Roxpert, you're absolutely correct. One thing that hasn't changed is the b.s. generator they used in their meatpacking days. (See above re: crocodile tears shed for the cheap immigrant labor rounded up in 1991 vs. the lack of any such concerns when they busted the union by closing the entire plant in 1981.)
Think about the Jennings trade and the Monfort spin machine:
1. October: the Rockies announce that next year's payroll will be $54 million. Since that seems to be about $12 million more than last year, a few folks get excited. Who's coming to town? Could it be a trade for Vernon Wells? Signing Gary Mathews, Jr.? At least Dave Roberts? And maybe a top-shelf setup guy for the bullpen too?
2. November: start publicly trashing Holliday and Jennings for "demanding" market rates to sign long-term extensions. Announce the big LaTroy Hawkins and Kaz Matsui signings. Start playing the lowered expectations game. Talk about how you're not going to destroy your club's future by doing something stupid like signing a good player to a market rate contract.
3. December: trade Jennings. Guys like Renck (not Ringolsby; he already knows the answer) then ask the obvious question: that means you've got an extra $5 million to spend -- who are you gonna get? Watch the Rockies stonewall Renck and offer no suggestions. Gradually the "secret plan" becomes obvious. The Rockies always intended to trade Jennings (regardless of what his agent did), and they never intended to commit the salary savings to bringing in any other player.
There's just one big difference between Charlie and Dick the Butchers and Charlie and Dick the Franchise Owners. At least Monfort/Swift never claims to be competing for the blue ribbon in the International Gourmet Meats Festival. No, they're pretty honest about things. They mass produce ground chuck in the pre-packed styrofoam and shrink wrap containers that fill the Walmarts and Burger Kings of Middle America. That cheap labor spits out the cheap meat that fees Fast Food Nation. But in Rockiesland, we are forced to endure the constant idiocy of "the goal is to win a championship" year after year. Or worse: "I really think we'll win the NL West this year." How about a little Swiftian honesty here, too? The real goal (it should be the Monfort Mission Statement posted right next to that inexplicable Branch Rickey statue: "To consistently turn a profit while providing a minimally acceptable level major league baseball performance sufficient to draw 23,000 paying ticketholders every night, even if they're there to see the other team."
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