Hal Steinbrenner is not his dad but he can read the tea leaves. Steve Cohen’s payroll over at the Mets is pushing $350 million and Hal’s long-time position of “we have a budget” is now officially out the window. First it was $360 million for Aaron Judge (“double Chai” for our Jewish subscribers) and now $162 million for 6 years for the “oft” (as in always) injured Carlos Rodon. It’s a risk but SU says well worth it.
The reality is that pitching and throwing a baseball close to 100 mph is an unnatural motion. Arms and muscles were not meant to do this year after year. That’s why there are so many injuries and Tommy John surgeries. The chances of any pitcher making it through his contract unscathed are low. Look at Luis Severino: he is on the IL every year. As in every year. SU says roll the dice on Rodon and go for the championship in 2023.
The Yankees still have a need in left field unless they feel Aaron Hicks will be getting better with age (here’s a hint: he’s not). Andrew Benintendi is still out there but rumor has it he wants to play in warmer weather down South (hey, Yankee Stadium is in the South Bronx). The other option is Bryan Reynolds on the Pirates who could be acquired in a trade for Gleyber Torres and a top prospect. SU is interested to see how Brian Cashman plays it.
Some were predicting that the Mets would get Carlos Correa but it was hard to see how you load up so much money between Lindor and him. Smart to have stayed away from that one. And what is up with the 8 – 9 year deals for shortstops who will be 40 years old at the end of their deals? Is this the new normal? It’s clear that owners are sitting on a ton of cash and are spending this off season.
SU is getting a bit frustrated with the NBA. It’s not a good look when a team in the Western Conference makes its only appearance in an Eastern Conference city and then rests 3 of its starters for “load management.” As a fan, you may have shelved out hundreds of dollars for a ticket to see Steph Curry or Durant and then he is resting? No doubt, it’s the coaches sending a message to the League Office that they don’t like the back-to-back games but it’s the reality of the business. SU does not recall the Knicks doing that back in the late 1960s with Red Holzman the only coach and the trainer, Danny Whelan, keeping track of timeouts and stats. So funny today to see 3 assistants on the bench and then about 5 – 6 more in the row behind. Different era.
Finally, World Cup soccer is pretty cool. SU has watched its share of games and while there are long stretches where little is happening (picture watching Chapman pitching last year), the ability of these guys to thread passes in the box is pretty amazing. I am still not there but starting to get it. Next, I will work on hockey!
Met and Yankee fans: are you feeling it for 2023?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
I’m feeling nothing as inhuries always seems to affect us. Why doesn’t it seem to affect Houston?
Would love get Benetendi…a contact hitter.
I agree 100% how unfair it is to pay all that money and your star or stars aren’t playing. However, I do see their point on back to back games. Yeah, being your your twenties or early thirties, being in a comfy hotel, probably getting a nice massage, good food and an easy ride to the stadium…..yup all those tough things players have to do while making millions has to play such a toll on playing for a couple of hours two days in a row.
IT’S DISGUSTING…JUST A SPOILED GROUP OF MILLIONAIRES.
Playoff hockey is by far the most consistently exciting spectator sport. Go to a few games in person and you will not regret it. Evan, make sure Howard gets out to UBS for an Islanders playoff game this year.
The evil empire is alive and well. An arms race in New York will make for a fun summer and hopefully an exciting fall. (That’s if those old arms don’t literally fall off a la Dave Dravecky)
The salary numbers are exploding but inflation is everywhere and in real dollars maybe those contracts will not seem as extreme in hindsight. Who knew Putin’s price hike would impact the great American pastime so much.
I do have a concern about the competitive balance and health of the league. We can’t end up with the Harlem Globe Trotters playing the Washington Generals every other game. Owners that refuse to invest in their teams should be forced to sell. Seems to be plenty of potential buyers around. If you can not afford to invest at least 50% of the median league salary in your team you should not be an owner. MLB needs some minimum standards.
Conforto seems like a natural pickup for the Yanks. He would be wise to let the team fill in the blank on the contract like Andre Dawson with the Cubs back in the day. Mash on that short porch and he will get paid the big money next year. Go out and prove it like the Judge did!
Yankees and Mets improved themselves. Yanks still need a leftfielder but Cashman will figure it out.
Prediction. Sometime between now and the next month the Knicks are making a fairly significant trade. Right now they are probably the seventh best team of the east. That means they are slightly better than mediocre.
A significant trade might make a difference. If no trade for them to get to the second round of the playoffs would be considered a success.