Re: The New York Yankees buying a World Series title Yesterday, The New York Yankees signed Gerret Cole to a nine year, $324 million contract. They did it because they can. They have stacked their roster with other similarly over-paid free agents. In my view this is not competition. This is a financial advantage built upon the confluence of human population on a particular piece of dirt on the planet. These are owners who are spending that windfall with no particular skill-set required. They can merely buy their way out of their mistakes. It's a fan base that is smug in their self-awareness based upon where they happen to live (not from personal accomplishment) and in dire need of the vicarious pleasure derived from the exploits of strangers and overpaid mercenaries. In short, it's why I haven't watched a baseball game in years. I enjoy good competition. I enjoy skilled athletes. I do not enjoy money buying rings and trophies. I do not enjoy fans whose egos are fueled by such things. I miss the days when my son played t-ball. That was fun.
One way to look at it. The Yankees look at it differently because they basically have unlimited funds (including luxury tax). They see the payoff being another solid block on a team that is set to win multiple WS's over his contract period.
Good for them. They try to buy championships pretty much yearly, but still only have one championship in the last 19 years. That means they might be due for another championship soon, but I'm not sure over spending for players is the reason.
I'm a Yankees "admirer" but anytime an anti-Yankee expresses disgust at their hideous budget, I counter with "but do they win it all after spending all that money for an all-start team?"
