Why didn't the Sox claim Griffey?

[Tadahito Iguchi]

I'm not understanding why they didn't put a claim on Griffey.

[fathom]

I'm not understanding why they didn't put a claim on Griffey.

 

You can't risk the Reds telling you to take him, and getting stuck with his whole contract.

[kev211]

You can't risk the Reds telling you to take him, and getting stuck with his whole contract.

^

[WhiteSoxAaron!]

but we can still get him right?

[fathom]

but we can still get him right?

 

Yes

[Kalapse]

We're the last team in baseball when it comes to the waiver process, it would be meaningless putting in a claim for him and way too risky.

[WhiteSoxAaron!]

We're the last team in baseball when it comes to the waiver process, it would be meaningless putting in a claim for him and way too risky.

So this way we have a good chance of getting him? We really need someone like him on this team.

[scotty22hotty]

Free vs 3 prospects + maybe $7mil off his contract?

[spiderman]

Free vs 3 prospects + maybe $7mil off his contract?

 

By free, you mean taking on something like $50 million over 4 years that you'd be taking on.

 

If you work out a deal with Cincinnati, you could get them to take around $10-$15 million off of that.

[MurcieOne]

The reds owner wants to sell the team... he thinks that it's worth more with Griffey on it than off it.... go fig.

 

I have my doubts, but i think Chicago would go nuts for Jr.

[kev211]

The reds owner wants to sell the team... he thinks that it's worth more with Griffey on it than off it.... go fig.

 

I have my doubts, but i think Chicago would go nuts for Jr.

I don't know about you but id rather buy a team minus a 50 million dollar contract.

[Tadahito Iguchi]

That's not a valid statement because, who in their right mind ( who is a good business man) wouldn't want to sell the team plus a 50 million dollar contract?

[southsider2k5]

That's not a valid statement because, who in their right mind ( who is a good business man) wouldn't want to sell the team plus a 50 million dollar contract?

 

The fifty million dollar contract is a cost, not an asset. One of the reasons that the Milwaukee Brewers were so attractive to a buyer is that they had a minimal amount of long term costs, and they had a brand new stadium pulling in revenues. The Reds have a new stadium, much more loyal fans, but they have $50 million in obligations that new ownership might think is better spent somewhere else. There are always players who are willing to come to your team if you have the money to spend. It is much harder to cut costs, than it is to add to them. Trust me from a business only standpoint, the Reds are better off without Griffey.

[JUGGERNAUT]

Well this goes back to what is the value of a "marquee" player to a franchise?

Any one looking to buy the Reds should compare KGJ to Nomar. Nomar was one of the biggest marquee players in the game. But he can't stay healthy having to play in the field every day. KGJ has proven to be the same kind of player. That greatly reduces their marquee value.

 

There's simply no way Linder can convince a new owner that the Reds are better off with KGJ than w/out him. What the league has proven time & again is that the general rule is "you win you draw." Only the loveable losers have proven to be the exception to that over time.

 

If he doesn't trade KGJ at a time like this where his value has soared he's an idiot. The White Sox have a proven track record when it comes to OF prospects during KW's term as GM. Yes the Reds have Kearns, Dunn, & Pena but these guys are likewise moving into big bucks range. Getting a couple of good solid prospects that project to be MLers for KGJ now is a smart deal.

[AddisonStSox]

The reds owner wants to sell the team... he thinks that it's worth more with Griffey on it than off it.... go fig.

 

I have my doubts, but i think Chicago would go nuts for Jr.

 

Good Post.

 

 

I don't know about you but id rather buy a team minus a 50 million dollar contract.

 

Good Post.

 

 

The fifty million dollar contract is a cost, not an asset.  One of the reasons that the Milwaukee Brewers were so attractive to a buyer is that they had a minimal amount of long term costs, and they had a brand new stadium pulling in revenues.  The Reds have a new stadium, much more loyal fans, but they have $50 million in obligations that new ownership might think is better spent somewhere else.  There are always players who are willing to come to your team if you have the money to spend.  It is much harder to cut costs, than it is to add to them.  Trust me from a business only standpoint, the Reds are better off without Griffey.

 

Good Post.

 

Well this goes back to what is the value of a "marquee" player to a franchise?

Any one looking to buy the Reds should compare KGJ to Nomar.  Nomar was one of the biggest marquee players in the game.  But he can't stay healthy having to play in the field every day.  KGJ has proven to be the same kind of player.  That greatly reduces their marquee value.

 

There's simply no way Linder can convince a new owner that the Reds are better off with KGJ than w/out him.  What the league has proven time & again is that the general rule is "you win you draw."  Only the loveable losers have proven to be the exception to that over time.

 

If he doesn't trade KGJ at a time like this where his value has soared he's an idiot.  The White Sox have a proven track record when it comes to OF prospects during KW's term as GM.  Yes the Reds have Kearns, Dunn, & Pena but these guys are likewise moving into big bucks range.  Getting a couple of good solid prospects that project to be MLers for KGJ now is a smart deal.

 

Good Post.

 

 

That is a very, very good debate. Do you consider the Reds more valuable with a once-international superstar like Griffey on the roster, or, do you consider the team more valuable with his $50M off the books.

 

What's nice, is, we can kick this idea around on a message board...just think, someone actually has to make that decision. Ouch.

[JUGGERNAUT]

The $50M is kludgy. The team owes KGJ $22M/3yr + $1.5M this year in cash. There are two option yr's that would pay him $20M/2yr cash.

 

Then we come to the deferred money. By the end of 2008 it looks to be about $26M. But $16.5M of that is due in the last yr (2024). A $16.5M investment growing at a modest 5% annually would be worth $34M by 2023. You've just made about $17M on the $ you owe KGJ. Subtract that from the $26M & the cost is reduced to $9M.

 

Put another way, when measured against projected franchise value growth, investment growth, or simply team revenue growth the deferred $$$ owed to KGJ will more than make up for what is owed KGJ.

 

So what it comes down to is the $22M/3yr. Can the Reds do better applying that elsewhere? That's the decision the Reds have to make.

 

As for the White Sox, as long as KGJ can remain relatively healthy as a DH/1B/4th OF option his marquee value in Chicago will more than make up for the $22M/3yr.

[Dick Allen]

I understand the Sox not claiming Griffey, what I don't understand is why they wouldn't make a claim for Mike Sweeney. He has a no trade I believe and really wants to play in KC or the west coast. He most likely would reject coming to Chicago, plus I really doubt KC would award the Sox Sweeney's contract considering they play each other 19 times a season. Putting in a claim would have blocked a team like the Angels from acquiring him.