Second, I agree with you completely that, given their resources, ASIDE FROM THE RED SOX, I don’t know if there is an organization that would have a higher ranking from me.

I agree with you on almost everything. The only thing I disagree with you on is that the Yankees are still the best team in November and December. Perhaps you’re looking at a different team than I am. When was the last time the Yankees won a SERIES in November or December — of ANY kind?!

Second, I agree with you completely that, given their resources, I don’t know if there is an organization that would have a higher ranking from me.

But isn’t that like saying, “Except for the Allies, Hitler had the best military in World War II” or “Except for the Romans, Hannibal had the best military during their conflict” or “Except for the North, the Confederacy had the best military in North America” or “Except for Alexander the Great, the Persians had the best military in the world”?

That’s my point exactly, MattG. Because the Red Sox do enough more right than the Yankees and have almost as much in the way of resources (and more in some ways) the Yankees are setting themselves up perfectly to be like a dimwitted Goliath to lose to the Red Sox for years to come (with this year as a possible exception, by the way) and make Bud Selig, Red Sox and Mets fans and other members of the Yankee hating universe everywhere very happy.

Thank you for making my point.

Nothing has happened between the first poll and second poll to change my ranking. The Yankees still have the most money, still are the best team in November and December, seem to be finally on board with the importance of fielding, seem to have a reasonable philosophy for bringing along pitching, they are still too conservative with their drafting and bonuses, and they still don’t understand how to identify and retain the worthy arb-eligible candidate, or why they need to do it. They’re not perfect, but aside from the Red Sox, I don’t know if there is an organization that would have a higher ranking from me.

So, assuming the Sox got a 10, with the values being relative that means you are 5 times more confident in the Sox organization?

That seems a little off.

And A.D., I respectfully beg to differ when you say:

“The only Sox player really signed to any type of “discount” in which the Sox negotiated is Wakefield, which is a ridiculous team friendly contract, which Wakefield for whatever reason likes, and I have no idea why any player would agree to it.”

My goodness, Do you really think that the Yankees would have negotiated a four-year contract with David Ortiz at only $13 million per year and an option year with no buyout at $12.5 million in the aftermath of his dominating like he had in the years leading up to that contract?

Do you think that the Red Sox would have given Alex Rodriguez a 10-year contract guaranteeing $275 million or $27.5 million per year and worth up to $30 million per year to be paying him through age 42?!!!!!!!!!! That idiot contract alone is going to give Bud Selig, Red Sox and Mets fans and other Yankee haters great joy for years after Rodriguez is anything resembling a baseball player. And the Yankees were bidding for A-Rod only against THEMSELVES! I doubt that anybody else would have given him $20 million per year for 10 years, much less $27.5 million or more.

I don’t have time to detail it right now, but if you want to play the game, let’s take turns listing the albatross contracts that the Yankees and Red Sox have tied around their own necks the past half a dozen or so years. I would respectfully suggest that there’s no comparison. The only ones that come to mind with the Red Sox are Drew and Clement. With the Yankees, there’s almost no end.

Just my opinion…