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No Trades Deadline

© Bryan Walker

For those of you who, like me, believe that there is no need to overhaul the financial situation in Major League Baseball, I believe that we're starting to see some more evidence. With the trade deadline close at hand, I do not look for many major moves to be made. The highest payrolls can't add payroll and the lowest payrolls can't add, either.

Who are the biggest spenders in baseball? New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays probably round out the top ten payrolls. Of these teams, three (Mets, Rangers, Blue Jays) have losing records.

Three of the bottom four team payrolls are strongly in playoff contention: Twins, A's, and Marlins.

But the most telling point is that several teams have made it clear that they cannot add payroll as the trade deadline approaches. Cleveland, Atlanta, Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Arizona all are near or above their owner's salary ceiling. Plus the three teams with losing records are looking to unload expensive players in order to rebuild or reload. So of the top ten payrolls only two claim to have the ability to add any significant amount of payroll.

Although the Marlins and the A's are in the middle of the playoff chase, they can't add payroll to improve the team. The millionaire owners won't allow it, and the A's owner might even cut payroll. I don't claim to tell rich baseball franchise owners how to spend their cash, but if you're not going to attempt to improve your investment, then don't cry about the lack of financial balance in baseball. As a matter of fact, sell your team to someone who will.

Now on to baseball news...

If I'm the Seattle Mariners, I would be very cautious about trading anyone on this team. Its clear that the need to upgrade the offense, but trading away quality starting pitching is very risky. Just ask the Dodgers, Indians, and Braves how important depth at starters is. One of their team strengths is depth of starting pitchers.Plus Al Martin has been their best hitter since the All-Star break. Ichiro is batting .196 since the break.

Lately I've read a couple of article trying to figure out why Seattle is so good. They have several good players, but collectively they are performing great. Here's my take on the biggest reason they are so dominating: 2.64, 1.93, and 1.70. That the ERA's of Sasaki, Nelson, and Rhodes. Those three are among the best in the business at what they do.

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