Beane's next move?
by Arcman on Jan 4, 2010 9:02 AM PST
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So now it comes down to what will be Beane's next move? So far the 2 biggest moves have been surprises. The Coco Crisp signing and Duke resigning. Most loyal AN readers did not see them coming. So on the plus side we have Dallas in minor move and Coco in the big move. Taylor, fox and miles in trades. On the negative side we lost Cust, Cassila,Wallace, Shaw, and Crosby. Tomko doesn't count since he is injured and just a fill in last year.
Two holes still to fill in a back up DH/1b and a thirdbaseman. The signing of the cuban pitcher I doubt very much since the Angels, Yanks and redsox are all after him pushing the price to overpaying him. Beltre could still come to the A's if his price is around $32 million for 4 years but it looks like the redsox are pushing hard now that Bay is off their books. Cust could comeback since his value is dropping everyday.
My best guess is that Cust will resign at $3 million a year while the A's take a flyer on minor league contract with a remaining 3b major leaguer that can't find a job in Feb. The far dark horse move would be the A's sign the cuban pitcher after out bidding the top dogs. Any other guesses?
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Agree Cust will likely re-sign.
And cheaper than the award he would have gotten in arbitration, making it a smart move all around. I don’t think the A’s will get Beltre, because Boston will outbid them.
I doubt there will be any other moves other than ones that involve shuffling of minor-league talent. The commitment to youth is very clear, and little is going to be done to stand in its way.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
I was under the impression that Boston is out of the Beltre running
because Lowell wasn’t dealt.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Boston is never out of the running.
They can always revive that deal, and/or buy Beltre on spec.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
Boston was out
but when Bay didn’t resign with them they went back after Beltre. Beltre price is dropping. Boras never likes his players going past the end of the year unless the money is not out there. With holliday they know that offer will be waiting but with Beltre there has been little bidding and Epsten is good at not driving up prices unlike the yanks.
I'd seen a rumor that Lowell could still be moved closer to spring once he's healed
I wouldn’t consider Lowell a block to a potential Beltre signing for them at all. If they want Beltre over Lowell they’ll find a way to do it.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Beat me to it. Addition by subtraction.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
Neither was I
But the Crisp signing was a total surprise.
MLB Trade rumors thinks that Beltre is choosing between the Sux and A’s. I’m not sure how much the Sux can offer without going over the luxury tax limit, or if that’s a serious concern for them.
Cust said a couple of weeks ago that he was planning to sign before the new year, but I haven’t seen any indication that he’s done so.
by OaklandSi on Jan 4, 2010 10:48 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
the Duke
He was a surprise to me since he didn’t want arbitration and talked about being closer to his son. I guess the offers were not there and the A’s treated him first class.
Beltre rumor is heating up but I would not be surprised if the Giants jump in on him.
Would be a smarter move than signing LaRoche
Sandoval to 1B, Uribe to utility or displacing Rent-a-wreck (what SHOULD happen), and DeRosa to LF moving to 2B when Sanchez gets hurt/experiences sharp decline.
DeRosa made limited sense, but playing him in LF wouldn’t be bad.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
The A's offered Duke good money with lots of reachable incentives and they can not offer Arb after this year.
So it will be easier if Duke has a good year for him to sign with an east coast team next year.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
They can offer him arby if he's a type B
Since he was out all of 2009, its unlikely he even reaches type A satus
I read that the agreement is that they won't offer arb
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
I thought it was only if he's a Type A, but I could be mistaken.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
I'm pretty sure it's only if he's type A
A check of Rosenthal seemingly confirms.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
He's more likely to hit Type A if used as a reliever than as a starter
Another reason the FA compensation system is asinine and archaic. With how much the A’s pen will be used due to the youth of the staff, he’s more likely to hit type A.
And of course its easier for a top pitcher to post a low ERA as a reliever than as a starter.
But then, he doesn’t hit his incentives if he’s used as a reliever.
So a huge win-win for the A’s.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
The Gray Fox deal was a surprise to me
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 4, 2010 11:01 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah, it was a shocker and made no sense
swapping Gray and the two fringe prospects for Fox makes sense, even with the money the A’s are taking on, but knowing Geren, he will find a way to play Miles. The money makes the deal a draw, but the objective is not to win deals.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
But Crisp was completely asinine and confusing.
I’m fully expecting an OF trade, soon.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
Hairston to Braves?
Braves are said to be looking for outfield help but what will the A’s get for Hairston?
They didnt give up much though
They traded 2 prospects who was in the mid 20s-30 ranking range, at depth positions
I hope it's either Chapman for 5-6 years
or Beltre for 1-2 years. Or even Tejada for 1-2 years.
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
Im going crazy and hoping all 3
Belre and Chapman for baseball reasons, Miggy for selfish ones.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
by vignette17 on Jan 4, 2010 11:11 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
That beltre talks are heating up, nothing about Chapman recently
I’m assuming its one signing or the other. I still view chapman as a long shot
So it looks like...
Best case scenario in 2010 for the A’s actually winning some games has a lineup something like:
Davis
Sweeney
Beltre
Cust
Barton
Suzuki
Ellis
Crisp
Pennington
with what should be a great bullpen, above average rotation, and an ok bench. That looks like maybe the best deffensive team in the league on paper, but almost certainly below average offense.
With that team, where do you guys think we finish? I’m not nearly the expert that some on this site are, but to me, it looks like if some things break right, that this team could 85 maybe 90 games.
Also could be 75
THings break right 90, but that’s asking a lot of Crisp pennington, and davis. ALso Barton and Suzuki to a certain extent. BUt I would be happy with those players.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - danmerqury
.500
To many things need to go right to be above .500 and only a few to be below.500. The starting pitching is the real question. Duke, Braden and Cahill needs to pitch above average for the team to be over .500. Anderson should improve but the others are bog question marks.
Still looks like a team no one will want to watch.
At least until Taylor/Carter come up.
Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.
I told Randolph that Bill Russell would tell him to keep that ball in play and start the break.
RANDOLPH: "I know. But sometimes, you gotta let ‘em know."
(MT)
only if the sole thing you're interested in watching is home runs
I’d be pretty excited about that side. At the very least, there would be a lot of very close games.
Which is fun, if not necessarily good for the heart muscles
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
It seems like maybe two years ago
Fans were complaining that all the A’s do is take walks and try to hit homeruns, that they need to run more, make more contact, etc. Now the team figures to have at least three base stealing threats in Pennington, Crisp and Davis, and fans are worried that it’ll be a boring team.
by Opus Youngblood on Jan 4, 2010 2:51 PM PST up reply actions
Obviously
since we’re on this site we’d all watch and root for the A’s no matter what. But the Coliseum is still going to be devoid of people. Unless they start 20-5 I guess.
Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.
I told Randolph that Bill Russell would tell him to keep that ball in play and start the break.
RANDOLPH: "I know. But sometimes, you gotta let ‘em know."
(MT)
I had no idea that Billy Beane was supposed to build a team to satisfy your aesthetic needs.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jan 5, 2010 8:39 AM PST up reply actions
Of course he is.
Pro sports is all about entertainment. He’s supposed to build a team to satisfy all our aesthetic needs.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Fortunately for owners, that's not the only path.
Otherwise, 50% of all franchises would be doomed to failure.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
No. Just mine. ;-)
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
Instead of Cust
Does anyone see Sheffield, Vlad, Delgado or Thome signing for big bucks? I dont. Cust probably wont make as much as any of them but I’d like to see any of them at DH for us next year.
If Beltre falls through, what about Felipe Lopez to play 3B?
SIGN. ADRIAN. BELTRE. NOW.
I think Cust is going to be better in 2010 than any of those guys mentioned
And he’ll be cheaper. It’d make a lot more sense to just resign him.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jan 5, 2010 8:40 AM PST up reply actions
Hey, check your yahoo mail.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Cust served his purpose BUT...
I don’t think he’s a good fit for this team any more. I believe the A’s need to bring it with their running game if we want to improve our offense in 2010 and Cust might be great at getting on base but walks are less valuable when you’re team is stealing lots of bases (um, unless the base stealer is the one who walked… and Cust doesn’t fit that description!) I’d love to see us sign someone like Vladdy for the cleanup spot – less HRs than Cust but he’ll put the ball in play and still hits .300. (Or bring back JD?) We’d still need a 3-hitter unless Sweney really brings it with the doubles. But unless we sign Beltre AND a FA DH, I assume Sweeney will be our 3-hitter opening day. Either way the starting lineup will look different by the allstar game!
If we’re going to sink $20 mil in a player this offseason I hope its Chapman!!! But Beltre at 2-3 years still makes sense to me.
Wait, Cust is too slow
…but Vlad’s just the ticket?
by WhiteElephants on Jan 4, 2010 12:35 PM PST up reply actions
what LSD?
please explain
Hey, I just bought the team from Lew Wolff... who wants to play third?
by emperor nobody on Jan 4, 2010 1:24 PM PST up reply actions
great, Now I am going to be stuck looking at your comment for the next 2 hours
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - danmerqury
That's what the subject line is for!
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Cue the end of Pink Floyd's "Interstellar Overdrive"
I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.
is that the floating sound?
why yes, it’s resounding around the icy waters underground.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jan 4, 2010 5:17 PM PST up reply actions
what Crosby stares at
before an at-bat?
100% Athletics, 100% Baseball. 2009 Athletics, 40% Baseball.
What Crosby thinks he's seeing as he swings during an at bat?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Cust actually stole one or two bases last year
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
Don't forget the infield singles!
never forget them…
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
Cust bunting for hits...
was the high point of my 2009.
by DDroney on Jan 5, 2010 1:37 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Cust slightly out hit Vlad last season, is younger, much less injury prone and is going to be cheaper.
I can’t see any sense in non-tendering Cust only to go and sign a more expensive, older, injury prone DH.
Beltre Beltre Beltre
The rumors are coming in pretty fast now. I would not be surprised to see Beltre sign in the next two days. And the rumors are all mentioning the A’s. Still, I’d say they aren’t the favorite. But one can hope.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
Wonder how much yearly
I actually wouldn’t mind a 2 year contract, even if it was “overpaying” at say 2/20 or 2/22.
If Cardenas is ready for the big leagues in 2011, let him play 2B for a year and then take over third base after Beltre is gone.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
here you go
link to both Rosenthal and Olney
for some reason I can’t access the original tweets…they both say the A’s gave it their best shot but are now out
To White Elephant:
My point was not that Cust is too slow, but that he is not a contact hitter. Vlad doesn’t walk a ton but he doesn’t strikeout too much either. Anyway I think we might be able to get by without a real slugger until Taylor and Carter are ready, but only if we can run and hit for contact. Anyways I’m no Cust hater, I just don’t think he would be a good cleanup hitter for this particular A’s team. But holy shit do we need a cleanup hitter right now!!!
As far as Floyd’s Interstellar Overdrive goes, I’ve got Piper at the Gates on vinyl, 2nd pressing on Tower Records (rainbow label) … But I still like the A’s more. Ha!
Anyway that last post was my first! It’s nice to finally be part of the A’s Nation!
Ok I can see that...
And Cust will never be the player Vlad’s been throughout his career. It’s just that at this point my money’s on Cust being the better and cheaper player in 2010.
by WhiteElephants on Jan 4, 2010 6:33 PM PST up reply actions
If Cust isnt a contact hitter
how does he hit those mammoth HRs?
Give me strickouts, walks and 30+ HR or give me death.
Who's the guy that hits 30+ homers?
He isn’t Jack Cust, that’s for sure.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
What happens IF....
What happens if Chavez returns, and is actually able to play, and the A’s have already acquired another third baseman like Beltre. If Barton hits, moving Chavez to first may not be an easy option. Do we DH Chavez? Maybe thats why Cust is gone…well other than the money aspect.
by Mississippi A's Fan on Jan 4, 2010 2:21 PM PST reply actions
Hm, also, I'm engaged to be married to Anne Hathaway and Zooey Bechamel
seriously, it’d be nice problem to have, but it’s so much not likely.
Still, buy a hat, you’re all invited to the nuptials
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
I'm still confused by this "Bechamel" business.
Is it because she reminds you of lasagne?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
It's because her legs look like cheese
that’s why she wears opaque tights all the time!
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jan 4, 2010 5:18 PM PST up reply actions
Opaque tights are hot.
(Also means she doesn’t have to shave her legs.)
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
they are hot... sweaty too...
but, unfortunately, she would have to shave her legs, because little spikey hairlets would stick out and possibly be caught by photographers in the bright lights.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jan 4, 2010 5:32 PM PST up reply actions
Stupid photographers.
Fuck ’em. Have spiky hairlets anyway.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Damn you for ruining my dream image!!!!!
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
Trade someone (Chavez)?
It seems like an unlikely “problem.”
by Opus Youngblood on Jan 4, 2010 2:54 PM PST up reply actions
every year
what if Chavez. It is better to count him out than count him in.
Counting him out
Counting him out seems to be way the A’s are progressing, but it could make for an interesting “problem” if he is able to play. Especially given Beane’s past favor of him.
by Mississippi A's Fan on Jan 4, 2010 2:59 PM PST up reply actions
I've heard it said locally
that the Mariners could sign Beltre, move Figgins to 2B, and move Lopez to 1B.
Mind you, I don’t believe that. I think it’s just that fans have recent positive memories of Beltre so they’re going out of their way to imagine scenarios in which he’s not gone.
The scenario isn’t completely implausible, but I haven’t seen any evidence that it’s actually being pursued.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
According to Buster Olney
the A’s have pulled their offer to Beltre
McPhoxez
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
I'm fine with McPhoxez as a back-up plan.
If we find a better deal elsewhere, great. If not, McPhoxez it is. I just don’t want to do something desperate and stupid just because we feel like we need a better 3B.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
and I don't want young pitchers suffering through statues with gloves at the hot corner.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
A trade would be my guess.
I’m really hoping Beane isn’t relying on Chavez/McPherson to stay healthy, or Fox being adequate at 3B. We need someone who can field the position well with out young, groundball inducing pitching staff. Maybe Beane re-visits trade talks for Callaspo, or has another target in mind.
Uggla?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Correct -- but may be better suited to 3B (and maybe always have been)
Or not. He doesn’t have the greatest hands, though range would be less of an issue at 3B.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I don't think Uggla wants to move to 3B, nor do I think he could play it adequately.
Like JPShark said, I would like to see Beane revisit the Callaspo situation.
Or, better yet, find out what the Orioles asking price is for Josh Bell. Seeing as their bullpen sucks (even after the Gonzalez signing) and they’re 1B situation is about as grim, I wonder how much it would take to pry Bell out of Baltimore.
by Opus Youngblood on Jan 4, 2010 4:44 PM PST up reply actions
I like Callaspo a lot.
He’s kind of what Cardenas will be if he succeeds.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
a year away still
Bell isn’t being counted on by the O’s to make the team.
Hasn't Bell
played primarily catcher and die in the 90’s?
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - danmerqury
He died so quick
he reincarnated before his old body was even cold.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jan 4, 2010 5:20 PM PST up reply actions
Andy LaRoche?
What do the Pirates need, besides a total team overhaul? Pitching, probably, and middle infielders? We have both – send them Mazzaro and Petit + a reliever like Storey for LaRoche and a scrub or two.
I don't want to give up Mazzaro for LaRoche.
Am I wrong?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
If I'm not mistaken, it'd be 5 years of Vin for 5 years of Andy.
Andy was a 2.5 WAR player last year. I’d do it. But then again, I’m not as high on Mazzaro as a lot of people are, I guess.
Falling from grace, cause I've been away too long
Leaving you behind with my lonesome song
Now I'm lost in oblivion.
Id do that in a nanosecond Mazzaro is completely expendible here’s why:
A) Our current best option at 3B is Dallas McPherson. LaRoche is a massive upgrade.
B) Eveland, Outman, Mortensen, Ynoa, Leon, Ross, FDLS, Capra, Simmons, Hornbeck, Figeroa all dont really have a place reserved in the rotation. Braden/Anderson/Gio are seemingly locks for the next 4 years, plus you never know about Beane and trades/FAs. You have to assume at least one of those 12 will either match/outpitch Mazzaro or at least be a league average SP.
One can never have enough pitching
Pitchers get injured and flame out at a rate that I would not be surprised if all the depth you list isn’t enough to fill the rotation with league average or better.
Then again, Mazzaro could be one of the pitchers who gets injured or flames out. I would probably think long and hard about trading him for LaRoche.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
so youd rather have a copy of the december 1967 issue of Playboy
sitting on 3B?
I’d rather have an actual player who is young and can play excellent defense and hit okay. You’d rather a guy with an iffy ceiling that he might not reach?
In my opinion, youre crazy if you dont do Mazzaro for LaRoche.
Lynn Winchell
RAWR
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
In the end I probably do it
But if it weren’t for September, LaRoche might be FAT right now. LaRoche’s season line was terrible until the last month. And he’s 26. Hopefully he’s turned a corner and the A’s can get him. But I would not be totally surprised if he ends up released or a bench player by the end of 2010.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
"LaRoche’s season line was terrible until the last month"?
Try replacing “season line” with “career.”
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
career?
all 261 games??? The guy hasn’t even played two complete seasons. Miguel Tejada’s line after his first 260 games didn’t look so hot either. I think it’s a bit early to pass judgement on a guy who hit .300 with nearly 100 bombs over 5 seasons in the minors and only just turned 26 in September.
As for Mazzaro – I’m with the above group that feels he’s expendable. Count me as one who’s always felt Mazzaro was a bit overated.
Gammons on beltre
“Beltre 1 yr. Deal for $9m with player option for $5m. Physical coming.”
I think its obvious he didnt want to come here and dont blame him
It is the park
Beltre probably thinks he can hit more homeruns in fenway and increase his deal for next year.
agreed, the only thing that seems obvious
is that Beltre thinks he can improve his offensive numbers playing in that little park with the Green Monster almost in touching distance for right handed hitters, and that would help him get a better contract next year. He probably didn’t get many offers over concerns about his offense.
A frontloaded contract
NO WAY.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
player option
Is security incase of a bad injury but rarely ever used.
To tell you the truth, I think this might be a blessing in disguise for the A's
If Beltre really didn’t want to come to Oakland, even though there may have been more money on the table for him so be it. Let’s hope Billy has another backup plan working here, and perhaps pull off a trade or just sit tight with what is in house. Chapman might be his true target if he feels like this year is not a true contending year for the A’s.
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
Apparently player options count toward the salary cap,
and years are averaged. So it’s a clever way for Boston to trim $2 million off their total salary in terms of reaching the luxury tax threshold.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I would like Chapman, but that't it
I would not want to see Oakland give Cust another contract, or Tejada, they both would be a waste of money. I would like to see us get something for SS though, I think Pennington will be horrible. I would like to see what Carter and Taylor can do also.
Pete Gammons mentioned us on twitter today:
“The gathering storm between large/small revenues: Oakland offeried 3 yrs. to Scutaro and Beltre and they sign for 2 + 1 w/ Boston”
INTERESTING…
Wonder what the dollar amounts were.
Normall the Players Union would push toward the longer term higher $$ deal.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
not that hard to understand
Scutaro is in his mid-30’s. He said he wanted to play for a contender, and I’m sure he meant a team that expected to contend in 2010.
Beltre needs to improve his offensive stats in 2010 in order to cash in on a better contract. He wasn’t offered all that much this time around. I’m guessing that the A’s offer was less than $10 million per year, and would have tied him down for several years. This way he gets $10 million guaranteed for 2010, plus can opt to be a FA in 2011 he wants.
so true
Beltre plays more for the money than the team. A good example how he took more money to play with the Ms than the dodgers who were a little less in what they offered. This year Beltre did not want a multi year contract instead wanted a park to improve his stats and getting the bigger deal next year. With bonous it could push it more closer to $11 million and has a sfaety net with a player option in case he get hurts.
It would be ironic if he suffered a nagging season-killing injury in May and his market value tanked next off-season because of it.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
but he TURNED DOWN more money to play for us
In these economic climes, that’s an extraordinarily risky move. To me it looks like he wants to play for a WS contender in 2010, which Boston is and we arent.
*play for them not us
Beane offered him 27-33 million, he took 9 million. Thats hardly “playing for himself”
Where the flying fuck did Beltre get such a shitty reputation? Straight up lies being told in these posts…
So barring injury
if his next contract is 3/17-23 its a wash. he will still get his money. (less commission, of course.)
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - danmerqury
nothing wrong with playing for money
Some players play for the money not for a ring and nothing is wrong with that. Some players sign for the opportunity and others sign for a ring. If you are a player that is looking at his last big pay day you would sign for the money not a ring or the other hand if you are a old player that have a offer for to a playoff team or a non-contender with a million more most likely for the payoff team.
In Beltre’s case he signed a contract with a safety net in case of injury which he would make about the same amount a year if he signed a 3 year deal. It is a small gamble. I have no problem with a player playing for the most money as long as they don’t give me the crap I always wanted to play there. Its a business more than a sport.
Its like if all of a sudden you could make millions by doing something youre not that into
Even if Beltre found computer programming to be his favorite thing on earth, he’d still be insane to not do what pays irrationally large amounts of money for. Its like “oh damn, Im good at baseball…whatever am I to do?” You do what you can on this earth to either:
A) make you happy
or
B) make you money
Thats all there is to it.
money is the factor
Most players go for the money and why not when your major income for your whole life comes down to a 5 year window. Tejada signed with the O’s because of the money and you can’t blame him for that. It was a great move by him. Consider what he will get this time around. Beltre has a good deal with the redsox in that he will be a FA next year and a safety net in case of injury. Very little gamble unless he has a major injury.
Yeah, no way Tejada could have survived on the 11.6 million the A's paid him over his career.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Point being
You’re going from “enough money for a lifetime” to “stupid money for several lifetimes”
It’s not like these guys are scraping by and NEED that extra few million dollars.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Depends
Pro atheletes go broke fairly regularly (stupid decisions+getting scammed+expensive lifestyle).
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
That says more about how dumb they are with money management than anything.
I’m pretty sure you could walk up to any random ANer and give them a few million bucks and they’d be pretty well set for life.
or they’d do 2 chicks at once. Either or.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Sure
But whatever the reason it goes directly to your “who cares about an extra $40M?” question. One answer would be “people who are dumb with money management”
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
Sure, with some people it doesn't matter how much money they have.
But again that’s a reflection on them, in which case the extra 40M probably won’t matter anyway.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
That doesn't follow
It’s easy to imagine a lifestyle that won’t run for 50 years on 11 million but will on 50 million.
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
When I saw Dave Chappelle in early 09
someone asked him (it was a Q&A type show, no set material) what was it like to walk away from $50MM and he said “well, i’ll be real with you, when I did that, I already had $10MM in the bank so its not like I was broke or anything….but let me tell you, every night when I go to sleep theres a $50MM hole located right about here” /points to stomach.
Really
Even if you lost 50% of that to taxes, you’d have 5.5 million.
If you did nothing but put that into a savings account at 2% you’re talking about living off over 100K per year without even touching the original money. If you can’t live off that, you’re doing it wrong.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
100K doesn't buy a lot of house
Just as an easy example. Especially in SF. 100K 50 years from now is almost certainly a low-end salary.
Look, if your point is that $10M is a nice thing to have I agree. If your point is there is no material difference between retiring with $10M and $50M (when you’re still young) I just don’t see how you get there. Platitudes about “doing it wrong” notwithstanding.
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
Because basically anybody with a reasonable amount of intelligence
would be able to make that much money last the rest of their life.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I’m going to make 5.5 million dollars in my life.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
not counting
The people living off them. Look at hammer who had about 30 people living off his wealth and that went so fast. take 50 million then take the agent % and then tax % now half is gone before you get it.
Leaving you with a mere $25 million!
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Man, how can you get by on 25M!?!?!
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
except AB, AAB, BBA, and ABBA
I heart ABBA. I’m glad they made the Rock’N’Roll Hall Of Fame, even though they didn’t really rock all that hard.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jan 5, 2010 1:08 PM PST up reply actions
well now Gammons said he turned down a pair of 3/24 offers
That makes more sense, and keeps the players union from interfering. He did take a lesser year higher money offer to play for Boston.
apparently the early offer was 3 years/$24 million from the Phillies
but at that time Boras’ opening figure was four years/$40 million.
…and the later A’s offer was the same, according to Rosenthal.
This is a gamble that Beltre will rack up better offensive numbers in 2009 and try again in 2011 for a big contract.
He will rebound
unless he get a new injury. Book it.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - danmerqury
I haaaate to bring this up, but
as of right this second, this is our starting lineup:
1B: D. Barton
2B: M. Ellis
SS: C. Pennington
3B: D. McPherson
C: K. Suzuki
LF: R. Davis
CF: C. Crisp
RF: R. Sweeney
DH: J. Fox
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. Like, the BEST case scenario is we get 90 HR from this crew, ugh.
Don't haha forget haha about haha Chavez haha
He’s feeling great as of now. And the NOW I speak of is limited to everyday activities and nothing remotely baseball related.
I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.
by franks a lot on Jan 5, 2010 10:34 AM PST up reply actions
O course he's feeling great
That $12MM check just cleared and he realized no one at all expects him to play more than 10 games this year. $12 milli for a weeks “work” playing a game? I’d feel SPECTACULAR!
90?
Isn’t that a little high for this group? Beane is having nightmares over this lineup so I expect a trade coming since no free agent wants to play here.
I said best case scenario
meaning barton, suzuki, ellis, fox, mcpherson and crisp all hit 15.
Could happen….still outright misery, offensively speaking.
Predictions
My predictions are both Cust and Kennedy resign. Cust will only be a DH, since we now have a swarm of outfielders available. Kennedy will come in and play 50% of the time at 3rd sharing with Chavez, until, lets face it Chavez gets injured again or just sucks so bad he gets benched. Im sure Ellis will get most of the playing time at 2B. He is paid to much to be benched and he still has solid defensive skills. That leaves SS and 1B open.
I think that Beane will make one more big deal. He will trade Buck and/or get himself another SS/3B candidate. If it’s a solid 3B man, then Kennedy will move to SS and switch off turns with Aaron Miles. If Beane picks up a solid SS, then he’ll play SS most of the time. If it is a whatever IF man, then he’ll probably switch off with Miles. I’m sure sometimes Jake Fox will get some action on the left side of the infield also along with Cardenas, McPherson, and Weeks if they make the team after Spring Training. Then of course there is Pennigton and Petit, but I don’t see them as starting much.
Now to 1B, we still have Barton. For some reason Beane has a lot of faith in this guy and I’m sure he is thinking of starting him at 1B. Depending on how that goes, Carter may step in as the 1B man at some point along with Everidge.
Sorry if it got confusing. Basically the entire infield is pretty much up for grabs, unless Beane signs a very solid player that he will for sure start at some position. It seems though he is going to try his very best to start Chavez and Ellis at their positions, as long as everyone is healthy.
There's not many people
I like at SS less than Pennington. Aaron Miles and Adam Kennedy, however, both grace the list.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
2010 starting lineup
If Beane doesnt do anymore transactions, this is my predictions for opening day lineup:
P: Duke
C: Suzuki
1B: Barton
2B: Ellis
SS: Kennedy
3B: Chavez
LF: Davis
CF: Crisp
RF: Sweeney
DH: Cust
Then of course we have these boys in reserve, and as we all know the most surprising A’s seem to come off the bench.
Bench:
Patterson
Miles
Carter
Galarraga
Hairston
Carson
Taylor
so how many pitchers make the team?
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
Urban says we are kicking tires on Andy LaRoche and Kouzmanoff as well as Cust
YES! Finally some interesting moves. Either of those 3B and Cust would be nice pickups.
C: Suzuki
1B: Barton
2B: Ellis
SS: Pennington
3B: Kouzmanoff or LaRoche
LF: Davis
CF: Crisp
RF: Sweeney
DH: Cust
Me likey, its no Beltre+a HOFer DH but its galaxies better than our current situation.
I'd trade Eveland to the Dodgers for Hu
Then put Hu at SS and make Pennington the utility guy and cut Miles. Of course Colletti would have to cooperate, but the Dodgers need starters and Hu is redundant to Furcal.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
Hu hits as well as Petit though
He makes Pennington look like A-Rod. Terrible fit on an offensively-challenged team like us.
Not really. CHONE projects him as slightly worse than Pennington and better than Jack
Wilson. So he makes Pennington look like maybe Kurt Suzuki.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2010 10:00 AM PST up reply actions
Problem is, he needs to be better than Pennington to be worthwhile
Because Pennington is actually a plus defender (people somehow forget this).
I’d have no problem with Hu if he could gaurantee a 750 OPS with plusplus defense.
I’d rather have Pennington at 750 OPS with plus defense than Hu at 625 OPS with plusplus defense.
People forget this
because the numbers don’t necessarily support Pennington’s plus defense. UZR doesn’t like him even if his TZ numbers are good. I don’t see much reason to believe that Pennington is much better than average, if better at all.
And I still see huge downside with Pennington’s bat. Hu seems kind of like a Pennington-clone to me though.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
That would be good
we just better hope Colletti has never seen Eveland pitch.
I want to see Eveland pitch to Hu
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2010 10:01 AM PST up reply actions
Beane's next move turns out to be a callback
Cust is back in the fold for $2.5 mil, according to Ms. Slusser.
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