Is it just me or is everyone surprised on the deals they are making. I thought they were struggling worse then almost anyone money wise. On another money note John McClain was really hard on Drayton today on 610am. He said Drayton should really open his books. There is no possible way he lost $4 mil last season. He had record sales the tv money all the playoff games and merch sales. He said it is not possible and he needs to open the books because it is just silly hearing that. He basically said if that is the case there is no way the team could ever make money.
Investors for the D'Backs are banking on the following logic: 1.) The only games that the D'backs routinely sold out last year are ones that Randy Johnson started.... ie, he means a lot more for them, $$$-wise, than any other player out there. 2.) The only way they have a shot at keeping Randy, is to spend more $$$ in the short-run (keep in mind, this is all added to their accumulating debt)... with the chance that Randy can be persuaded into staying there. 3.) Also, by signing big-name players... it perpetuates the illusion of trying to remain competitive.... but keep in mind, their season will be in the toilet (both team success and attendance-wise) if Randy does not come back to them. Russ Ortiz is done... if Atlanta's coaching and big ballpark couldn't save him last year, what else coud? Troy Glaus is solid... but every team has at least one solid everyday player.... some bad teams even have two. Frankly, I think the D'Backs are setting themseleves up for a world of more hurt... one that could culminate in them being forced to either dump everybody by mid-season, or foreclose on the team itself if they don't produce.
