FanNation

Notice the latest trend in Major League Baseball?

Nope...it's not the "switch hitting designated hitter"...nor the "lefty catcher".

It's the "sign your young players to a long term deal" trend!

Since the start of the season-- no more than 6 budding superstar players, not yet eligiable for arbitration or years away from free agency, have recieved financial security in the form of long-term guaranteed deals.

The latest being, Ryan Braun- power hitting outfield / Brewers...

Hanley Ramirez- multi-talented short-stop / Marlins...

and Evan Longoria- a veteran of 6 total games, when he signed his long term deal.

And it makes sense...

It's long-term security for the player, at an age when teams can still technechly still pay them the minimum salary.

And for the team- it's a way to financially lock up their potentially best players for more years to come.

And best of all-- it eliminates the arbitration process. A "only bad can come from this" presentation.

On the flip side-  signing "unproven" young talent becomes as risky as giving long-term big money to a #1 draft choice in football.

But that's the risk you run.

Just think of it this way... This is the very process started by the Cleveland Indians several years ago, and that kept continuity, unity, and most of all- a very competitive team together for a long time on a tight budget.

For the Monday Morning Quarterback, i'm Arny Schreer