Rumors thread

[mmmmmbeeer]

Now im sure the mets will regret this when they are trying to get rid of Beltran's massive contract in 2 or 3 years.  That Scott Boras is a monster!

 

If there were ever a safe long term deal, this is it. Beltran should be a solid contributor to their team for the duration of his contract.

[beck72]

The New York Post says that the cubs have upped the $ offer to make a swap of Floyd for Sosa financially even for the Mets.  But the Mets want more & they might just get it.

 

The Mets are in a position to blackmail the cubs into offering more $ with Sosa in exchange for the Mets dropping out of the Maggs bidding.  The Mets are prepared to out-bid the cubs for Maggs. 

 

Wth NY, BOS, ANA, & LAD soon to be tapped out financially that leaves the cubs & Mets as the two biggest bidders for Maggs.

 

If the cubs were smart, they'd pay almost everything the Mets would want. To get out from under Sosa's contract, and get him away from the team, any price would be worth it.

[frahungski]

surfin, i saw the astros have interest in maggs as well, now that they've lost out on beltran.

[EvilJester99]

The Mets and Delgado's camp are working to put together a meeting late this week, a source told ESPN.com.

 

The meeting is expected to include Delgado, agent David Sloane, Mets GM Omar Minaya and Mets owner Fred Wilpon.

 

Mets are going friggin crazy this offseason if this happens....

[hi8is]

pedro, beltran, and possibly delgado and maggs? wow

[TheBlackSox8]

pedro, beltran, and possibly delgado and maggs? wow

lol.....the New York Yank....errr...i mean Mets.

[babybearhater]

If there were ever a safe long term deal, this is it. Beltran should be a solid contributor to their team for the duration of his contract.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Find me a long term deal with which the team was happy, or can can be called "safe".

[Chisoxfn]

And Sosa is what I'd consider a likely possibility.

[mmmmmbeeer]

Find me a long term deal with which the team was happy, or can can be called "safe".

 

You could look at A-Rod as an example. He looks to be guaranteed to continue his dominance throughout his 10 year deal. Of course, that deal was for an absolutely exorbitant amount of money but he is upholding his end of the bargain with consistently strong performances. Texas' mistake on that deal was not the length of the contract, but rather the money involved. A-Rod, IMO, should be the highest paid player in baseball but not by $7M or so a year. Beltran is only signed for 7 years and appears to be just hitting his stride. His contract is extremely reasonable given the current market, much like Vlad's contract with ANA is very reasonable and the franchise should get a good return on their money. I think that teams signing younger position players to long term deals is a great strategy, it's just important to get the money right. I feel the Mets have done that about as well as ANA did with Vlad.

[JUGGERNAUT]

But again Beltran didn't think through this. As long as he remains a fan favorite there is no way Houston would trade him against his wishes. It's not going to happen. He had a 7 yr deal. No-trade for 2 yrs, & by the 4th yr he can demand a trade to a team he wants to play for. Just like Vazquez. That acts like a no-trade or limited trade clause. So it was really just the 3rd yr he was unprotected & I'm sure Houston would have been willing to give him that extra yr of protection.

 

On the other side of the coin, if this is what really prevented Houston from signing him than they should have given him the full 7 yr no-trade clause.

Look at S Green. He had a no-trade clause but when it became obvious that the LAD didn't want him any more it becomes meaningless. He's going to waive it to play elsewhere. If Beltran found himself in a similar situation with Hou it would be the same thing. Stars are not going to play for teams that don't want them. It's that simple.

 

Sosa maybe the only exception because no one else wants him that badly either.

[LDF]

is he worth, with the number being divided into the yrs, what turns out to be 17 mil a yr????

[qwerty]

is he worth, with the number being divided into the yrs, what turns out to be 17 mil a yr????

 

No.

[qwerty]

After losing out on Shawn Estes, the Nationals are again showing interest in Esteban Loaiza.

Nationals GM Jim Bodwen said he wouldn't pursue a lesser starter after failing in his bid to land Odalis Perez, but he has money and nothing else to spend it on. Loaiza would be a better signing than Estes, but it'd still be a bad idea for the Nationals. Jan. 11 - 3:17 am et

 

According to the Arizona Republic, Shea Hillenbrand likely will be traded to an American League team today.

The Blue Jays still might be that team. A swap of Adam Peterson and Hillenbrand was nearly done before Shawn Green vetoed Arizona's previous attempt to acquire him. Hillenbrand's departure would clear the way for Chad Tracy to take over as Arizona's primary first baseman. Jan. 11 - 3:23 am et

[DBAHO]

I'm sure there was rumors of Loaiza getting a 3 year deal from Jim Bowden earlier in the off-season. They'll probably get him too now, with the Dodgers signing Lowe, unless some team sneaks in at the last minue like the Reds did with Eric Milton.

[JUGGERNAUT]

I think we can put the Vazquez rumors involving the CWS finally to bed.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-mar...ports-headlines

Vazquez has been quoted as saying he wants to play on the E Coast & remain in the NL. This opens the door for the Marlins. With the cash AZD received for Vazquez they can reduce his cost to $21M/3. That's what the Marlins intended to spend on Pavano. The Marlins have the talent AZD wants to get the deal done.

[YASNY]

I think we can put the Vazquez rumors involving the CWS finally to bed.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-mar...ports-headlines

Vazquez has been quoted as saying he wants to play on the E Coast & remain in the NL. This opens the door for the Marlins.  With the cash AZD received for Vazquez they can reduce his cost to $21M/3.  That's what the Marlins intended to spend on Pavano.  The Marlins have the talent AZD wants to get the deal done.

 

 

There's nothing new about that.

[babybearhater]

You could look at A-Rod as an example.  He looks to be guaranteed to continue his dominance throughout his 10 year deal.  Of course, that deal was for an absolutely exorbitant amount of money but he is upholding his end of the bargain with consistently strong performances.  Texas' mistake on that deal was not the length of the contract, but rather the money involved.  A-Rod, IMO, should be the highest paid player in baseball but not by $7M or so a year.  Beltran is only signed for 7 years and appears to be just hitting his stride.  His contract is extremely reasonable given the current market, much like Vlad's contract with ANA is very reasonable and the franchise should get a good return on their money.  I think that teams signing younger position players to long term deals is a great strategy, it's just important to get the money right.  I feel the Mets have done that about as well as ANA did with Vlad.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

so you basically gave me an example of a contract which was not safe, because the team could no longer afford the pay because it was killing the rest of their payroll. So in summary you proved my point. At this point in baseball, these long term, big money contracts, Sosa, Juan Gone, A-rod, and even Manny was non-tendered are not a good idea for the organization in any way, shape or form.

[DBAHO]

Can you believe Loaiza almost got this;

 

The Nationals are making a push for right-hander Esteban Loaiza, who is perhaps the best remaining free-agent pitcher. The Rangers, Padres, Astros, Devil Rays and Orioles also have shown varying levels of interest in Loaiza. The Dodgers were prepared to sign Loaiza to a two-year deal for approximately $9 million before they turned to Derek Lowe.

[JUGGERNAUT]

This is an interesting debate your having. The value & cost to a team of a long term contract. Case in point Manny Ramirez. If the BoSox do not sign Manny does he sign w the NYY's? If Manny signs w the NYY's does Boston win a WS?

 

That's how you have to look at it. It's not just about helping your own team but also weaking your competition. Without Manny the BoSox likely don't make it to the post season & don't go on to win the World Series.

 

I think Beltran was a fool not to sign with the Astros because when it comes to star players a no-trade clause doesn't mean much. You have PR issues to deal with so you need to make sure you can spin the trade so both the player & the fan base are happy. That's exactly what recently went down with S Green.

 

For the top 6 markets it's all about winning a championship. Improving the team never enters their mindset like it does for us Sox fans. Keep the names rolling to keep the turnstyles moving. That's the name of their game. Seattle apparently has joined that mindset as well.

[3E8]

Minnesota's initial proposal to Johan Santana was a three-year, $19.5 million contract.

Santana, who is eligible for free agency after 2006, would prefer two years or four years. The Twins will try for four years, but it's not very likely they'll satisfy his demands. It would take at least $10 million per season. Jan. 12 - 2:58 pm et

 

 

6.5 mil/year? What an insult.

[shakes]

This is an interesting debate your having. The value & cost to a team of a long term contract. Case in point Manny Ramirez. If the BoSox do not sign Manny does he sign w the NYY's? If Manny signs w the NYY's does Boston win a WS?

 

Well Put.

[southsider2k5]

6.5 mil/year?  What an insult.

 

It probably scales up. Because he isn't in his FA years yet the front end will be low, and the end will be really high. Probably something like 3 mil, 6 mil, 10 mil for the next 3 years. MBs contract is very similar to that.

[JUGGERNAUT]

Why would Santana sign a contract with the Twins for anything < than 10 million? Isn't he arbit eligible? What's a Cy Young winner worth in arbit?

I can't see it being less than 10M.

[qwerty]

Why would Santana sign a contract with the Twins for anything

I can't see it being less than 10M.

 

After halladay won the cy young in 2003.

Team Asked Offered 2003 Salary

Roy halladay Blue Jays $9,000,000 $6,500,000 $3,825,000

[qwerty]

Blue Jays acquired infielder Shea Hillenbrand from the Diamondbacks for RHP Adam Peterson.

Despite playing in hitter's park, Hillenbrand has a career OPS of 770. The Blue Jays should have been able to find a DH who could do that for the minimum. Instead, they'll probably pay Hillenbrand $4 million or so. At least their lineup now seems set. The left field platoon of Frank Catalanotto and Reed Johnson can lead off, followed by 2B Orlando Hudson, CF Vernon Wells, 3B Corey Koskie, DH Hillenbrand, 1B Eric Hinske, RF Alexis Rios, C Gregg Zaun/Greg Myers, SS Russ Adams. Adams will compete for the leadoff job, and Rios could move up. Jan. 12 - 4:48 pm et