People always talk about how pressure-filled being a GM or coach for either the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox is. But if there is anything that I have learned in the last two weeks, it is that Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein probably have the easiest jobs in the world.
Their job is basically the equivalent of playing MLB 2003 and simulating every game. And not only are they getting paid good money to do this, it is like they are playing it on Rookie, not even Pro or All-Star.
Look at what they have done this postseason. Both Cashman and Epstein have hijacked two of the league's best pitchers for the equivalent of Ricky Ledee - quite possibly the ugliest and least useful baseball player ever - and two amputee circus midgets.
Every other GM in baseball has it a lot rougher than these two. They have to deal with real things like keeping their payroll under control, holding on to players they've spent time developing into stars and finding young talent for the future.
What do Cashman and Epstein have to worry about? How far into the playoffs their teams will go? What free agents will be available at the end of the season?
It's not even a question of whether they'll make it and they don't have to worry about losing players to big market teams because they are basically Jaws, and teams like the Expos and A's are Nemo.
Baseball would seriously be a lot more fun if there was a salary cap.
That way I would be genuinely happy that the Yankees pulled off a trade for Javier Vazquez. One big off-season move would be all I - and most fans - could hope for. Now I'm already over Vazquez, even though the trade was pulled off just hours ago. Even though it won't be all that exciting, I'm waiting for word that Gary Sheffield signs with the Yankees.
Or Kaz Matsui. Or Kevin Brown. Or whoever else the Yankees will get.
Players are just dying to go to the Yankees or Boston, and it's really taking the wind out of baseball's sails. I'll still brag to my Met (and consequently Red Sox) fan friends whenever the Yankees spend all the money I'll make in my lifetime to sign the supposed second coming of Christ.
But the truth is that it's really not making it fun anymore. I won't have to watch a single regular season game because the Yanks will be there in October.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
