Zisk had some great years as a Pirate.
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I believe the commonly held belief is that non-MLB payroll expenses are generally around $180 M per team per year based on disclosures from the Braves (obviously each team is different for example the Rays are known for operating on small MLB payrolls, but spend extra on scouting and player development), the only publicly traded team that has to release financial data. Small market teams are going to have more of their revenue eaten up by those expenses than the large market teams, so the payroll/revenue statistic is somewhat illogical as those teams should have a lower percentage. If you add $180 M to the Reds $140 Payroll +Tax, you get $320 M, which is just less that their 2024 revenue, and is in line with the GM saying they had a little money to play with at the trade deadline but not enough to take on a bigger contract. (also, all of these numbers except for the Braves are conjecture as teams don’t release this info)
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This speedway classic is just as gloriously stupid as you’d expect. So bad it’s kinda good.
That checks out, and gets to my point. Steve Cohen has enough net worth and cash flow where he can spend big on premium contracts (even if he’s losing money on paper) since he’s the wealthiest owner in the majors and seems like the kind of guy who truly wants the Mets to win. If you’re not in his group, you’re relying on a lucky hot streak in October to win anything at most.
You’re absolutely right, I was mostly commenting on the assertion that teams that are low on the chart are just trying to make money. Some, sure. But most are just trying to operate at break-even. (which is making money because of the appreciation of an asset, but it’s unrealized and they don’t actually have that money, yada yada yada). I think most of those teams want to and are trying to win, they just have been dealt a bad hand by the current economic system of baseball.
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Down 4-2 to a stinky Braves team. We better get back in this or they win the series.
It’s not easy to be competent enough to overcome the economics. Any owner in the bottom ten of club revenue and personal wealth is almost doing their fan base a disservice by not selling to someone wealthier who is willing to spend on the team, though multi-billionaire prospective owners don’t grow on trees and the ones already in the league aren’t usually the type to easily swallow their pride and cash out.
Hi, I have a million question about the Reds, but I’ll use them all on the same question: how the hell do you beat the Mets and lose to the Braves. Honestly. Play better, or this ends in two weeks.
So last night I had a great time switching back and forth between the Reds and Guardians games. Tight tense pressure packed games played before large enthusiastic crowds. The Reds won 3-2 at Wrigley over the Cubs and the Guardians won 7-6 in 10 innings in New york vs the Mets. Fun inght.
Current standings
NL
Division leaders
Mlwaukee +24
LAD +17
Philadelphia +16
Wild Card leaders
Cubs +18
Mets +13
Padres +11
.500 or better
Reds +5
Cardinals Even
a bunch just below .500
AL
Division leaders
Toronto +18
Detroit +18
Houston +13
Wildcard Leaders
Boston +12
NYY +7
Seattle +7
Others
Texas +5
Cleveland +2
a bunch of others just below .500
Still looks like the Reds have little chance to pass anybody other than the Padres, but one of the top clubs could slump.
Guardians are looking up at several teams so there are some different teams who could collapse ( looking at you Yankees).
They’re terrible. Fire Cashman. Fire Boone. Sell the team.
Reds doing way better since they went Boone-less!
They lose the series to a dumpy braves team but have now won the series against a solid cubs team. I do not understand this team one bit but we are still in it, so I’ll take it.
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You just explained their season and effectively their barely above .500 record. Frustrating because they are capable of playing really good ball and the starting rotation is excellent.
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New coach is making an improvement.
I think it is a remarkable turnaround from the Bell, statiscal analysis over management era. Just as I have watched Francona so many times before, he has gradually changed the team. The bullpen has become a great strength and is made up of the same previously mediocre guys who now know and understand their roles and how to prepare and handle those situations. Plus on offense we are no longer a team of guys swinging for the fences, even with two strikes. We are trying to put the in play and move the runners along and in particular have gotten better about picking up 1 run when you needed, not looking for the 3 run homers. We are improving on bunting as well and I see us getting so much better in at winning tight games.
Littell got his 14th quality start, one more than Lodola and now leads the team. The major league leaders are 5 guys with 16, so Littell looks like a steal. Andujar was really big in last nights game, scoring the first two Reds runs in a tight pitchers battle. Hayes made a spectacular defensive play when he was inserted for defense. Last nights win was due to the contributions from the guys picked up at the deadline.
As the Guardians also pulled out another tight road win against the Mets it was back to back great nights watching my teams playing really well under pressure . 2 day games today…
Hayes runs like Mays, but he hits like shit.
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I don’t think enough people talk about Steer’s defense at first base. He is outstanding.
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I heard that on the broadcast a few days ago, which surprised me. Last year he was bottom 5% in overall defensive value, so I’m glad he has found a position that works for him.
If I were them, I’d still be targeting the division, given this timely status update from Detroit:
