Money talk in Major League Baseball: Improbable win for Volquez against Wainwright

One of the reasons I was not too optimistic going to PNC Park this past Sunday was the comparison of the pitchers.  It was the first start for Pirates Edinson Volquez, whose ERA of 5.71 was the highest/worst among the 81 major league pitchers who qualified for the ERA title last year.  Pirates signed him up at $5 million for one year.

Volquez faced Cardinals’ ace, Adam Wainwright who got a $97.5 million/5 years contract last year.  Thus Wainwright is worth nearly four times more than Volquez is moneywise. Of course money cannot buy a win or victory, but statistically Wainwright would have more chance to win against Volquez.  The $97.5 million/5 years and $5 million/one year are based on the statistics after all.  A win is a win, probable or improbable, we will take it.  We cannot claim the credit as Cardinals beat Pirates when we’re in PNC Park last time 2 or 3 years ago.

 

Cardinals also boast Matt Holliday, who signed a 7-year contract for $120 million in 2010.  Holliday, like Detroit Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera ($292 million/10 years), is like what Duke Ellington said of Napoleon, who was worth 50,000 soldiers on battle field.  I may exaggerate, but not much.

 

Speaking of big money in MLB, I have to mention the new Yankees import, Masahiro Tanaka ($155 million/7 years).  A legend in Japan he is, he is not unhittable in MLB, though; in his debut against Blue Jays in Toronto a few days ago, he gave up a homer in the first inning; he quickly settled down and won the game; a great pitcher is one who can pitch in facing adversity.