@Joe Nation,
They have no competition at the bottom. Bet they still must have the largest under-500 payroll.
Dice-K is an enigma. His injuries (rotator cuff) did him in for sure but I think he also kept stuff to himself and was predisposed to not disclose the pain and damage he had to his trainers. His arm got used up. After the WB classic a few yrs ago ('08?), it made him miss spring training and the rest was history without any mystery.