Ed Morrison · MLB makeover on a budget

February 25th, 2010

Here’s a study in contrasts: the Washington Nationals and the Cleveland Indians.

Thomas Boswell describes how it’s being done in Washington.

You feel General Manager Mike Rizzo’s influence everywhere here. Invariably, his touch is measured, modest, mildly humorous and soaked in lifetime study of how a big league team should be built. But most of all, his emerging body of work is coherent and cohesive, the pieces interlocking.

General Manager Mike Rizzo gives Nationals an offseason makeover

Sadly, the Indians are not inspiring the same level of pre-season confidence.

The Indians opted to strike it rich through a bevy of non-guaranteed, minor-league contracts. Maybe it will work in one or two instances, but it’s not the recommended way to build a team.

Then again, the Indians say they’re beyond the rebuild stage. The 162-game season, which begins April 5 in Chicago, will test a portion of that belief.

Breaking down the big questions as the Cleveland Indians prepare for spring training: Analysis

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