Yankeetorial: Cheapskate Yankees spent crapola last year on international talent

According to River Ave, via Baseball America, we spent a measily $2.9 million last year on south-of-the-border 16-year-olds. That ranks us 11th in the Majors. Figuring that we also always draft low, that leaves us facing a potential dearth of talent in about four years.

OK, these financial slapshots can be a shadowy presentation of reality. It's possible that small market teams inflate their expenditures, trying to boost fan confidence, while big ones seek to look frugal. But if these numbers are truth, at a time when we face serious future payroll limits, we are being outspent on the international front by the Rangers, Blue Jays, Royals, Indians, Mariners, Tigers and - yes, the Redsocks. And the Rangers are spending four times what we are shelling out.

Of course, we could scotch these concerns if we sign Jorge Soler, the young Cuban outfielder still on the market. Supposedly, his price is going to run $20 million, and supposedly, we're not in the bidding.

Well, supposedly, the Yankees are different from other teams. Supposedly, we pay the most, demand the most and win the most - because we have a legacy unlike any other American professional sports team. As a result, we are loved and we are hated. We are never underdogs, and - barring tragedy on the human scale - nobody ever feels sorry for us. It is pointless to try and blend in with other organizations, because they will never do business with the Yankees, period. In trades, they will always demand an Alphonso Soriano and Nick Johnson from us, and then trade Curt Schilling to Boston for a plate of refried beans. We cannot get a fair break from the rest of baseball, and so be it. We are not like any other team, supposedly, anyway. We are the Yankees. At least, we were.

From this vantage point - and it may just be mirrors reflecting mirrors - it appears as though the Steinbrothers think they can just hold back spending - just take all that inherited money and buy new horses or houses - run with the pack and have the Yankees be a regular competitive team... like the Dodgers. Remember when the Dodgers always ruled the National League? Will we become the Dodgers of the AL?

God help us. Do we need to start calling for the boys to sell the team? Without a bombastic, ego-driven owner... can the Yankees still be the Yankees?

More on this throughout the season. But make no mistake: This is the fundamental question of our time on this Yankee planet.