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Don't you find it interesting that, if you approach things as if the payroll reductions were simply a matter of seeing nothing available that would conform to the rebuild plan, this state of affairs has happened, what, three or four years running?
I mean, I can believe that state of affairs might occur in a given offseason, but not if it's trotted out year after year without interruption. An event is one thing. A trend is another.
What is the driver of the trend? The rebuild plan itself? By an immutable implementation, one where "Thou Shalt Not Make For Thyself Any Graven Premium Free Agent" and "Like You Once Did The Expensive Free Agent, You Shall Worship The Prospect, And Him Only Shall You Serve"?
Surely the driver is shrinking attendance, and the shrinking attendance is being driven by the team's lack of competitiveness on the field, which in turn drives further erosion of attendance.
That's why I find it too convenient. The Plan just happens to result in a five (or more) year period of consistent, significant payroll reduction. If I'm asked whether I believe such a phenomenon is being driven by The Plan, or whether The Plan is being shaped to a significant degree by outside forces that demand a sustained payroll reduction, I can only believe the latter.
It's all so unnecessary, and it's the kind of thinking that led to a the kinds of bottom-feeder signings we've made since the Front Office "got religion" after the failures of the Bavasi era.
Let me end my thoughts by reiterating that despite this opinion, I'm very much looking forward to seeing the youth movement, such as it is with all it's bursting potential, unfold this spring and summer.