Frank I think you are misreading the intent of the author on these articles.
The AL East is not exactly the most coveted division to be a member of. Ask any Orioles, or Toronto fan what that is like. The Yankees spend an obscene amount of money collecting talent -- that's collecting talent, not building a team. Torre was a master manager because he had the grave task of managing the biggest egos and head cases in MLB, while trying to maintain some semblance of a team spirit. George Steinbrenner has attempted to buy a pennant for close to a decade now with absolutely no luck. He has sold the teams youngest and most promising talent to secure big money players. The Yankees top to bottom on their batting order are a lethal lineup of hitters. Yet they don't get to the dance.
The Red Sox are not far behind the Yankees in payroll, mostly because they have no choice if they wish to stay competitive. The difference between the two is that the Red Sox's farm system is stocked with talent that they are building the team's future on. The Red Sox also realize that it is pitching that wins WS titles. The Yankees not quite getting there with those they stock their bullpen with.
Some teams will dump some of their payroll as team trucks soon start their journeys to sunny Florida, etc. signaling the beginning of the season training camps. Free agents will then fill the holes that the Tigers are faced with. Everybody in the AL has to face the Yankees (not as many times as the AL East teams, but enough times to make it a difference maker). Only a handful can afford to play in their league.
This is not a good thing. I am all for a salary cap in baseball. The day that happens, is the day the Steinbrenners become a footnote in MLB history.
