For those of you that are paying attention, there were some good comments in response to yesterday’s SU posting.
- Always nice to once in a while see that some members of the SU intergalactic subscriber base actually agree with me (thank you T. Potter). Regarding the college football playoffs, I am not sold on Clemson and would have no problem seeing them out of the mix if they lose to UNC tomorrow. I actually feel that Ohio State could run the table just as they did last year if given the chance. Their roster is stacked and the truth is that they have under-achieved all year. The post-game comments after the Michigan State loss may have finally awakened them but alas, could be too late. I agree that Stanford should not be in the mix. Prediction: Alabama is the last man standing.
- I don’t think that Daniel Murphy is going to set any records with his free agent contract. While someone will likely overpay in years and money, I think he will land in the 4 years, $48 million range.
- While David Price can opt out after 3 years, it’s hard to see why he would want to do that unless the Red Sox go into the tank or if the fans hate him which is unlikely as Price is a good dude. But that is just a bad contract and the rest of their staff as it stands today is not scaring anyone. It will now be interesting to see what Scott Greienke commands.
- Pete, I think in the big market cities, any price increase in tickets or beer/hot dogs are no longer noticeable. At some point, it’s just a rounding on an already ridiculous price point. I can see how in Atlanta it would be more of an issue. But you have a new stadium on the way so your day will be coming shortly.
- Finally, I agree with A. Grossman that the Red Sox have a lot of holes to fill to get back to the top of the division. Even though Toronto is directly weakened with the Price signing and the Orioles are in decline, Boston is still not there on paper or in reality.
Don’t get caught napping on Brian Cashman. He is the master of misdirection and he keeps talking fiscal responsiblity and his “process” whatever that is. SU predicts at least 2 major moves – not necessarily big dollar investments – but via trades as he knows what he is giving Girardi is not even 90 wins worth. This is NY: home of the $29 2 hot dogs and a beer combo. We expect more.
Finally, SU checked out Stephan Curry the other night on the NBA League Pass (worth the investment Knick fans as there is good basketball being played in other cities). 28 points in the 3rd quarter alone and something like 21 consecutive points for his team. What a shooter. How youngsters are not studying his shooting form (and if you watch college basketball, you know that 95% of them are NOT) is beyond me. True, he has Dell Curry genes to work with but his motion is simple and effortless. And, he passes the ball and wait, get this, moves without the ball. What a concept! The Warriors are a lot of fun to watch.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Celtics GM Danny Ainge was on the radio here recently saying that Steph Curry is the best shooter he has ever seen. And this is a guy who played with Larry Bird. That’s some serious praise.
As for Price, if he pitches well, I think it is 99% certain he will opt out after 3 years. Why wouldn’t he? The market rate for “aces” will have risen by another $5-$10 million per year by then, and somebody will surely give him a 4 or 5 year deal for more money that whatever is remaining on his new deal. The only way he stays under the Red Sox control beyond year 3 is if he sucks or gets hurt.
Shep, my feeling is that Price is not going to get more than $31 million a year at age 34 by any other team if he opts out. Even if he pitches lights out these next 3 years. He will have a lot of mileage on that arm by then and other than the LA Dodgers, no one else will touch that. Plus the Met pitchers will be on the radar by then and teams will save their war chests for those guys.
Went to a Yankees game with my family of 4 and 2 of the kids’ friends one Sunday last summer. Spent $60 on water!
And I wasn’t suggesting that Daniel Murphy will set any records with his contract. What I’m suggesting is that his contract will be be part of the ever-rising tide that leads to the more outrageous contracts at the top. This is a guy who hits about .280 with 10 HRs a year and can barely field his position. If he gets 4 years for $48 million, this becomes the new floor for the position. And Cano’s annual salary, while twice as high, starts to look reasonable as he’s a regular All Star and likely Hall of Famer.
Should MLB be a public utility with price controls and regulation?
MLB is a business in which owners invest hundreds of millions / billions of dollars to buy a team so that they can generate revenue and profits from selling seats, concessions, parking fees, stadium ads, TV rights, memorabilia, and other bling. If fans are willing to pay through the nose for tickets, food and drink, and if advertisers will pay through the nose for ads to reach valuable 18-34 year olds who actually sit through commercials (i.e., they don’t DVR the game and fast forward through the commercials like they do with the Daily Show), then the owners will continue to pay through the nose for mediocre talent with long-term, 9-figure contracts. If they don’t keep paying out the high salaries to attract talent, then they will have non-competitive teams, their fans will stop buying tickets to see their team play, and the TV ratings plummet along with team profits.
Should MLB be subject to redistributionist policies whereby they teams have to reduce ticket, parking, and concession prices which would result in less money paid out in big contracts? Or should the free market reign and let the owners and players find the right balance between revenue and cost?