A Tale of Two Cities

Originally Posted on 10/24/07

I should have nothing more to say since I've already predicted the outcome of this years World Series with Boston winning in six but I figured I'd share some insight into the best the National and American Leagues have to offer from MLB's 2007 season.

Here is your breakdown of both World Series organizations:

Let's start with the Senior Circuit, NL:

Colorado Rockies fans should feel lucky. They should feel lucky for not only winning an improbable 20 out of 21 (including 7-0 in the postseason) but also for getting the opportunity to root for players that came up through the organization, home grown so to speak. That's right, the Rockies have successfully made it to the World Series with players they developed on their own and didn't just pay for as they had tried and failed to previously. In fact, Colorado has a moderate payroll when compared to most counterparts and the reason is they've built from within. Just look at their lineup comprised of LF Matt Holliday, RF Brad Hawpe, 3b Garrett Atkins, rookie SS Troy Tulowitzki and the oldest Rockie veteran, 1b Todd Helton. Heck, Helton was almost a Red Sox before the season started in a deal that was almost completed as a salary dump for Colorado.

On the pitching end, Colorado also took care of their own. Some may say they had to. I mean, no
one wanted to pitch for them. Who would when you're housed a mile above sea level and thus a hitters dream ballpark. So what did they do, they developed young ground ball and power arms that well, have to pitch for them. They own their contracts. Arms like ace Jeff Francis, rookies Ubaldo Jimenez, Franklin Morales, bullpen duo of Brian Fuentes and Manny Corpas not to mention the most elder Rockie starter in Aaron Cook (recently added to WS roster).

As for the rest of the club, cast-aways like Kaz Matsui and Josh Fogg and a CF / lead-off guy in Wily Taveras who was acquired thanks to the strong farm system Colorado has and could allow some to walk for the right piece.

The point is, put altogether and we have a tremendous club that is extremely rare but proves its possible. So, Congrats are in order to the whole organization for remaining positive and patient during a long season... now win or lose, you better look to lock up all your stars.

Now to the AL:

What a different story out East for the Sox when compared to Colorado (who is entering their first World Series game ever). The Sox, have a great balance of young talent controlled by the organization and others that few teams would've been able to sign as free agents. However, the Red Sox can and do take on high priced free agents as they're the second highest payroll in baseball behind their rival Evil Empire, New York Yankees.

Let's see a short list of the Sox pricey players; there is LF Manny Ramirez, RF J.D. Drew (still trying to figure out how much of his $14mm salary was wagered by the game 6 grand slam). Other pricey veterans include SS Julio Lugo, 3b Mike Lowell, DH David Ortiz and pitchers, Curt Schilling and Japanes import Daisuke Matsuzaka. Other bats and arms were traded for years ago or developed from within like the Rockies. Lifetime Red Sox include 1b Kevin Youkilis and rookies 2b Dustin Pedroia and OF Jacoby Ellsbury along with prized arms Jon Lester, Clay Bucholtz and closer Jonathon Papelbon.

In all, the Sox have a great mix of proven big game veterans, most namely starter Josh Beckett (acquired in deal that sent Hanley Ramirez to Florida) , that are big time competitors and expected to prove why they have the second highest payroll.