Don’t Cry for me, John Schuerholz

Excuse me for a minute while I opine. I don’t like the Braves and similarly, I don’t much care for John Schuerholz. His ego got in the way a year or so ago after Billy Beane got all the attention from the best-seller, Moneyball, when he felt the need to write a book about all his successes. In the book, he made it very clear that he was hamstrung by a tighter budget, and that the Braves, not unlike the A’s, were a small-market team.

Well, if that’s the case Mr. Schuerholz, then how can you afford to bring Mark Teixeira aboard? The guy is making $9 million this year, and set to make a few more in his final season of arbitration this winter. Moreover, how can you also be in talks with Kansas City about bringing Octavio Dotel in, who with his bonuses, is set to make around $7 million this year? How can you talk out of both sides of your mouth, crying poverty from one, and bringing in high-priced players at the deadline out of the other?

The Teixeira deal was bad enough. Now, if you pull off another one for Dotel, then we’ll certainly know all those rumors of cheapness were a sham. Sure, your resume is impressive, just don’t go crying poverty to me and we can all be friends. OK?

– CB