At what point are MLB teams going to realize that long-term contracts

[No coincidences]

Fielder has actually done a great job since leaving Milwaukee. He has still put up solid numbers going from a hitters park to Detroit, which is more pitcher friendly. At this point he definitely has been worth the money as he is one of the main reasons Miggy won that Triple Crown Last year and teams just couldn't pitch around him.

Prince has like 2 RBI in 21 postseason games with Detroit. He had an average year last year and was sub-par this season. He may be putting up "solid numbers," but to say he's worth the kind of money they're paying him is a stretch to say the least. Are you telling me there aren't a lot more guys out there who the Tigers could get for much less $$$ to protect the greatest hitter of our generation?

[easyliving]

The Pujols situation was very comparable to Mauer. And yet, StL had a price and # of years in mind, he wanted more, and they let him walk.

That's why StL has won non-stop since Pujols' departure, while the Twins have lost 90 in a row for three straight seasons since Mauer's "necessary" deal. Do you think that Cardinal fans are looking back now and still angry that they didn't re-sign him? Because they were mad as hell at the time. Meanwhile, I know plenty of Twins fans who are saying "WTF were we thinking" as they try to piece a rotation together with bums like Pelphrey and Worley because all of their money is tied up in a catcher who barely plays anymore.

without a doubt the Twins rotation was the worst in the league last year.

[No coincidences]

without a doubt the Twins rotation was the worst in the league last year.

I know Mauer is a home-grown talent, a loveable guy and all, but that doesn't mean he should be able to hold a franchise hostage -- or that a franchise should be dumb enough to just hand over a blank check. Both instances happen way too often in sports these days.

[LordVodka]

Has Prince Fielder really gone 15 post season games without an RBI/

I never liked the guy. Overpaid fatty.

[No coincidences]

Has Prince Fielder really gone 15 post season games without an RBI/

I never liked the guy. Overpaid fatty.

He can't get around on a ball anymore. It's not a fluke that he's struggling.

[daneblazer]

you could say the A's are smart..

but the A's are sitting at home right now eating popcorn
watching the games on TV.

Tigers fans should be grateful they have an owner who
cares.

Imagine if you were a Marlins fan.

I'd argue the Cards are smart. The A's and Rays are usually sharp. The Braves were sharp until they unloaded a bad contract on BJ Upton. The Red Sox dumped a ton of contracts last season. You have to spend some money, but signing someone into their 40's isn't sharp even if the team has money to burn.

[El Sol]

Pure economics man. If it isnt profitable, they won't be doing it. Sure they fork out big doe for these guys, but the media attention and fan draw makes up for it. Look at the Lakers with the monster payroll. Had a crappy season, yet it was all people talked about and the games continued to sell out. Its more about remaining a top shelf product than it is winning championships.

In comparison, look at the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland A's. Great seasons, Championship potential, lowest attendance in the major leagues

http://espn.go.com/mlb/attendance

Sports is entertainment, and the players are the actors. Winning is important, but image is far more important. Just like crappy movies with big name actors draw in the crowd, so do sports athletes. Another example, Jeremy Lin. Average basketball player, Hugh contract. Idiots like Melo will cry about how's he's not worth it, yet Houston is laughing all the way to the bank with the Asian fan draw and the international merchandise market.

[pavyracer]

Yes sign up each position player only for 1 year so every year the fans can see new players on the team. And they can buy new jerseys. Brilliant!

[AchillesTG]

Sports is entertainment, and the players are the actors. Winning is important, but image is far more important.

Just look at Jerry Jones and the Cowboys as an example. He paid $150 million for them and now worth $2 Billion. He is making money hand over fist with a 500 Team.

Sports owners cry about not making a net profit, but their asset appreciates astronomically.
Owners will keep forking over the huge contracts in all sports.