roenick99
Dec 26th 2006, 10:24 am
...before you can ask for it. Merry Christmas!
Show them the money
posted: Saturday, December 23, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
If you think baseball's big-dollar splurge is nutty this offseason, well, you ain't seen nothing yet. Consider that many executives think this year's class of free agents is among the worst in recent history. Imagine what is to come in future years for the likes of Miguel Cabrera, who will be eligible for free agency after the 2009 season and may become baseball's next $200 million player.
"There will be a market correction, inevitably, but I don't think it'll come next year," said one NL GM. "A lot of the teams that bid high and came up short, like the Phillies, will still have money to spend next winter. I don't think the money will stop flowing until 2008, at the earliest."
Some other players who will benefit from baseball's explosion:
Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs
There is wide-ranging speculation on what Barry Zito will get in this market in the next few weeks, with executives guessing somewhere from $75 million to $100 million. But whatever Zito gets, Zambrano could -- and should -- ask for more, considering that at 25 years old, he's younger than Zito, and more dominant. If he were to opt for free agency next fall, he would be the focus of the biggest bidding war for a pitcher in baseball history. The Red Sox might be looking to replace Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield, the Yankees will have tons of money to spend with Randy Johnson and others set to drop off their payroll, and the Mets will still need a frontline-type starter. All of the big-market teams will be in play, plus the Cubs.
So Chicago would be well-served to hand a blank check to Zambrano now, before Zito signs, because whatever seems outrageous now will look like a bargain next fall.
Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners
Signed for $11 million in '07, Ichiro has averaged more than 225 hits per season in six years since landing with Seattle. And he's a plus defender with speed. If J.D. Drew can get a deal of more than $70 million, Ichiro may get something in the area of $50 million.
Andruw Jones, Atlanta Braves
He's been part of our major league consciousness for so long that we sometimes forget he's not even 30 years old yet. There are concerns about Jones' conditioning, and whether he'll be able to continue as a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder. But he's improved as a hitter, driving in 257 runs in the last two years, and unless he shows real physical regression next season, Jones will draw whopper offers from Boston or some other large-market team next fall, especially now that Vernon Wells has signed.
Jake Westbrook, Cleveland Indians
He is steady and reliable and will get a surprisingly lucrative deal in next year's market, perhaps something north of $50 million over four years.
Jason Jennings, Houston Astros
The Astros traded for Jennings, and now they need to sign him. Like Westbrook, he could be in line for something along the lines of $50 million to $60 million.
David Eckstein, St. Louis Cardinals
After the 2004 season, he was the top shortstop who didn't get the kind of big deals landed by Orlando Cabrera ($32 million) and Edgar Renteria ($40 million). But he continues to show that despite his unorthodox throwing motion, he can be among the most productive and reliable shortstops in the game -- and then there are the championship intangibles that he adds. Could be in line for a payday of more than $25 million next fall, when he is scheduled to hit the market.
Jermaine Dye, Chicago White Sox
He'll be the 2007 version of Carlos Lee, as a righty-hitting corner outfielder and RBI machine, but he's more attractive, for a couple of reasons. First, he's a much better outfielder than Lee, and secondly, he's won a World Series MVP. He figures to get an eight-figure salary, for four or five years, if he stays healthy next season.
Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins
He makes $5 million in '07, and his $6 million option for '08 is a no-brainer, given the rocketing cost of relief pitchers. He could hit the market at more than $10-$12 million annually, if he stays healthy.
Other players with contractual options for '08 that now look like no-brainers, considering the current market: Michael Young ($5 million), Bobby Abreu ($16 million).
• The Pirates have checked in on Aubrey Huff to be that left-handed power hitter they want and they need, says Dejan Kovacevic. But their first preference, of course, is to get Adam LaRoche from the Braves; we'll see if the Yankees, Braves and Pirates work out that three-way that would send lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez to New York.
• Dontrelle Willis was arrested for DUI. The Marlins are a extremely thorough organization and they would be doing due diligence if they were to ask this question, again: Is this the right time to trade Willis? His trade-market value will never be higher, with teams frothing for starting pitching (the Mets would probably pay high to get the left-hander), and now there is this off-field matter. The Marlins, to this point, have told all interested teams 'No' on Willis. We'll see if that changes.
Willis's mom tells Juan Rodriguez that she prayed after hearing the news. Dontrelle says he'll do a better job.
• Ken Griffey Jr. broke his hand playing with his kids, Hal McCoy writes, and it's not clear whether he'll be able to participate at the outset of spring.
• With Daisuke Matsuzaka preparing to pitch for the Red Sox next season, Dave Sheinin investigates the alleged Gyroball.
• Dan O'Dowd flatly denies the published report that the Rockies and Angels have renewed conversations about a Todd Helton trade.
• The D-Backs appear to not be the front-runners for Mark Mulder.
• The Orioles worked out their issues with Fort Lauderdale and will continue to train there in the spring.
• The Yankees' tax bill went down, as Murray Chass writes.
• The Red Sox signed a guy who throws hard.
• It's Friday, when teams will dump out their bad news, and this comes from the Mets: They're raising ticket prices.
• The Rays are thinking about moving Jonny Gomes to first base, writes Marc Topkin. Doug Waechter re-signed with Tampa Bay.
• Excellent progress on Washington's new ballpark is being made, writes Thomas Boswell.
• The Phillies are a better club now than they were a year ago, Pat Gillick says.
• Richard Justice explains how the Astros could win the NL Central in 2007.
• David Riske was introduced to the Royals' media.
FYI: Heading off for vacation for the next two weeks, and there probably won't be any blogs during that time. My wife is betting that I'll give in to the temptation and file something, but we'll see. Happy holidays, folks.
Show them the money
posted: Saturday, December 23, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
If you think baseball's big-dollar splurge is nutty this offseason, well, you ain't seen nothing yet. Consider that many executives think this year's class of free agents is among the worst in recent history. Imagine what is to come in future years for the likes of Miguel Cabrera, who will be eligible for free agency after the 2009 season and may become baseball's next $200 million player.
"There will be a market correction, inevitably, but I don't think it'll come next year," said one NL GM. "A lot of the teams that bid high and came up short, like the Phillies, will still have money to spend next winter. I don't think the money will stop flowing until 2008, at the earliest."
Some other players who will benefit from baseball's explosion:
Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs
There is wide-ranging speculation on what Barry Zito will get in this market in the next few weeks, with executives guessing somewhere from $75 million to $100 million. But whatever Zito gets, Zambrano could -- and should -- ask for more, considering that at 25 years old, he's younger than Zito, and more dominant. If he were to opt for free agency next fall, he would be the focus of the biggest bidding war for a pitcher in baseball history. The Red Sox might be looking to replace Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield, the Yankees will have tons of money to spend with Randy Johnson and others set to drop off their payroll, and the Mets will still need a frontline-type starter. All of the big-market teams will be in play, plus the Cubs.
So Chicago would be well-served to hand a blank check to Zambrano now, before Zito signs, because whatever seems outrageous now will look like a bargain next fall.
Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners
Signed for $11 million in '07, Ichiro has averaged more than 225 hits per season in six years since landing with Seattle. And he's a plus defender with speed. If J.D. Drew can get a deal of more than $70 million, Ichiro may get something in the area of $50 million.
Andruw Jones, Atlanta Braves
He's been part of our major league consciousness for so long that we sometimes forget he's not even 30 years old yet. There are concerns about Jones' conditioning, and whether he'll be able to continue as a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder. But he's improved as a hitter, driving in 257 runs in the last two years, and unless he shows real physical regression next season, Jones will draw whopper offers from Boston or some other large-market team next fall, especially now that Vernon Wells has signed.
Jake Westbrook, Cleveland Indians
He is steady and reliable and will get a surprisingly lucrative deal in next year's market, perhaps something north of $50 million over four years.
Jason Jennings, Houston Astros
The Astros traded for Jennings, and now they need to sign him. Like Westbrook, he could be in line for something along the lines of $50 million to $60 million.
David Eckstein, St. Louis Cardinals
After the 2004 season, he was the top shortstop who didn't get the kind of big deals landed by Orlando Cabrera ($32 million) and Edgar Renteria ($40 million). But he continues to show that despite his unorthodox throwing motion, he can be among the most productive and reliable shortstops in the game -- and then there are the championship intangibles that he adds. Could be in line for a payday of more than $25 million next fall, when he is scheduled to hit the market.
Jermaine Dye, Chicago White Sox
He'll be the 2007 version of Carlos Lee, as a righty-hitting corner outfielder and RBI machine, but he's more attractive, for a couple of reasons. First, he's a much better outfielder than Lee, and secondly, he's won a World Series MVP. He figures to get an eight-figure salary, for four or five years, if he stays healthy next season.
Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins
He makes $5 million in '07, and his $6 million option for '08 is a no-brainer, given the rocketing cost of relief pitchers. He could hit the market at more than $10-$12 million annually, if he stays healthy.
Other players with contractual options for '08 that now look like no-brainers, considering the current market: Michael Young ($5 million), Bobby Abreu ($16 million).
• The Pirates have checked in on Aubrey Huff to be that left-handed power hitter they want and they need, says Dejan Kovacevic. But their first preference, of course, is to get Adam LaRoche from the Braves; we'll see if the Yankees, Braves and Pirates work out that three-way that would send lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez to New York.
• Dontrelle Willis was arrested for DUI. The Marlins are a extremely thorough organization and they would be doing due diligence if they were to ask this question, again: Is this the right time to trade Willis? His trade-market value will never be higher, with teams frothing for starting pitching (the Mets would probably pay high to get the left-hander), and now there is this off-field matter. The Marlins, to this point, have told all interested teams 'No' on Willis. We'll see if that changes.
Willis's mom tells Juan Rodriguez that she prayed after hearing the news. Dontrelle says he'll do a better job.
• Ken Griffey Jr. broke his hand playing with his kids, Hal McCoy writes, and it's not clear whether he'll be able to participate at the outset of spring.
• With Daisuke Matsuzaka preparing to pitch for the Red Sox next season, Dave Sheinin investigates the alleged Gyroball.
• Dan O'Dowd flatly denies the published report that the Rockies and Angels have renewed conversations about a Todd Helton trade.
• The D-Backs appear to not be the front-runners for Mark Mulder.
• The Orioles worked out their issues with Fort Lauderdale and will continue to train there in the spring.
• The Yankees' tax bill went down, as Murray Chass writes.
• The Red Sox signed a guy who throws hard.
• It's Friday, when teams will dump out their bad news, and this comes from the Mets: They're raising ticket prices.
• The Rays are thinking about moving Jonny Gomes to first base, writes Marc Topkin. Doug Waechter re-signed with Tampa Bay.
• Excellent progress on Washington's new ballpark is being made, writes Thomas Boswell.
• The Phillies are a better club now than they were a year ago, Pat Gillick says.
• Richard Justice explains how the Astros could win the NL Central in 2007.
• David Riske was introduced to the Royals' media.
FYI: Heading off for vacation for the next two weeks, and there probably won't be any blogs during that time. My wife is betting that I'll give in to the temptation and file something, but we'll see. Happy holidays, folks.