The best team money can buy: does that feel right to you?

First it was the Yankees, then the Red Sox, and now the Phillies. These are baseball teams in the United States for those of you who are not familiar with the teams. They spent a lot of money for players and won championships. This year, I think they are currently the three best teams in baseball. Also, they have been or are turning into perennial powers.

I suppose it takes some talent to acquire that talent, but somehow, it feels unfair to me. It used to be that teams grew their own talent. They had to guess many years in advance if someone would be good. Now, if you have the money, you can buy a player when they have proven talent.

If you have money. That advantages teams in the biggest markets who can generate the most income. The League tries to limit this advantage by capping the amount a team can spend. So an added component in building a good team is having a general manager who can use money wisely. The wealthiest teams can buy the best general managers.

If the same teams win year-in, year-out, doesn’t that take some of the fun out of it (unless you are in a winner’s town)? Are you more proud of team that uses home-grown talent? Does this situation take away some of the fun for you? Do you look at a team like the Phillies and dismiss them because out of 4 aces, only one was home-grown? Does it seem like cheating?