Let's assume Wood is right and say that the farm requires a substantial amount of money to run. Is he trying to imply that the Nats are spending more than the 29 other teams in MLB on their minor leagues and scouting? I'd really like to know what his point is with that statement.
Outside of the draft bonuses, I'd bet that each MLB team spends roughly the same as every other MLB team on player development - within 10% of the average. What are you going to do, overpay your roving minor league hitting instructor?