Not in this case. The Toronto Maple Leafs are a cash machine, so they know the money will be flowing in. But in this instance especially, the new owners are major media conglomerates who will benefit greatly from having the Leafs, Raps, TFC etcbeing successful and the TV exposure they could provide and filling empty seats. This isnt just about the Leafs though, and thats the real problem.

The return on the Leafs will be healthy. Thats not even an issue. The problem is the Raptors, TFC and any other team they now own. All teams are bottom feeders with no hope and fan interest falling off. The Leafs have so many fans they could afford to lose a few. The Raps, Jays, TFC are all not that fortunate.

If the new owners want people tuning into their broadcasts, buying merchandise, paying for seats and showing up they are going to have spend money to improve these teams, because if they dont, thats the only obstacle standing in the way of the best possible ROI.

Most importantly for the Blue Jays in this discussion is that attendance is up 5000 a game and with the new uni's merchandise has been selling like mad. Sadly, the fans once again are being hung out to dry and not rewarded for their loyalty and support. Good luck getting a healthy return in 2-3 years if this team hasnt made the playoffs, keeps finishing at the bottom of their division with fan attendance and support falling way off once again.
- Gunslinger

Well said.

Edwin isn't DH.

Lind is playing that spot.
- A_Tree

Lind is injured, he is not playing any spots right now and wont be until September at the earliest.

But yea, EE should be the DH but is the teams first baseman.

Edwin isn't DH.

Lind is playing that spot.
- A_Tree

awww yes the mighty Adam Lind, can't wait til Lind, Snider and Thames reach their potential. Can't miss prospects I tells ya

I disagree. Sometimes you have to spend to get the player you need, when that player is available. Sure its convenient to wait until you're ready to compete to spend the money, but that leaves too much to assumption and wishful thinking. Who is to say that the exact pieces they need will be FA the year they want to spend? Who is to say that even if said players are available, they would come to a market like Toronto? You're also assuming that you can indeed get over the hump, or to the hump, without spending. It sure hasn't worked for a lot of teams, and the teams it works for are the exception and not the rule.

Would Fielder be making a difference between the playoffs this or not? No, especially with the injuries. But Fielder would be making a huge difference in the next few years making this team better and more able to compete within the AL east. We saw the "wait till were ready" plan at 1st base, and the waiving of Lind it resulted in, not be as fool proof as some make it out to be.

While spending money wouldnt guarantee this team anything this season, maybe that depth it would have given the team would have allowed to survive the intense injury impact and allowed this team to compete this season, and ready to make that leap next season. Its easy to assume there will be 3-4 Fielder type players available for the Jays conveniently, but thats not how sports work. Especially in todays sports world where just about all elite players are being locked down long term and few ever making it the FA stage. And if they did, they would be going to the big markets and teams ready to win now and at the top of the league.

The point isnt to blow the budget on more Overbays, Rolens or Glaus. The point is to spend on the elite players like Fielder when available instead of assuming you can land one anytime or that you can easily develop your own. At 28 years old, the guy would be helping you now and for most if not all of that contract.
- Gunslinger

This post was all for naught until they change their beliefs on contract lengths, because any high end free agent out there wants to be paid large dollars over a long period of time, until that changes there will be no high end FA's signing in TO.

Its crazy that they won't spend the money. Their one of the richer teams in the league so money shouldn't be an excuse. Its funny how they say they don't want to fork out the cash for someone like cliff lee, who was on waivers recently, but their not willing to pick up mediocre pitchers because their not good enough . Talk about being stuck between a rock and a wall. Then they blame the fans for not showing up at the stadium saying thats why their not willing to spend the money . Toronto is cursed
- bmoney411

Rogers would rather spend money on those sh*tty hip pop/whiny emo jays commercials then on FA's.

awww yes the mighty Adam Lind, can't wait til Lind, Snider and Thames reach their potential. Can't miss prospects I tells ya
- Sammich

Lol.

No kidding. Who needs Fielder when those power houses will lead us to contention.

Think spending money doesnt make money? (not you specifically, in general)

Los Angeles and Detroits merchandise sales jumped 75% each after this off season spending. Jays with their new uni's are up 60%.

I wish the commitment to winning jumped 60%.

Not in this case. The Toronto Maple Leafs are a cash machine, so they know the money will be flowing in. But in this instance especially, the new owners are major media conglomerates who will benefit greatly from having the Leafs, Raps, TFC etcbeing successful and the TV exposure they could provide and filling empty seats. This isnt just about the Leafs though, and thats the real problem.

The return on the Leafs will be healthy. Thats not even an issue. The problem is the Raptors, TFC and any other team they now own. All teams are bottom feeders with no hope and fan interest falling off. The Leafs have so many fans they could afford to lose a few. The Raps, Jays, TFC are all not that fortunate.

If the new owners want people tuning into their broadcasts, buying merchandise, paying for seats and showing up they are going to have spend money to improve these teams, because if they dont, thats the only obstacle standing in the way of the best possible ROI.

Most importantly for the Blue Jays in this discussion is that attendance is up 5000 a game and with the new uni's merchandise has been selling like mad. Sadly, the fans once again are being hung out to dry and not rewarded for their loyalty and support. Good luck getting a healthy return in 2-3 years if this team hasnt made the playoffs, keeps finishing at the bottom of their division with fan attendance and support falling way off once again.
- Gunslinger

Yup, and they wont be spending poop until they see plenty of that return.

Not only that, but its not like the Jays are a team elite players are line up to sign with and play for. The Jays cant afford to be as picky and selective as they have been.

AA has done some good things for the Jays, but IMO he is so over rated it makes my feet vomit.
- Gunslinger

He is overrated. Couldn't deny that even I loved the guy. Compared to Riccardi, Anthopolis looks like a god-send. Obviously that in-itself is a massive overstatement, but you know it's true.

(back to hockey)

Now you can draw the comparison of Anthopolis to Burke. Both guys arrive, taking the helm of identically drowning organizations with horrid management. The biggest difference between the two is that Burke maintains his "boys club" while Anthopolis recruits the best for the team rather than himself.

Lind is injured, he is not playing any spots right now and wont be until September at the earliest.

But yea, EE should be the DH but is the teams first baseman.
- Gunslinger

True, forgot.

Who's DH right now than?

This post was all for naught until they change their beliefs on contract lengths, because any high end free agent out there wants to be paid large dollars over a long period of time, until that changes there will be no high end FA's signing in TO.
- shinebox

Umm, that whole post is actually about that very thing. Fielder was there and the Jays balked at the chance to sign him because they didnt want to pay that contract. Its all the same thing, and same point really. The point is that they didnt want to spend. Until they do choose to spend, you're just repeating what I already said. That no high end FAs will be signing in TO. Especially considering the team is in dead last in their division, nobody will want to sign here. Fielder showed interest, too bad the team chose not to spend on a 28 year old. Because god forbid, we have an elite talent for a long period of time.

True, forgot.

Who's DH right now than?
- A_Tree

Does it even matter?

We should wait until were ready to win to even use the DH slot. Just go with 8 batters until its time to compete.

Edwin isn't DH.

Lind is playing that spot.
- A_Tree

They were switching back and fourth between the two. Now that Linds injured hes not dh they need him in the field.

He is overrated. Couldn't deny that even I loved the guy. Compared to Riccardi, Anthopolis looks like a god-send. Obviously that in-itself is a massive overstatement, but you know it's true.

(back to hockey)

Now you can draw the comparison of Anthopolis to Burke. Both guys arrive, taking the helm of identically drowning organizations with horrid management. The biggest difference between the two is that Burke maintains his "boys club" while Anthopolis recruits the best for the team rather than himself.
- A_Tree

Meh. Theyre both not good enough and doing enough IMO. Burke at least has a cup. Both are running teams without success. How they win is not my concern. My concern is the lack there of.

He is overrated. Couldn't deny that even I loved the guy. Compared to Riccardi, Anthopolis looks like a god-send. Obviously that in-itself is a massive overstatement, but you know it's true.

(back to hockey)

Now you can draw the comparison of Anthopolis to Burke. Both guys arrive, taking the helm of identically drowning organizations with horrid management. The biggest difference between the two is that Burke maintains his "boys club" while Anthopolis recruits the best for the team rather than himself.
- A_Tree

no doubt AA is better than Riccardi but neither have accomplished anything
like comparing a sh*t sandwich to a sh*t burger

same can be said about the Lawrie trade. No doubt that Lawrie is a talented player with alot of upside but we gave up markum to get him and starting pitching has been a weakness for the jays before and after that trade.
- Sammich

I couldn't believe they traded Marcum the guy was killer on the mound. I don't know how many times he flirted with a no hitter.

Yup, and they wont be spending poop until they see plenty of that return.
- shinebox

Don't be numb. The Leafs rake in profits year to year, regardless of the on ice product. Granted, jersey sales have dropped - but viewership, ticket sales etc continue to maintain a steady flow of income.

Yup, and they wont be spending poop until they see plenty of that return.
- shinebox

And they wont be getting that return if they dont spend poop. Aside from the Leafs, the Toronto sports scene does not support losers. Raps, TFC have bombed big time at the gate and in fan interest.

While the Leafs will be making money, the rest of the teams wont be in the same boat. So yea, ROI will be reflected by their commitment to winning and spending money to make it happen.

You're also wrong in suggesting that, as it has been said many times that the money is there should the team need to increase the teams payroll. Its the wussyfooting and passing of the elite players and their elite size contracts more than it is ownership.

no doubt AA is better than Riccardi but neither have accomplished anything
like comparing a sh*t sandwich to a sh*t burger
- Sammich

Amen.

Of all the Toronto GM's, im giving BC the most credit for at least trying to sign Nash.

Does it even matter?

We should wait until were ready to win to even use the DH slot. Just go with 8 batters until its time to compete.
- Gunslinger

They were competitive, until the bullpin decided to piss off the rest of the season.

Umm, that whole post is actually about that very thing. Fielder was there and the Jays balked at the chance to sign him because they didnt want to pay that contract. Its all the same thing, and same point really. The point is that they didnt want to spend. Until they do choose to spend, you're just repeating what I already said. That no high end FAs will be signing in TO. Especially considering the team is in dead last in their division, nobody will want to sign here. Fielder showed interest, too bad the team chose not to spend on a 28 year old. Because god forbid, we have an elite talent for a long period of time.
- Gunslinger

It had to do with the length of the contract not the yearly salary. I remember them not wanting to pay Delgado either. They missed out on Fielder because of their own internal silly contract rules.

Don't be numb. The Leafs rake in profits year to year, regardless of the on ice product. Granted, jersey sales have dropped - but viewership, ticket sales etc continue to maintain a steady flow of income.
- A_Tree

They still have seen very little of that 1.6 billion they just spent purchasing the leafs.

no doubt AA is better than Riccardi but neither have accomplished anything
like comparing a sh*t sandwich to a sh*t burger
- Sammich

I wouldn't describe it quite like that, but I agree nonetheless.

They were competitive, until the bullpin decided to piss off the rest of the season.
- A_Tree

They kept close, but they were behind Baltimore, TBay and the Yankees just about all season. Toronto was lucky Boston tanked, but even then, Boston is still better. They were never as close as you make it seem. At least, not past the first month or two.

And they wont be getting that return if they dont spend poop. Aside from the Leafs, the Toronto sports scene does not support losers. Raps, TFC have bombed big time at the gate and in fan interest.

While the Leafs will be making money, the rest of the teams wont be in the same boat. So yea, ROI will be reflected by their commitment to winning and spending money to make it happen.

You're also wrong in suggesting that, as it has been said many times that the money is there should the team need to increase the teams payroll. Its the wussyfooting and passing of the elite players and their elite size contracts more than it is ownership.
- Gunslinger

They will be getting it for the Leafs regardless, FC, the Raptors and the Jays, not so much. That is a lot of teams and a lot of huge ass contracts it will take to make them all contenders to up the interest and viewership.

They still have seen very little of that 1.6 billion they just spent purchasing the leafs.
- shinebox

I dont think they expected to make 1.6 billion in their first year. They can make that money back in 10 years with profits on top. Are you just bored today and poop tickling without actually having a point?