Harden?

[Rob]

if we've got designs on the playoffs come july i'd really let ricciardi or beane name their price in prospects for Burnett or Harden.

 

That's just silly.

 

Once Toronto falls out of playoff contention, they'll be itching to get rid of Burnett. If he's healthy and pitching well, he'll opt out of his contract at the end of the season, and they wouldn't get any compensatory draft picks for that. If he's not healthy at the end of the season, he wont exercise the opt-out, which puts Ricciardi (whom has already publicly traded jabs with Burnett) in the situation of having an injured ace making twelve million for each of the next two years.

 

Burnett's contract is going to screw Toronto one way or the other. Letting Ricciardi name his price would be utterly foolish. Play hardball in negotiations and walk away with a good chunk of your top-tier talent still intact instead.

 

I believe the bolded part is not true.

It isn't.

 

I was under the distinct impression that opt-out clauses are different from simple player options in that they preclude offers of arbitration.

[Guest]

if we've got designs on the playoffs come july i'd really let ricciardi or beane name their price in prospects for Burnett or Harden.

 

That's just silly.

 

Once Toronto falls out of playoff contention, they'll be itching to get rid of Burnett. If he's healthy and pitching well, he'll opt out of his contract at the end of the season, and they wouldn't get any compensatory draft picks for that. If he's not healthy at the end of the season, he wont exercise the opt-out, which puts Ricciardi (whom has already publicly traded jabs with Burnett) in the situation of having an injured ace making twelve million for each of the next two years.

 

Burnett's contract is going to screw Toronto one way or the other. Letting Ricciardi name his price would be utterly foolish. Play hardball in negotiations and walk away with a good chunk of your top-tier talent still intact instead.

 

I believe the bolded part is not true.

It isn't.

 

I was under the distinct impression that opt-out clauses are different from simple player options in that they preclude offers of arbitration.

Only if that stipulation is specifically called out in the contract.

[sneakypower]

if we've got designs on the playoffs come july i'd really let ricciardi or beane name their price in prospects for Burnett or Harden.

 

That's just silly.

 

Once Toronto falls out of playoff contention, they'll be itching to get rid of Burnett. If he's healthy and pitching well, he'll opt out of his contract at the end of the season, and they wouldn't get any compensatory draft picks for that. If he's not healthy at the end of the season, he wont exercise the opt-out, which puts Ricciardi (whom has already publicly traded jabs with Burnett) in the situation of having an injured ace making twelve million for each of the next two years.

 

Burnett's contract is going to screw Toronto one way or the other. Letting Ricciardi name his price would be utterly foolish. Play hardball in negotiations and walk away with a good chunk of your top-tier talent still intact instead.

i know what you're saying, but there's going to be plenty of interest from other teams for him come july. i'd be sure to come out on top in the sweepstakes, he means that much. and besides that, we don't have too many prospects i'd hate to lose.

[TruffleShuffle]

burnett is pretty much the perfect rental, assuming that he opts out of his contract. frontline starter, no financial commitment beyond this year to a player who is a risk to hurt himself at any time. the danger is that he blows his elbow out in september and then you're on the hook for another $24M through 2010.

[badnews]

Let's try this again in 3 months. See you then!

[sneakypower]

I can picture a situation where Matt Cain becomes available this July, after Sabean's reign of lunacy finally comes to an end. Sadly, we may be lacking in the young offensive firepower to offer them, but I'd sure as hell love to try. I probably empty the farm for this guy.

[Clem Fandango]

Rich Harden injured? How unexpectedly unexpected

[RedFlash]

We could try Steve Trachsel again.....

 

 

:ninja:

[PrimeTime]

Harden is the same as Mark Prior..Has the talent but theyre always hurt..Only thing is Harden always comes back and throws 98 MPH...I have Harden on my fantasy team..Hurt again..Damn