Complex sentence: The Rams' management had their minds set on a place in the reduced competition, and went on a buying spree, obtaining rights for players that they hoped would be productive enough for the team to survive the cut in 2000.
Split into simpler sentences: The Rams' management had their minds set on a place in the competition. The club went on a buying spree, obtaining rights for players that they hoped would be productive enough for the team to survive the cut in 2000.