Is Baldelli Worth The Risk?

[Backtobanks]

The bigger question is: What do the Rays do with Rocco Baldelli after 2008? 2009 is the first of three option years on Rocco's contract. If the Rays exercise the 2009 option it will cost them $6 million. If they choose not to, it will cost them a $4 million buyout which is a very steep price. At this point the 2010 ($8MM) and 2011 ($9MM) options (which have to be picked up together) are a pipe-dream for Rocco. There is little chance of the Rays picking those up. Further complicating matters is that the Rays have to decide on Rocco's 2009 option on April 1st, of this year...as in three weeks from now.

 

But can the Rays trade Rocco? Not likely, unless they are willing to accept a similar package that they received for Elijah Dukes (i.e. a no-name low-A pitcher). The best scenario for all parties might be for the Rays and Rocco to renegotiate his contract. The Rays might be able to get Rocco to agree to $4 million for 2009 (the price of the buyout) with 2 more years guaranteed in 2010 and 2011 at $5-6 million per season.

 

If the Rays could get Rocco to renegotiate for 3-years and $15 million, that essentially means that anything Rocco produces in 2009 is bonus as they would have had to drop that amount either way. And that will give them the 2008 and 2009 seasons to wait for medical technology to perfect hamstring transplant procedures.

 

If both conditions were met, would he be worth the risk?

1. The Cubs could get him for "a no-name, low A-ball pitcher".

2. The contract could be renegotiated at $4 million for 2009 with a team option $6 million for 2010 and $7 million for 2011 based on games played in 2008-2009.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'd be willing to take a flyer on Rocco.

[RedFlash]

I'd be willing to take a flyer on Rocco.

 

I would to.

[rawaction]

I guess a lot depends on how Pie and Colvin do this year. Soriano and Fukudome are locked in. I don't know that he's really a good fit. I think his upside is similar to what Soriano gives the Cubs now.

[CubsGM]

I found this over at RealGM:

http://www.realgm.com/boards/baseball/viewtopic.php?t=6474

[badnews]

I would take a flyer on Baldelli, no renegotiation required. I wouldn't give up anything of great value because, unlike others, I don't believe he's much more than a .780 OPS guy.

[RammyFanny]

Sadly, the RealGM report was true. Good luck to Rocco.

 

Rocco Baldelli will be sidelined indefinitely due to metabolic and/or mitochondrial abnormalities that leave him feeling extremely fatigued after even brief workouts.

 

Baldelli was on the verge of tears several times while discussing the details of what he called a life-threatening condition. "As far as my baseball career I'm not here to stand in front of you telling you I'm retiring,'' Baldelli said. "We're still going pursue any avenue that we can to try to figure out what is going on and have a better understanding of what is going on. But at this time throughout all of the extensive testing that we've done, we don't have a concrete answer." He'll be placed on the disabled list to start the season, and his career seems in jeopardy if Doctors can't diagnose the problem.

http://rotoworld.com/content/HeadLines.aspx?sport=MLB&hl=230614

[Wheelimus]

Um, I'll be happy to take a flier on him in 2009. God willing.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

word is the Devil Rays still want 5-6 top prospects for Baldelli.

[Wheelimus]

Just wait until the Rays pay him $4 million not to come back and then sign him to a "Wood Make Good" contract.

[shnsajax]

In great news, Rocco Baldelli resumed playing today for the 1st time in about a year. It's only extended spring training, but still for a guy a couple of months ago we didn't know if he would ever play again.