the giants have Zito and won despite Rowland (high at the time, a joke now), the red sox and yankees may be floundering but do you doubt they will do something to recover? Then look at the twin- absolutely screwed with Mauer, the Astros still trotting out Lee eating 1/3 of their payroll. I want them to sign big names, but not until they're willing to go way north of $100 million per. As far as the tigers go, they've been over $100 million per since 2008 and they are a generally competitive team
I would argue that Zito and Rowand have cost the Giants at least one playoff run if not more. Quite simply, that money could have bought them an offense.
I don't doubt they will do something, however both clubs have stated they intend to rebuild thier farm systems and not pay the luxury tax. So the question is what are they going to do? So far, it seems that they are going to try and trade for parts they need. And so far, that has backfired on them. Now, obviously, at any time, they can afford to eat the contracts.
The Tigers are young. I'm more interested in what will happen when Miggy, Prince and Justin are mid 30s, not peforming, but still getting paid a ton of money. Will the Tigers be willing to trot them out AND try and sign big name free agents?
MDS - Tigers payroll was only 82 million that year