Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Baseball transactions and rumors. It is time to heat up the Hot Stove for the winter.
NOMAH, A-ROD, MANNY...here is my take
Assuming Manny can not be moved, the rumored three-way will not go down. Theo is not going to commit roughly $45 million or 40% of his budget to two players over the next several years. The Rangers would have to eat a good chunk of A-Rod's contract about $7 - $10 million each year for it to be about market value at $15-$18 million per season. It will not happen but Nomar will be traded if he does not sign a below market deal.
More rumors in the future, but now onto the transactions. Please note that "market" or "market rate" refers to the salary a similar player received last season.
Jose Valentin, SS, Other Sox - club exercised $5 million option for 2004. At 34, no reasonable person would think that Valentin is going to improve upon his 2003 numbers (237/313/463) which have now declined two years in a row from 2001. Even as a switch hitter, Valentin can not hit LHP (157/224/491). Most regular Other Sox observers think he has little value in the field at SS. Chop off a zero at the end of ValentinÂs salary and you have his real worth.
Trevor Hoffman, RHP, Padres - club declined $10 million option, resigned for one-year and an option for 2005. Not sure on the 2004 salary, but Hoffman got a $2 million buy out. As long-time Padre, this is good for Hoffman, the Padres and the fans.
Derek Lowe, RHP, Red Sox - club picked up option for $4.5 million. No surprise that the Sox picked up the below market option on Lowe. He signed the current deal when he was a reliever. As a closer, this deal would be in line with the current market. The issue is whether or not the Sox and Lowe can agree on a long-term deal. Boras is Lowe's agent so a long-term deal is unlikely which may not be a negative for the Sox.
Robert Fick, 1B, Braves - cleared unconditional waivers becoming a free agent. It is apparent that the Braves were not going to offer Fick a contract. He would be non-tendered; thus Fick was put out on waivers to gauge if any teams had interest allowing the Braves to get something for nothing. No team wanted Fick at his estimed arbitrationtion figure and went unclaimed. It is surprising that more teams to do not go this route, perhaps I am missing something though.
Matt Clement, RHP, Cubs - club picked up $6 million option. It seems to be market rate for Clement. A win-win for both the club and player. Clement still has upside. He can be dominate and the Cubs are playing for that potential.
Pokey Reese, 2b, Pirates - club declined $5.125 million option. No way is a no hit player at any position worth $5. Plus, the Pirates have Dirty Sanchez or Bobby - Hank's son - Hill to play second with similar production for only 300k. A no brainer.
NOMAH, A-ROD, MANNY...here is my take
Assuming Manny can not be moved, the rumored three-way will not go down. Theo is not going to commit roughly $45 million or 40% of his budget to two players over the next several years. The Rangers would have to eat a good chunk of A-Rod's contract about $7 - $10 million each year for it to be about market value at $15-$18 million per season. It will not happen but Nomar will be traded if he does not sign a below market deal.
More rumors in the future, but now onto the transactions. Please note that "market" or "market rate" refers to the salary a similar player received last season.
Jose Valentin, SS, Other Sox - club exercised $5 million option for 2004. At 34, no reasonable person would think that Valentin is going to improve upon his 2003 numbers (237/313/463) which have now declined two years in a row from 2001. Even as a switch hitter, Valentin can not hit LHP (157/224/491). Most regular Other Sox observers think he has little value in the field at SS. Chop off a zero at the end of ValentinÂs salary and you have his real worth.
Trevor Hoffman, RHP, Padres - club declined $10 million option, resigned for one-year and an option for 2005. Not sure on the 2004 salary, but Hoffman got a $2 million buy out. As long-time Padre, this is good for Hoffman, the Padres and the fans.
Derek Lowe, RHP, Red Sox - club picked up option for $4.5 million. No surprise that the Sox picked up the below market option on Lowe. He signed the current deal when he was a reliever. As a closer, this deal would be in line with the current market. The issue is whether or not the Sox and Lowe can agree on a long-term deal. Boras is Lowe's agent so a long-term deal is unlikely which may not be a negative for the Sox.
Robert Fick, 1B, Braves - cleared unconditional waivers becoming a free agent. It is apparent that the Braves were not going to offer Fick a contract. He would be non-tendered; thus Fick was put out on waivers to gauge if any teams had interest allowing the Braves to get something for nothing. No team wanted Fick at his estimed arbitrationtion figure and went unclaimed. It is surprising that more teams to do not go this route, perhaps I am missing something though.
Matt Clement, RHP, Cubs - club picked up $6 million option. It seems to be market rate for Clement. A win-win for both the club and player. Clement still has upside. He can be dominate and the Cubs are playing for that potential.
Pokey Reese, 2b, Pirates - club declined $5.125 million option. No way is a no hit player at any position worth $5. Plus, the Pirates have Dirty Sanchez or Bobby - Hank's son - Hill to play second with similar production for only 300k. A no brainer.
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