Average Team Opening Day Payroll Down by 1.7%

tarakas — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:24:57 -0000

The Associated press reports that the average baseball team's opening day salary decreased by 1.7% from last year, or about $1.6 million per team. 16 teams cut payroll.

The Cubs increased payroll by $16.5 million. The article does not discuss them, but the Cardinals are down quite a bit more than the average (the cards are down about $10 million and 10%, I think).

While I don't think throwing money at players will solve the team's problems, I'm still curious why the team is cutting more than most teams and how this helps the club construct a winning team around Pujols.

Cardinals 19th Best Team in Baseball?

tarakas — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:32:00 -0000

Joe Sheehan at Baseball Prospectus predicts the Cardinals to finish the season at 79-83, and as the 19th best baseball team in 2009 (Requires subscription).

He is highly critical of the team defense, faulting Schumaker at 2B and Duncan in LF as a poor idea for a pitch-to-contact pitching staff. He also views the pitching as over its head last year and is "skeptical of a Chris Carpenter comeback."

Among the teams he ranks as (albeit marginally) better: The Brewers, Giants, Marlins, and Reds.

SB Nation User Blog: tarakas

Average Team Opening Day Payroll Down by 1.7%

Cardinals 19th Best Team in Baseball?