Even More To The Bosox Sale?

[Xanadu Dragon]

Have to confess - - have not read a lot about this - - so, sorry if I'm asking something that's already been beat to death.

In my mind, I always figured that Bud pushed Harrington towards Henry since he wanted to create a home for Loria, and get him off his back about messing with the Expos (back when contraction was still a possibility).

Now, I saw something that hinted Bud wanted Henry in Boston over someone like Dolan because he was afraid Dolan would have had a "Big Market" (aka spend baby, spend, screw everyone else) mentality - - and Bud wanted to get a "Small Market" (aka competative balance guy) ally in a major market like Beantown.

Anyone else know something about this?

[ChrisCary]

I don't believe there is such thing as a "small market mentality".
If they make money they either spend it or pocket it.
if they don't make money they cry about those that do.

Originally posted by Xanadu Dragon
Now, I saw something that hinted Bud wanted Henry in Boston over someone like Dolan because he was afraid Dolan would have had a "Big Market" (aka spend baby, spend, screw everyone else) mentality - - and Bud wanted to get a "Small Market" (aka competative balance guy) ally in a major market like Beantown.

Anyone else know something about this?

Where did you read/hear that Dolan would spend to his heart's delight? I haven't followed the "Sale of the Sox" thread the past few weeks but to my knowledge, of the 30 teams, only 1 can be counted on to spend.

I also don't know why they call this the "big market" way, since the Mets' Wilpon hadn't spent nearly as much as George the past few years. Neither LAD, CHC, CHW are all "big market" teams but haven't really spent as much either.

Even so, had Dolan acquired the Sox and spent on FA's and traded for pricey vets, how would this affect Bud? Perhaps I'm missing something here which you know but I can't think of offhand.

[Xanadu Dragon]

Originally posted by Yogi#8Fan
Where did you read/hear that Dolan would spend to his heart's delight?

I think the theory is that Dolan has money - as evidenced by his throwing more and more money on the table after the bidding reportedly closed.

Originally posted by Xanadu Dragon
I think the theory is that Dolan has money - as evidenced by his throwing more and more money on the table after the bidding reportedly closed.

Gotcha. So I don't see how that would relate to throwing more $ at the Sox. Seems likely but the ole "short arms, deep pockets" means one has the $ but doesn't wish to spend it.

Part B would be why would Dolan's presumed spending "hurt" and/or "upset" Bud? Personally, financially, I think I'm missing a clue or two on this also. Can you help me out a bit?

[Xanadu Dragon]

Yog - Bud's M.O. is cheap.

He doesn't want people throwing about $100-200 million per contracts. Setting a bad standard and all that.

He's afraid that new blood with deep pockets will pull a Hicks A-Rod deal on him. He'd much rather see a tight wad like Henry that would field a team, well, like the Marlins. Further, when it comes time to bitch about luxury taxes and caps, he'd rather have a guy like Henry vote his way, rather than a guy like Dolan who will fight sharing his money.

Steve, thanks for taking the time on your explanation. I see your point now. I hadn't realized it would all tie into the luxe tax and all.

As to the A-Rod $252M deal, no one left to even pay that kind of $ to. Neither Bonds nor Giambi got that kind of $ and Bonds stayed w/his old team so more fear of the unknown than a real situation. Even if some A-Rod II matured, I can see how Bud would find this the monkey wrench in his clockwork but this seems more like some politico lining up underlings who'll vote their way when it comes time.

If he were an honest man, I'd tell Bud to try convincing the owners about the luxury tax, salary cap and smaller contracts, team payrolls. Strange fear, considering Manny already got a $160M deal ($20M x 8) and the team payroll was about $800k less than the Yank payroll. If someone actually is the next Maddux, Joe Morgan, Barry or Mickey, I'd find it strange trying to deny that person their fare share of $. I wouldn't blame Bud f/requesting that teams keep a tight budget in mind, I just can't agree w/him pulling the strings on who buys and who doesn't when it comes to likely spending habits.

Now I'm starting to wonder if that Watkins atty guy trying to buy the Twins is a short-armed spendthrift or a high roller who plays the stakes on high.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Xanadu Dragon
He's afraid that new blood with deep pockets will pull a Hicks A-Rod deal on him. He'd much rather see a tight wad like Henry that would field a team, well, like the Marlins. Further, when it comes time to bitch about luxury taxes and caps, he'd rather have a guy like Henry vote his way, rather than a guy like Dolan who will fight sharing his money.

Not sure I buy into this theory. It is hard for me to imagine Bud would rather want someone who'll not spend $ and leave the Sox non-competitive as opposed to someone who will have deep pockets and potentially put together a winner.

[Xanadu Dragon]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
Not sure I buy into this theory. It is hard for me to imagine Bud would rather want someone who'll not spend $ and leave the Sox non-competitive as opposed to someone who will have deep pockets and potentially put together a winner.

Others would disagree:

From:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/bbw/2...1-23-cover.htm

The fix was in all the way, you think?

"Harrington was definitely playing footsies with Selig," says the one wearing the ballcap, Kevin Williams, 40, of Salem, N.H. "Selig wants a big-market team to vote like a small-market team, and he knew Dolan would be a big-market guy."

"What would happen if the Henry group turned the Sox into a mid-payroll club?" I ask. "How would you feel about this sale then?"

"I'd be pissed," Williams says.....................

"The bottom line," says Chris Macklin, 27, of Brighton, Mass., "is that we're all going to wait six months and see if the team is winning. If they are, everything will be OK."...................

THAT'S THE 660 million-dollar question. What are the Red Sox going to do? Will Henry's group lead them to the promised land?

Maybe. But it seems nobody in Boston thinks they're the best ones for the job. While Dolan was the favorite at Quincy Market, those with a more informed perspective wanted Popcorn Joe.

"In my mind there's no question that the O'Donnell group was the way to go," longtime Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy says. "Fans don't realize how hard it is to get things done in this town. O'Donnell and (partner Steve) Karp are local guys who know the ins and outs. And their intentions were good. They grew up as Red Sox fans and wanted what was best for the team."

In this case, "getting things done" means building that Pac Bell-esque ballpark by the waterfront that Parker wants. O'Donnell and Karp already have a land plan in place since Karp controls a Pier 4 parcel and a portion of the Fan Pier site on the South Boston waterfront. O'Donnell also owns 200 acres at Suffolk Downs, which he could trade to the Massachusetts Port Authority for a parcel in South Boston.

But last week new team president Larry Lucchino said that "Plan A" was to renovate and expand Fenway Park, "definitely." Time will tell.

Shaughnessy says Henry's group "seem like nice men with good intentions" and Lucchino "is a guy who can get things done." But, he says, "there is that fear of them downsizing the club — turning them into the Kansas City Red Sox."

When Williams says he would be "pissed" if that happened, he would not be alone in his sentiment, according to Shaughnessy. "The fan base wouldn't stand for it," he says. "There would be too much pressure. And I don't think they are going to turn them into the Royals. This group isn't interested in strip mining the team."

[BuzzBuzzard]

That's fine, guys like Kevin Williams and Chris Macklin (whoever the hell they are) are entitled to their opinions, but that does not make them any more knowledgable than I. There are conspirory theorists in many circles, but this one just doesn't hold water for me.

[KCBOOMER]

I am always amazed at the fans who expect a baseball owner to spend money from their personal assets to make their team a winner and if the owner creates a winner the fan thinks he had something to do with it.