Ability should mean more than price tag
The primary consideration when a team acquires a player should be how good he is, not how much he costs.
Originally Published: January 16, 2006
By Rob Neyer | ESPN Insider
I think the money's gone to our heads.
All the money in baseball, I mean. There's so much money in baseball that now, quite often, when a player signs a new contract, rather than asking "How good is he?" we ask instead, "How much is he?"
That second question certainly is important. But for a contending team, it's not nearly as important as the first question.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
-
ESPN The Magazine subscribers
-
Need more information?
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE MLB HEADLINES
- Astros sign No. 1 overall pick P Appel to deal
- Yanks' Jeter takes batting practice in Tampa
- A-Rod met Bosch at ALCS, clinic crony says
- Hamilton drops to No. 7 spot in Angels lineup
MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM
EDITORS' PICKS

- It's Gone, I Swear
- Yasiel Puig has few comps, but they're remarkable.
Crasnick »

- Don't Just Stand There!
- Three fringe contenders that must make some moves.
Jim Bowden

- Playing A Strong Hand
- San Jose appears to have a strong case against MLB.
Lester Munson »
ALSO SEE
- Law: Expectations for Wheeler, Myers and Cole
- Szymborski: Calculating Kershaw's worth
- MLB Draft: Rodon, Turner could make history
- Olney: New low for A's ballpark
- Swydan: San Diego's sneaky-deep lineup
