so much for paying your dues-brian mccann 27.8 mil/ 6 years

[mg420]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070322&content_id=1854251&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp

[David]

It's the mid-90's Indians way of doing things. I like it.

[shnsajax]

somewhere Ryan Howard's agent is making a few phone calls.

[goonys evil twin]

I always wished the Cubs would be more aggressive locking down their young players through their arbitration years and into free agency. Then I realized they never develop young players.

[ChiCubsFan]

I like it too. Why did McCann request that the final year be a team option instead of guaranteed? Very strange in today's game, but I admire the selflessness.

[tkenm356]

I would've held out and played another solid year before requesting an extension, gimme dat scratch. Braves got a good deal on this. If last year wasn't a fluke then McCann could be a .300+AVG 25-30HR .365+OBP type of guy and they're getting him for about $4.5M for the next 6 years? Nice move on the Braves part.

[Wheelimus]

I think it works out for both parties. McCann gets the big lump of guaranteed money, Atlanta gets a perceived bargain, and when it's up he'll still be young enough to get a big juicy free agent contract.

 

Sure, he could have waited a year and got a little more out of them, but he could also blow his knee out or something and wind up with nothing. I'm a fan of the sure bet...

[Rob]

I'm sure when you're still only making league minimum in a profession that does not have a long shelf life for employees, that first large guaranteed contract looks that much nicer. It takes you from being a potential insurance salesman in 20 years to retiring.

 

If it were me, I wouldn't have waited a year either.

[Pushfrog98]

so, does this mean that Saltaralphmachio is going to be moving to a new position, or better yet, traded to the Cubs?

[RichHillIsABeast]

so, does this mean that Saltaralphmachio is going to be moving to a new position, or better yet, traded to the Cubs?

 

Yup.

[Pushfrog98]

Sounds good to me.

 

 

 

 

Also, please note... I can't remember who used "Saltaralphmachio", but I liked it, so I will continue to use it. Sorry for not handing out proper credit for the name.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

This is a good deal for the Braves and not a bad deal for McCann. A team like the Braves is going to need some cost certainty down the road, and this helps. McCann gets some guaranteed money, so I'm sure that's a big plus on his end.

 

I don't think this signals a trade of Saltamalaccia just yet. The Braves may be more willing to listen to deals for him now, but they could hang on to both a little while. McCann or Salty could still be shifted to another position, though the value for both is greater at catcher.

[tkenm356]

Also, please note... I can't remember who used "Saltaralphmachio", but I liked it, so I will continue to use it. Sorry for not handing out proper credit for the name.

 

That was me :D

 

I was actually about to say that I'm glad my Saltalaralphmaccio nickname stuck somewhere. :lol:

[ChiCubsFan]

I'm sure when you're still only making league minimum in a profession that does not have a long shelf life for employees, that first large guaranteed contract looks that much nicer. It takes you from being a potential insurance salesman in 20 years to retiring.

 

If it were me, I wouldn't have waited a year either.

 

But if you even do blow out your leg, you'll still get plenty of opportunities to come back and get paid. I don't really see it (waiting out another year) as too big of a risk. But either way, $25 MIL+ is way more than I would need in a lifetime.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

McCann is from Georgia and grew up a Braves fan. He's said he's always wanted to play for the Braves. I'm sure that played a lot in his decision as well.

[Soriano12]

McCann might regret this deal a few years from now.

[CubinNY]

McCann might regret this deal a few years from now.

I don't think so.

[ChiCubsFan]

McCann is from Georgia and grew up a Braves fan. He's said he's always wanted to play for the Braves. I'm sure that played a lot in his decision as well.

 

Yeah. If I was a stud baseball player and the Cubs offered me long term security, while still making $25MIL+ I'd be the happiest person on the face of the earth. I wouldn't care if I could make twice as much if I wait it out.

[Rob]

I'm sure when you're still only making league minimum in a profession that does not have a long shelf life for employees, that first large guaranteed contract looks that much nicer. It takes you from being a potential insurance salesman in 20 years to retiring.

 

If it were me, I wouldn't have waited a year either.

 

But if you even do blow out your leg, you'll still get plenty of opportunities to come back and get paid. I don't really see it (waiting out another year) as too big of a risk. But either way, $25 MIL+ is way more than I would need in a lifetime.

 

You may be right, but there is always the threat of significantly decreased production or a career-ending injury. For me at least, that slight chance of a catastrophy is worth sacrificing that Enzo.

[DiamondMind]

Also, please note... I can't remember who used "Saltaralphmachio", but I liked it, so I will continue to use it. Sorry for not handing out proper credit for the name.

 

That was me :D

 

I was actually about to say that I'm glad my Saltalaralphmaccio nickname stuck somewhere. :lol:

 

He and Burhehrherle are good friends.

[shnsajax]

McCann might regret this deal a few years from now.

I don't think so.

 

Security and projectability as a young catcher are very hard to predict. He might lose money by not going to arbi in a few years, but he might not even be healthy come then either. I think its a good move by both parties.

[NCCubFan]

Sounds good to me.

 

 

 

 

Also, please note... I can't remember who used "Saltaralphmachio", but I liked it, so I will continue to use it. Sorry for not handing out proper credit for the name.

Just imagine if he were traded to the Cubs. In a couple of years they could have a battery of hard-to-spell pitcher and hard-to-spell catcher. :D

[Balsa]

I thought everyone just called him "Salty".

[CoolHandLuke]

I thought everyone just called him "Salty".

 

I have it from inside sources that people that know him call him "salt"

[Larry Horse]

I always wished the Cubs would be more aggressive locking down their young players through their arbitration years and into free agency. Then I realized they never develop young players.

 

Nicely played