Are we talking about money?

Or the World Series?

And both?

Judging by the jovial correspondence I received last week, a good portion of readers think the Dodgers and Yankees appear in the Fall Classic because of their checkbooks.

(Yes, I threw the word “jovial” in there for fun. The truth is, Mariners fans are more surly than relaxed when it comes to baseball teams spending on personnel.)

It’s hard to blame people in this part of the world.

OK, the Mariners are relatively new to the MLB, but after 44 seasons, it’s not like they were born yesterday.

Fair enough to accept the historic success of the Yankees and Dodgers.

The Yankees have been at it since 1903 and have played in 41 World Series (winning 27).

Mariners loyalists don’t demand that kind of dominance, nor do they believe John Stanton’s ownership group should shell out the kind of money that flows into the Yankees’ books every year.

But a few years on the big stage?

Just from time to time?

WHY NOT?

This is a club that won a historic 116 games in 2001, so it’s not like they’re going on a tough streak from year to year.

In fact, the M’s have been in contention for the AL West title and/or wild card playoffs each of the last four years.

“Spend money!” you shout to club president Jerry Dipoto – and even, louder, to Stanton in the swanky office at the top of the chain of command.

Fair enough.

How much sense do you think this would make?

Think of it this way: Every owner in Major League Baseball is a billionaire.

A few are mega-mega-mega.

We’ll get back to logic with the basket in a second, but for comparison purposes, Forbes gives Stanton a net worth of $1.1 billion.

You and I would love to go yacht shopping with that kind of money, but in MLB circles, Stanton can’t even get a good aisle seat.

Once you accept that everyone in baseball has billions (and beyond), it’s easier to say, “Okay, so scout well, develop well, trade well, and LOOK for good agents who match your budget. »

That’s the problem.

The Mariners’ payroll this year was about $148 million (16th in MLB), according to Spotrac.

Richer teams have found success: the Yankees with $309 million (No. 2) and the Dodgers with $241 million (No. 5).

But so do teams who live in middle-class neighborhoods and shop at IKEA.

Detroit was 26th at $98 million, and there was a nice run of strong seasons starting with the Royals ($122 million) at 20th.

Milwaukee, Baltimore and Cleveland (Nos. 21-23) spent $115 million, $109 million and $106 million and all won more than 90 games.

This can be done if you have the staff and analytics to help you get there.

I CAN’T I believe even fans who have no financial sense are demanding that Stanton make an offer for the Ohtanis of the world.

Be reasonable.

Look, landing Ohtani was a coup for the Dodgers, who could offer the money, the win and a chance to stay in sunny Southern California.

But everything could have gone wrong.

The Mets spend more than anyone and have been respectable this year (89 wins), but that same spending spree from owner Steve Cohen has given him a team worth spending money on.

Is it helpful to have a huge pile of chips sitting at the table?

Of course.

It’s obvious.

But you have to know the game and the players.

The Mariners spent about the amount you would expect on free agents – but Jorge Polanco, Mitch Garver and Mitch Haniger all flopped.

Ironically, they took a guy off the waiver wire that no one wanted (Victor Robles) and he became a fixture in right field for the next two or three years.

Make good decisions.

What do you mean as a plan?

If you’re drowning in $100 bills, sign all the ones you like, then release the ones that hit .160.

I’m kidding.

The Mariners’ payroll will increase next year, in part because some good players are expected to receive raises in arbitration.

And yes, maybe they could increase a little more, now that the TV business is sorted.

However, nothing will get the Mariners to their first World Series faster than signing good players.

This will always be the golden rule.

Email: [email protected]

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times a week, normally Tuesday to Friday, unless, you know, things happen.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”