The Official MERB 2010 Baseball Thread.
- Thread starter Special K
- Start date
- Status
Tough news today for Joe.T. The Cincinnati Reds are about to sign one-time-future-Yankee ace, Dontrelle Willis.
Interesting piece...personally, I agree...
http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/bo...1/17/why-its-time-to-trade-jonathan-papelbon/
WHY IT’S TIME TO TRADE JONATHAN PAPELBON
By Lou Merloni
The general managers’ meetings are under way down in Orlando and things are starting to heat up. When it comes to your Boston Red Sox, be ready to hear how they are in on every major free agent out there. Part of it may be due diligence and part of it may be sincere interest. We will probably never know which it is, but one thing that we do know is that the Sox have holes that need to be filled, and because of their roster flexibility, there isn’t a position on the field other than second base where they can’t improve.
Theo Epstein already has come out and said that improving the Sox bullpen will be one of the priorities this offseason. We all know that they need some help in the ‘pen, but could addition by subtraction be the answer?
I think it’s time to trade Jonathan Papelbon. Yes, I have had a change in heart. I preached all season long that Pap wasn’t going anywhere and that the Sox needed to add arms, not lose them. But, going into his last year of arbitration before he hits free agency following the 2011 season, Papelbon will cost the Sox close to $12 million in 2011.
As long as Pap is wearing a Red Sox uniform, he is indeed the closer of this team. Which leads us to the real issue. Jonathan Papelbon is still a very good closer when you compare him to others around the league, but he is no longer an “elite” closer. All you have to do is look at the last couple of years. His walks per nine innings are up. His hits per nine innings are up. There is just too much inconsistency in his game these days whether it is due to his mechanics or just the wear and tear given the position he plays.
One of the main reasons why I didn’t feel that the Sox should trade Pap this offseason was because I didn’t feel that there would be much of a market for him. I don’t think that has changed. He is due an awful lot of money next year, and given his desire to test out free agency following 2011, any team that would entertain acquiring Pap may only have his services for one year.
If the Sox were to find a match, I don’t see them getting anything more than a few prospects as well as possibly having to eat some of Pap’s salary. I know that doesn’t sound like a good deal, but if the Sox were to get a couple of prospects that, say … Jed Hoyer out in San Diego likes as well … it may become extremely beneficial in their pursuit of Adrian Gonzalez in the future.
OK, so why the change of heart? Two reasons.
No. 1. Have you seen how many quality relievers are available in this free agent class? If it’s lefties you’re looking for, you can start with Scott Downs, but it doesn’t end there. How about names like Brian Fuentes, Pedro Feliciano, Randy Choate or Arthur Rhodes, to name a few. Oh, you’d rather have a quality righty coming out of the ‘pen? OK. How would you feel about Grant Balfour, Matt Guerrier, Octavio Dotel, Jon Rauch, Kevin Gregg or Frank Francisco. I know I’d feel pretty good if the Sox could get a couple of those guys.
No. 2. In order to sign a couple of pitchers from that list, it’s going to cost you. It sounds like Theo Epstein has already earmarked money for at least one reliever in free agency. The Sox can take the $10 million or so that they will be saving by dealing Pap (even if they pick up some of his contract) and sign a couple more of those guys.
My point? It’s time to hand the job over to Daniel Bard. There couldn’t be a better time. With the quality in this year’s free agent class, the Sox can surround their young closer with three veteran relievers. I think that we’ve all seen enough from Bard to think that he is more than capable of getting the job done.
It will soon be decision time for the Sox on Jonathan Papelbon. Do they trade him? Do they offer him arbitration? Do they let him go? The last one seems extremely unlikely, but ask yourself this: If you are starting to lose confidence in your closer, why hand over close to $12 million and put yourself through six months of second guessing about who to bring in in the ninth?
I just told you what I think they should do. Now, I’ll tell you what they are probably going to do: They’ll bring back Pap and I’ll be asked the same question I did all last year.
“Why don’t they just let Baaaaahd close?”
Good question!!!
http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/bo...1/17/why-its-time-to-trade-jonathan-papelbon/
WHY IT’S TIME TO TRADE JONATHAN PAPELBON
By Lou Merloni
The general managers’ meetings are under way down in Orlando and things are starting to heat up. When it comes to your Boston Red Sox, be ready to hear how they are in on every major free agent out there. Part of it may be due diligence and part of it may be sincere interest. We will probably never know which it is, but one thing that we do know is that the Sox have holes that need to be filled, and because of their roster flexibility, there isn’t a position on the field other than second base where they can’t improve.
Theo Epstein already has come out and said that improving the Sox bullpen will be one of the priorities this offseason. We all know that they need some help in the ‘pen, but could addition by subtraction be the answer?
I think it’s time to trade Jonathan Papelbon. Yes, I have had a change in heart. I preached all season long that Pap wasn’t going anywhere and that the Sox needed to add arms, not lose them. But, going into his last year of arbitration before he hits free agency following the 2011 season, Papelbon will cost the Sox close to $12 million in 2011.
As long as Pap is wearing a Red Sox uniform, he is indeed the closer of this team. Which leads us to the real issue. Jonathan Papelbon is still a very good closer when you compare him to others around the league, but he is no longer an “elite” closer. All you have to do is look at the last couple of years. His walks per nine innings are up. His hits per nine innings are up. There is just too much inconsistency in his game these days whether it is due to his mechanics or just the wear and tear given the position he plays.
One of the main reasons why I didn’t feel that the Sox should trade Pap this offseason was because I didn’t feel that there would be much of a market for him. I don’t think that has changed. He is due an awful lot of money next year, and given his desire to test out free agency following 2011, any team that would entertain acquiring Pap may only have his services for one year.
If the Sox were to find a match, I don’t see them getting anything more than a few prospects as well as possibly having to eat some of Pap’s salary. I know that doesn’t sound like a good deal, but if the Sox were to get a couple of prospects that, say … Jed Hoyer out in San Diego likes as well … it may become extremely beneficial in their pursuit of Adrian Gonzalez in the future.
OK, so why the change of heart? Two reasons.
No. 1. Have you seen how many quality relievers are available in this free agent class? If it’s lefties you’re looking for, you can start with Scott Downs, but it doesn’t end there. How about names like Brian Fuentes, Pedro Feliciano, Randy Choate or Arthur Rhodes, to name a few. Oh, you’d rather have a quality righty coming out of the ‘pen? OK. How would you feel about Grant Balfour, Matt Guerrier, Octavio Dotel, Jon Rauch, Kevin Gregg or Frank Francisco. I know I’d feel pretty good if the Sox could get a couple of those guys.
No. 2. In order to sign a couple of pitchers from that list, it’s going to cost you. It sounds like Theo Epstein has already earmarked money for at least one reliever in free agency. The Sox can take the $10 million or so that they will be saving by dealing Pap (even if they pick up some of his contract) and sign a couple more of those guys.
My point? It’s time to hand the job over to Daniel Bard. There couldn’t be a better time. With the quality in this year’s free agent class, the Sox can surround their young closer with three veteran relievers. I think that we’ve all seen enough from Bard to think that he is more than capable of getting the job done.
It will soon be decision time for the Sox on Jonathan Papelbon. Do they trade him? Do they offer him arbitration? Do they let him go? The last one seems extremely unlikely, but ask yourself this: If you are starting to lose confidence in your closer, why hand over close to $12 million and put yourself through six months of second guessing about who to bring in in the ninth?
I just told you what I think they should do. Now, I’ll tell you what they are probably going to do: They’ll bring back Pap and I’ll be asked the same question I did all last year.
“Why don’t they just let Baaaaahd close?”
Good question!!!
Actually, jman, I'd be willing to part with Bard as part of a package to get Gonzalez. Doing that, we'd have to keep Paps for another year. My offer to SD is Bard, Rizzo and Ellsbury. Then I'd sign Crawford.
I think your proposed offer gives up too much...why not give them Paps and Rizzo plus some of the cash that you'd save on Paps?
Understood...which is why I'd pony up some cash. I was looking to dump the salary...reinvest it in other places...
They also want control. They'd only have Papelbon for one year. SD has no interest in him.Understood...which is why I'd pony up some cash. I was looking to dump the salary...reinvest it in other places...
DAMMIT...
Tigers Reach Agreement With Victor Martinez
By Tim Dierkes [November 23 at 9:52am CST]
The Tigers added a middle of the order bat today, reaching an agreement with catcher Victor Martinez on a four-year, $50MM contract. Martinez was widely regarded as the best offensive catcher available, though he may see significant time as Detroit's designated hitter.
Martinez, 32 next month, hit .302/.351/.493 in 538 plate appearances for the Red Sox this year, earning his fourth All-Star nod. As a switcher-hitter, Martinez provides the left side protection the Tigers craved. He also logged 904 innings behind the plate, a number that should decrease in Detroit due to the presence of Alex Avila.
Though the Red Sox hoped to re-sign Martinez, reportedly offering him a choice of three years and $36MM or four years and $42MM. They can take solace in receiving the best available draft pick as part of their compensation. The Tigers must surrender their #19 draft pick next year to the Red Sox, unless Detroit also signs Jayson Werth later. In that case the Red Sox would get the Tigers' second-round pick. Regardless, the Red Sox will also receive a supplemental draft pick.
According to Ignacio Serrano of El Nacional, who broke the story, Martinez turned down a four-year, $48MM offer from the Orioles and a three-year, $48MM contract from the White Sox. Martinez is represented by Octagon.
The Tigers have been baseball's most aggressive team this offseason. Prior to the Martinez agreement, they committed $39.25MM to Brandon Inge, Jhonny Peralta, and Joaquin Benoit. In a November 10th poll, three of five MLBTR writers correctly predicted Martinez would sign with the Tigers.
Tigers Reach Agreement With Victor Martinez
By Tim Dierkes [November 23 at 9:52am CST]
The Tigers added a middle of the order bat today, reaching an agreement with catcher Victor Martinez on a four-year, $50MM contract. Martinez was widely regarded as the best offensive catcher available, though he may see significant time as Detroit's designated hitter.
Martinez, 32 next month, hit .302/.351/.493 in 538 plate appearances for the Red Sox this year, earning his fourth All-Star nod. As a switcher-hitter, Martinez provides the left side protection the Tigers craved. He also logged 904 innings behind the plate, a number that should decrease in Detroit due to the presence of Alex Avila.
Though the Red Sox hoped to re-sign Martinez, reportedly offering him a choice of three years and $36MM or four years and $42MM. They can take solace in receiving the best available draft pick as part of their compensation. The Tigers must surrender their #19 draft pick next year to the Red Sox, unless Detroit also signs Jayson Werth later. In that case the Red Sox would get the Tigers' second-round pick. Regardless, the Red Sox will also receive a supplemental draft pick.
According to Ignacio Serrano of El Nacional, who broke the story, Martinez turned down a four-year, $48MM offer from the Orioles and a three-year, $48MM contract from the White Sox. Martinez is represented by Octagon.
The Tigers have been baseball's most aggressive team this offseason. Prior to the Martinez agreement, they committed $39.25MM to Brandon Inge, Jhonny Peralta, and Joaquin Benoit. In a November 10th poll, three of five MLBTR writers correctly predicted Martinez would sign with the Tigers.
Last edited:
Congrats to the AL MVP
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/sports/baseball/24almvp.html?src=twrhp
Hamilton Is American League’s M.V.P.
By BEN SHPIGEL
Over the last five weeks of the season, Josh Hamilton missed 25 of the Texas Rangers’ final 30 games because of two fractured ribs. His absence during the stretch run barely mattered to voters from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, who followed a powerful precedent set last year by Joe Mauer of Minnesota, Hamilton’s predecessor as the American League’s most valuable player.
The Rangers would not have coasted to their first division title since 1999 without Hamilton, whose production before he got hurt was nothing short of transcendent. Hamilton collected 22 of 28 first-place votes in balloting announced Tuesday, beating Miguel Cabrera of Detroit, who received five, by 96 points. Robinson Cano of the Yankees finished third, and Toronto’s Jose Bautista, who earned the other first-place vote, finished fourth.
For Hamilton, the award represents another milepost in his five-year transformation from drug addict to sober baseball star. He won the A.L. batting title with a .359 average, while also leading the league in slugging percentage (.633), on-base percentage plus slugging (1.044) and hitting with runners in scoring position (.369).
“When you look at what he did, and the impact he had on the race, I would argue that what he did in three months made it irrelevant that he played only five games in the last five weeks,” said Mark Feinsand of The Daily News, who voted for Hamilton.
When May ended, Texas trailed Oakland by one game in the A.L. West. On June 1, Hamilton began a three-month spree that lifted the Rangers to a nine-game division lead heading into Sept. 4, when he slammed into an outfield wall in Minnesota. During that span, Hamilton led the majors with a .410 average, 70 runs batted in, a .461 O.B.P., a .717 slugging percentage, 51 extra-base hits and 226 total bases.
“He hit over .400 for an 80-something-game stretch, and during the time of the season when the Rangers kind of really asserted themselves in their division race,” said Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times, who voted for Hamilton. “It wasn’t coincidental that that’s when they took off. To me, that was the difference.
“Cano had a great year. If there was a most outstanding player category, Cabrera would have been a guy. But I don’t think in this situation that either one of them was more valuable than Hamilton.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/sports/baseball/24almvp.html?src=twrhp
Hamilton Is American League’s M.V.P.
By BEN SHPIGEL
Over the last five weeks of the season, Josh Hamilton missed 25 of the Texas Rangers’ final 30 games because of two fractured ribs. His absence during the stretch run barely mattered to voters from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, who followed a powerful precedent set last year by Joe Mauer of Minnesota, Hamilton’s predecessor as the American League’s most valuable player.
The Rangers would not have coasted to their first division title since 1999 without Hamilton, whose production before he got hurt was nothing short of transcendent. Hamilton collected 22 of 28 first-place votes in balloting announced Tuesday, beating Miguel Cabrera of Detroit, who received five, by 96 points. Robinson Cano of the Yankees finished third, and Toronto’s Jose Bautista, who earned the other first-place vote, finished fourth.
For Hamilton, the award represents another milepost in his five-year transformation from drug addict to sober baseball star. He won the A.L. batting title with a .359 average, while also leading the league in slugging percentage (.633), on-base percentage plus slugging (1.044) and hitting with runners in scoring position (.369).
“When you look at what he did, and the impact he had on the race, I would argue that what he did in three months made it irrelevant that he played only five games in the last five weeks,” said Mark Feinsand of The Daily News, who voted for Hamilton.
When May ended, Texas trailed Oakland by one game in the A.L. West. On June 1, Hamilton began a three-month spree that lifted the Rangers to a nine-game division lead heading into Sept. 4, when he slammed into an outfield wall in Minnesota. During that span, Hamilton led the majors with a .410 average, 70 runs batted in, a .461 O.B.P., a .717 slugging percentage, 51 extra-base hits and 226 total bases.
“He hit over .400 for an 80-something-game stretch, and during the time of the season when the Rangers kind of really asserted themselves in their division race,” said Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times, who voted for Hamilton. “It wasn’t coincidental that that’s when they took off. To me, that was the difference.
“Cano had a great year. If there was a most outstanding player category, Cabrera would have been a guy. But I don’t think in this situation that either one of them was more valuable than Hamilton.”
Well the smart ass in me wants to say...I'm surprised it wasn't Derek "Past a Diving" Jeter...LOL
Now that I got that out of my system....
They gave it to absolutely the RIGHT guy!
Congrats Josh!
Have fun,
Jman
PS Great post Iggy
Last edited:
Cashman Encourages Jeter To Test The Market...or...
...translated...thats a big F##K You Cap'n...
Read somewhere else today that they are only willing to give Ole Mo 1 yr, $18M...hmmm...
Cashman Encourages Jeter To Test The Market
By Tim Dierkes [November 23 at 2:41pm CST]
The game of chicken between the Yankees and Derek Jeter continued today, with GM Brian Cashman making the latest move. Cashman told ESPN's Wallace Matthews:
"We understand his contributions to the franchise and our offer has taken them into account. We've encouraged him to test the market and see if there's something he would prefer other than this. If he can, fine. That's the way it works."
On Sunday, Jeter's agent Casey Close told Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News, "The Yankees' negotiating strategy remains baffling. They continue to argue their points in the press and refuse to acknowledge Derek's total contribution to their franchise." To that, Cashman responded:
"I certainly was surprised. There's nothing baffling about our position. We have actually gone directly face to face with Casey and Derek and been very honest and direct. They know exactly where we sit."
Matthews reports the Yankees' offer to be three years and $45MM. Cashman wouldn't confirm that, but did say, "You can write that they have asked for more. More years and more money." Matthews says the Yankees informed Close Monday that they will not be offering arbitration to Jeter. If Jeter does somehow land with another club, he will not come with a draft pick cost.
...translated...thats a big F##K You Cap'n...
Read somewhere else today that they are only willing to give Ole Mo 1 yr, $18M...hmmm...
Cashman Encourages Jeter To Test The Market
By Tim Dierkes [November 23 at 2:41pm CST]
The game of chicken between the Yankees and Derek Jeter continued today, with GM Brian Cashman making the latest move. Cashman told ESPN's Wallace Matthews:
"We understand his contributions to the franchise and our offer has taken them into account. We've encouraged him to test the market and see if there's something he would prefer other than this. If he can, fine. That's the way it works."
On Sunday, Jeter's agent Casey Close told Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News, "The Yankees' negotiating strategy remains baffling. They continue to argue their points in the press and refuse to acknowledge Derek's total contribution to their franchise." To that, Cashman responded:
"I certainly was surprised. There's nothing baffling about our position. We have actually gone directly face to face with Casey and Derek and been very honest and direct. They know exactly where we sit."
Matthews reports the Yankees' offer to be three years and $45MM. Cashman wouldn't confirm that, but did say, "You can write that they have asked for more. More years and more money." Matthews says the Yankees informed Close Monday that they will not be offering arbitration to Jeter. If Jeter does somehow land with another club, he will not come with a draft pick cost.
Last edited:
In other sheer cash-crazed insanity in Yankeeland...
Now wonder they won't pay the Cap'n...or Mo...
I highlighted the best part...lol
Just think about the math here...thats nearly $50M a year in 2 pitchers...
Yankees Offer Six Years, Nearly $140MM To Cliff Lee?
By Tim Dierkes [November 23 at 12:29pm CST]
An industry source told Yahoo's Tim Brown yesterday that the Yankees offered Cliff Lee "nearly $140MM over six years, but Lee continues to hold out for a seventh year." Brown does not appear to have full confidence in the source, as the item was placed low in the column and he notes that he was unable to confirm the offer with the Yankees or Lee's agent. We found the link via Joe Pawlikowski of River Ave. Blues, who has a good take on the rumor.
On Sunday, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wrote, "Word is the Yankees are in the $115 million-$120 million range for five years."
It seems likely that the Yankees are willing to give Lee a $23-24MM salary, allowing him to top C.C. Sabathia and own that record for a while, not counting Roger Clemens' pro-rated $28MM in 2007. But if Lee wants to beat or match Sabathia's $161MM for the highest total contract ever given to a pitcher, he needs that seventh year despite being four years older than Sabathia was when he signed. Lee's agent Darek Braunecker could also attempt to duplicate Sabathia's opt-out clause. Braunecker famously negotiated such a clause into A.J. Burnett's five-year, $55MM deal with the Blue Jays.
Now wonder they won't pay the Cap'n...or Mo...
I highlighted the best part...lol
Just think about the math here...thats nearly $50M a year in 2 pitchers...
Yankees Offer Six Years, Nearly $140MM To Cliff Lee?
By Tim Dierkes [November 23 at 12:29pm CST]
An industry source told Yahoo's Tim Brown yesterday that the Yankees offered Cliff Lee "nearly $140MM over six years, but Lee continues to hold out for a seventh year." Brown does not appear to have full confidence in the source, as the item was placed low in the column and he notes that he was unable to confirm the offer with the Yankees or Lee's agent. We found the link via Joe Pawlikowski of River Ave. Blues, who has a good take on the rumor.
On Sunday, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wrote, "Word is the Yankees are in the $115 million-$120 million range for five years."
It seems likely that the Yankees are willing to give Lee a $23-24MM salary, allowing him to top C.C. Sabathia and own that record for a while, not counting Roger Clemens' pro-rated $28MM in 2007. But if Lee wants to beat or match Sabathia's $161MM for the highest total contract ever given to a pitcher, he needs that seventh year despite being four years older than Sabathia was when he signed. Lee's agent Darek Braunecker could also attempt to duplicate Sabathia's opt-out clause. Braunecker famously negotiated such a clause into A.J. Burnett's five-year, $55MM deal with the Blue Jays.
Last edited:
Rumors is now reporting that the Yankees have not offered a contract to Lee.
They're also reporting Cashdollar as saying, "He should be nothing but a New York Yankee. He chooses not to be." Frankly, I would be quite disappointed to see Jeter in a Pittsburgh uniform as I like the idea of a decrepit old, immobile shortstop clogging up the left side of the Yankee infield.
They're also reporting Cashdollar as saying, "He should be nothing but a New York Yankee. He chooses not to be." Frankly, I would be quite disappointed to see Jeter in a Pittsburgh uniform as I like the idea of a decrepit old, immobile shortstop clogging up the left side of the Yankee infield.
Uh oh...Someone let Hank out of his cage...
Wallet envy...LOL...
Steinbrenner: Yanks made `guys very, very rich'
By RONALD BLUM, AP
NEW YORK (AP) — Hank Steinbrenner has a message as the New York Yankees negotiate to re-sign Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.
``As much as we want to keep everybody, we've already made these guys very, very rich, and I don't feel we owe anybody anything monetarily,'' the Yankees co-chairman said Tuesday. ``Some of these players are wealthier than their bosses.''
With negotiations moving slowly, the Yankees declined to offer salary arbitration to Jeter and Rivera before Tuesday's midnight deadline. New York also failed to offer arbitration to left-hander Andy Pettitte, reliever Kerry Wood and first baseman Lance Berkman but did make the offer to right-hander Javier Vazquez, unlikely to re-sign following a disappointing season.
By offering arbitration, New York would receive draft-pick compensation if Vazquez signs elsewhere. His agents have been negotiating with the Florida Marlins.
New York has made a $45 million, three-year offer to Jeter, a baseball executive with knowledge of the proposal said, speaking on condition of anonymity because it wasn't made public.
``We've encouraged him to test the market and see if there's something he would prefer other than this,'' general manager Brian Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com, without confirming the figure. ``If he can, fine. That's the way it works.''
Jeter is coming off a $189 million, 10-year contract that was second only to Alex Rodriguez's deals of $252 million and $275 million, both over a decade.
``Negotiating is always a process,'' Steinbrenner said. ``I know he wants to stay. It's going to come down to what's fair for everybody considering all circumstances.''
Now 36, Jeter hit .270 with 10 homers, down from a .334 average and 18 homers the previous season. While his RBIs increased by one to 67, his on-base percentage fell from .406 to .340 and his slugging average dropped from .465 to .370.
An off year or the start of a career-ending tailoff? No way to tell.
But without the threat of negotiations involving other teams, there's little pressure for either side to make a deal quickly.
``Do we want to keep Derek? Of course we do, obviously,'' Steinbrenner said. ``Obviously we all want to keep Derek and we all want to keep Mo.''
Steinbrenner remains confident deals will be reached to keep the pair.
``I don't think in the end they will be unreasonable,'' he said. ``It's going to come down to what's fair for everybody considering all circumstances.''
The Associated Press
Wallet envy...LOL...
Steinbrenner: Yanks made `guys very, very rich'
By RONALD BLUM, AP
NEW YORK (AP) — Hank Steinbrenner has a message as the New York Yankees negotiate to re-sign Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.
``As much as we want to keep everybody, we've already made these guys very, very rich, and I don't feel we owe anybody anything monetarily,'' the Yankees co-chairman said Tuesday. ``Some of these players are wealthier than their bosses.''
With negotiations moving slowly, the Yankees declined to offer salary arbitration to Jeter and Rivera before Tuesday's midnight deadline. New York also failed to offer arbitration to left-hander Andy Pettitte, reliever Kerry Wood and first baseman Lance Berkman but did make the offer to right-hander Javier Vazquez, unlikely to re-sign following a disappointing season.
By offering arbitration, New York would receive draft-pick compensation if Vazquez signs elsewhere. His agents have been negotiating with the Florida Marlins.
New York has made a $45 million, three-year offer to Jeter, a baseball executive with knowledge of the proposal said, speaking on condition of anonymity because it wasn't made public.
``We've encouraged him to test the market and see if there's something he would prefer other than this,'' general manager Brian Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com, without confirming the figure. ``If he can, fine. That's the way it works.''
Jeter is coming off a $189 million, 10-year contract that was second only to Alex Rodriguez's deals of $252 million and $275 million, both over a decade.
``Negotiating is always a process,'' Steinbrenner said. ``I know he wants to stay. It's going to come down to what's fair for everybody considering all circumstances.''
Now 36, Jeter hit .270 with 10 homers, down from a .334 average and 18 homers the previous season. While his RBIs increased by one to 67, his on-base percentage fell from .406 to .340 and his slugging average dropped from .465 to .370.
An off year or the start of a career-ending tailoff? No way to tell.
But without the threat of negotiations involving other teams, there's little pressure for either side to make a deal quickly.
``Do we want to keep Derek? Of course we do, obviously,'' Steinbrenner said. ``Obviously we all want to keep Derek and we all want to keep Mo.''
Steinbrenner remains confident deals will be reached to keep the pair.
``I don't think in the end they will be unreasonable,'' he said. ``It's going to come down to what's fair for everybody considering all circumstances.''
The Associated Press
Congratulations to Josh Hamilton not only for winning the MVP but for overcoming his demons in the game of life to win this award, well done.
- Status
Similar threads
