Some very reputable comments here, some rather foolish ones too.... But seriously, baseball needs better competitive balance. The big payroll Yankees have not won the WS since 2000, that with every larger free-agent signings and an escalating payroll. They came perilously close to losing to Boston in the ALCS too. I would personally be enraged if I spent c. $180mil on my team and they couldn't pummel the opposition. In fact, my only reason for observing what little I have of the WS is to see the Yankees fail. Clemens is retiring, Wells may follow suit, Pettite is a FA, and Weaver, well, needs some work. The Yankees defense is porous. They have stockpiled SPs, half of which spent portions of their season, if not more, in AAA. They spent a pile of money on Contreras saying he was the best to ever come out of Cuba, and he's a reliever now!
That said, I cannot entirely agree that baseball is trying to prevent the Yankees from winning. Rather, I would argue that baseball is attempting (albeit rather futiley) to allow all teams the chance to spend alla the Yankees. Consider the AL central. The payrolls are similar, although the White Sox was a bit higher. Cleveland is rebuilding, yet was competitive. KC was in the mix for the better part of the season. It was a great race. You might even go so far as to say that such tight competition drew even more fans back to baseball. On the other hand, if the WSox had just bowled over the competition, KC fans wouldn't be turning out in droves, the HHHdome would be empty. US Cellular field might not be so interesting either. My point is, spending money wisely and on an equal basis provides for more competition and interest.
Now as for the Yankees, they have a history of greatness. I will not argue with that point. However, I will say that the Yankees very well may not have that history had they been in a different market. Take Detroit or Cinci for example. The Reds are the longest standing ML franchise. They have had some great teams. But they do not have the market to garner the national attention that NY does. NY is considered the epitomy of america. Not Cinci. Then consider merchandising. You can go to most any country and find a Yankees cap or shirt. Nearly every clothing store (target, walmart, etc.) has a yankees hat or shirt for sale. Almost everyone knows who the Yankees are. Can you honestly say that the Yankees would be the Yankees in a smaller market? I just do not think it is possible. Consider the Braves. They've been in the postseason every year since 1991. They are regularly broadcast on TBS. Yet you do not see Braves merchandise everywhere. You do not hear of foreigners wearing Braves hats. Why? They are not in a large market. They are not in New York. There is a certain mystic attached to NY. For some reason, New York is considered to embody all that is america. Small market teams do not have that, nor can that be taken away from the Yankees. The Yankees have been around for a century. They have grown with NY. They are part of NY. They have this advantage that no other team has.
This considered, would it not make sense to at least give the other MLB teams the one advantage of financial equality? In perspective, it is a small thing to ask. No other market can truely compete with NY and it's mystique. Why not have a salary cap and let teams develop their talent, trade, and sign wisely. Put the power back in the hands of the GM. Let them do the job and may the best team win, on an equal financial playing field. Than if the Yankees, Braves, etc. come out on top every year one can honestly say that they spent their money more wisely than any other team.
Oh yes, and Tejada did not have a very good season and if I were Billy Bean I would let him walk and replace him with someone that can hit the ball a few more times a game.
