Cespedes Re-signs with the Mets

[BlackSox13]

Rodriguez says he analyzes Baseball so that said, does signing a 30 year old FA to a six year 150M deal sound like something the Sox would do? Not to take anything away from Rodriguez but there have been people on this board that have already raised that question so its easy to speculate and say the Sox do not have interest in Cespedes seeing as how Cespedes has been quoted as saying he seeks a 6 year deal.

 

With all do respect to Rodriguez, he's pointing out the obvious.

[LDF]

Rodriguez says he analyzes Baseball so that said, does signing a 30 year old FA to a six year 150M deal sound like something the Sox would do? Not to take anything away from Rodriguez but there have been people on this board that have already raised that question so its easy to speculate and say the Sox do not have interest in Cespedes seeing as how Cespedes has been quoted as saying he seeks a 6 year deal.

 

With all do respect to Rodriguez, he's pointing out the obvious.

 

ummmm i have been thinking of some kind of a rebuttal..... i can't. good post.

[SoCalSox]

Mibelt Rodriguez is a joke.

 

Wouldn't listen to a word he says. Dude was wrong so many times last year.

 

Cotillo & Robert Murray are the only two new guys to break out over the past few years in terms of reliable sources.

[LDF]

Mibelt Rodriguez is a joke.

 

Wouldn't listen to a word he says. Dude was wrong so many times last year.

 

Cotillo & Robert Murray are the only two new guys to break out over the past few years in terms of reliable sources.

 

for me, the tweets as a source of info, whether it is a credible source, that is another story,... i just like to read... i really will wait until something concrete comes out.

 

i think the sox do need a of'er with power.

[Bob Sacamano]

Yeah I prefer Melky in the 2 spot with a new OF hitting 4th or 5th than Gordon hitting 2nd and Melky hitting 5th (although in that scenario I guess LaRoche can hit 7th).

[Lillian]

for me, the tweets as a source of info, whether it is a credible source, that is another story,... i just like to read... i really will wait until something concrete comes out.

 

i think the sox do need a of'er with power.

 

Do they ever!!! Melky, Eaton and Avi would be lucky to hit a total of 40, between the 3 of them. The front office can't possibly allow the season to begin with this roster.

They will surely add someone. Let's just hope that they get the right one, and that he doesn't flop. It's not only the power shortage. How many guys would you expect to have OBP's of .350 or higher? I count Abreu, Eaton and maybe Cabrera. So, they have two legitimate power hitters in Abreu and Frazier, and two good OBP hitters in Abreu and Eaton. If they plan to compete this year, I'm sure that they know they are short at the very least, one more productive bat. But then, we too, all know that.

The suspense seems only to be exceeded by the boredom. Come on. Do something, already!!!

[Bob Sacamano]

Do they ever!!! Melky, Eaton and Avi would be lucky to hit a total of 40, between the 3 of them. The front office can't possibly allow the season to begin with this roster.

They will surely add someone. Let's just hope that they get the right one, and that he doesn't flop. It's not only the power shortage. How many guys would you expect to have OBP's of .350 or higher? I count Abreu, Eaton and maybe Cabrera. So, they have two legitimate power hitters in Abreu and Frazier, and two good OBP hitters in Abreu and Eaton. If they plan to compete this year, I'm sure that they know they are short at the very least, one more productive bat. But then, we too, all know that.

The suspense seems only to be exceeded by the boredom. Come on. Do something, already!!!

 

Agree. I'm not counting on Eaton to hit as many as he did (which I guess is fine since he is the leadoff hitter but still). You can argue that they'd be lucky to hit 30 combined.

Edited December 28, 2015 by soxfan2014

[SCCWS]

Do they ever!!! Melky, Eaton and Avi would be lucky to hit a total of 40, between the 3 of them. The front office can't possibly allow the season to begin with this roster.

They will surely add someone. Let's just hope that they get the right one, and that he doesn't flop. It's not only the power shortage. How many guys would you expect to have OBP's of .350 or higher? I count Abreu, Eaton and maybe Cabrera. So, they have two legitimate power hitters in Abreu and Frazier, and two good OBP hitters in Abreu and Eaton. If they plan to compete this year, I'm sure that they know they are short at the very least, one more productive bat. But then, we too, all know that.

The suspense seems only to be exceeded by the boredom. Come on. Do something, already!!!

 

Lawyers are on vacation till next week.

 

[Lillian]

Agree. I'm not counting on Eaton to hit as many as he did (which I guess is fine since he is the leadoff hitter but still). You can argue that they'd be lucky to hit 30 combined.

 

It wouldn't surprise me if they combined for only 30 homers, but I think it's realistic that Melky and Avi would hit 30 between the two of them. Although it would be a shock to see Eaton repeat last year's unexpected power surge, it seems reasonable to expect 5 to 10 HR's. In any case, it's not much production from the outfield.

[Hatchetman]

Lawyers are on vacation till next week.

 

The lawyers I know are NEVER on vacation. At least what I think of as vacation.

[blackmooncreeping]

It wouldn't surprise me if they combined for only 30 homers, but I think it's realistic that Melky and Avi would hit 30 between the two of them. Although it would be a shock to see Eaton repeat last year's unexpected power surge, it seems reasonable to expect 5 to 10 HR's. In any case, it's not much production from the outfield.

30 hr's between Avi and Melky would be a lot to expect: Melky hasn't hit double digit longballs since 2009 (when he hit 13), and Avi's career high total of 13 last season was nearly double what he had hit in any previous season. 20 hr's between the 2 would be more realistic imo, if we are stuck with those 2 players as the corner outfielders.

 

By the way, Avi hit those 13 hr's in 601 ab's--if Avi sees 601 ab's for the Sox in 2016, he's either made a sudden and massive jump in ability or more than likely, we're in trouble after having whiffed on all upgrade possibilities.

 

[Chicago White Sox]

30 hr's between Avi and Melky would be a lot to expect: Melky hasn't hit double digit longballs since 2009 (when he hit 13), and Avi's career high total of 13 last season was nearly double what he had hit in any previous season. 20 hr's between the 2 would be more realistic imo, if we are stuck with those 2 players as the corner outfielders.

 

By the way, Avi hit those 13 hr's in 601 ab's--if Avi sees 601 ab's for the Sox in 2016, he's either made a sudden and massive jump in ability or more than likely, we're in trouble after having whiffed on all upgrade possibilities.

Not sure where you got your numbers from, but Melky has hit double digit home runs in four the last five seasons.

[Whisox05]

30 hr's between Avi and Melky would be a lot to expect: Melky hasn't hit double digit longballs since 2009 (when he hit 13), and Avi's career high total of 13 last season was nearly double what he had hit in any previous season. 20 hr's between the 2 would be more realistic imo, if we are stuck with those 2 players as the corner outfielders.

 

By the way, Avi hit those 13 hr's in 601 ab's--if Avi sees 601 ab's for the Sox in 2016, he's either made a sudden and massive jump in ability or more than likely, we're in trouble after having whiffed on all upgrade possibilities.

 

You might want to recheck your stats. Melky has hit double digits in home runs since 2009. He hit 18 in 2011, 11 in 2012, 16 in 2014 and 12 last year.

[blackmooncreeping]

Not sure where you got your numbers from, but Melky has hit double digit home runs in four the last five seasons.

 

 

You might want to recheck your stats. Melky has hit double digits in home runs since 2009. He hit 18 in 2011, 11 in 2012, 16 in 2014 and 12 last year.

 

My bad completely, was reading the wrong side of a stat sheet, thank you for correcting me.

 

I would still be surprised to have 30 hr's on the board between those 2 guys. I like the sound of 50 hr's between Melky/Cespedes or Upton a whole lot better!

[SCCWS]

The lawyers I know are NEVER on vacation. At least what I think of as vacation.

 

You know the wrong ones. It has been pretty quiet since the 22nd.

[Hatchetman]

You know the wrong ones. It has been pretty quiet since the 22nd.

 

So your big client calls and asks you to review a document, you're going to say, "no, we're on vacation?"

[Jose Abreu]

You know the wrong ones. It has been pretty quiet since the 22nd.

Important lawyers (those representing athletes) don't take Christmas vacations.

 

edit- especially when their clients are in somewhat time sensitive negotiations for a new contract

Edited December 28, 2015 by Jose Abreu

[Frank_Thomas]

"Why the White Sox Should Sign Yoenis Cespedes" via http://TeamStre.am by Bleacher Report

 

http://teamstre.am/1ko9RO3

[ShandyMan]

Important lawyers (those representing athletes) don't take Christmas vacations.

 

edit- especially when their clients are in somewhat time sensitive negotiations for a new contract

 

If I was making 5-10% on a soon-to-be 80+ million dollar contract, you'd better believe even if I were on vacation, my ass would be on the next flight home.

[oldsox]

Believe 4% is standard fee.

[caulfield12]

For an agent.

 

Some would argue 3-3.5%, but fairly close.

[Lillian]

I'd like to explore this "opt out" privilege being granted in so many recent contracts. I understand that it can be favorable to either side, depending upon the circumstances. In the current competitive and financial state of the White Sox, it would seem that they are focusing upon a 2 to 3 year window. Why not sign a

player like Cespedes to the 6 years he is seeking and give him an opt out after the 2ND year? If he is playing well, and salaries continue to escalate, he may exercise

his opt out clause, in order to seek even more money, in another contract. One might question whether it would be desirable to have a guy who is very productive,

leave, just when he seems to still be in his prime. However, losing a guy for one or two productive years, in order to avoid having to pay for his last 2 or 3 declining

years might be a worthwhile tradeoff.

 

How do you think a deal for someone like Cespedes could be be structured to increase the likelihood that he would opt out after 2 years. while still being appealing enough for him to accept it?

[Dick Allen]

I'd like to explore this "opt out" privilege being granted in so many recent contracts. I understand that it can be favorable to either side, depending upon the circumstances. In the current competitive and financial state of the White Sox, it would seem that they are focusing upon a 2 to 3 year window. Why not sign a

player like Cespedes to the 6 years he is seeking and give him an opt out after the 2ND year? If he is playing well, and salaries continue to escalate, he may exercise

his opt out clause, in order to seek even more money, in another contract. One might question whether it would be desirable to have a guy who is very productive,

leave, just when he seems to still be in his prime. However, losing a guy for one or two productive years, in order to avoid having to pay for his last 2 or 3 declining

years might be a worthwhile tradeoff.

 

How do you think a deal for someone like Cespedes could be be structured to increase the likelihood that he would opt out after 2 years. while still being appealing enough for him to accept it?

They did it with Albert Belle. An opt out, while theoretically nice for the player, usually works out well for the team if they let the player opt out and walk away. I also think giving an opt out also should reduce the guarantee a bit.

[southsider2k5]

They did it with Albert Belle. An opt out, while theoretically nice for the player, usually works out well for the team if they let the player opt out and walk away. I also think giving an opt out also should reduce the guarantee a bit.

 

At the very least it should make the up front money lesser, so there is more incentive for the player to not opt out. It is what is the craziest thing about the deal the Cubs gave to Heyward. Most of hte money is up front, so they are incentivizing him opting out in 3 years.

[Lillian]

At the very least it should make the up front money lesser, so there is more incentive for the player to not opt out. It is what is the craziest thing about the deal the Cubs gave to Heyward. Most of hte money is up front, so they are incentivizing him opting out in 3 years.

 

Yes, that is true. However, maybe there is a "method to their madness". By giving the guy more money up front, and less money later, they are providing the player with a tremendous extra motivation to produce. He has a chance to make more money, if he can demonstrate his value. That is one of the things about which I was thinking, when I raised this issue. Think of it this way: One of the biggest concerns about giving a player a big long term contract is that you disincentivise his productivity.

Hey, he's got his long term guarantee, it's just human nature to become a little complacent. By continuing to hold out a potentially bigger reward for excellence, you keep him highly motivated. Then, as he approaches the years, in which you are really not that thrilled to be obligated, he opts out, and signs his bigger deal. Now he is both slowing down, because of age, and he is far less motivated, because he has obtained the final big payday.

 

To me, this kind of contract can be an effective way to both keep a player motivated, and possibly avoid the undesirable long term obligation to a player in his declining years. Maybe the Cubs had that precise strategy in mind, when they offered that contract to Hayward. Why not front load a big contract to Cespedes, and give him an opt out, in 3 years? Pay him and motivate him, for the anticipated prime years, and then, let him go, as he approaches his mid 30's, and wish him all the best. Moreover, if he should decide to stay, at least you are paying him less, for what is likely to be a lower level of performance. It also makes it easier to trade him, if the contract is more manageable.

Edited December 29, 2015 by Lillian