Gil Meche retires

[UMFan83]

Remember when many wanted him instead of Lilly? He would have retired before the end of his contract if we had signed him.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6033882

[98navigator]

Remember when many wanted him instead of Lilly? He would have retired before the end of his contract if we had signed him.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6033882

 

 

FWIW, I think the Cubs wanted both Meche and Lilly. I completely lost respect for the guy when he picked the Royals over the Cubs (especially when that team was built to win).

[JoshiQ]

From what I've been able to follow Meche has always been a class act. I hope he enjoys his retirement.

 

Too bad Soriano won't decide to retire a little bit early.

[davell]

If I remember, the reason we didn't get him is because we wouldn't go 5 years for him.

[shnsajax]

I wanted nothing to do with the contract that he got. Losing respect for the guy because he signed with someone else is stupid. Especially when he signed a contract to where his grandkids would never have to work if he is smart.

[JoshiQ]

I wanted nothing to do with the contract that he got. Losing respect for the guy because he signed with someone else is stupid. Especially when he signed a contract to where his grandkids would never have to work if he is smart.

 

I totally agree. Not only did the Royals have more money on the table, but sometimes people don't really want to play in high pressure markets. I know if somebody offered me $80,000 a year to do a job I was comfortable doing with little pressure compared to a higher pressured job for $100,000 a year I probably will take the 80k.

[Splendid Splinter]

I wanted nothing to do with the contract that he got. Losing respect for the guy because he signed with someone else is stupid. Especially when he signed a contract to where his grandkids would never have to work if he is smart.

 

I totally agree. Not only did the Royals have more money on the table, but sometimes people don't really want to play in high pressure markets. I know if somebody offered me $80,000 a year to do a job I was comfortable doing with little pressure compared to a higher pressured job for $100,000 a year I probably will take the 80k.

 

 

What was Cubs offer for Meche? Anybody know? A better comparsion would be probably $200,000 instead of the $100,000... Would you be able to turn down $120,000 a year then? Considering Royals probably offered $10 mil more than what the Cubs offer was.

[JoshiQ]

I wanted nothing to do with the contract that he got. Losing respect for the guy because he signed with someone else is stupid. Especially when he signed a contract to where his grandkids would never have to work if he is smart.

 

I totally agree. Not only did the Royals have more money on the table, but sometimes people don't really want to play in high pressure markets. I know if somebody offered me $80,000 a year to do a job I was comfortable doing with little pressure compared to a higher pressured job for $100,000 a year I probably will take the 80k.

 

 

What was Cubs offer for Meche? Anybody know? A better comparsion would be probably $200,000 instead of the $100,000... Would you be able to turn down $120,000 a year then? Considering Royals probably offered $10 mil more than what the Cubs offer was.

 

My example isn't the best simply because I think the Royals offered him more money and years. So less pressure/more money but less of a chance to compete or the opposite? As much as we all want the players to be competitive and always want to win games no matter the cost that isn't always going to be realistic. Some guys just want the paycheck and a stable lifestyle.

 

As for my case? Yeah, I couldn't turn down the extra $120k even if the job did make me slightly insane and irritable. When the percentages are more like 75-100% more instead of 15-20% it's a lot harder to turn down.

[Radar3454]

so he basically just gave the Royals 12 million by retiring?

[illiniguy]

so he basically just gave the Royals 12 million by retiring?

Which makes paying Bubba Starling to quit playing football easier.

[TruffleShuffle]

so he basically just gave the Royals 12 million by retiring?

 

yes, although he probably didn't feel like dealing with the pain and rehab that it would take to get back to pitching in the major leagues.

 

that being said, almost everyone in the major leagues and probably on planet earth would take $12 million to do that, so more power to him.

[Splendid Splinter]

so he basically just gave the Royals 12 million by retiring?

 

yes, although he probably didn't feel like dealing with the pain and rehab that it would take to get back to pitching in the major leagues.

 

that being said, almost everyone in the major leagues and probably on planet earth would take $12 million to do that, so more power to him.

 

Yeah more power to him, but he should've at least tried and get that $12 million then flip it back to the community or charities or something.... instead of giving it back to the owners? Still, either way, it's not something you see everyday and bravo to Meche...

 

Also... I wonder how the MLBPA gonna take this? I doubt that they'll let this go and let Meche give $12 million back, even if he does retire. When the last time they let a player give money back to the organization???

[Garwilly]

so he basically just gave the Royals 12 million by retiring?

 

yes, although he probably didn't feel like dealing with the pain and rehab that it would take to get back to pitching in the major leagues.

 

that being said, almost everyone in the major leagues and probably on planet earth would take $12 million to do that, so more power to him.

 

Yeah more power to him, but he should've at least tried and get that $12 million then flip it back to the community or charities or something.... instead of giving it back to the owners? Still, either way, it's not something you see everyday and bravo to Meche...

 

Also... I wonder how the MLBPA gonna take this? I doubt that they'll let this go and let Meche give $12 million back, even if he does retire. When the last time they let a player give money back to the organization???

 

You do realize he isn't writing a check right? He hasn't been paid for 2011 yet.

[TruffleShuffle]

what the crap is the MLBPA going to do? file a grievance of non-payment of a player who voluntarily decided to stop playing? force him at gunpoint to play another year?

[Splendid Splinter]

what the crap is the MLBPA going to do? file a grievance of non-payment of a player who voluntarily decided to stop playing? force him at gunpoint to play another year?

 

 

"As a competitor my entire life this is the hardest decision that I've ever faced, but it's not fair to me, my family or the Kansas City Royals that I attempt to pitch anymore. I came into this game as a starting pitcher and unfortunately my health, more accurately, my shoulder, has deteriorated to the point where surgery would be the only option and at this stage of my life I would prefer to call it a career rather than to attempt to pitch in relief for the final year of my contract."

 

That's Meche statement... I bet MLBPA will file something saying Meche should get some of that $12 mil cuz of injury-related issues or some type of excuse... I mean isn't that how Albert Belle was getting his money even though he was retired cuz of his injury? I mean Bobby Bonilla this year is getting paid by the Mets every year for the next 25 years (by buying out last year of his contract). I mean that contract was guaranteed, but retiring void that contract somehow? I just can't see how the owner will get to keep that $12 mil to himself...

[Garwilly]

Belle was kept on the 40 man for three years in order to collect on the insurance.

 

Bonilla, as you said, was bought out.

 

 

I mean that contract was guaranteed, but retiring void that contract somehow? I just can't see how the owner will get to keep that $12 mil to himself...

 

This has to be a joke.

[TruffleShuffle]

what the crap is the MLBPA going to do? file a grievance of non-payment of a player who voluntarily decided to stop playing? force him at gunpoint to play another year?

 

 

"As a competitor my entire life this is the hardest decision that I've ever faced, but it's not fair to me, my family or the Kansas City Royals that I attempt to pitch anymore. I came into this game as a starting pitcher and unfortunately my health, more accurately, my shoulder, has deteriorated to the point where surgery would be the only option and at this stage of my life I would prefer to call it a career rather than to attempt to pitch in relief for the final year of my contract."

 

That's Meche statement... I bet MLBPA will file something saying Meche should get some of that $12 mil cuz of injury-related issues or some type of excuse... I mean isn't that how Albert Belle was getting his money even though he was retired cuz of his injury? I mean Bobby Bonilla this year is getting paid by the Mets every year for the next 25 years (by buying out last year of his contract). I mean that contract was guaranteed, but retiring void that contract somehow? I just can't see how the owner will get to keep that $12 mil to himself...

 

albert belle was forced to retire because he had a degenerative hip that was only going to get worse. bobby bonilla has nothing to do with this; the mets decided to pay him later rather than pay him at the time the money was due (and bonilla agreed because it was a sweet deal for him). he didn't just walk away, the mets struck a deal with him that made him go away. meche has the option to get surgery and attempt to come back and pitch some more; he is choosing not to do that.

[Splendid Splinter]

This has to be a joke.

 

Can you name me a player who retired (whether he just quit or because of injuries) while still on his contract and not get paid at all whatsoever?? Cuz I can't think of one. If you can and it's legit, I'll shut up and eat my words on it. I'm just thinking cuz the player's union is going to back up the players, they're just not gonna let the owner have that money to himself even if Meche doesn't want the money. I mean I'm even trying to think of a player (who quit/retired due to injury) during a season and not get paid after he was done cuz they still pay him for the rest of the year. That's a little different, but still kinda the same (they didn't pay the player a prorated portion of the salary cuz he retired/quit partway through the season cuz the contract was voided the day he retired).

 

I mean this can't be the first time someone ever done what Meche is doing now right??? Maybe I should just shut up cuz I don't understand or something... Maybe there is a clause in the contract where the contract is voided if you retire on your own term. I don't have that much knowledge about the contract and retirement so I'm just wondering and trying to figure it out.

[Garwilly]

This has to be a joke.

 

Can you name me a player who retired (whether he just quit or because of injuries) while still on his contract and not get paid at all whatsoever?? Cuz I can't think of one. If you can and it's legit, I'll shut up and eat my words on it. I'm just thinking cuz the player's union is going to back up the players, they're just not gonna let the owner have that money to himself even if Meche doesn't want the money. I mean I'm even trying to think of a player (who quit/retired due to injury) during a season and not get paid after he was done cuz they still pay him for the rest of the year. That's a little different, but still kinda the same (they didn't pay the player a prorated portion of the salary cuz he retired/quit partway through the season cuz the contract was voided the day he retired).

 

I mean this can't be the first time someone ever done what Meche is doing now right??? Maybe I should just shut up cuz I don't understand or something... Maybe there is a clause in the contract where the contract is voided if you retire on your own term. I don't have that much knowledge about the contract and retirement so I'm just wondering and trying to figure it out.

 

Mike Matheny.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GM: We will pay you 10 million a year to pitch for us for the next 5 years.

Player: Deal.

 

Four years later.

 

Player: I played 4 years, but will not be playing anymore.

Association: Dear GM, please pay the player for year #5.

GM: F off.

[SouthSideRyan]

what the crap is the MLBPA going to do? file a grievance of non-payment of a player who voluntarily decided to stop playing? force him at gunpoint to play another year?

 

 

"As a competitor my entire life this is the hardest decision that I've ever faced, but it's not fair to me, my family or the Kansas City Royals that I attempt to pitch anymore. I came into this game as a starting pitcher and unfortunately my health, more accurately, my shoulder, has deteriorated to the point where surgery would be the only option and at this stage of my life I would prefer to call it a career rather than to attempt to pitch in relief for the final year of my contract."

 

That's Meche statement... I bet MLBPA will file something saying Meche should get some of that $12 mil cuz of injury-related issues or some type of excuse... I mean isn't that how Albert Belle was getting his money even though he was retired cuz of his injury? I mean Bobby Bonilla this year is getting paid by the Mets every year for the next 25 years (by buying out last year of his contract). I mean that contract was guaranteed, but retiring void that contract somehow? I just can't see how the owner will get to keep that $12 mil to himself...

 

albert belle was forced to retire because he had a degenerative hip that was only going to get worse. bobby bonilla has nothing to do with this; the mets decided to pay him later rather than pay him at the time the money was due (and bonilla agreed because it was a sweet deal for him). he didn't just walk away, the mets struck a deal with him that made him go away. meche has the option to get surgery and attempt to come back and pitch some more; he is choosing not to do that.

 

Belle didn't "retire" until his contract was up.

[Guest]

This has to be a joke.

 

Can you name me a player who retired (whether he just quit or because of injuries) while still on his contract and not get paid at all whatsoever?? Cuz I can't think of one. If you can and it's legit, I'll shut up and eat my words on it. I'm just thinking cuz the player's union is going to back up the players, they're just not gonna let the owner have that money to himself even if Meche doesn't want the money. I mean I'm even trying to think of a player (who quit/retired due to injury) during a season and not get paid after he was done cuz they still pay him for the rest of the year. That's a little different, but still kinda the same (they didn't pay the player a prorated portion of the salary cuz he retired/quit partway through the season cuz the contract was voided the day he retired).

 

I mean this can't be the first time someone ever done what Meche is doing now right??? Maybe I should just shut up cuz I don't understand or something... Maybe there is a clause in the contract where the contract is voided if you retire on your own term. I don't have that much knowledge about the contract and retirement so I'm just wondering and trying to figure it out.

 

This announcement actually hurts the Royals. Sure, they save 12m this year, but they probably would have gotten it back through insurance anyway, since Meche probably wouldn't have pitched if he went through with shoulder surgery. The reason it hurts the Royals is it is now fact that Meche will not pitch for them this year AND it's too late for them to retain Grienke or sign someone else with the money they would be saving by losing Meche. The free agent pool is probably pretty dried up at this point.

[Guest]

I'm willing to trade them Garza for Hosmer, Moustakas and Montgomery. :D

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I'm willing to trade them Garza for Hosmer, Moustakas and Montgomery. :D

They can't afford Garza. Their owner is keeping $12M all to himself.

[Guest]

I'm willing to trade them Garza for Hosmer, Moustakas and Montgomery. :D

They can't afford Garza. Their owner is keeping $12M all to himself.

If they throw in Wil Myers and John Lamb, too, I'll pay the $6M salary.

[mookie]

Let's thrown in 12 million more and get Butler and Kila. Then we can ship a couple of those dudes to Rays for HellBoy. Finally, we can send Milton Bradley an entire team autographed edition of Monopoly.

 

Greatest off season ever!