Our Free Agent Class: 5 Type A's
by mattwelch on Aug 23, 2009 8:46 PM PDT
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PrintHere are the freshly updated free agent compensation rankings, thanks to someone who reverse-engineers Elias' official Type A/Type B classifications. Long story short, if the offseason began today, we'd have a stunning 5 Type A free agents on the open market. Here's a list of their rankings; remember, A) they're based on two-year performances, and B) the cutoff for Type A is around 70 and higher, for Type B around 60 and higher (they use a bit of a sliding scale depending on position):
88.51 Abreu
81.21 Lackey
78.57 Vladdie
73.95 Chone
72.26 Darren Oliver
Contract-walkers Robb Quinlan and Kelvim Escobar are in the loser's circle of bupkus compensation.
A reminder: When someone else signs a Type A that we have offered arbitration to, then we get two high draft picks -- that team's first-round pick (if they are, as they tend to be, teams slotted to pick between 16 and 30), or it's second round pick (if they're slotted for 1-15), plus a compensation pick just after the first round, ordered by reverse order of the winning record of the picking teams (so therefore, we tend to pick last among the supplementals).
In theory, if we offered arb to all of those guys, and they all signed elsewhere (and note: this will not happen), we would stand to receive 10 of the first 50 or so draft picks. In the real world, Oliver ain't going anywhere (he'll probably either re-sign or retire), and Abreu at the least seems headed back. Still, it's nice to have the maximum possible compensation options.
This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.
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There's quite a difference between the questions,
“How many of these five players would you re-sign?”, and, “How many of these players do you think we will re-sign?”.
Of course, it ain’t my money that I would be spending.
At this moment, I would sign Guerrero and Oliver, if he’s willing. I’d let the others walk, probably allowing us (the Angels) six high draft picks.
The answer to your obvious next question regarding Abreu, is that he’ll be 36, wanting a high-priced multi-year contract, and his lessons to the younger players have already been taught. We will all certainly debate this subject to exhaustion before we get our answers…….and I may change my mind.
Thanks for the update Matt
I said 3. Damn what a tough decision. Emotion is a tough obstacle. I have to agree with wumbug that there are really two questions. I also think that if you can get a good price for Vlad, you resign him and slot that DH spot for him, period (he is soo difficult to watch and root for sometimes…his pitch selection absolutely drives me up the wall).
I would try hard to resign all of them, but reality is:
1. Oliver for sure if he doesn’t retire
2. Abrew. The OF on this team is way too old so it is either Vlad or Abrew. Vlad can only play DH now? Leads me to Abrew cuz you can not tie up the DH spot with one player for an entire year.
3. Deschone is the straw that stirs the drink
Lackey and Vlad are likely gone unless a hometown discount can be drummed up. I think sLackey has already stated he would not do so. I have a really hard time with the age of our OF with either Vlad or Abrew in RF to be honest. Maybe the real answer is keep Vlad, let Abrew go to move Rivera to RF, and Figgy or Wood or ??? to LF…
Sheesh, did I waffle enough for you all there? I will stick with my 3.
Miss you Nick...! RIP
BTW...
Abreu and the Angels have had preliminary discussions on a contract extension, and he would prefer to re-sign than test the free-agent market.
this little nugget is at the very bottom of a nice article about the Angels in today’s Baseball Prospectus by John Perrotto (nice article but filled with typos and spelling/grammatical errors)
Miss you Nick...! RIP
Ok soooooo
after watching O’Sullivan and Bell get their collective asses kicked the last two days, I am going to change my tune. Sign Lackey too…so up my vote to 4. DAMN you can never have enough pitching! What was I thinking?
Miss you Nick...! RIP
Right now...
I’d resign Lacky (4 years max), Abreu (2 years max), Vlad (2 years max) and Ollie (1 year max). Figgy is not worth what he is going to command – no one with his flukiness and lack of SLG deserves $10 to $12 million per year. He will want that.
Of those four, their order of importance is: Lackey, Abreu, Ollie, Vlad.
Lackey is our #1 – he is still a legit #2 on his bad days. Four years for him isn’t insane and without him we have a rotation headed by Weaver, Santana and Saunders. That doesn’t make me all warm and fuzzy inside. I’d go 4 years/60 million. No more.
Abreu is old, but his skill set is aging gracefully. Guys don’t get too old to draw walks. Plus, he is stealing bases like crazy. I’d go 2 years/$18 to $20 million.
Ollie is either gonna retire or resign. Either way keep him around – he is really throwing well.
Vlad is the trickiest of the five. If he keeps hitting like he has the last month or two, then he jumps up this list, but I just don’t know. He might want 3 years at good money. I’d go $12-$13 million per at most. 3 years/$36 million is the most I’d pay, but right now I’d offer 2 years/$26 million.
Figgy is blocking Wood, and while I love his OBP, I can’t see blocking Wood with Figgins at $12 million per year. Just seems silly.
Just my 2 cents…
RIP Nick...
Jim Scully
Jim Scully Home
by jimmuscomp on Aug 23, 2009 9:28 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
+1
Everything you said makes sense. It’s just going to be hard to not be outbid for Big John. Someone will give him 5/$75. As I said in the other thread, Tony will make very fair offers to all of these guys, but he won’t get into a bidding war.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you." - Woody Hayes
by johnnyangel101 on Aug 23, 2009 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions
This.
What do you need a fancy suit for, Charlie, you ain't got no job to wear it to.
by clover_black on Aug 23, 2009 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I like Wood but...
I think Figgy is too important to this team. Everyone says he is this year’s Angels MVP. Yah he doesn’t hit homers but he is a leadoff guy. His defense is bar none also. If he is your MVP you pay him an MVP price, regardless of stats that are lacking.
the problem. as I see it
is that his game is built on speed which will dissipate. Do we pay on the back end of the deal for the greatness today? Are we drinking the haterade in three or four years because his declining skills are killing us while Brandon is pounding the ball elsewhere because we couldn’t make room?
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer.
Speed never goes into a slump. So until it dissipates, he is effective.
And if his speed dissipates the way Rickey Henderson’s speed ‘dissipated’, Figgy is gonna be around a long time still.
As for Wood “pounding the ball elsewhere because we couldn’t make room”: sigh. If Wood were capable of “pounding the ball” in the Majors to an extent superior to that of Figgins or Aybar or Kendrick or Morales, room would have been made. He is not blocked because we have an overabundance of power-hitting infielders rendering Wood superflous. He is blocked because he has not been able to beat Figgy or Aybar out of a job. Hell, he has not even been able to beat Quinlan out of a job.
Wood’s career has been relegated to a replacement infielder with upside who can be slotted for less money per year than what Figgy will command, and for multiple years.
We don't have a Bullpen. We have a Cowpen. Before we get to call it a Bullpen these guys gotta grow a pair.
Agreed about Figgins....
and it’s not even about Wood. Figgins is going to command too much money and compared to other third baseman in the league he’s a below average hitter. He will simply not be worth the cost.
Abreu is very good but also old and likely not worth a multi-year deal. I’d say 2 years 20 million.
Vlad may be worth the cost if he takes a big discount to sign as a dedicated DH. If some team wants to pay him 13 million to go play RF I’d let him walk.
Lackey is a must sign, either that or go sign some other ace starter. Better yet sign both Lackey AND another ace starter.
Oliver is clearly needed in the bullpen.
I disagree that he's a "below-average hitter."
He’s a below-average slugger, sure, but his OBP and speed make up for a big chunk of that. We’re not getting typical corner-infielder production from him (in terms of RBI/HR/SLG), but we’re getting better production from him on the basepaths. He has an .800 OPS right now, which puts him right in the middle of the list of AL 3Bmen (he’s behind Michael Young, A-Rod, Longoria, Lowell, and Rolen), but he has a better OBP than any of them and 37 SB (not to mention 95 Runs). Next on the list is Beltre with 10 SB (and a mighty .686 OPS).
If you include NL 3b...
then he’s in the bottom half OPS-wise. His runs aren’t that relevant because I think a lot of players with a good OBP achieve that hitting in front of this lineup. His SB are nice but he’s also got 13 CS and that delta is only going to get closer as he gets older.
This year he’s a bargain, but I don’t see how the Angels can pay this guy 10+ million a year and not regret it down the line. He’s probably going to command that so I think they should let him walk.
OPnly thing blocking Wood, is the enormous hole in his bat.
by Baylorsgroove on Aug 25, 2009 12:21 AM PDT up reply actions
tough decisions
I agree pretty much with everyone on Oliver. Even if we don’t resign him, I’m sure he can get more by accepting arbitration than he would on the free market since no team is going to give up picks for him.
I think the most important resign is going to be Figgins. Figgins has really has gotten the offense going this year. Call me skeptically, but I’d like to see another year of Aybar hitting ~.300 and with a high OBP before handing him the leadoff spot. With his great defense, improved discipline at the plate and overall versatility in the field, even if there is a regression in his speed because of age, something like a 3 year deal with team option or a 4 year deal around $10-$12 million year is fine with me.
For Abreu (and quite obviously for Vlad and Lackey), length of contract and amount per year will really be the determining factor. I think anything over 2 years for Abreu would be foolish. My only concern is paying anything more than $10 million a year a corner OF with not much (and declining) power and defense doesn’t seem to be the smart thing to do. Something along what jimmus suggested 2 for $18 to $20 million is about right, but i’d definitely hope to get it more around $8 million a year.
Vlad, i love the guy, but he really shouldn’t get more than a base of $5 to $8 million a year. With the injury concerns and potential for being a pure DH, probably a 1 or 2 year contract with incentives based on HR’s, RBI’s, plate appearances, etc….that would bring the contract up to around $10-$11 million would sound right. Anything more, especially since we would still have the 5 OF jam (assuming we resign Abreu and not just cut GMJ) and also keeping Napoli out of the DH spot (since Soth just loves mathis’ defense) doesn’t seem prudent.
Lackey was the toughest one for me to decide on. He’s definitely our staff ace (and has been for the past couple years), but having started on the DL the first part of the season the past 2 years and then having to round into shape is somewhat worriesome. Plus he just hasn’t seemed as sharp as he has in the past. Additionally with the emergence of Weaver, the decent job by the young guys, and hopeful resurgence of Santana and Saunders I’m not sure how much the team needs Lackey at $15+ million a year and I really don’t see Lackey getting anything less than that on the market, even if it is a depressed one.
It is my belief that Oliver will retire at the end of this year.
He had to be talked into accepting this year’s contract.
THIS… IS… ANAHEIM!!
my understanding as well
but who knows, like many a girl, maybe a ring will get him to hang around for a while
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer.
I think we can resign all of them, and need to. I keep hearing let Figgins go. Well without that table setter, Abreu, Vlad and Torii won’t be driving in the runs like they are. Look if Figgy was’nt geting on base so much, making pitchers throw more fastballs to Aybar so he can get hits, Abreu would not be having the numbers he’s having. It’s real simple to get RBI’S you have to score runs.
Here’s how I break it down.
PLAYER YEARS OPTION? $ IN MILLIONS
ABREU 2 1 13-14
LACKEY 5 1 70-75
VLADDIE 2 1 20-25
FIGGY 3 1 20-22
OLIVER 1 0 1-1.5
When I played, I pitched and Lackey is the key here. You have to have a front end ace to win, and he’s the guy. If you let him go, you better be prepared to spend more to get another top notch ace for this team.
I'm thinking that you got that flip flopped there
Aybar bats Ninth then Figgy leads off. Most of the time, I think.
my take
we will get outbid for Lackey
we will get outbid for Figgins
we will sign Abreu
we will sign Guerrero
we will sign Oliver
RESULT: Four more draft picks than we had.
We will likely sign a free agent starting pitcher and lose our first round pick, but that still gives us 5 picks by the end of the 2nd round.
by Rev Halofan on Aug 23, 2009 1:51 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
If so, we'll have
Two Great Coaches and a Hall of Famer to mentor the young’ns.
That free agent starting pitcher you mention, plus a possible offseason trade, will make a beautiful backdrop as the baseball world talks about the ANGELS during the ALL STAR GAME next year.
Figgy is not a question of being outbid, but who does the bidding. He likes to win and won’t go to a losing team just for the money. He comes back. As for Lackey, It would either be Rangers or Astros so he would be back home in Texas, but the Rangersw can’t afford the high cost, and the Astros are preparing to dump all but Oswalt and Berkman. Lackey comes back. The others re-sign because they like it here and they want to win. And we still get that new top notch pitcher in trade or free agent if ones available to solidify the rotation. Also maybe a reliver ot two.
by Baylorsgroove on Aug 23, 2009 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Money talks and bullshit walks...
as Danny DeVito once said.
I think Figgy will go to the highest bidder. He already has a ring. Time for payday.
I love this team.
by Downing Rules on Aug 24, 2009 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions
if you think we'll get outbid for Lackey and Figgins
Do you suggest we offer arb and focus on signing new talent and re-signing Abreu, Guerrero, and Oliver?
RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09
I blog about the Angels at The Diamond Aces
I think we should offer arbitration to all of them
I would be happy with a one-year arbitration deal for any of our five guys. Plus, we might be able to re-sign, for example, Figgins and Oliver at discount rates because another team might hesitate to give up the picks.
If Lackey is not resigned, which free agent SP is the priority replacement for him?
Starting pitcher name / age
Brandon Backe (32)
Miguel Batista (39)
Josh Beckett (30) – $12MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Erik Bedard (31)
Kris Benson (34)
Daniel Cabrera (29)
Chris Capuano (31)
Bartolo Colon (37)
Jose Contreras (38)
Doug Davis (34)
Justin Duchscherer (32)
Adam Eaton (32)
Shawn Estes (37)
Josh Fogg (33)
Freddy Garcia (34)
Jon Garland (30) – $10MM mutual option with $2.5MM or $1MM buyout
Tom Glavine (44)
Mike Hampton (37)
Rich Harden (28)
Mark Hendrickson (36)
Livan Hernandez (35)
Tim Hudson (34) – $12MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Jason Jennings (31)
Jason Johnson (36)
Randy Johnson (46)
John Lackey (31)
Cliff Lee (31) – $8MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Braden Looper (35) – option
Rodrigo Lopez (34)
Jason Marquis (31)
Kevin Millwood (35) – Rangers can decline $12MM salary for ’10 unless he reaches 180 innings in ’09
Brian Moehler (38) – mutual option
Brett Myers (29)
Vicente Padilla (32) – $12MM club option with a $1.75MM buyout
Chan Ho Park (37)
John Parrish (32)
Carl Pavano (34)
Brad Penny (32)
Odalis Perez (33)
Andy Pettitte (38)
Joel Pineiro (31)
Sidney Ponson (33)
Mark Prior (28)
Horacio Ramirez (30)
Jason Schmidt (37)
John Smoltz (43)
Tim Wakefield (43) – perpetual $4MM club option
Jarrod Washburn (35)
Brandon Webb (31) – $8.5MM club option with a $500K+ buyout
Todd Wellemeyer (31)
Kip Wells (33)
Randy Wolf (33)
They'll probably also take a look at
Anthony Ortega. You’ll recall that he was in the mix with Adenhart and Moseley this spring.
Escobar is done....
He will work out as well as Smoltz/Penny did this year in Boston – if we’re lucky.
RIP Nick...
Jim Scully
Jim Scully Home
Millwood
He’ll be back next season, since his option will vest if he pitches 25 more innings this season, something pretty easy to do with about 6 more starts left.
This is important, since it may have payroll issues. Payroll flexibility opened by the expiring deals for Blaylock and Benoit will be more than offset by the arbitration deals needed for Hamilton and Feldman.
I think Texas won’t be able to offer Lackey the money he feels he deserves. More than likely, they’ll hedge their bet with an incentive-laden deal for Ben Sheets.
by George Kaplan on Aug 23, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions
This is how i would want it to go with are type As
Sign 2 of Figgins/Guerrero/Abreu (Figgy or Wood would move to LF)
Sign Lackey and Oliver
if this where to happen we would have 2 1st rounders and 1 supplement, unless it was Vlad that left because we wont offer him Arb
R.I.P. Nick Adenhart #34
what do you do with Rivera?
who is quietly having a very good season?
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer.
He got a 3 year deal this offseason
Angels baseball. We do what we must, because we can -- HaloDutch
Oh I see
sign Either Figgy or Abreu (Valde can no longer play the field everyday so I just assume DH) have the survivor play one of the corner OF, Rivera play the other corner. Wood better be very good to lose either Figgins or Abreu.
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer.
Re-sign ALL of them!!!!
I wish…….
We Will Win With What We Got.
R.I.P. Nick Adenhart, Marquis Cooper, Steve McNair, and Frank Grimes, or Grimey, as he liked to be called
As much as Vlad has been the face of the franchise and favorite of the fans everywhere,
in reality he is just one more injury away from being retired. Angels need to build and move on at some point or be dragged down by some of these older players. The Angels are going to need considering ponying up for pitching as auditions have been done and none have emerged a star.
Hey la, hey, Halo...
I can see your point.
But that is why I think you offer him an incentive based contract. Maybe Vlad is willing to take a 3 million 1 year contract with incentives for home runs, RBI, and plate appearances that could bring the contract to 5 million. And when Vlad hits all of his incentives he receives an option for another year.
RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09
I blog about the Angels at The Diamond Aces
You are all a bunch of sentimental saps for Vlad,
He is getting paid millions just to DH, it is the end of August and he is only beginning to show up to hit just below his proven potential. i would let Vlad go freeing up better use of the DH position to a numbr of hitters rather than one and sign another bat to fill in the outfield rotation.
Hey la, hey, Halo...
If the Angels sign Matt Holliday, I can see leting Vlad go. Otherwise you keep the proven bat and hope he stays healthy. What alternative is ther?
by Baylorsgroove on Aug 25, 2009 12:30 AM PDT up reply actions
The Angels won't sign Holliday
The Yankees will make a bid for Bay, just to put their thumb in the eye of the Red Sox. The Red Sox may overpay to keep Bay, or they might decide to try for Holliday. If the Yankees miss out on Bay, then they’ll be on the hunt for Holliday. The Cardinals will likewise be seeking to keep him, which will set up the bidding war Boras craves and the exact situation Arte despises..
by George Kaplan on Aug 25, 2009 4:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Love to see Rich Harden in the Halo unit
Solid pitcher that should be available this winter and is still young. Thats the guy to go for after you sign Lackey (god willing).
Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee
If he can stay healthy
Harden is the cream of that crop, especially when you look at the ages of everyone else. A 6-year, incentive-laden deal to Harden would be great.
by Rev Halofan on Aug 23, 2009 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I overlooked Harden on that list,
but that’s the sauce.
6-year deal? Are you stoned, Rev?
I’d give Harden a 3-year deal without blinking, but talk about injury risk. Dude is fragile!
Incentive-laden is right. On an innings-pitched or games started basis. A $4 million base with another $200K per start. If he makes 30 starts, he earns $10 million. Throw in other incentives to get him to $12 to $14 million if he is doing well – like every win over 15 is another $500K or something.
But he is the absolute cream of that crop – without a doubt.
RIP Nick...
Jim Scully
Jim Scully Home
6 year deal
base pay of 4 million. Additional 1 million per 30 IP pitched. 210 innings = 11 million.
Your deal is $12 million guaranteed money. He will get more than that this offseason, and could get a hangnail and never pitch.
My deal is $24 million guaranteed with a ceiling near $70 million. If he gets hurt this year and next, there are still four seasons to get it together.
by Rev Halofan on Aug 24, 2009 12:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Resign Figgy and Abreu
Possibly Vlad to a 1 or 2 yr deal. Oliver will retire and Lackey will move on.
Where is Lackey going. Be real. The economy is still shot. Texas will not be able to pay what he wants, and Houston is rebuilding. Hell we could probably get Tejada for Willits right now. Lackey wants to win, he wont take a little more money from Houston to lose. I really don’t see Lackey going to the Yankees or the Red Sox. I do not believe he wants to pitch in the NL, so what does that leave? 5-6 years at 60-75 million with the Angels, and he will be happy.
Lackey gets 16-per over 5 if we go into a deeper depression
Most likely a slow recovery yields John $100 million over 5 years. And not from Arte. And there ARE more teams looking to Lackey than Houston and Texas. I can name one: Seattle.
by Rev Halofan on Aug 24, 2009 12:54 AM PDT up reply actions
"I really don’t see Lackey going to the Yankees or the Red Sox."
why not? The Yankees have Pettitte as there #4 (might retire) and Sergio Mitre as there #5 Lackey is a BIG upgrade over them and Pettitte is getting paid 16M they could easily give that and more to Lackey. The sux are less likely because they have alot more young depth. But I would NEVER count the yankees out of anything.
R.I.P. Nick Adenhart #34
Pettitte WILL retire, so the Skanks will be in the game
but with the 50% luxury tax one has to wonder is there a ceiling on how high their payroll can go?
With Dice-K crapping out, Bucholtz being VERY inconsistent and Wakefield celebrating his 67th birthday, I think the Sux are in the mix. Becket is a free agent after next year. Lester is the only one of the kiddie corps that appears to be the real deal.
There are a couple of other teams that could also be in play. The money woes of Texas are being over blown. There are plenty of Texas billionaires who would buy this team if current ownership bails out.
The Orioles could be in the mix. They have a good young core of talent, but what they are missing is a front line stopper or two. Their owner has money, he just an asshole, but Andy McPhail has a plan…I wouldn’t count them out.
The only way we keep Lackey is to outbid the competition. If he pitched for someone else in this free agent market, would we overpay? A LOT of analysts think we overpaid for Vlade (a bargain!), Fatolo (maybe we did), HGH (we certainly did), Torii (it’s early, but I think we did OK on that one). Why not pretend that Big John pitches for the Padres and bid for him accordingly? I think because we see him everyday, we see the warts and our familiarity breeds a little contempt and somehow we are entitled. Well, just like with Frankie, we are not. I think he’s the class of the next year’s crop and we should just pay him.
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer.
Agree with you mostly, except...
The money woes of Texas are being over blown. There are plenty of Texas billionaires who would buy this team if current ownership bails out.
Ownership changes are complex deals, requiring the approval of the other owners. Undoubtedly, there would be a bidding process, which alone takes months. I know the Cubs are a little unusual, since the sale of the team was precipitated by the Tribune Co bankruptcy, but that sale isn’t yet complete and it was almost two years ago the bidding began.
It his highly unlikely the Rangers will have new ownership before the free agent season begins in November, and also unlikely that the current ownership will be encumbering the asset with very expensive long-term deals.
by George Kaplan on Aug 24, 2009 7:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Errata
Sam Zell announced his intention to sell the Cubs in December, 2007; Tribune Corp. didn’t go into bankruptcy until the following December (2008). Zell really didn’t want to own the Cubs (and from what I recall, there may have been MLB ownership restrictions that would prohibit him from doing so anyway). Originally, the idea was to slough off the real estate known as Wrigley Field in a separate deal, but that fell through.
I agree with you that a deal for the Rangers would be difficult to put together quickly, but it’s entirely possible that this is the absolute best time to be selling: the team’s finally winning.
Witty .sig goes here.
Mea culpa
I knew that both the BK and the attempt to sell the Cubs/Wrigley were from the Zell purchase, but I thought the events were closer together.
The point is still valid, however: The Cubs going on the block was announced in Dec of 2007 (“almost two years”), and no sale has yet to materialize after all this time (and God knows how many investment bankers “assisting”). Transactions like these are difficult and often require special structuring.
by George Kaplan on Aug 24, 2009 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Luxury tax is moot
The Yanks can deduct debt service from their new stadium so they not have to pay it if they keep their payroll somewhat close to what it is now.
Play Wood already. Willits sucks.
Correct
no more luxury tax for the Yankees. I believe that actually started this year, giving them an extra $30 million or so to spend. Despite their off-season spending spree, the Yankees are actually have a lower payroll than last year, plus they have a ton of money coming off the books what with Pettitte retiring and the possible FA departures of Matsui & Damon. They’ll offer Lackey $20 million a year, and he’ll take it.
From what i counted
te Yankees have 40M coming off. Seems like the right amount so they can sign both the top hitting FA (Holliday/Bay) and top pitching FA (Lackey) to $20M contracts over the next 5-6 years
R.I.P. Nick Adenhart #34
Can someone get JP Ricardi on the phone?
Maybe Doc. Holiday can be had?
Last month is calling, it wants its suggestion back.
RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09
I blog about the Angels at The Diamond Aces
Lackey is gone
Why? Because the Angels are going to offer him a home town discount and he’s not going to take one. The guy is egotistical – he’s shown that on the mound and when he’s talked to the media about contract discussions. He wasn’t happy at all with the extension offers the Angels were floating out there before the season started.
If the Angels are the highest bidder, he’ll stay. The Angels WON’T be the highest bidder.
I feel the need, the need...for speed!
Hey, uh, I can't believe this, but the link's wrong
and nobody mentioned it. The correct link is here.
And how are we supposed to see free agent rankings besides AL catchers?
Witty .sig goes here.
When / Who wa sthe last Angel farm hand to sign long term deal when they became a FA
If memory serves me right there hasn’t been a lot of those in the last 10+ yrs ,,,has there? Again i say those that have become Free Agents and went into the open market. Not those that signed extensions.
Seems like the Angles have always allowed the prospect that is a solid player to walk when FA has come knocking. Glaus, Washburn…….Joyner
Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee
I’m not saying no other team would not bid for Lackey. I’m sure almost 29 teams will. I’m just saying. teams like Seattle, Oakland, those that are not perenial playoff contenders are out of the mix. I also do not believe he wants to pitch in the NL. Boston still has alot of money tied up in those failed pitchers. I just believe that Lackey will get 75 mill over 5 years from the Angels and stay put. Though the Yankees will offer more, I don’t believe he likes pitching in the east.
I think he wants a ring
He’ll go to a team which will pay him what he wants AND which is on a path to winning a Series. The Yankees, who already have Sabathia and Burnett on contract, might not be a good fit, but the Red Sox would.
by George Kaplan on Aug 25, 2009 4:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Maybe not though
Lackey has gotten used to be being the Top Dog. And I don’t see him taking kindly to being thrid fiddle behind either CC and AJ, or Becky and Lester (especially Becky).
This team is our extended family, That's why we love them no matter what the record, no matter what the score.
by halofan4life on Aug 25, 2009 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Red Sox still possible
It depends upon how Theo wants to play it, but Beckett will be FA after next season while Lester is signed through 2013 (option for ‘14). The Red Sox could conceivably let Beckett walk after 2010, have Lackey and Lester as their top 2, and see what bubbles up from the minors as well as who is available in 2011 (including Halladay, Lee, Lilly, and an option-eligible Matt Cain, since we’ve seen Epstein go out and get the guys in option years before). No matter what, the Sox have Dice K through 2012, so getting Lackey this Winter, then Halladay or Lee the following year, would load up the rotation well into the next decade.
In addition, Epstein’s day of reckoning with Papelbon is soon, too. He’ll be a free agent in 2012, and the Sox may wish to tie some of the payroll up in buying out his next two years of arbitration and his initial free agency.
by George Kaplan on Aug 25, 2009 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions
I say the Cards woiuld be a team in the running
Not so sure why you think he wouldn’t want to pitch in the NL. Guy loves to get his AB’s and its not like he would be playing in a tougher league. The Cardinals have a few players coming of the books with Pineiro (7.5M) Glaus (12+M) Greene (6.5M)and of course Holiday. I can see him pitching in his time zone.
Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee
Watch it, that’s Kyle Beddor the fiercest rabbit…….Look at the bones!
by Baylorsgroove on Aug 26, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions
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