I know that I am a homer.
I know that you know that I really like what the new Padres ownership group is doing.
That said, I will NEVER know why some Padres "fans" think that a "commitment to winning" is the same as "spending a sh_t ton of money on players".
Some of those same fans really, truly, believe that this "commitment to winning" (in the form of just spending money wildly) is actually the most important thing. And is even more important than... you know... actually winning.
Weird, right?
In other words, there are people out there that are still mad about last season. Like they're really upset with the idea that we spent a third of what other teams spent and, at the same time, had the audacity to actually be in first place for most of the season and to absolutely crush the 2010 World Series champions over the course of the regular season.
These people are ridiculous.
These people look down on you if you browse the Sale rack at the back of the store.
In any case, Tim Sullivan has a piece that talks a bit about the recent Forbes valuations. In it, he interviews several sports economists who basically talk about the idea that, well sure, the Padres probably aren't just sitting on a ton of money.
But they also get to the idea that, even if they were sitting on a pile of cash, why should a Padres fan care?
Where the Padres have triumphed has been in bang for the buck.
By winning 90 games on a tight budget last season, the Padres placed first in the majors in Forbes’ player-costs-to-win calculations. It is a title with no trophy, but one that resonates with the rich people who read Forbes.
"I think it does say something about the Padres’ ability to operate," [Economist] J.C. Bradbury said. "I think they should be praised."
Hear, hear. Enough with the whining, Padres "Fan".
Nobody's trying to take away the paycheck that you're barely earning. The Padres actually being able to afford winning talent on the cheap is a good thing, dummy.