You Know, Gimme the Dough

LouGehrig · 09-24-2007, 10:51 AM

This is not about A-Rod, but his situation makes it more timely. It is about all of our idols.

You Know, Gimme The Dough: Bill Skowron: We'd Have Done The Same Thing

nanwynnfan · 09-24-2007, 12:31 PM

That's just it: The reserve clause held players as propert of a paricular franchise that controlled their limited careers.

Free agency means just that: business savvy and economics have replaced individual negotiating skills at contract time; and as players qualify, they are independent contractors out looking for the best bids.

Back in the days before free agency, perhaps the single most relevant basis for player loyalty was the team who discovered them, signed them, brought them along and/or gave them their break. Beyond that, they were property.

Zen653 · 11-23-2007, 02:34 AM

The Angels sure showed Torii Hunter the dough:

Quote:

Not only did the Angels snag the most coveted free agent on the market when they agreed to terms with center fielder Torii Hunter on a five-year, $90-million contract late Wednesday, they put themselves in even better position to land a bigger fish -- Florida Marlins slugger Miguel Cabrera -- or a player who could further bolster the offense -- Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada.

General Manager Tony Reagins indicated Thursday that the addition of Hunter, a seven-time Gold Glove Award winner who hit .287 with 28 home runs and 107 runs batted in last season, would not preclude the Angels from pursuing another slugger.

"All I can say is I'm going to be looking at some other things to make us better," Reagins said. "The winter meetings are coming up, and I'm sure we'll have more discussions. I'm going to be open-minded."

By signing Hunter, the Angels could more easily absorb the loss of hard-hitting second baseman Howie Kendrick, whom the Marlins are insisting be part of a trade with the Angels for Cabrera. Florida would also like catcher Jeff Mathis, pitching prospect Nick Adenhart and one of the Angels' three young starters, Ervin Santana, Jered Weaver or Joe Saunders.

Hunter probably not the last piece - Los Angeles Times

Grandstander · 11-23-2007, 09:34 AM

It isn't that Hunter won't bring value, it is a matter of it being extremely unlikely that he can bring 90 million dollars worth of value to the Angels during his ages 33-38 seasons.

His career OPS is .793 and in '07 he spiked to his career high of .839. In all probability, the rest of his career will be spent lowering that lifetime OPS.

Further, last year the Angels overspent on another centerfielder, Gary Mathews Jr., also entering the decline portion of his career, whose main value was as a defensive centerfielder...and now they will have to move him to left or right, eroding the value of his contract.

I don't know, but based on the use pattern last season, it appears that Vlad's days as an everyday outfielder have ended. He is going to to wind up as an expensive (albeit good) designated hitter, which erodes the value of his contract since his defensive contributions are being diminished.

But hell, it's their money and if they don't mind overpaying, they are getting an excellent defensive outfield.

I would evaluate this move as the team getting some immediate help, but at the expense of a bloated, overpaid aging roster which will plague them for the next several seasons and severely restrict their ability to make moves.

Zen653 · 11-23-2007, 02:55 PM

Adding Hunter might be a good acquisition by the Angels, if as speculated by the Los Angeles Times, it sets the Angels up for a trade with the Marlins for Miguel Cabrera. A 3-4-5 of Hunter-Guerrero-Cabrera is quite potent. Throw in the acquisition of Jon Garland, which adds some much-needed pitching depth, and the Angels look like a team that could compete for next year's World Series Championship. I've also read some reports that the Angels would like to bring Eckstein back as their starting shortstop, and Erstad as a utility player.

09-24-2007, 10:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
LouGehrig Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 224	You Know, Gimme the Dough This is not about A-Rod, but his situation makes it more timely. It is about all of our idols. You Know, Gimme The Dough: Bill Skowron: We'd Have Done The Same Thing

09-24-2007, 12:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
nanwynnfan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,579	That's just it: The reserve clause held players as propert of a paricular franchise that controlled their limited careers. Free agency means just that: business savvy and economics have replaced individual negotiating skills at contract time; and as players qualify, they are independent contractors out looking for the best bids. Back in the days before free agency, perhaps the single most relevant basis for player loyalty was the team who discovered them, signed them, brought them along and/or gave them their break. Beyond that, they were property.

11-23-2007, 09:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
Grandstander Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Northern California Posts: 5,928	It isn't that Hunter won't bring value, it is a matter of it being extremely unlikely that he can bring 90 million dollars worth of value to the Angels during his ages 33-38 seasons. His career OPS is .793 and in '07 he spiked to his career high of .839. In all probability, the rest of his career will be spent lowering that lifetime OPS. Further, last year the Angels overspent on another centerfielder, Gary Mathews Jr., also entering the decline portion of his career, whose main value was as a defensive centerfielder...and now they will have to move him to left or right, eroding the value of his contract. I don't know, but based on the use pattern last season, it appears that Vlad's days as an everyday outfielder have ended. He is going to to wind up as an expensive (albeit good) designated hitter, which erodes the value of his contract since his defensive contributions are being diminished. But hell, it's their money and if they don't mind overpaying, they are getting an excellent defensive outfield. I would evaluate this move as the team getting some immediate help, but at the expense of a bloated, overpaid aging roster which will plague them for the next several seasons and severely restrict their ability to make moves.

11-23-2007, 02:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,726	Adding Hunter might be a good acquisition by the Angels, if as speculated by the Los Angeles Times, it sets the Angels up for a trade with the Marlins for Miguel Cabrera. A 3-4-5 of Hunter-Guerrero-Cabrera is quite potent. Throw in the acquisition of Jon Garland, which adds some much-needed pitching depth, and the Angels look like a team that could compete for next year's World Series Championship. I've also read some reports that the Angels would like to bring Eckstein back as their starting shortstop, and Erstad as a utility player.