SQ_Crazies wrote:
Not sure how much of a difference that will make, but we'll see.
I don't follow the Tribe like the Pirates, but if Shapiro is a huge part of the problem with his deals and signings, getting a superior guy in would make a legit difference. While a good low-payroll team doesn't tend to have the consistent success that a good high-payroll team has, they do make runs. The Twins and A's both have had good runs to the postseason over the past number of years.
But for those teams to do well, they have to be smart. With Pittsburgh, under David Littlefield, they didn't spend on the draft and tended to have an irrational love for 4-A players who could near-immediately play in the majors, but never would be good. Now, with Huntington, they are drafting guys with better upsides and putting cash into their drafting and developmental stuff. I find it very encouraging that this year, they are above .500 in 3/4 minor league teams currently playing. AAA is a tiny bit above, AA is a good ways above, A+ is a decent bit above and A is a tiny bit behind the last time I checked (Friday).
Things might all turn to shit, but I have faith in our management and what they're doing for the first time in years. If Shapiro's the issue, getting new management to basically say, "fuck it...tear this bitch apart and make shit work" is the only thing that will fix things in the remotely near future. Cleveland's highest-paid guys are both generally ineffective and the cornerstones of the team (Sizemore, Hafner, Peralta, Westbrook...for four). None are remotely giving on the field what they're getting in pay.
