LeftCoastCubFan

You know the myth, so Barry's wouldn't fit on the ball. Now if you're talking rhoid shrunkin' testicles..... :D

This will be interesting to see how it all plays out. I didn’t think there was any way A-Rod opted out. With 3/78 owed and a likely offer of something in the area of a 5/150 extension, I couldn’t see him walking away from what is effect a 8/228 contract. I didn’t see him able to do much better. When Boras starting talking $400 or $500 million contracts, I thought it was just a negotiating ploy. But it is now apparent that his comments that salaries haven’t risen with revenues (doubled since A-Rod’s contract), Boras is making this a battleground. I wonder if he already has a suitor lined up. I don’t blame A-Rod for sticking with him. If my agent gets me a record 252 mil contract, then gets me moved after it doesn’t work out; if he says eat a turd, I eat a turd. The Yankees I believe are out of it. I believe Cashman that they won’t negotiate, which I can understand. A-Rod flushed 20 million plus of Texas subsidies down the toilet if he is to be resigned. Though the decision will be based mainly on money, I wonder if he wants to stay in the AL (records, familiarity with pitchers), and given they probably want 10 years again does it make more sense to be in the DH league. Does he care about winning or does he think he can just engineer another trade? This is how I handicap it: RED SOX: The only team other then the Yanks that can really afford him without skimping in other areas, and with extra Championship revenues. Manny Ramirez only has one more guaranteed year, so he can be the big bat going forward. But with the Yankees out of the picture, do they really want to spend so much on a single player? METS – They likely would have to move some contracts. Does A-Rod love NY? ANGELS – Makes the most sense, but can they afford him? Arte Moreno has not gone the extra steps to get the man he wants the last few years (Konerko, Soriano, Ramirez). Will he do it now for many times as much? GIANTS – One of the few teams that has had success (record and attendance) on the back of one player. Bonds money is available, but they have so many needs and have been talking about rebuilding. WHITE SOX – Had the city just a few years back as the Cubs were sucking. But the momentum is lost and he’s worried what will happen with a new owner on the North side. He loves A-Rod. BALTIMORE – Owner loves stars DODGERS – I doubt McCourt will pony up the big bucks, and I question whether A-Rod would want to finish career in a pitchers park when he’s going for the homer record. SEATLE – On the rise, and they are not a small market revenue team as many think. CUBS – After last seasons spending spree, another is unlikely. New owners won’t be in place in time. AT LEAST ONE OTHER CRAZY OWNER WILLING TO OVERPAY – There’s always at least one

For 30 million a year, he better play both

Zambrano should be at 16, Ramirez at 15, Soriano at 14 , Lilly at 8, Jones at 6.3 , Dempster at 5.8, Howry at 4.5 when you include the prorated signing bonus that need to be included in the figure. I agree that it is likely Howry will exercise his option. So I have 13 players at 102 million. If they go cheap for the other 12 spots, you are probably over 107 million. It will be interesting to see where the budget is set at.

The way I remember the Cubs offered a deal around Prior. Baltimore said change that to Zambrano. The Cubs said then throw in Bedard. Baltimore said Buh Bye. Prior couldn't bring Tejeda alone.

VOBP, Value Over Better Player It should be number of games played with a nagging injury because gritty players only go on the DL with broken bones or concussions. This works better: ("player name" "plays the game the right way")/Games Played*162 89.6 Dustin Pedroia 47.1 Ryan Theriot 40.3 Derek Jeter 32.4 David Eckstein 23.1 Alfonso Soriano 19.8 Manny Ramirez But as JD Drew approaches zero games played, his value approaches infinity. 0/0.

Yes, but given his back problems, limited sample size for Soto, and lack of depth in the minors; I see them signing a veteran backstop.

Looking at salaries for 2008: The big 11 at 100.7 million (Zambrano (16), Lilly (8), Marquis (6.4), Dempster (5.8), Howry (4.5), Blanco (2.8), Lee (13), DeRosa (4.8), Ramirez (15), Soriano (14), Jones (6.3)). Jones is on the list as I don’t see him as tradeable until the trading deadline. Options likely to be picked up 2 at 5 million (Eyre (3.8 player), Ward (1.2 club). I don’t see Eyre doing better in the market and Ward has no real in house replacement. Likely resigned free agents 1 at 4 million Wood (4 swag) Young players likely in mix 6 at 2.5 million (1 of Hill or Marshall, Marmol, Weurtz, Soto, Theriot, Pie) Players likely gone Trachsel (4.8 club) due to age, Floyd ( club option) power and cost, and Monroe (arb eligible made 4.8 in 2007) too expensive. Trade bait (1 of Hill or Marshall, Ohman, Pagan, Murton) So we are looking at 21 players at over 112 million, which is about where this year’s payroll was at. I also believe that they will resign Prior if he shows any signs of being ready later in 2008, which would bring payroll over 115 million range. So there are likely looking at a corner outfielder, a veteran catcher, a veteran middle infielder, and a veteran #5 starting pitcher (possibly just for competition), but with probably only 5 to 10 million to spend. With the impending sale, I don’t see any more major contracts so this is pretty much the team we will have for 2008, unless a decision is made to sell the farm (unlikely). No A-Rod or Tejeda

So, Kendall’s obp finally dropped low enough for the Cubs to feel he fits the organization. :P Seriously though it all comes down to the money. I have to guess that Oakland was willing to eat a little of the contract, and throwing in Blevins was to have them pay a little more of it to make it palatable. As long as it doesn’t affect any other deals it’s no big deal. If Kendal produces higher offensively then our current batch of catchers, it’s a good deal. Even if it doesn’t it only cost a middling prospect.

He uses the same drug store as Rafael Palmiero, so it must be Viagra

Doesn't sound like we'll be adding any more payroll like Hendry told us earlier in the season. They can add payroll for this year, they just can't make commitments for next year if they feel it will effect the sale price. Paying all of Jones' salary this year is allowed. Paying it for next year is problematic.

Yes, but not significantly. We are paying all but 700k of Barrett's salary. The prorated portion of Bowen is about 200k, so it saved about 500k in payroll.

To me the biggest question is why Barrett needed to go now and would they have just DFA’d him if they couldn’t find a taker. The timing says that a decision was made that he must go. What combination of performance, statements from pitchers and other teammates, Lou, and any other factors went into the decision? Obviously Hendry decided that the increased trade value waiting another 5 or 6 weeks was not beneficial to the team. 700k saved on his salary, and a few bodies with some potential upside may not seem like much; but if he continued to be a problem he would not fetch much more at the deadline. I see it pretty much as a wash.

Not that it makes any difference, but it's refered to 3 times in the basic agreement as Rule 5, so "V" it's not. http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/pdf/cba_english.pdf

Zambrano isn't going to Texas (at least not in a trade). Just look at the standings.

Did we just hire the Reds GM? :D

It's just like the A's in that it's a liabilty issue. The players can walk accross the street or drive to the burbs and drink. If the clubs truly cared they would arrange limo services, identify problem drinkers and get them care, etc. This does not solve the problem, just a sugar coating.

I think with A-Rod knockin' on the door to 500 and with a good chance of breaking the record a few years down the road lessens the value.

So you have a problem with calling Steve Young names, but it's ok to insult the weight challenged? :D

From what perspective are you writing it from? As a fan: -It isn’t going to lower prices of tickets or beer (see nba/nfl) -Is parity with all teams around .500 a good or bad thing -If you are a fan of a big spending team, you will be penalized -May not be able to retain your favorite player by expanding payroll As a business: -A cap requires sharing most revenues. If you have it, why give it away -A cap requires a floor. This prevents cutting as business conditions change -It’s un-American. It’s a socialist system. -It takes away the incentive to do it better, as the rewards are the same for all owners As a player: -Why give up a good thing, knowing you can get as much as the market can bear -Our players union is too strong and we will shut baseball down for a few years if they try Just a note, there is a correlation between payroll and making the playoffs.

What he said

1) Baseball was a 1.9 billion industry in 1992. 2.7 billion in 1999. 3.5 billion in 2001 and 2002. It was 5.2 billion in 2006, and is expected to grow more in the near term. New stadiums, local and national tv contracts, advertising, ticket prices have all contributed to this. So the cash is there. 2) Revenue sharing and shared revenues have contributed at least 60 or 70 million to small market clubs, before they even include local revenues. More teams competing for players drive the price up. 3) Though it had a lowering effect the first few years, the enforcement of the debt rules has made teams more financially sound (cash for players instead of servicing debt). Financially healthy teams have more to spend. 4) There have been a lot of unique situations that have teams increasing spending. Cubs after losing people and market share, the Mets the last few years with a new cable company, new owners, new ballparks, etc. 5) And then there is ownership insanity. They would never overpay in the industries that made them able to afford to buy a team; yet they fall in love with players and overspend.

He obviously doesn't realize that merchandise sales are split between all MLB teams

Jazz, the last cell of your spreadsheet isn’t included in the total. It should total 113.85, not 110.85. I still have different figures for catchers. For Barrett USA Today has him paid for 2005 at 3.133 and for 2006 at 4.333 for a 2 year total of 7.466. His contract is for a total of 12.000, so that leaves 4.534 to be paid in 2007, not 4.700. Blanco’s signing bonus isn’t included in your figures. It looks like it’s paid in the first year and he should be at 2.550, not 1.8. Zambrano is now officially at 12.400.

San Diego can still release him in spring training and pay 1/6 of the contract if they feel he is overpaid.