May 10, 2007
The Wisdom Of Stan Kasten
Over at RFK Stadium, the Washington Nationals are in the midst of what threatens to become one of the most disastrous seasons in baseball history. After just 34 games, the Nats are 9-25, and on a pace to lose 119 games, just one off the Major League record of 120 losses set by the New York Mets in 1962.
Over in today's Washington Post, Tom Boswell is wondering whether or not the rebuilding program initiated by team president Stan Kasten -- one that saw the team's payroll slashed to just $36 million this season -- is going to be worth the trouble.
In talking to Boswell, Kasten uncorked a line that Washington Caps fans ought to take to heart:
"I know you don't understand the concept that 'Money once spent is gone forever,' " Kasten said, "but it is true, nonetheless. If you waste millions now then you don't have it later when it can help win a pennant."
Just keep that in mind when the NHL free agent season begins on July 1 in case the goody basket doesn't fill up quite like you might have hoped.
Think of it this way: A couple of years back in the quest for respectability, the Columbus Blue Jackets signed free agent defenseman Adam Foote away from the Colorado Avalanche with a three-year $4.6 million contract. And while Foote might have acquitted himself as well as could reasonably be expected over this period, the results for the rest of the squad simply haven't been there.
Think Columbus, which finally ditched GM Doug McLean a few weeks ago is going to make the playoffs next season, the last of Foote's contract? Think again. And that's $13.8 million that the team won't be able to spend once it's in the position to make the playoffs, sometime around 2011 at the earliest.
So if, God forbid, the Caps pass on somebody on your wish list, keep Kasten's warning in mind, as the time may come when that penny saved may just save a season yet to be.
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Great post. It will be interesting to see how the MSM treats the Nats' rebuild. Will they cut them more or less slack than the Caps?
The Washington Sports Fan certainly needs A LOT of patience these days!
Posted by:
at May 10, 2007 08:54 AM
Posted by:
at May 10, 2007 09:38 AM
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