Wolf being told to spend money

by tmt85 on Feb 15, 2012 12:03 PM PST

I don't know if this has been brought up or not as I have not been keeping up with AN over the last few weeks, but the conspiracy theorist in me thinks that Lew Wolf has been told by Selig that he will give him San Jose but that Wolf has to play ball. At around the time Selig announced that the stadium was on the "front burner" Beane started signing players like Coco, Gomes, Colon and then trading for Smith. Honestly who saw any of these signings coming? With these moves the A's went from possible 100 games losers to being mediocre to decent. The rest of baseball does not want the A's to be terrible because the worse they are, the worse the revenue they pull in which means the other owner would have to shell out more in revenue sharing. The rest of baseball doesn't want to pay welfare to any team and especially not to a team that is intentionally tanking. So Selig told Wolf that if wants San Jose then he needs to spend more money this season in order to generate more wins and revenue.

I believe Selig has a soft spot for Manny mostly because he helped bring a WS to Boston which MLB undoubtedly loves. I think this is a major factor in Manny's reduced suspension. Maybe its a coincidence, but the A's are the only team "interested" in Manny. I don't think is a coincidence. If the A's sign Manny then its another box checked off on Seligs 'San Jose to Do List' for Wolf.

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Isn't there a certain quota of money that MLB teams need to spend a year.

Ex: Lets say the A’s spent a total of 60 million each year for the last 3 years, the A’s couldn’t just be allowed to spend 30 million on players. They have to reach a quota so the A’s along with other small market teams can pretend their “improving” every year. I don’t think Lew Wolff and Bud Selig were playing trade offs on this.

The A’s haven’t been awarded San Jose yet because there is so many laws and things to get around with the Giants have territorial rights, it’s a pretty complicated matter. Let’s say the A’s were awarded San Jose, there’s a good chance the Giants would try to sue the MLB citing that territorial rights have been breached… Etc, etc theres just so much to take in to account and the Giants are the biggest obstacle to get around.

by Raider08 on Feb 15, 2012 1:05 PM PST reply actions

We'll get our stadium, and I like your theory but unfortunately I think it's just not that simple.

But who knows maybe your right and im wrong. Only time will tell.

by Raider08 on Feb 15, 2012 1:07 PM PST up reply actions

They have to spend at least the amount they get in revenue sharing

There might be more quotas or whatever, but the A’s could most likely get away with only spending $40 M. (I think they’re projected around $50-55 for the season.)

The Giants can’t sue the MLB or another MLB team, at least for baseball-related stuff. There’s a Congressional exemption (?) that allows it.

by Furyan on Feb 16, 2012 4:32 PM PST up reply actions

*prevents would probably be better

by Furyan on Feb 16, 2012 4:33 PM PST up reply actions

No official salary floor

Just as there’s no salary cap. The poor teams have an unspoken guideline that they’re not supposed to breach: keep payroll at around 50% of revenues. Go above that and you’re being irresponsible. The rich teams don’t have to follow this “rule”.

by vertig0 on Feb 16, 2012 7:46 PM PST up reply actions

Alright wasn't to sure about it.

So is it possible for the A’s to spend around what the get from revenue sharing each year lets say its 30 mil, and save from what they make at home lets say its 20 mil and save like 20 million each year for around 5 years and just spend big the next 2 years?

by Raider08 on Feb 16, 2012 10:39 PM PST up reply actions

Yes, but it's not sustainable.

They’d be better off saving that money to put towards a stadium, if the league would even allow it.

by LoneStranger on Feb 18, 2012 11:09 AM PST up reply actions

More likely, when they started realizing that the stadium wasn't going to be ready until 2016,

they decided that it is too early for a rebuild. You’re better off getting players that you can flip within the next four years for the actual rebuild. Players that you can get for money without giving up prospects are good for that.

by LoneStranger on Feb 15, 2012 2:04 PM PST reply actions

Oh joy. Be still my heart. Put off... again. :-|

A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart

by UncleLeo on Feb 16, 2012 1:22 AM PST up reply actions

His name is Lewis Wolff, not Wolf

Why can’t people spell it right after 7 years of ownership?

by athletics68 on Feb 15, 2012 3:20 PM PST reply actions 2 recs

Same reason people keep putting a c in Fisher, I suppose.

Difference of opinion among my community is a sign of the bounty of God.

by iglew on Feb 16, 2012 12:21 AM PST up reply actions

Lou Wolfe?

A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart

by UncleLeo on Feb 16, 2012 1:19 AM PST up reply actions

Lieu Weaulph?

"Hello and welcome to another wonderful and frightening night of A's baseball." - Gaijin_Suketto

by EddieVegas_NRAF on Feb 16, 2012 9:42 PM PST up reply actions

Lough Wulloughf

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Feb 16, 2012 9:48 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Wolff has been quoted in the past as saying that MLB

expects about half of revenues to go into the MLB roster payroll. He said this in relation to the revenue sharing issue. The A’s reportedly received $32 million in revenue sharing from 2011.

by OaklandSi on Feb 15, 2012 4:36 PM PST reply actions

Wolff is the smartest man in the room.

First off, what you are saying is all speculation. So let me add to the speculation by saying that Wolff is hording/collecting MLB’s revenue sharing money to ultimately give to the Giants as part of the eventual settlement of the SJ territorial rights dispute. So how cool is it that other rich teams will be paying our way into a new ballpark in SJ…

by sf drift king on Feb 15, 2012 4:39 PM PST reply actions