Figuring Figures

The 2023 MLB payroll figures say a lot, depending on perspective. Some teams that spent a ton, like the Mets and Yankees, didn’t make the playoffs. Others (Phillies, Rangers, Astros) did. Likewise, there were teams that played on the cheap (A’s and Pirates) and looked it, and others (Diamondbacks and Orioles) that proved to be winning bargains many times over. In the end, it comes down to front-office smarts. Consider the White Sox, who ranked fifteenth this season with a $162.9 million payroll. Jerry Reinsdorf thinks that’s a lot, and so did his ex-GM Rick Hahn, yet three of the four remaining teams spent some $74 million more to get to their respective league championship series. Those teams tended to spend on big free agents while the Sox preferred to overpay for relievers. Not smart. Too bad Reinsdorf didn’t bother to keep Dave Dombrowski around. Instead, he let go of Roland Hemond and his assistant Dombrowski with the installation of his pet, Hawk Harrelson, as GM. Talk about a move that keeps on hurting. Dombrowski has served as GM of the Expos; Marlins; Tigers; Red Sox; and Phillies. He keeps getting hired because he keeps winning pennants, five in all spread over four teams, and two World Series titles. But firing Tony La Russa was Reinsdorf’s big mistake. Dombrowski’s modus operandi has been to go with veterans; he’ll trade youth for established players—think Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech for Chris Sale) and sign free agents—e.g., Magglio Ordonez, Trea Turner—as much as his owner will allow. The five pennants (and a sixth possible, depending what the Phillies do next week against the Diamondbacks) suggest he knows what he’s doing. Did I mention Dombrowski is a Chicago native? Of course, you don’t have to spend money to win. The Twins and Brewers along with the Diamondbacks made the postseason with smaller payrolls than the Sox. In which case, you have to scout talent; sign and develop talent; and make smart trades and acquire the occasional free agent. Carson Fulmer, Adam Dunn, Joe Kelly. I rest my case.