Rays give Longoria long term deal

[badnews]

This is the dumbest contract a player has ever signed probably, even dumber than Tim Wakefield's. I'd like to see the Cubs dupe a future star into signing a contract like this. He'll be making $6 million when he could be making $16 million, $11 million when he could be making $19 million, what a madman. When he's 28 and has a .880 OPS he can feel great about how he's making less than 7th inning relievers when he could've been making $10 million a year more.

 

Honestly though, I think you guys are to quick to crown them as most talented. We've seen this before with predictions that the Dodgers would be winning World Serieses with a 1-5of Edwin Jackson/Greg Miller/Scott Elbert/Chad Billingsley/Jonathan Figueroa, with Joel Guzman, Andy LaRoche, Delwyn Young, Blake DeWitt, Franklin Gutierrez, and Chen all as All-Star position players. Or remember the Angels infield of the future of Jeff Mathis, Casey Kotchman, Howie Kendrick, Brandon Wood, and Dallas McPherson? Maybe nobody remembers but that was thought of as absolutely sick.

 

I don't think they're going to get 80 wins this year. I don't like Matt Garza, I think they may be overworking Scott Kazmir (why did he average so many pitches a start last year?), and David Price isn't an instant stud, look at Andrew Miller, I have real doubts about him and he was better billed than Price.

 

Considering that Boston and the Yankees are pouring buckets of money into their farm systems as well, and the Blue Jays are solid, I just don't see this happening. I don't see a playoff run in 2009 either, but we'll see. Remember, even with Kazmir and Shields last year they still had the worst team ERA by far. They're making improvements and kicking the ass of many teams trying to build through the farm, but I don't see a great team 2008-9. I wouldn't be surprised to see McGee as some badass Ryan-like closer but he's the only pitcher I'm totally sold on.

[Guest]

This is the dumbest contract a player has ever signed probably, even dumber than Tim Wakefield's. I'd like to see the Cubs dupe a future star into signing a contract like this. He'll be making $6 million when he could be making $16 million, $11 million when he could be making $19 million, what a madman. When he's 28 and has a .880 OPS he can feel great about how he's making less than 7th inning relievers when he could've been making $10 million a year more.

 

And he could be making $6 million when he actually deserves only $1 million. When he's 28 and has a .680 OPS he can feel great how he's making more than guys who can actually produce. It works both ways.

[badnews]

Come on. How likely is that to happen. Jose Guillen and his bad defense, career .774 OPS makes $12 million a year! How much will Orlando Hudson make a year? Even if he's downright awful, even if he's David Bell, what does that mean for the Rays? They overpay him by $2 million for like one year? Big deal.

[RedFlash]

Come on. How likely is that to happen. Jose Guillen and his bad defense, career .774 OPS makes $12 million a year! How much will Orlando Hudson make a year? Even if he's downright awful, even if he's David Bell, what does that mean for the Rays? They overpay him by $2 million for like one year? Big deal.

 

This is a good deal for Longoria and the Rays. I don't see how anybody can disapprove of the deal. Was it quick? Yes. Longoria will be worth the contract. So what, the Rays jumped the gun, but why risk him jumping to Boston OR wherever when he's a FA. He would likely make more in arby the next few yrs. So he took a "discount" for "security." How can anybody fault a young man like Longoria over that?

[haltz]

This is the dumbest contract a player has ever signed probably, even dumber than Tim Wakefield's. I'd like to see the Cubs dupe a future star into signing a contract like this. He'll be making $6 million when he could be making $16 million, $11 million when he could be making $19 million, what a madman.

He's 22 years old. If he gets hit by a truck tomorrow and never plays again he'll be financially secure for the rest of his life. He signed this with essentially no ML experience, so there's the possibility that he busts as well. It's happened before.

 

That's the trade off. He could possibly earn double that (I'd say it would be something like $5M, $10M, $15M tops but who knows), or he could take complete financial security right now. I know what I'd do. Going from $3M to $17M is a much bigger deal than going from $17M to $30M (OK, whatever his take-home actually is from these numbers). The utility of the second $13M isn't worth the risk.

[Backtobanks]

This is the dumbest contract a player has ever signed probably, even dumber than Tim Wakefield's. I'd like to see the Cubs dupe a future star into signing a contract like this. He'll be making $6 million when he could be making $16 million, $11 million when he could be making $19 million, what a madman.

He's 22 years old. If he gets hit by a truck tomorrow and never plays again he'll be financially secure for the rest of his life. He signed this with essentially no ML experience, so there's the possibility that he busts as well. It's happened before.

 

That's the trade off. He could possibly earn double that (I'd say it would be something like $5M, $10M, $15M tops but who knows), or he could take complete financial security right now. I know what I'd do. Going from $3M to $17M is a much bigger deal than going from $17M to $30M (OK, whatever his take-home actually is from these numbers). The utility of the second $13M isn't worth the risk.

 

Also, don't forget that these pro athletes, their agents, and the stupid owners don't know the meaning of a contract anyhow. A few years into the contract, he will demand more money, an extension, or a trade and make all the money he was going to get without this contract. Pro athletes want the security of a long-term contract and then complain about the money.

[UK1679666180]

Honestly though, I think you guys are to quick to crown them as most talented. We've seen this before with predictions that the Dodgers would be winning World Serieses with a 1-5of Edwin Jackson/Greg Miller/Scott Elbert/Chad Billingsley/Jonathan Figueroa, with Joel Guzman, Andy LaRoche, Delwyn Young, Blake DeWitt, Franklin Gutierrez, and Chen all as All-Star position players. Or remember the Angels infield of the future of Jeff Mathis, Casey Kotchman, Howie Kendrick, Brandon Wood, and Dallas McPherson? Maybe nobody remembers but that was thought of as absolutely sick.

 

So you're saying that TB doesn't have the best farm system right now?

 

Also, TB's younger players are more established than any of the younger guys on those teams with Upton, Kazmir, and Shields.

 

TB has a better farm system than both LA and LAA during the timeframe you mentioned.

[Illini Iceman]

 

I don't think they're going to get 80 wins this year. I don't like Matt Garza, I think they may be overworking Scott Kazmir (why did he average so many pitches a start last year?), and David Price isn't an instant stud, look at Andrew Miller, I have real doubts about him and he was better billed than Price.

 

 

Maddon, if anything, is probably overly conservative with pitch counts so I don't think anyone can accuse him of abusing his young starters.

 

Kazmir only averaged about 6 innings per start last year but was going deep into counts with a lot of hitters which caused him the throw a lot of pitches. Don't know what more Maddon could have done short of consistently pulling him after 5 innings.

[UK1679666180]

You're right about Maddon, Kazmir never went about 117 or 118 as far as pitch counts. He does throw alot of pitches being that he is a strikeout pitcher with great movement on his pitches.

[Exile on Waveland]

This is the dumbest contract a player has ever signed probably, even dumber than Tim Wakefield's. I'd like to see the Cubs dupe a future star into signing a contract like this. He'll be making $6 million when he could be making $16 million, $11 million when he could be making $19 million, what a madman. When he's 28 and has a .880 OPS he can feel great about how he's making less than 7th inning relievers when he could've been making $10 million a year more.

 

Honestly though, I think you guys are to quick to crown them as most talented. We've seen this before with predictions that the Dodgers would be winning World Serieses with a 1-5of Edwin Jackson/Greg Miller/Scott Elbert/Chad Billingsley/Jonathan Figueroa, with Joel Guzman, Andy LaRoche, Delwyn Young, Blake DeWitt, Franklin Gutierrez, and Chen all as All-Star position players. Or remember the Angels infield of the future of Jeff Mathis, Casey Kotchman, Howie Kendrick, Brandon Wood, and Dallas McPherson? Maybe nobody remembers but that was thought of as absolutely sick.

 

I don't think they're going to get 80 wins this year. I don't like Matt Garza, I think they may be overworking Scott Kazmir (why did he average so many pitches a start last year?), and David Price isn't an instant stud, look at Andrew Miller, I have real doubts about him and he was better billed than Price.

 

Considering that Boston and the Yankees are pouring buckets of money into their farm systems as well, and the Blue Jays are solid, I just don't see this happening. I don't see a playoff run in 2009 either, but we'll see. Remember, even with Kazmir and Shields last year they still had the worst team ERA by far. They're making improvements and kicking the ass of many teams trying to build through the farm, but I don't see a great team 2008-9. I wouldn't be surprised to see McGee as some badass Ryan-like closer but he's the only pitcher I'm totally sold on.

 

Let me get this straight. It was a dumb contract for Longoria to sign because he's a future star and could make more later. However, the Rays aren't likely to be good in the future because prospects don't always pan out. You see any inconsistency within those two statements?

[Brett]

Great deal for both sides. Each side takes on some risk, but each side also gets some security. With the way arbitration salaries have been going, it does seem like the (Devil) Rays got the better end of this, though.

[illiniguy]

This is the dumbest contract a player has ever signed probably, even dumber than Tim Wakefield's. I'd like to see the Cubs dupe a future star into signing a contract like this. He'll be making $6 million when he could be making $16 million, $11 million when he could be making $19 million, what a madman. When he's 28 and has a .880 OPS he can feel great about how he's making less than 7th inning relievers when he could've been making $10 million a year more.

Honestly though, I think you guys are to quick to crown them as most talented. We've seen this before with predictions that the Dodgers would be winning World Serieses with a 1-5of Edwin Jackson/Greg Miller/Scott Elbert/Chad Billingsley/Jonathan Figueroa, with Joel Guzman, Andy LaRoche, Delwyn Young, Blake DeWitt, Franklin Gutierrez, and Chen all as All-Star position players. Or remember the Angels infield of the future of Jeff Mathis, Casey Kotchman, Howie Kendrick, Brandon Wood, and Dallas McPherson? Maybe nobody remembers but that was thought of as absolutely sick.

 

I don't think they're going to get 80 wins this year. I don't like Matt Garza, I think they may be overworking Scott Kazmir (why did he average so many pitches a start last year?), and David Price isn't an instant stud, look at Andrew Miller, I have real doubts about him and he was better billed than Price.

 

Considering that Boston and the Yankees are pouring buckets of money into their farm systems as well, and the Blue Jays are solid, I just don't see this happening. I don't see a playoff run in 2009 either, but we'll see. Remember, even with Kazmir and Shields last year they still had the worst team ERA by far. They're making improvements and kicking the ass of many teams trying to build through the farm, but I don't see a great team 2008-9. I wouldn't be surprised to see McGee as some badass Ryan-like closer but he's the only pitcher I'm totally sold on.

Wait isn't the Angels infield still pretty good? I mean sure McPherson didn't work out, but I still like the restof those young, cheap guys. Also young pitching can have setbacks, that is why you stockpile it. Hell if anyone Cubs' fans should know this.

[17 Seconds]

This is the dumbest contract a player has ever signed probably, even dumber than Tim Wakefield's. I'd like to see the Cubs dupe a future star into signing a contract like this. He'll be making $6 million when he could be making $16 million, $11 million when he could be making $19 million, what a madman. When he's 28 and has a .880 OPS he can feel great about how he's making less than 7th inning relievers when he could've been making $10 million a year more.

 

Honestly though, I think you guys are to quick to crown them as most talented. We've seen this before with predictions that the Dodgers would be winning World Serieses with a 1-5of Edwin Jackson/Greg Miller/Scott Elbert/Chad Billingsley/Jonathan Figueroa, with Joel Guzman, Andy LaRoche, Delwyn Young, Blake DeWitt, Franklin Gutierrez, and Chen all as All-Star position players. Or remember the Angels infield of the future of Jeff Mathis, Casey Kotchman, Howie Kendrick, Brandon Wood, and Dallas McPherson? Maybe nobody remembers but that was thought of as absolutely sick.

 

I don't think they're going to get 80 wins this year. I don't like Matt Garza, I think they may be overworking Scott Kazmir (why did he average so many pitches a start last year?), and David Price isn't an instant stud, look at Andrew Miller, I have real doubts about him and he was better billed than Price.

 

Considering that Boston and the Yankees are pouring buckets of money into their farm systems as well, and the Blue Jays are solid, I just don't see this happening. I don't see a playoff run in 2009 either, but we'll see. Remember, even with Kazmir and Shields last year they still had the worst team ERA by far. They're making improvements and kicking the ass of many teams trying to build through the farm, but I don't see a great team 2008-9. I wouldn't be surprised to see McGee as some badass Ryan-like closer but he's the only pitcher I'm totally sold on.

 

You think Longoria will only be an .880 OPS guy in his prime?

[SouthSideRyan]

This is the dumbest contract a player has ever signed probably, even dumber than Tim Wakefield's. I'd like to see the Cubs dupe a future star into signing a contract like this. He'll be making $6 million when he could be making $16 million, $11 million when he could be making $19 million, what a madman.

He's 22 years old. If he gets hit by a truck tomorrow and never plays again he'll be financially secure for the rest of his life. He signed this with essentially no ML experience, so there's the possibility that he busts as well. It's happened before.

 

That's the trade off. He could possibly earn double that (I'd say it would be something like $5M, $10M, $15M tops but who knows), or he could take complete financial security right now. I know what I'd do. Going from $3M to $17M is a much bigger deal than going from $17M to $30M (OK, whatever his take-home actually is from these numbers). The utility of the second $13M isn't worth the risk.

 

Also, don't forget that these pro athletes, their agents, and the stupid owners don't know the meaning of a contract anyhow. A few years into the contract, he will demand more money, an extension, or a trade and make all the money he was going to get without this contract. Pro athletes want the security of a long-term contract and then complain about the money.

 

You're thinking of football. Baseball contracts never get re-negotiated, and demanding a trade would do nothing to make him more money. An extension wouldn't change the money he's making for those 6-9 years either.

[DivineBovine]

Someone explain go me what prevents Longoria from deciding that he wants more dough in the last few years of his contract and just not showing up to spring training. Maybe it just happens in football, but why not in baseball? If this is even on the table, then its not a bad deal for him, its a bad deal for the Rays- because it becomes a one sided deal. If the trend of locking up young players continues, then this will occur sooner or later. There's no way agents and players in today's sports environment will continue to stand idly by while the player is underpaid millions no matter what the contract says. And at the very least, he can decide he can use re-signing with the club as leverage- you sign me to another extension now, or I'm leaving no matter what.

[Guest]

Operation Shutdown!

[SouthSideRyan]

Football contracts are non-guaranteed, so re-negotiation is pretty much the players way of balancing things out.

 

Guys have tried stuff along those lines when it comes to extensions. Francisco Cordero claimed that was his situation with Milwaukee last season. Sosa tried it with us in '03(maybe '04) Rick Reed did it with Minnesota.