Red Sox Payroll Could Drop Significantly in '09

The Boston Herald has a great article breaking down the Red Sox payroll for '09. In '08 it was $133 million, the Herald projected a payroll of $111 million for '09 if the Red Sox were to re-sign Tek and pick up some utility players.

What does this mean for the team? There are two ways the Red Sox could go; they could spend the money they did last season by signing a big name free agent or it could be a sign that Sox ownership is worried about the economy and wants to cut some costs. I would be happy if they can go with some younger guys and find sucess at the lower payroll, I am tired of people saying that the Red Sox are just like the Yankees and are buying championships even though they have won with a solid group of home-grown talent.

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The Red Sox Payroll

As Papelbon was about to throw the pitch that would win the World Series an annoying Rockies fan next to me at Coors Field said, "that's what $150 million buys you." I ignored the comment and quickly began heading towards the Sox dugout to join the rest of the Nation in celebration. I do however understand the frustration of being a fan of a team that is always getting out spent. The A's fans out here have had to deal with the loses of McGwire, Giambi, Zito, and Tejada over the past few years. They know that if a player becomes a superstar he is gone as soon as he is eligible for free agency. I love that the Red Sox occasionally go for big players and try to put the best team on the field. I also know that money does not guarantee you sucess but in the AL East you have to have a high payroll. Boston has spent a lot of money the past few years on players like Dice-K and J.D. Drew. These transactions make fans from low budget teams hate the Sox and put them on the same level of the Yankees. Maybe if those teams would sell out games and have fans willing to pay the highest ticket price in MLB (going up 9% next year) they could have a payroll like the Sox. But they should also realize that Pedroia and Ellsbury were just as responsible for the World Series victory as Drew and Matsuzaka. If money bought you championships A-Rod would have hands filled with rings. Its about having the right team and spending wisely when you have to.

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