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Budget Adjustments
I asked Mo for a meeting to discuss our budget and more specifically wanted to re-allocate money into scouting/development since we were so frugal with our money this year so far and we will definitely be going into the season without a major free agent signing - which, at the time of our initial meetings - is a change. I asked that we give more money to our scouting departments and our international complexes to operate.
My argument is that since we will be right around $110 Million in payroll - which ranks right around the middle of the league - we should re-allocate and spend more money on our scouting efforts as we continue to build up our minor league system. We aren't anywhere close to the player payroll budget and won't be. That's why I am asking for the adjustment. He agreed and approved it on the spot. He said that he would give "Big Bill" (DeWitt III) a call and let him know of the adjustment. He also let our CFO know to adjust the books.
The adjustment puts our scouting expenses at $18 Million (maximum) and our player development budget at $14 Million (about $5 Million more than the league average).
I thought that was going to be a much more difficult conversation. However, since Mo has been in this spot before, he understands and knows that it's best for the organization. Now, that said, if we have a down year, some of that money may need to be toned down if we don't hit our attendance numbers. Obviously, we'll do all we can to avoid that situation.
That's about all of the excitement for today.
Just 15 days until pitchers and catcher report to Jupiter for Spring Training!
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