Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Hoo boy

Leave it to the Chicago Cubs to make Todd Helton's ridiculous contract seem reasonable, and the $51M posting fee for Matsuzaka a downright bargain. $136M for eight years? For a 30-year old? Who can't play defense? I doubt I have anything to say that others haven't said already, but so far I haven't found anyone who thinks this is a great idea for the Cubs...
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10 comments:

  1. GrieveRules11/21/2006 9:13 AM

    I can't say that this is the best idea they've had, but he'll hit a million home runs there. Plus, with Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez in there with him, that becomes a scary lineup.

    Will there defense in the OF suffer? Hard to say. Look at their alternatives. None...

    The Cubs are spending a ton of money all around...

    And, let's face it, that division is up for grabs. Looks like the Cubbies are going for it.

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  2. Earl11/21/2006 9:18 AM

    Their offense is indeed scary, but their pitching sucks...

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  3. X11/21/2006 12:34 PM

    Usually when a business is putting itself up for sale, don't they try to reduce their long term liabilities?

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  4. Earl11/21/2006 1:58 PM

    Well, smart businesses, sure. But these are the Cubs we're talking about.

    Any idea why they didn't try to re-sign Juan Pierre?

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  5. GrieveRules11/21/2006 4:34 PM

    Probably because he is getting ridiculous money for the type of player he is...he is getting power hitter money...

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  6. Earl11/21/2006 5:57 PM

    If $9M a year for 5 years is "power hitter money", then what is $17M a year for 8 years? MVP/HoF money?

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  7. GrieveRules11/22/2006 9:44 AM

    I don't know...maybe it is just me...but I hate that everyone is making multi-millions...Seriously, A-Rod and Manny's contracts don't seem bad now...there are a lot of them coming about now.

    I think 9MM/year is a ton for a guy who hit .292 with 3HR and 40 RBI. Ok, that is just one year...let's look at his yearly averages...

    .303 average, 2 HRs, 46 RBI. Is that worth 9MM to you? Yes, he steals a ton of bases. But this guy is way overpaid.

    And to answer your question...$17MM is ridiculous for anyone (and Manny and A-Rod, and Jeter are probably HOFs)...Soriano doesn't deserve that much...

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  8. GrieveRules11/22/2006 9:45 AM

    And Big Papi made $6.5MM last year just to give a little more perspective.

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  9. Earl11/22/2006 10:02 AM

    I'm in total agreement. Pierre's contract is absolutely insane, but I'm not sure it's worse than Soriano's. It's the 8 years that gets me - does anyone really think Soriano will be worth $17 million in 2014, when he's 38?!? Something like $20M per year for 5 years would make much more sense.

    And yes, Manny's and ARod's contracts seem reasonable now; as does the $51M posting fee for DM (I was only half-joking in the original post). Seriously: I imagine a few GM's are now regretting not getting Manny off irrevocable waivers back in early 2004.

    Another totally reasonable contract that puts this all in perspective: Johann Santana made $8.75M in 2006.

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  10. GrieveRules11/22/2006 11:05 AM

    The best two trade I've heard of for Ramirez is Michael Young (and prospects), or Ervin Santana and Scot Shields.

    Especially if the Sox are gunning for JD Drew.

    I would have liked the Sox to take a run at Catalanotto (sp?) for the 4th outfielder. I know...Wily Mo...but he is probably gone.

    Back to the contracts...Giving Pierre 9MM/year is more damaging to GMs, I think. The guy is a good player, but now most guys are going to look at his numbers and command $9MM/year...Everyone knows Soriano is a defensive liability, but a very good hitter (albeit impatient). Since he obviously isn't in the same class as Manny and A-Rod, everyone knows that is an insane contract.

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