Payrolls since 2005

[Texsox]

2005 through 2023 based on a couple unofficial sites that aggregated the numbers. 

13 times above MLB average, six times below

Top 5 payroll four times, bottom 5 twice.

Average position over those years 13.33 so slightly above average.

Lowest payrolls from 2014 until 2019 where they were in the bottom third of all teams every year. 

Highest from 2006 until 2013 where they averages just over 6th highest. 

2022 rank 7th

2023 rank 10th

My hunch is (barring a change in ownership) we're about to go through a three to five year stretch of bottom 10 payrolls followed by increasing spending. When they go cheap, they go really cheap. Will we ever return to a top 5 payroll? I don't thing so based on the new market conditions. 

While I was surprised that we've spent in the past as much as we did, I just can't see it happening again. 

What does it say about JR caring about winning? Maybe be stopped in 2014? Maybe he'll open the wallet when there is a window. 

 

[The Grinder]

I'll let SSHM finish yr rant with more detailed info, should be some great talking points

[WestEddy]

1 hour ago, Texsox said:

Will we ever return to a top 5 payroll? I don't thing so based on the new market conditions. 

I think that KW/Hahn's bad decisions, coupled with a miser's approach to advanced coaching and statistical methods - made additional signings look like throwing good money after bad. When Alex Rios and Adam Dunn were stinkin' up the joint, I'm guessing JR balked at adding to that core. If we have a well-built team (which we haven't really had since the 90s), I believe Reinsdorf would at least start adding the $25 million a year players. 

[Texsox]

10 minutes ago, The Grinder said:

I'll let SSHM finish yr rant with more detailed info, should be some great talking points

Not really a rant. I was curious about the spending. I was expecting to prove how cheap the club has always been. 

I was also looking at combined marketplace spending and wondering if that offers some useful information. 

For me it is a small bit to make me feel slightly less pessimistic. I'm clutching at straws to enjoy this rebuilding process. If I can convince myself that the club will increase payroll again then there can be some hope in a rebuild. But I'm certain others will crush that ? 

[South Side Hit Men]

15 minutes ago, The Grinder said:

I'll let SSHM finish yr rant with more detailed info, should be some great talking points

It hasn't been the amount of money Jerry allocated, but by and large the stupidity of how it was spent. If Jerry would just keep (Hemond/Dombrowski) or hire one smart guy (AA, Theo, others), give them a reasonable budget and stayed out of the way, the Sox could have been a juggernaut "world class" organization over the past four decades and a team we would be proud to support. Himes is the only one who built a sustainable core, but he had to ice out Jerry to do so, and he didn't get a second contract as a result.

I actually agree with Jerry on the premise nine figure contracts (especially pitchers) typically do not end well. Sustained multiple championship windows are driven by developing and retaining a solid core. This is true in every sport. All teams have this ability if they have the right strategy and front office / organization. Sure richer teams can spend to make up for some mistakes along the way, but no team can create a core team via Free Agency beyond the NBA.

Jerry always prioritizes hiring/retaining cronies over competency in terms of team management. Howard Pizer is excellent as Jerry's finance guy, Jerry is not going to leave managing finances to chance. This is why the Sox (and Bears and Bulls) need a change at the top. Their revenue and spending is good enough to regularly compete, but their C-Suite hires are bottom barrel, and always will be under Jerry and Michael. This is why new ownership is needed, not what Tex laid out.

[Texsox]

I don't believe I said anywhere that we don't need new management. I agree with your assessment, the money has not been spent wisely. 

[South Side Hit Men]

10 minutes ago, Texsox said:

I don't believe I said anywhere that we don't need new management. I agree with your assessment, the money has not been spent wisely. 

Agreed, my comments were the correlation between what the Sox spends or doesn't spend and success on the field.

They can return to top 5 payroll with a future World Series under Jerry. It's not probable, but Jerry has consistently increased future payrolls as a portion of increases in variable revenue (increased stadium and television revenue) following their division wins and WS championship.

If the fans come, he will build it. If the fans don't, he will build s%*#.

[Texsox]

How many people wanted Tim Anderson locked up in a mega contract? Face of the franchise. Solid SS. I'm trying to think of a player that's left that we wished we had locked up for another five years. So I get avoiding the mega deal a little bit but damn we've overpaid for crap performance over and over again. How many closers have we wasted millions on since Billy Botch? 

And that is just further evidence that our front office is horrible. I wouldn't trust them with my checkbook on a nine figure deal.