In the state of today's economy in relation to baseball, many teams cannot afford to spend the endless dollars that the Yankees and other teams continue to throw at players.
However, in this decade and actually this century the Yankees have only won one World Series, which was the actual year 2000. Teams like the Angels, Marlins, and Phillies have shown that building a team from within and using your farm system as a useful tool in avoiding trades and high priced free agents can be successful and result in a championship.
Now in 2009 as we come to the ladder end of the decade the Yankees are falling back fast in the American League East. Even after signing Sabathia and Burnett to over $200 million combined this past off season, the Yankees pitching has been nothing short of average.
On the other hand, the Phillies won their second World Series title in their franchise history with their top four players being Phillie bread. Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and not to mention the World Series MVP, pitcher Cole Hamels, are all considered to be super stars in Major League Baseball. Obviously the Phillies front office and their players have realized the importance of establishing a family like nucleus without having to bring in the high priced free agent or the rent a player for half a season. Thus resulting in success.
Even the recent success of the Tampa Bay Rays (the Phillies World Series opponent) has proved that you don't always need to spend the most money to win a championship (25th lowest payroll in baseball). The Rays who in 2008 enjoyed their first winning season in franchise history literally built their team from the farm system up with the few exceptions.
Just for fun and so the fans can get a feel on some surprising salaries in baseball here's an interesting line up...
The "ALL-BARGAIN STARTING 9" is put together in a National League style line up with some surprising names to read about.
The only criteria needed to qualify for the starting nine is one important statistic:
Your 2009 salary must be $999,999 or less. Yes that's right, less than a million dollars in the 21st Century!
So if you play for the Yankees, contribute to the score, and aren't Brett Gardner then you don't have a chance of consideration
Obviously, these players are by opinion but after the facts are shown, that will be provided, I feel as if this is the best team complied thus far (team is based on actual performance not potential)
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