California Dreamin'
The Angels and the Dodgers made huge splashes in the free-agent market last week—and will carry huge payrolls (and hopes) next year as a result. So, after all that money spent, how do the two stack up?
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DODGERS | ANGELS | |
Signed best free-agent pitcher on the market, righthander Zack Greinke, to a six-year, $147 million deal. | BIG DEAL | Signed best free-agent hitter on the market, outfielder Josh Hamilton, to a five-year, $125 million contract. |
Greinke has had just one Cy Young--caliber season (2009, when he won the award). Could be just shy of ace level. | CAVEAT | Hamilton's a recovering addict with relapses on his record who has also lost time to injury and endured long slumps. |
2013: $208 million in commitments to just 21 players. $600 million committed to players for 2014 and beyond. | COST | 2013: $114 million for 12 players. $500 million in future salary commitments stretching as far out as 2021. |
Division favorite, but ... no leadoff man (unless Carl Crawford gets healthy and embraces role). Imbalanced, with commitments to eight starting pitchers but a journeyman infield. | STATUS | Division favorite, but ... rotation drops off steeply after Wilson and Jered Weaver. Bullpen's patchy. Lower part of lineup weak. Farm system empty at the upper levels. |
BOTTOM LINE: The Dodgers have more depth from which to trade and a younger core. After all the spending, it's the Dodgers who will be the next L.A. team to win the World Series. Exactly when that happens is another question.
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LORI SHEPLER/UPI/LANDOV (HAMILTON)
HAMILTON
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KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT/USA TODAY SPORTS (GREINKE)
GREINKE