FREE AGENTS...IMPORTANT READ

[Gom]

Look guys......it's going to be one of the craziest off-seasons we've ever had. To try to keep a little sanity here, just remember a few things, things we already know, but most of us will forget from time to time.

 

The Yankees are going to be involved in every big name player. The Red Sox are going to be involved in every big name player. So will most teams, as a lot of teams have money to spend this year. Remember that the teams will enter the bidding just to drive up the price on the player for their opponents. The Yankees and the Red Sox are both going to kick the tires on Lowe, if only to drive up the price for not only the other, but for whatever team signs him.

 

This also works the other way as well. Agents will come out and say certain things to try to increase the money their clients will get. Look at what CC's agent said [he's done a great job so far]...first he comes out and says his player wants to stay on the west coast, that he loves to hit [as if that's worth leaving millions on the table for 3 ABs or so every 5 days]....then he says he'd consider playing for the Yankees...the end result is that it is a foregone conclusion that IF he signs with the Yankees, then it will be for more money.

 

So...take a deep breath...and relax. Remember that most serious negotiations DO NOT happen in the media and the newspaper. Look at Manny this year. Who foresaw the Brewers getting CC? Or Cashman getting Nady AND Marte? Both NY fans and Boston were floored when Damon came to NY. I don't remember much talk of the blockbuster deal of Beckett/Ramirez before it happened.

 

Remember that this is a big cat and mouse game that is played out in the media. Both sides are jockeying for permission. It creates a generally high level of excitement for us as fans. When presented with information, please think about the following: 1) source 2) motivation.

 

You'll find out that 95% of what you read, you already knew.

[Cocos Disciples]

It's fun to speculate based on media sources, but you're right, a lot of the real stuff comes from left field.

[BoSox21]

Because most of what Rosenthal, Olney, Heyman, Gammons etc. report leading up to the trade deadline and during the free agency period is a part of the negotiation tactics the agents use. Sometimes the insiders realize they're being played as pawns and sometimes team execs or agents float things out there just to see reactions, like Boras' "mystery team" thing he does for every big free agent.

 

The best way to figure out where a guy is likely to go is to take a look at a GM's track record in how he likes to put together his team and what a team's particular needs are. I don't see the Sox getting a Sabathia, Sheets or Peavy despite what reports come out cause they have 3 top of the rotation guys already and Theo has never shown that he likes committing that many years and money to a single pitcher.

[jacksonianmarch]

So, two things on the FA front.

 

Earlier in the week, the dodgers were preparing a 2 yr 60 mil offer for Manny. McCourt seems to be doing this to appease the fans, while knowing that Manny will get more yrs on the open market. Manny and Boras keep talking about a 5-6 yr deal. But Manny turns 37 in May and is likely to see offers in the 3-4 yr range. I dont think anyone will beat McCourt's AAV of 30 mil, but 3yrs 75 mil or 4 yrs 90-100 mil might be offered by another contender

 

Also on the FA front, the Brewers are prepared to offer CC Sabathia a 4 yr 100 mil contract. While the AAV is impressive, CC should expect a contract offer on the open market no shorter than 6 yrs at a similar but slightly lesser AAV.

I could see someone beating a Johan deal of 7yrs 135-150 mil. CC is only 28 yrs old mind you and with his frame and power game, should continue to keep his fastball well into his later yrs. The question is, how long will the knees hold up.

[TheKilo]

The Dodgers never offered Manny 2/60, nor were they intending to.

 

NYP:

 

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti denied that he's made any kind of effort to re-sign Manny Ramirez yet.

 

The New York Post stated that the Dodgers offered Ramirez a two-year deal worth $60 million. Colletti claimed the report was fiction and went on say that the Dodgers haven't had any internal conversations about the value or length of a deal they should offer the 36-year-old outfielder. That part would be quite disturbing if true.

[jacksonianmarch]

We'll see.

[Cocos Disciples]

I doubt neither Manny nor CC return to their respective teams.

[Gom]

Beware the moves you don't read about...

 

Remember...the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox and Angels will be "in" on pretty much every top-tier free agent, if only to drive the price up on the others.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Beware the moves you don't read about...

 

Remember...the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox and Angels will be "in" on pretty much every top-tier free agent, if only to drive the price up on the others.

Which is why the Sox would be best suited going for Jake Peavy, and letting the Yankees, Dodgers, Angels, and the others fight it out for CC/Burnett and all them.

 

 

Theo - get your pitcher, call it a day. Then just feign interest in the other guys to help kick their asking price.

[Cocos Disciples]

In retrospect, this definitely was an important read.

[Gom]

Thank you Coco...it's just to keep mass hysteria from talking over. I appreciate the compliment.

 

Sometimes the most obvious fact is the one most easily overlooked.

[Cocos Disciples]

I'm here for you Gom. Always and forever.

 

wut

[Gom]

I'm here for you Gom. Always and forever.

Love is in the air...

[Cocos Disciples]

Ever since dreilly left, I know you need someone.

 

And hey, do you happen to black? Because as of a few days ago...

[Gom]

Ever since dreilly left, I know you need someone.

 

And hey, do you happen to black? Because as of a few days ago...

 

I don't get it.

[Cocos Disciples]

I don't get it.

 

According to our skinhead friend, Kilo and I are aficionados of...*ahem* African American genitalia.

[Gom]

I'm black from the waist down.

 

LOL!

[Dipre]

I'm black from the waist down.

 

LOL!

 

Oh My God........

[Gom]

Just realize..the two moves our teams have made, Swisher and Coco...came out of left field, so to speak.

 

When teams are involved, talking about...etc., I discount it. It's the moves you aren't hearing about that are the ones likely to happen.