Official MLB 2006 Off-season thread

Stormy, how would you feel if you got recruited for a new job and your new employers said "You're worth $50,000 per year to us. We pay the guy that recruited you $30,000 though, so you're going to take home $20,000 per year"? No employer in this country could get that shit past even the weakest labor union, and that's exactly what Boston is trying to cram down DM's throat. It's not a rumor and it's not heresay. Boras said "DM is a $100 million player." Epstein said "We agree he's a $100 million player, but that should include the posting fee." This is after they tried to convince Seibu to "partner" with them (take less than the full bid) and got chased away by league officials in both countries. It's a complete embarassment to the sport the way Boston has tried to bully this kid, only to now jetset across the country in a futile attempt to save face.

As for Drew and Lugo, Drew in a huge market for $15 million per is a recipe for disaster and Lugo is a marginal middle infielder. Theo's running shit like it's a rotisserie team; he'd have been better off keeping all that money, keeping Manny all along, and giving DM a fair contract. The comparisons to Santana or a traded player are worthless because DM controls where he goes now; he's essentially a free agent in a 2 team league. Also, if Santana was signing a new contract in this offseason he'd be making a fuckload more than $10 million per year. Say what you want about the Yankees spending, at least they sign all their checks.

http://www.tnawrestling.com/news/fullnews2.php?all=1064

(yes, it's baseball related)

I wouldn't put it past Pierzynski to start training to be a pro wrestler one day. He's crazy enough to do it. I'm surprised the White Sox allow him to get in there (he's been there a few times at TNA)..same with the Cards and Eckstein. I wonder if they will actually have a match in some ppv. Its choreographed but they can still get legitimately hurt so I wonder what the limit is for them.

Dale Torborg has been wrestling for years so I guess he is teaching them everything they have to know so they wont take a nasty bump.

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Originally Posted by raystorm

Eckstein...can still get legitimately hurt

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*buys the PPV*

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Originally Posted by SpoDaddy

Stormy, how would you feel if you got recruited for a new job and your new employers said "You're worth $50,000 per year to us. We pay the guy that recruited you $30,000 though, so you're going to take home $20,000 per year"? No employer in this country could get that shit past even the weakest labor union, and that's exactly what Boston is trying to cram down DM's throat. It's not a rumor and it's not heresay. Boras said "DM is a $100 million player." Epstein said "We agree he's a $100 million player, but that should include the posting fee." This is after they tried to convince Seibu to "partner" with them (take less than the full bid) and got chased away by league officials in both countries. It's a complete embarassment to the sport the way Boston has tried to bully this kid, only to now jetset across the country in a futile attempt to save face.

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If I'm already under contract for $10,000, and my company granted my request, and allowed me to go make $20,000 I'd be pretty happy about it since my only other option is half that money. I don't think AAV of $10m per year is lowballing DM, and I'm pretty sure thier offer is more than that.

It's common knowledge that Ichiro got a kickback from his team coming from the posting fee. I don't know if Matsui did. If it's already been done before why not look into it? Part of signing a Japanese player is making your team more money in Japan. Posting fee kickbacks to DM or no, Seibu and the Sox have a lot of business opportunities together if the contract goes through. There's nothing shady about meeting with a potential business partner.

It's funny because i know your view will be scewed no matter what happens to make the Sox look bad. Sometimes i just can't believe how far it goes.

Eh, I'm a Mets fan and generally naturally more biased towards the Sox in terms of softball league rivalries, but to me it's pretty clear that the Sox have handled these negotiations in the worst way possible. There's no reason for DM to take a pay cut over an extended period when he can take one next year and have another shot in America next offseason. Latest word is that the Sox offered 6/48 and Boras countered with 6/66, and quite frankly DM is worth closer to $11M a year than $8M.

(And personally, I'd rather DM sign for less, because that could affect the Zito negotiations.)

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Originally Posted by SpoDaddy

Stormy, how would you feel if you got recruited for a new job and your new employers said "You're worth $50,000 per year to us. We pay the guy that recruited you $30,000 though, so you're going to take home $20,000 per year"? No employer in this country could get that shit past even the weakest labor union, and that's exactly what Boston is trying to cram down DM's throat.

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You've never heard of subcontractors, have you?

DM won't be under contract to Seibu if the Sox come to terms with him, so your comparison is moot.

The problem is that the posting system is fucking retarded. Seibu should simply be able to sell its contract to an MLB team.

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Originally Posted by burgundy

The problem is that the posting system is fucking retarded. Seibu should simply be able to sell its contract to an MLB team.

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Uh, that's what they did. They auctioned the contract off for the most money to an MLB team. Well, the rights if not the dollars.

DM is on JWH's plane to Boston. I don't think there are other details available yet but some agreement must be in place.

SI is reporting that Boston and DM have agreed to 6/52 with room for more.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...gns/index.html

Looks like Boston won this one. I thought he would get more. Hopefully this will depress the Zito market a bit.