Carlos Beltran is a free agent this offseason. Being the Cubs fan, I am being optimistic and hoping that he comes to Chicago. That being said, how much do you think he will demand in the free agent market? His value has sky rocketed in the last week and a half. Not as though he wasn't a good player, because he was, but to do the things he is doing during the playoffs is just unbelieveable. Any ideas?
As much as I'd like to think he could end up with one of several teams, in reality we're all about 90% sure where he's ending up.
Scott Boras is his agent, so whatever you think he'll sign for, you might want to add a bit to it. Don't know how long he'll sign for, but I'm thinking 13-15 million/yr.
More than he's worth no one can expect him to hit 8+ home runs every time he makes it to the playoffs. Plus he had a pretty rocky start when he first began at Houston and then gradually warmed up. its one thing to play with zero pressure in KC or some in Houston, its another to play in NY or Chicago or other big market areas where the papers ride your ass for an 0/4 night
I think $13-15 million/yr. is accurate. Yankees' OF: Matsui 30 yrs. old Williams 36 yrs. old Sheffield 35 yrs. old Lofton 37 yrs. old Sierra 39 yrs. old Beltran is 27 and the best outfielder available. There is no way the Yankees lose this bidding war (as if there was any doubt). The only question that remains is if Beltran is adverse to playing in NYC. If he goes to the Yankees I think Beltran would command $15 million/yr without too much difficulty. The only way Beltran fails to get $15 million is if he goes to a team like LA. BTW, who are the new owners of the Expos? Could they throw money at him?
Ok smart guy, explain exactly how the Yankees get Manny Ramirez, when he was on unconditional waivers last season they did not take him, and now he remains with Boston. Grow up please.
Heh heh. You're funny. See, he's a member of the Red Sox. Therefore, common baseball law allows the Yankees to take him for a price - citing the 'whatever it takes to stab the BoSox in the back and send their uptight little internet geek fans with no concept of a sense of humor into a flailing hissy fit' clause of 1987. I believe it's from article 8.1 in your manual.
You're an idiot! How is this gonna happen. Manny is clearly happy in Boston and despite the Yankees deep pockets, the Red Sox have deep pockets themselves and after beating the Yankees last night, I am doubting the Red Sox will be giving up Manny for any price. Plus, Manny would never go to the Yankees, he would then have to cut his hair! That ain't gonna happen pal!!
Ramirez will not go to the Yankees for one very simple reason, and one reason only. Steinbrenner will make him cut his hair. He will have none of that. End of story.
The only starting pitchers the Dodgers have under contract for next season are Penny, Weaver, and Ishii. They'd like to trade Ishii if possible. Lima will resign reasonably cheap. Wilson Alvarez, even if he resigns, will probably remain in relief because of his bum hip. The rotation is obviously a need. Beltre is a free agent. If they lose him to free agency after waiting 6 years for him to become the player it appears he's finally become, it would be a huge, huge loss. There just aren't that many franchise 3rd basemen around, especially homegrown ones. Eric Gagne is due his last year of arbitration. Unless they avoid arbitration and sign him to a multi-year deal, he'll be a free agent at the end of 05. They can't lose him period, so they can either pony up the cash now, or wait until he has another monster year and then Boras can grab them by the balls even more. There's also the fact that the Dodgers already have a cheap young centerfielder in Milton Bradley. They'd probably like to deal him, but honestly, who's going to take him and what could they possibly expect in return. Their best bet is to send him to the best shrink available and hope like hell he grows up. For the Dodgers to accomplish everything I've listed and still have $10-15 p/year left over to sign Beltran isn't likely at all. The days of the Dodgers being big players in the free agent market are over. Kevin Malone threw multiyear multimillion dollars at guys right and left and they won't even be finished feeling the sting of that until the end of next season when they pay Dreifort the last of his ridiculous $55M deal.
Beltran is going to New York, end of story. They'll sign him simply on the basis that they can. They'll get Pavano too...
Latest rumor in my local paper has it at 18-20 million. http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/col_rozner.asp?intID=38281177
Brian Cashman is a very good GM, however the Boss will demand they sign Beltran even though clearly the weakness of the Yankees is thier pitching. Personally I like Theo's way of building a club over Cashman's/ Boss way.
Did you ever think he said this to, oh I dunno.......yank your chain? Ahh......now it makes sense! I'm assuming Beltran goes to the Yanks. I'd like to think that he'd show some loyalty and resign with Houston, but where's loyalty these days in sports? But hey, anytime the Yankees don't address their true weakness, I'm all for it.