It makes no difference because the arb rules allow for teams to keep their players for six years. I'm repeating myself here. They do not have to buy out their arb years....the Sox chose to do so. That's their call.
I agree.
This does not mean the Sox are ruining the game or those who call for a cap are hypocrites.
Tell me why it's bad for baseball then. What damage does it do to the small market teams?
They can do two things when confronted with a situation like Lester's:
1. Do not buy out arb years, go toa rbitration every year, judge rules on what a fair salary is for that particluar player and the team he plays for. Player gets paid, costs team reasonable salary. No competitive balance harmed. Player reaches FA and goes to highest bidder.
2. Team buys out arb years at mutually beneficial deal. Contract expires, player becomes FA, goes to highest bidder.
Where's the damage?