[NYCVirago]

95% of the problem with basbeall free-agency, and pricign otu the smaller market teams, is because Steinbrenner defines the market, then pushes up the going rate all across the league..the league is terrified of saying anything because of the multi- hundred million judgement they lost in the collusion case..What we need is for the Boss to annouce, after this season is over, is that the new policy of the Yankees is that except for their own players, they will not offer a contract longer than three years to a free agent...IMHO, the problem is NOT the money..but the multi-year contracts..a samll market team might take a chance for 2-3 years..payign big $$ for the one player that might get then over the hump..but they can't afford the long-term deals..they might get stuck with them..

Do the Mets have to also renounce their deals with Pedro (four years) and Beltran (seven years)? ;)

Anyhow, you can't blame the Boss for all of this. He didn't sign A-Rod to 10 years, $252 million (and he's still not paying for all of it -- the Rangers send the Yankees money for a bunch of it). He didn't give Manny Ramirez $20 million a year for the next eon. He didn't come up with Todd Helton or Ken Griffey's ridiculous contracts. Besides, the market has already corrected itself -- we won't be seeing this kinds of dollar figures again any time soon.

[ken5050]

Steinbrenner started the upward trend..and look at the ridiculous deal he gave the medium sized unit..RJ would have given anything to get out two more years with a lousy rattlesnake team..but he extorted a two-year contract extention..BTW..the Mets are still paying Bobby Bonilla...when they cut him, he was owed I think 7 million for 2 more years..he "renegotiated his deal..he got $ 1 mill for 25 yeears.."