Texas’ recent storm related blackouts is a reminder of an issue relating to Major League Baseball. The importance of cautious forethought when it comes to long term strategies.

Texas’ recent blackout and the COVID-19 pandemic are vivid encapsulations. Of politicians collective struggle to act with visible forethought. Texas’ politicians, energy regulators and companies didn’t act with much forethought. When it came to weatherizing their power grid against severe wintry conditions. Pandemic-wise, governments haven’t made rigorous investments to public health over the years. Along with not bolstering pandemic preparedness plans. As a result, the public health response was frazzled when the pandemic began.

Since ice storms are a rare sight in Texas. Not weatherizing the power grid was an understandable but nevertheless foolish oversight. Instead of making the investment to safeguard their grid. Potentially making their grid more reliable for a longer period of time. Texas’ government and energy suppliers exhibited short-sighted ignorance with gutting consequences.

Now you may be wondering, what does this have to do with baseball?

Recent MLB off-season deals prompted another thought about long term strategy. Particularly, Fernando Tatis Jr’s massive 14 year, $340 million contract extension with the San Diego Padres. Tatis Jr. is quickly becoming one of Major League Baseball’s breakout stars. Helping the Padres emerge as a franchise that could contend deep into the 2020’s. This is practically the main reason why the Padres made such a hefty offer.

One question prompted by this deal is whether 14 years is too risky for the Padres. Yes, one of their best players is in position to stay in San Diego for the rest of his playing career. Tatis Jr. certainly put in the work to merit such a massive contract extension. There’s also the possibility he could help lead the Padres to the World Series. Yet, there’s also the risk this deal bites them years later on the field. In the way similar deals have effected the Cincinnati Reds in recent years. Most notably, former Reds pitcher Homer Bailey’s contract extension in 2014.

Injuries quickly disrupted Bailey’s effectiveness after his contract extension. After pitching no hitters in 2012 and 2013; Bailey’s earned run average ballooned from 3.71 in 2014. To a lackluster 6.09 in his final season with Cincinnati in 2018. Bailey is a cautionary example of the pitfalls of mammoth contracts. Showing the importance of taking a cautious approach with such deals.

MLB and all professional sports teams frequently face a balancing act. Making both short and primarily long term financial decisions. In the hopes of achieving long term success on and off of the field. While trying to appease their fans desire to see their team succeed today. Sometimes it means trading or releasing household names when they are at their peak. Other times, it’s spending massive sums of money to retain players.

Due to the league not having a salary cap; while having guaranteed contracts. MLB team owners face that balancing act in a unique way. Mid-sized market teams like the Reds don’t always have the capital readily available. To craft fiscally gargantuan long term contracts with star players. Or build a team that can consistently contend over a long stretch of time. As a result of this, the Reds aren’t able to retain many star players for an extended period of time. This was showcased by former Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer’s departure.

It was long assumed that Bauer would leave Cincinnati after last season concluded. The Reds weren’t going to spend big on one starting pitcher. Even though Bauer just wrapped up a Cy Young award winning season with Cincinnati. When they still have a promising starting rotation without Bauer. Add onto this, a wariness to spend big during this off-season. After spending big last off-season to bring in Mike Moustakas, Shogo Akiyama and Nick Castellanos. Plus, the financial strains MLB teams are facing due to the pandemic.

What’s more frustrating about the Reds off-season approach isn’t Bauer’s departure. Nor is it their unwillingness to spend big in this off-season. It’s that they didn’t make moves to address their biggest problem point. The offensive woes that bit the Reds throughout 2020. Nor do they currently have stability at the shortstop position. Financially, the Reds are taking a cautious approach. Strategically, uncertainty swirls around their immediate potential.

Ultimately, the Reds didn’t gut their franchise and go into rebuilding mode. Despite recent departures, the Reds still have decent potential to be a contender this year. Certainly compared to how they were faring three years ago. However, the Reds short and long term prospects look more murky going into the 2021 season. After their prospects for long term success looked good a year ago.