Cleveland GM speaks out

[CardsBest]

I don't understand how a salary cap fixes anything for Cleveland.

Their revenue remains the same and they say they can only spend $100M on payroll now.

The answer is more revenue sharing. If the revenue was more equal, then the salary cap would not be necessary.

A salary cap just forces the Yankees/Dodgers/Cubs owners to pocket a lot of money or invest huge dollars in something other than payroll. The Yankees and Cubs owners are already voluntarily doing just that.

They need both. Salary cap and revenue sharing. That raises what the lower teams can spend but also limits teams like Dodgers or Mets from massive differences in payroll. Profit sharing alone doesn't fix the problem.

[peterman'srealitytour]

Amen to a cap, a floor and some form of revenue sharing. Whatever it takes to restore competitive balance.

There is already revenue sharing. Be better at running your business and stop asking for handouts.

Is there a point to this post?

Nobody is suggesting that this half @$$ redistribution of wealth they call revenue sharing is doing anything to meaningfully curb spending and certainly isn’t helping with competitive balance.

So back my original comments: need salary cap and floor PLUS a better version of revenue sharing.

[peterman'srealitytour]

I don't understand how a salary cap fixes anything for Cleveland.

Their revenue remains the same and they say they can only spend $100M on payroll now.

The answer is more revenue sharing. If the revenue was more equal, then the salary cap would not be necessary.

A salary cap just forces the Yankees/Dodgers/Cubs owners to pocket a lot of money or invest huge dollars in something other than payroll. The Yankees and Cubs owners are already voluntarily doing just that.

Revenue sharing just puts more money in owners pockets.

a floor ensures they spend it.

Exactly. Would have to a concession to the players if a cap is in place.

[Red7]

Amen to a cap, a floor and some form of revenue sharing. Whatever it takes to restore competitive balance.

There is already revenue sharing. Be better at running your business and stop asking for handouts.

Is there a point to this post?

Nobody is suggesting that this half @$$ redistribution of wealth they call revenue sharing is doing anything to meaningfully curb spending and certainly isn’t helping with competitive balance.

So back my original comments: need salary cap and floor PLUS a better version of revenue sharing.

You do understand that, justifiably so, the players remain adamantly opposed to curbing salaries. This is America. We do not put artificial curbs on what people make. Why do you hate America? If the Guardians were put up for sale tomorrow, there’d be no shortage of buyers.

[Carp4Cy]

I don't understand how a salary cap fixes anything for Cleveland.

Their revenue remains the same and they say they can only spend $100M on payroll now.

The answer is more revenue sharing. If the revenue was more equal, then the salary cap would not be necessary.

A salary cap just forces the Yankees/Dodgers/Cubs owners to pocket a lot of money or invest huge dollars in something other than payroll. The Yankees and Cubs owners are already voluntarily doing just that.

Revenue sharing just puts more money in owners pockets.

a floor ensures they spend it.

Exactly. Would have to a concession to the players if a cap is in place.

The players would need more concession than that. Give them a quicker path to free agency and (much) larger rookie contracts based on their draft ranking or something as the other leagues have.

[Red7]

This is America. In America, we don’t cap how much an individual can make. Why do all you cap supporters hate America?

Hmmm, someone should tell that to the NFL then. They cap. And are successful doing it

And they limit how much an individual, an American, can make. They also show Bad Bunny. Why does the NFL hate America?

[Red7]

Change the supply and demand: Free agency after Year 1. Eliminate arbitration. Flood the market with free agents.

[mattmitchl44]

This is America. In America, we don’t cap how much an individual can make. Why do all you cap supporters hate America?

In America, you can get fired for being bad at your job and not get paid - which you can't in baseball when you are signed to a $100, $200, etc. million guaranteed contract.

[Jatalk]

Secondly if they are that strapped on the revenue side then it’s clear the Cleveland market can’t support a team. Sell or move the franchise.

There aren't 30 markets, or 30 owners in those markets, who can/will compete monetarily with the likes of the Dodgers, Yankees, etc. without imposed restraints.

True but that’s not my main point. If Cleveland can only afford a $95 million payroll that market can’t support never support a franchise. Time to face facts some of these markets cannot support teams. Either that are owners a not being honest. Understand this only applies to the bottom few teams.

Again I am for salary restraints but not for propping up losing markets.

Then what? Contract MLB down to 24, 20, etc. teams that can exist in large enough markets (if you eliminate Cleveland or Cincinnati, does all of Ohio consolidate around one team? if you eliminate one of Miami or Tampa Bay, does all of Florida consolidate around the other?) in order to support larger payrolls?

Is it good for the players to eliminate 1/6 or 1/3 of the MLB roster positions?

You move or sell them to better markets. You don’t have to reduce the number of teams. We are probably talking about 3-5 franchises. Simple to find better markets. I have no concerns about Ohio or Florida. You don’t just deserve a team.

what better markets? The vast majority of the top 30 markets have teams in them already. There aren't an additional 30 top tv markets to pick from.

Nashville, Charlotte both support nfl and other pro franchises. San Antonio has been mentioned. Montreal has been mentioned. I’m sure more out west.

Charlotte? No Nashville has been rumored so great you move the marlins. So you have The Rangers and the Astros and want to throw a team in San Antonio? No.

I guess there's always Las Vegas or some New Mexico area.

Pretty sure if you can support NFL and NBA team you can a baseball franchise. Vegas is getting the A’s.

[ScotchMIrish]

This is unlikely to happen but I was thinking 3 divisions of 10 teams each based upon payroll with 4 teams from each division making the playoffs.

10 top payroll teams compete for 4 playoff spots.

10 mid payroll teams compete for 4 playoff spots.

10 low payroll teams compete for 4 playoff spots.


Ideally a legitimate payroll cap would be better but I doubt the owners will stick together and get that done.

[Red7]

This is America. In America, we don’t cap how much an individual can make. Why do all you cap supporters hate America?

In America, you can get fired for being bad at your job and not get paid - which you can't in baseball when you are signed to a $100, $200, etc. million guaranteed contract.

Many, many contracts are guaranteed. That’s why you have a contract. It’s not just in baseball.

[mattmitchl44]

This is America. In America, we don’t cap how much an individual can make. Why do all you cap supporters hate America?

In America, you can get fired for being bad at your job and not get paid - which you can't in baseball when you are signed to a $100, $200, etc. million guaranteed contract.

Many, many contracts are guaranteed. That’s why you have a contract. It’s not just in baseball.

Most contracts are contingent on both parties fulfilling their responsibilities as part of the contract. MLB players don't have to deliver production (see Anthony Rendon, etc.) consistent with their contracts.

[Jatalk]

This is America. In America, we don’t cap how much an individual can make. Why do all you cap supporters hate America?

In America, you can get fired for being bad at your job and not get paid - which you can't in baseball when you are signed to a $100, $200, etc. million guaranteed contract.

Many, many contracts are guaranteed. That’s why you have a contract. It’s not just in baseball.

Most contracts are contingent on both parties fulfilling their responsibilities as part of the contract. MLB players don't have to deliver production (see Anthony Rendon, etc.) consistent with their contracts.

What is this stupid un-American logic on caps. If the league owners and player unions agree to a cap then they have the right to do so. If players don’t like it then they can go get other jobs that pay them millions of dollars a year. No one is forcing them to play Major League Baseball.

The fact is professional sports are not a free market environment. Limited franchises, controlled market areas, and an agreed set of rules all must follow. Setting a cap is just another rule.

[peterman'srealitytour]

Amen to a cap, a floor and some form of revenue sharing. Whatever it takes to restore competitive balance.

There is already revenue sharing. Be better at running your business and stop asking for handouts.

Is there a point to this post?

Nobody is suggesting that this half @$$ redistribution of wealth they call revenue sharing is doing anything to meaningfully curb spending and certainly isn’t helping with competitive balance.

So back my original comments: need salary cap and floor PLUS a better version of revenue sharing.

You do understand that, justifiably so, the players remain adamantly opposed to curbing salaries. This is America. We do not put artificial curbs on what people make. Why do you hate America? If the Guardians were put up for sale tomorrow, there’d be no shortage of buyers.

“Why do I hate America?” So, every one that wants a salary cap, floor hates America? So the NFl, NBA where salary caps are in place are anti-American institutions??

Get help with your extremist, freak show takes. Doing wonderful things with lobotomies these days.

[peterman'srealitytour]

I don't understand how a salary cap fixes anything for Cleveland.

Their revenue remains the same and they say they can only spend $100M on payroll now.

The answer is more revenue sharing. If the revenue was more equal, then the salary cap would not be necessary.

A salary cap just forces the Yankees/Dodgers/Cubs owners to pocket a lot of money or invest huge dollars in something other than payroll. The Yankees and Cubs owners are already voluntarily doing just that.

Revenue sharing just puts more money in owners pockets.

a floor ensures they spend it.

Exactly. Would have to a concession to the players if a cap is in place.

The players would need more concession than that. Give them a quicker path to free agency and (much) larger rookie contracts based on their draft ranking or something as the other leagues have.

No argument from me on granting the players other concessions in exchange for caps and floors.

[Red7]

This is America. In America, we don’t cap how much an individual can make. Why do all you cap supporters hate America?

In America, you can get fired for being bad at your job and not get paid - which you can't in baseball when you are signed to a $100, $200, etc. million guaranteed contract.

Many, many contracts are guaranteed. That’s why you have a contract. It’s not just in baseball.

Most contracts are contingent on both parties fulfilling their responsibilities as part of the contract. MLB players don't have to deliver production (see Anthony Rendon, etc.) consistent with their contracts.

What is this stupid un-American logic on caps. If the league owners and player unions agree to a cap then they have the right to do so. If players don’t like it then they can go get other jobs that pay them millions of dollars a year. No one is forcing them to play Major League Baseball.

The fact is professional sports are not a free market environment. Limited franchises, controlled market areas, and an agreed set of rules all must follow. Setting a cap is just another rule.

Supporting a rule that limits what an individual makes is unAmerican. Trying to FORCE that rule on players is even MORE unAmerican. Why do you hate the American worker?