"at least if you have that money spread out over a couple of good players (like the Red Sox, the Yanks)"

Just for the record, Derek Jeter makes more money per year than Barry Bonds. And Giambi is very close. And you can make an argument that Bonds is more valuable than both of them put together. It is very hard for me to believe that the Giants could've spent $18 million in a better way the last couple of years.

"maybe that is why so many of us love the auction

I'm with you on that, but everyone else on this blog hates the auction.