Hot Stove, part 2

[Elliotte Friedman]

Vernon Wells a done deal in Toronto.

Very impressed that the Blue Jays would get this done. Very impressed that Wells -- the team's rep -- would put his interests ahead of the union's and sign now. After all, there was the possibility that he could become baseball's second-highest paid player next year in free agency. Now, he stands sixth -- behind Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Manny Ramirez, Todd Helton and Alfonso Soriano.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061215.wspt-wells-15/GSStory/GlobeSportsBaseball/home

 

[Angola!]

I'm going to guess that the Yankees offer was based on the poor moves that Seattle has made thus far.

Second that. Why not see if they take it. You won't ever know unless you ask.

As for the Pirates, they're a sad franchise. Victor Martinez for Mike Gonzalez? Straight up? That after having cold feet on trading Gonzalez to the Braves for LaRoche? Talk about some lousy decisions.

Gonzalez is radioactive... I just hope they send him somewhere so Torres can get 40 saves.

Why?

Actually, Torres is a good bet to go, too. There have been talks about him going to Boston.

Doubtful, unless Littlefield has some fascination with Coco Crisp.

The BoSox -- or the Yanks, for that matter -- simply don't have the young, lefty stick the Bucs are asking for. And to think Gonzalez would have been in Boston if not for Brandon Lyon's bum elbow.

As for Victor Martinez, I'm not surprised. Littlefield ALWAYS shoots for the moon in trade talks.

Whatever the case, he needs to deal Gonzo before spring training. A lights-out closer has little value when you're losing 90-100 games every year.

But the Yankees do have young pitching prospects thanks to the Tigers. I have also read they are willing to part with Melky Cabrera, who doesn't have a lot of power, but is a switch hitter that plays a pretty solid outfield.

 

[spnited]

Vernon Wells a done deal in Toronto.

Very impressed that the Blue Jays would get this done. Very impressed that Wells -- the team's rep -- would put his interests ahead of the union's and sign now. After all, there was the possibility that he could become baseball's second-highest paid player next year in free agency. Now, he stands sixth -- behind Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Manny Ramirez, Todd Helton and Alfonso Soriano.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061215.wspt-wells-15/GSStory/GlobeSportsBaseball/home

No offense, Elliotte, but I think Wells' interests are pretty well served by 7 years, $126 mill. No guarantee the market is going to be this crazy next year.

Plus, it is the sixth highest TOTAL VALUE contract in history....7/126 is $18 mill per..Soriano's 8/136 is $17 mill per. Helton's 9/141 is less than $16 mill per

 

[Elliotte Friedman]

No offence taken.

Certainly the money serves Wells' interests. But, it doesn't serve the players' association's interests. This is a group that busted up the Blue Jays attempts to sign Rod Barajas to a two-year, $52.5 million deal because it didn't like the contract. (Barajas would have taken a pay cut.)

While Wells is getting a huge increase, there is a sense he would have made even more on the open market. (Look, for example, what his hometown Rangers did, signing Kenny Lofton to a one-year deal in hopes Wells would be there next year.)

The MLBPA's job is to battle for every cent possible. Wells' decision hurts them a little. I'm sure he heard about it. I'm impressed with his decision to sign anyway, because he's Toronto's union rep.

By the way, Tom Verducci has a good story in this week's SI about the market next year.

 

[Evil Bastard (aka Chris_L)]

No offence taken.

Certainly the money serves Wells' interests. But, it doesn't serve the players' association's interests. This is a group that busted up the Blue Jays attempts to sign Rod Barajas to a two-year, $52.5 million deal because it didn't like the contract. (Barajas would have taken a pay cut.)

While Wells is getting a huge increase, there is a sense he would have made even more on the open market. (Look, for example, what his hometown Rangers did, signing Kenny Lofton to a one-year deal in hopes Wells would be there next year.)

The MLBPA's job is to battle for every cent possible. Wells' decision hurts them a little. I'm sure he heard about it. I'm impressed with his decision to sign anyway, because he's Toronto's union rep.

By the way, Tom Verducci has a good story in this week's SI about the market next year.

I would think the Players Association would be pretty happy with a contract like that.

 

[Elliotte Friedman]

whoops.

That's $5.25 million. Thanks, Chris.

 

[lantaur]

It's a Giles family reunion in San Diego.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6283264

Oh, and the Orioles re-signed Chris Gomez. Yay. Excuse me while I go back to crying.

 

[Evil Bastard (aka Chris_L)]

whoops.

That's $5.25 million. Thanks, Chris.

All in good fun Elliote.

I think this is the year that the Red Sox and Blue Jays finish 1 - 2 in the East and both make the playoffs - keeping the Yankees home for Haloween for a change.

 

[Guy_Incognito]

whoops.

That's $5.25 million. Thanks, Chris.

All in good fun Elliote.

I think this is the year that the Red Sox and Blue Jays finish 1 - 2 in the East and both make the playoffs - keeping the Yankees home for Haloween for a change.

Didn't you say that last year too?

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

Tigers sign Bonderman to three-year deal, $38 mill.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Am.jo0sJzntYAGk63tbTHvk5nYcB?slug=ap-tigers-bonderman&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

[Overrated]

Tigers sign Bonderman to three-year deal, $38 mill.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Am.jo0sJzntYAGk63tbTHvk5nYcB?slug=ap-tigers-bonderman&prov=ap&type=lgns

I actually think it's four years, Hank. Seems like a helluva value, too. Bonderman strikes me as a Jack Morris type--never a great ERA, but solid and durable. That may be a little strong considering I think Morris belongs in the HOF, but Bondo seems like a workhorse.

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

You're right. Four year deal.

But yea, good deal to get a long term deal for a young arm. I believe his ERA has gone down every year he's been in the majors.

 

[Overrated]

For a guy to bounce back from a 6-19 rookie year shows he has some mettle. I love guys like that.

 

[Sea Bass]

Less money than Lilly and Meche.

Good Christ.

 

[spnited]

whoops.

That's $5.25 million. Thanks, Chris.

All in good fun Elliote.

I think this is the year that the Red Sox and Blue Jays finish 1 - 2 in the East and both make the playoffs - keeping the Yankees home for Haloween for a change.

The Yankees have been home for Halloween every year since 2001.

 

[cranberry]

Less money than Lilly and Meche.

Good Christ.

Bonderman is only 24 and wasn't a free agent, so his contract doesn't reflect his full market value.

 

[zeke12]

Twins starter Brad Radke will make it official today.

Carried a lot of awful Twins teams from ****e to just below mediocre. And whether that matters or not in the grand scheme of things, it matters a great deal to the fan who wants to see a good game, and knows that every fifth day, Minnesota would at least have a shot.

Also pitched almost all of last season in terrible pain with a torn labrum, but refused to come out of the rotation.

A ballplayer.

Thanks, Brad.

 

[cranberry]

Twins starter Brad Radke will make it official today.

Carried a lot of awful Twins teams from ****e to just below mediocre. And whether that matters or not in the grand scheme of things, it matters a great deal to the fan who wants to see a good game, and knows that every fifth day, Minnesota would at least have a shot.

Also pitched almost all of last season in terrible pain with a torn labrum, but refused to come out of the rotation.

A ballplayer.

Thanks, Brad.

From what people have told me, Radke pitched with an awful lot of pain this past season. Amazing that he kept going out there. Sort of like Nagy a couple of years ago.

 

[zeke12]

Word in the Cities was that he couldn't throw the ball 20 feet between starts.

Had to brush his teeth, comb his hair, etc. left-handed all year.

 

[outofplace]

What a shocker. Ken Griffey, Jr. is hurt again. Broke his hand in an incident at home. So far, no details on how it happened.