Grantland's Jonah Keri makes a compelling argument against the popular belief that small-to-mid market teams should trade their best players before they get too expensive. In the current economic model, he argues, it's not necessary. And, also, it can backfire horribly.
The money graf about the money:
Every team in baseball has seen its valuation soar over the past few years. Profits are streaming into owners' pockets, led by a new wave of exploding TV rights deals, both national and local. The latest round of national TV contracts from ESPN, Fox, and TBS is expected to yield $1.55 billion a year for baseball's 30 clubs starting in 2014, more than doubling the previous payments and amounting to an increase of more than $25 million per team. That's the absolute low end of the estimated gains.
While sometimes it can work to sell high and reload, it shouldn't be automatic for teams not named the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, etc. Check out the link. It's at least something to think about.
