It is often said that there are many ways to build a winning team. In 2013, there were many different ways shown to be effective.
1. You can find an excuse not to spend money on free agents by following the Cardinal example of developing vast quantities of major league players in the minor league system. However, truth be told that the Cards have signed veteran free agents like Beltran, Holliday, to bolster weak spots in the line up. But the "build from within" model is gaining traction in even big market teams as a means of effectively cutting down costs as small market teams have done for years.
2. You can play the big money top free agent roulette game. A team can sign the "best" pitcher or player on the market, and normally they pay good dividends because they are such a known commodity. The Dodgers restocked with Greinke and he performed well. Other teams, like the Angels, got burned by Hamilton and Pujols.
3. You can play the second tier veteran free agent sweepstakes like the Red Sox did to fill holes in the line up and improve their bench. The Red
Sox did not have to break the bank to sign Shane Victorino,
Mike Napoli, Jonny Gomes, Stephen Drew, Koji Uehara and Ryan Dempster.
4. You can play the trade and swap meet game like the Oakland A's, who find a way to turn over their roster of good young prospects for valuable starting players. Of course, the A's did dabble in the international free agent market, too.
5. You can play the scrapheap game, too. The Pirates went to the bargain bin to find players like Liriano and Martin who solidified key positions. The Pirates also used the trade factor for years of sending their nearly arbitration ready starters for a slew of prospects.
However, just like investment advisors tell you, it is better to diversify than to stick with one option. Teams that need to rebuild need to use more than one rebuild model in order to find lasting success.
