates how high salaries don't necessarily equate to wins (Mets, Cubs, Dodgers, Angels) and that you can win with low salaries (Padres, Rays, Reds). The Yankees may always make the playoffs but it's not like the Colts or Lakers are missing the playoffs and while the Pirates are horrendous year to year I don't see the Lions or Raptors competing anytime soon.
I did a little research and I'd like to point out the following things in disagreement with you're point that salaries don't equate to wins in the MLB:
ReplyDelete- Since 1995 and including 2010, 11 of the 16 WS winners have had payrolls above $90 million.
- Since 2000 and including 2010, 6 of 11 WS matchups have featured teams whose payrolls were both above $90 million
- Since 2000 and including 2010, 32 of a possible 44 AL playoff teams have had payrolls above $90 million
- Since 2000 and including 2010, 25 of the possible 44 NL playoff teams have had payrolls above $90 million (The Atlanta Braves, who have a payroll of $84 million, are responsible for 7 playoff appearances during this time.)
- This is the first year since 1998 that the WS hasn't featured a team with a payroll of over $100 million.
Money can't buy me love but it seems like it'll buy me dugout seats to the playoffs.
Wug?
That's all fine and dandy, but compared to the other leagues it is no different.
ReplyDeleteAll, if not most, of the NBA teams that have a chance for a title are above the luxury tax, something that small teams can't do.
And in the NFL, an inordinate amount of teams consistently make the playoffs for a league that prides itself on parody.