Holy (EXPLETIVE)....Zito's Contract Demands

[BigbadB]

This is just going to be a year where teams will have to severely overpay to get what they want, whether it's through the free agent market or trade.

 

It does make the Ramirez signing look really good at this point. But, adding key parts to improve the team will be a much more difficult task.

[Guest]

for me the bottomline is that the pitchers available aren't worth the price to be paid. I would look for bargains - guys that will post a 100 ERA+ and throw 200 innings and then overpay for hitters. unfortunately there aren't many hitters out there either but I would rather overpay Drew and Soriano than Zito and Schmidt.

[BigbadB]

Is Adam Eaton a FA this offseason?

[goonys evil twin]

for me the bottomline is that the pitchers available aren't worth the price to be paid. I would look for bargains - guys that will post a 100 ERA+ and throw 200 innings and then overpay for hitters. unfortunately there aren't many hitters out there either but I would rather overpay Drew and Soriano than Zito and Schmidt.

 

I agree with this. And that's why I'm open to the idea of guys like Westbrook and Jennings, and could deal with a guy like Padilla at the right price or maybe even Miguel Batista if he is dirt cheap.

[OBPMatters]

Is Adam Eaton a FA this offseason?

 

I believe he is.

[goonys evil twin]

Is Adam Eaton a FA this offseason?

 

Yes, and he's not worth anything more than a spring training invite. He's been crap ever since his mediocre rookie year (135 IP, 103 ERA+)

[Guest]

didn't cleveland re-up westbrook? So that would have to be a trade? Perhaps Cleveland would take some relievers?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

didn't cleveland re-up westbrook? So that would have to be a trade? Perhaps Cleveland would take some relievers?

 

Yes, they exercised his 2007 option last month.

[Guest]

I would overpay Drew right now and then go after Soriano. Even if Soriano returns to his non-walking ways, I think he helps this team if you already have addressed OBP with Drew. Then find pitchers who throw innings without walks and homeruns and see what you can do.

[KingCubsFan]

didn't cleveland re-up westbrook? So that would have to be a trade? Perhaps Cleveland would take some relievers?

Apparently, the Cubs have another Cleveland pitcher in mind in return for relievers:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Anyone else hear the Bruce Levine report?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

didn't cleveland re-up westbrook? So that would have to be a trade? Perhaps Cleveland would take some relievers?

Apparently, the Cubs have another Cleveland pitcher in mind in return for relievers:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Anyone else hear the Bruce Levine report?

 

Considering chances are slim to none that we land Schmidt or Zito, Hendry is likley kicking the tires on any 3-4 starter that might be available in a trade.

[Backtobanks]

Take the 25% Boras haircut and you got 11-12M. Im surprised he didnt say Mussina type $18M. Hell the yankees gave a 2 year $32M extension for an old Randy Johnson. Look at him now.

 

I'm amazed that everyone gets all excited about what these agents "leak" to the press. Agents "report" that 10-12 teams are looking at their client, #4 & #5 starters are going to average $10 million per year, and stars want $100+ million over 6-7 years. I think the only player that might warrant a 6-7 year contract is Cabrera. Certainly no pitcher should be signed for more than 4 years. The reason these agents make so much money is because they can really lay it on thick.

 

The reason these agents make so much money is because they can really make a lot of money for their clients. They aren't paid for talk, they are paid for results.

 

But it all starts with talk. When a GM believes that 10-12 teams are looking at a player or that somebody else is going to pay $100 million, then they rush into a "great" deal at $70 million.

[Guest]

well, westbrook is mentioned in that rumor as well. durham also mentioned.

[TheDude]

But it all starts with talk. When a GM believes that 10-12 teams are looking at a player or that somebody else is going to pay $100 million, then they rush into a "great" deal at $70 million.

 

You really think GMs in this league are that naive about their own business? I don't.

[soccer10k]

I'll pass on Zito for that amount of cash.