Dipre

Re-check this statement. Think about it. Slowly. Cliff Lee: 2007. Grady Sizemore: 2009. Since 2001: Games played by Carlos Beltran: 1,265 Games played by Grady Sizemore: 788 Games pitched by Johan Santana: 225 Games pitched by Cliff Lee: 190

The point is up for debate, because you know that under that scenario, baseball and basketball cannot be considered an apples to apples comparison.

Case in point. No sense talking to you about it.

Moving Youk to third and playing Kotchman or a FA 1B was always the plan.

A couple years ago, the Nets were year-in /year-out playoffs visitors. The balance of power switches hands.

Unwarranted sense of intellectual superiority.

The problem is, that in other sports, the balance of power usually shifts somewhat from time to time, that does not happen with baseball. And when a low-end team manages to field a highly competitive team, they usually have a "window" before they have to dismantle the current core due to payroll constraints.

However, there is no denying that baseball is the most flawed of any sport. The Wild Card has helped ease this issue, notably because, as we agree on, the playoffs are a crapshoot, but still, the system needs fixing.

I'm agreeing with this. And no: 1) You're only looking at the offensive side of things, this is a crucial mistake, specially with LaRoche. 2) Beltre has had roughly the same OPS+ (which ignores park adjustments) as Lowell if you take out his completely fluke 2007 season during Beltre's time with Seattle and Lowell's time with Boston, and don't get me started on their respective ages and Lowell's current injuries.. 3)No one is giving Beltre more than 2 years w/option at 9 per or less. If they are, the GM should be fired.

No. You're putting words in my mouth. This is not what is being argued here. We're not arguing competitive disadvantages of the Yanks versus the Sox, the discussion is about whether or not the Red Sox spend to their capacity. If we were going to the Yankees vs league argument, i would be quick to tell you that the sizable advantage they have is unfair, but they're simply taking advantage of a flawed system. This has always been my stance, and i highly doubt you can prove otherwise.

The problem is, that in this instance, it's also a hybrid. Teams have the need to both maximize profit while keeping competitive, and it creates a sort of balance limiter between earning/spending that won't allow any team to completely reach another height when it comes to competitive advantage. Except for the Yankees. It's a business, but it's also a sport.

Right before the Sox signed John Lackey and Mike Cameron. The writer had to eat crow, and so do you.

The problem is, that if you look at the percentages, the Sox still have a logical cost/benefit threshold to which they need to adhere, specially with an ownership group as big as this one, meaning that, if you go by revenues/spending capability numbers alone, the Yankees are in a class that no one else could ever attain, while many other teams can certainly match up to the Red Sox, that's why it's not a fair playing ground. Even with this year's payroll increase, and while they are below their luxury tax, they're still just below what i would consider their "spending" threshold, besides that, "cries of poverty" is a complete fabrication on your part. This would be a valid statement if you'd taken the time to analyze something instead of just, you know, saying the first thing that comes to mind. The problem is, that in your effort to not become a "sheep" of the media or the, you've become a "sheep" of your own biased, illogical opinion. If you took the time to do a little research instead of faithfully contradicting everything everyone else says (Your MO) you could probably see the error of your ways. I won't hold my breath though.