Dempster's contract and Matusz's immediate future
If you're trying to ascertain how much elite pitchers like CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett are worth on today's open market, consider that the Cubs just shelled out $52 million over four years to keep Ryan Dempster.
Dempster's contract reportedly includes a $4 million signing bonus and pays him $8 million next year, $12.5 million in 2010 and $13.5 million in 2011. The contract has a player option for $14 million in 2012.
Not a team option, which is more common. We're talking a player option here. Dempster has the power.
On the local scene, I know a lot of fans are wondering where left-hander Brian Matusz will begin his professional career outside of the Arizona Fall League. I've speculated that he'll be assigned to Single-A Frederick, and a conversation I had earlier today with David Stockstill, director of player development, hasn't changed my mind.
Stockstill said a final decision hasn't been made, but he also noted how well it worked for Jake Arrieta earlier this year when the right-hander started out at Frederick. He was supposed to move up to Double-A Bowie at the break, but his inclusion on the Olympic team altered those plans. Otherwise, he would have joined catcher Matt Wieters on the Baysox's roster.
"It wouldn't be drastically off the charts to look at the same plan for Matusz that we had for Arrieta," Stockstill said.
I don't mean to be a tease, but I also spoke with Stockstill about Wieters, Tim Bascom and some of the rehabbing pitchers that he watched in the instructional league. I'll post those comments later.
"I don't mean to be a tease, but I also spoke with Stockstill about Wieters, Tim Bascom and some of the rehabbing pitchers that he watched in the instructional league. I'll post those comments later."
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I hate you! Haha, now I'm going to have to check the website every hour until those comments are up.
Roch- Remind me to never have you be my wing man for a night.
according to the ny post the yankees are going to offer aj burnett 5 yrs for $80 million for a pitcher who is 32. no way the orioles should try to match or better that offer.
I hate you! Haha, now I'm going to have to check the website every hour until those comments are up.
Come on. Twenty degrees and windy outside, and you're upset about focusing on baseball? :)
If those numbers are true on Burnett, then the O's shouldn't go after him. I know every player is going to want to say: "look at what CC and AJ got from the Yankees! I want that kind of money!"
But, I think the Cubs just set the market with Dempster. Players will realize that no other team has that kind of money, and they'll either have to not play or just live with it. If the Yanks do get CC and AJ, for ridiculous amounts of money, I hope that they do terrible and make the Yankees look like fools.
As a fan of baseball, I'm actually pretty disappointed in what the sport has become. How is it even supposed to be competitve anymore when you have your David's and Goliath's in sports. The Yankees philosophy of buying the best players for the most amount of money really makes me cringe while smaller market teams have to split the scraps. I know it will never happen, but baseball needs a salary cap, and ive heard the argument "well the rays can do it" but how likely is that? I like the way football has a salary cap, and thank goodness it does because I would not want the cowboys to become the next yankees. Also I like how in football, a higher draft pick could actually help you win the next year, where in baseball your lucky if your draft pick even makes it to the big leagues years later.
What bothers me most about the Yankees and CC is that the Players Union will try to force CC to take the huge contract from the Yankees "for the good of all players." If the Union just acts to make players sign with the highest bidder, well, I just hate that. I'd kind of like to see the Yankees sign Burnett at that deal (5 years, $80M). Doesn't he have an impressive track record of breaking down the season after he sets a high in innings pitched? My feeling is that Burnett is a lot better than Carl Pavano ever was, but he can step right into Pavano's role with the Yankees.
I'm starting to fall into the camp of sign Teixeira, and put out a bunch of fliers on pitchers on the cheap (Pedro, Prior, etc.). Any of those pitchers work out and you can trade them at the break.
AMEN MDP!
I am so sick of people saying "no way will we see Teix here." I have not matched up the poster names, but are some of these the same people that said "no way will we get Wieters signed!"? Maybe. Maybe not. But eventually the nay-sayers will be purged.
We did sign Wieters. And I think we will get Teix.
And it is, truly, a no-brainer. This is not some hot-for-a-couple-of-years starting pitcher. This is a very unique opportunity to get a premier player in his prime who is a local boy made good. And I think we will get it done.
But we should have had an offer to push at 12:01 the day the market opened. And we should have had Ripken call him several times by now. And Eddie. And Dempsey. And Flanagan. But especially Ripken. Frankly, I don't know why we are not all over the papers saying we are going to do whatever it takes - we want the hometown boy. That would put a bit more pressure on him to sign with us or jilt his childhood heroes and their fans (his neighbors, family and friends). Hell, put Billy Ripken on it. He'll get it done.
Wouldn't a hyper-aggressive stance on our part discourage other teams from trying to bid? And what, again, was the downside?
I think (and hope and pray) that Angelos gets it. The attendance figures (and the fan protests) are showing that we have reached the tipping point. We were patient last year. And maybe it should take more than one or two years. But there is no more patience left. He (Angelos) simply must give us this sign of sincerity.
If we get Garland or Byrd or Lowe instead of CC or AJ, fine. Just get us two credible belong-in-the-majors starters and Teix. And I will be happy. Oh, yeah, no reason not to go get Zaun too. OR trade for Jack Wilson. But that can wait. 2 starters and Tiex.
New rallying cry for long-suffering O's fans:
2 starters and Teix - or your head will be next!
Roch, any word on if the O's may pursue Adam Dunn? Great production, and he shouldn't cost too much.
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Do they have to pay him by the strikeout? Kidding. Haven't heard his name mentioned, but the warehouse isn't exactly open about everyone and everything. - Roch
I think I heard Roch on the radio sayig the O's went after Byrd 3 years ago and most likely will again. Is this true Roch? Do you really like Byrd that much? He reminds me of Trachsel. Over the last 3 years he has not had an ERA under 4.59 for a season. Seems more like a good thing he wasn't in the AL East.
Sign Ben Sheets! He is as good as Burnett and will take less money / years to sign.
Roch et al! Just wanted to pass on the exciting news: My wife just returned injured from the gym and her trainer told her she STRAINED HER OBLIQUE!!! She's practically an Oriole already! Is that Andy MacPhail I hear on my voicemail???
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If she tore her labrum, she'd be packing her bags for her trip to the minor league camp as we speak. - Roch
Adam,
The Yankees have the highest payroll in baseball every season. What did it get them this year (out of the playoffs). When was their last World Championship?
Which team won the AL this year? Oh yeah, Tampa Bay, with their stunning payroll of $4.52 (sarcasm). Who won the WS this year? Right, the Phillies. They hadn't played in the WS since when? 1993? Right...
In fact, in the 8 seasons since the Yankees won the WS, there have been 7 DIFFERENT champs, with only Boston winning 2x. Plus, perennial doormats like the Tigers, Rockies, Rays, Marlins, and White Sox have won their league (the Marlins won the Series).
Just because the Yankees spend a ton of money on past their prime players (see Giambi, Posada, Petitte, etc) doesn't mean that they will win. My, how the Orioles fans were dismayed when they lost Carl Pavano to the hated Yankees 4 years ago. How did that work out for them?
Its not how much you spend, but how you spend it. I'm firmly convinced that Sabathia's arm will fall off next season. The Brewers dogged him from the time that they got their hands on him.
I feel better now.
Wouldn't it be nice to steal Strieby form the Tigers for our catcher?
Roch, get off it. You are a total tease...and you know it. ;)
Does baseball and owners see what is going on in the world today with the economy? These contract offers are absurd.
"I just hope for Ann Marie's sake that Tim Spooneybarger hooks up somewhere."
Baron... from your keyboard to AndyMac's ears... or, at least, someone's. Every year there's a list of guys that make me think, "holy hell, they are STILL playing baseball??? how is this not NEWS???" (I'm still out on whether or not indy ball counts, but if it does... Dave Veres was playing this year. THAT Dave Veres. And lots of Julio Franco's classmates were in the Mexican League, even...)
But seeing Dempster's contract... wow, good luck on the market, Tim! :P