There have been several media outlets reporting that the Yankees have offered up a contract to Manny Ramirez for 3 years/ $75 million. Yankees GM Brian Cashman says thats not true, but isn't that what they all say. While there's always some truth to any rumor floating around, Reflections of Blue will remain at DEFCON 5 until further developments break.
The Dodgers were very smart in making the initial offer low (after all why tip your hand) but low offers are made for a reason. Let the dust settle, wait until someone else throws out a number, and then shift into buying or selling gear (see: Furcal, Rafael). If for some reason Manny Ramirez signs with the Yankees for the above amount, the Dodgers are going to have a hard time explaining a sell.
Until we reflect again, happy holidays.
Showing posts with label Free Agents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Free Agents. Show all posts
Monday, December 22, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Going Home
There is a report on ESPN stating that Rafael Furcal is returning to the Atlanta Braves. Although no money was announced, the deal is believed to be for 3 years with a 4th year club option. The deal is pending a physical.
Rafael Furcal was Ned Colletti's first major signing when the shortstop agreed to a 3 year, $39 million deal in 2006. While no one doubted his baseball ability, it was his inability to stay healthy that will linger in several people's minds. Remember however, that before Manny's arrival in late 2008, Furcal was the most dynamic player at the Ravine. The Dodgers should be complimented for not giving in to Furcal's lofty contract demands; however, they should be scorned for not doing more to bring him back. Farewell and best wishes Raffy. We know you "hit the ball" and "play the game everyday."
The guys over at Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness have a great post about this subject. It echo's our thoughts EXACTLY.
EDIT: THE LA TIMES QUOTES FURCAL'S AGENT, PAUL KINZER, AS SAYING, "WE HAVEN'T SIGNED ANYTHING." "WE HAVEN'T HAD AN AGREEMENT." KINZER ALSO STATES THAT THE DODGERS AND BRAVES ARE THE ONLY TWO TEAMS FURCAL IS CONSIDERING.
Rafael Furcal was Ned Colletti's first major signing when the shortstop agreed to a 3 year, $39 million deal in 2006. While no one doubted his baseball ability, it was his inability to stay healthy that will linger in several people's minds. Remember however, that before Manny's arrival in late 2008, Furcal was the most dynamic player at the Ravine. The Dodgers should be complimented for not giving in to Furcal's lofty contract demands; however, they should be scorned for not doing more to bring him back. Farewell and best wishes Raffy. We know you "hit the ball" and "play the game everyday."
The guys over at Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness have a great post about this subject. It echo's our thoughts EXACTLY.
EDIT: THE LA TIMES QUOTES FURCAL'S AGENT, PAUL KINZER, AS SAYING, "WE HAVEN'T SIGNED ANYTHING." "WE HAVEN'T HAD AN AGREEMENT." KINZER ALSO STATES THAT THE DODGERS AND BRAVES ARE THE ONLY TWO TEAMS FURCAL IS CONSIDERING.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Love Me (Non) Tender
The Dodgers have decided to non-tender Takashi Saito, essentially making him a non-Dodger in 2009. From the article:
Is it just me, or is Ned playing it overly safe this off-season? Now I'm not saying the Dodgers should have signed Saito this year, after all he decided to skip recommended Tommy John surgery for experimental stem cell injection. When you add that to the fact that he is 39 years old, who knows what you are going to get in terms of production for 2009. It appears evident however, that Ned is folding hand after hand trying to make four aces with none of them being named Sabathia, Burnett, or Lowe. Why is Ned willing to offer Saito $2.5 plus incentives, but spurned at a contract worth $3.5? Maybe he's putting on the tough face for Manny's negotiations. But at the pace that those seem to be developing he better not hold that face for long. People will think he's walking around constipated.
Had Saito been tendered, he would have been eligible for salary arbitration and a raise from $2 million to about $3.5 million. Because the right-hander is coming off an elbow injury that sidelined him for two months, the Dodgers were only willing to take as much risk as a $2.5 million contract plus incentives. It really was a "staredown," as general manager Ned Colletti described. There were no negotiations after Tuesday.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
If Not Lowe, Who?
It's been widely reported by the media that Derek Lowe wanted nothing to do with Los Angeles. However, according to MLB.com's Ken Gurnick that isn't the case.
Lowe said he was hoping that Scott Boras could have extracted a multiyear contract from the Dodgers, who appeared in the postseason twice during the veteran's four-year stint in Los Angeles, but the only offer the club made him was for salary arbitration, which Lowe declined.
"Scott tried hard to make it work with the Dodgers, but it didn't work out," Lowe said. "People say I wanted to go back east or I wasn't happy. I really wanted to come back, but they didn't call. It's easy to turn down nothing."
If what Lowe is saying is true, that the Dodgers didn't want him back, then Ned has some explaining to do. Lowe would certainly provide more stability than the other names (Randy Johnson) floating around.
Lowe said he was hoping that Scott Boras could have extracted a multiyear contract from the Dodgers, who appeared in the postseason twice during the veteran's four-year stint in Los Angeles, but the only offer the club made him was for salary arbitration, which Lowe declined.
"Scott tried hard to make it work with the Dodgers, but it didn't work out," Lowe said. "People say I wanted to go back east or I wasn't happy. I really wanted to come back, but they didn't call. It's easy to turn down nothing."
If what Lowe is saying is true, that the Dodgers didn't want him back, then Ned has some explaining to do. Lowe would certainly provide more stability than the other names (Randy Johnson) floating around.
Manny or Sabathia
With winter meetings set to kick off tomorrow at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas the Dodgers undoubtedly have their work cut out for them. After losing several starters to free agency there will be many holes to fill. Perhaps the biggest debate going this off-season is whether the Dodgers should go after Manny Ramirez or CC Sabathia. As the financial status of the Dodgers is well known, they certainly can't go after both.
Bill Plaschke wrote an article awhile back stating his case for Sabathia, while several articles have been written backing Ramirez.
Lets take a closer look and compare the two players.
Value
Both Ramirez and Sabathia carried their respective teams in the playoffs last season with other-wordly numbers down the stretch. Ramirez hit .396 and posted 53 RBI's in 53 games while Sabathia went 11-2 and toted a 1.69 ERA after arriving with the Brew Crew. While it is easy to count the number of wins that CC accounted for (11), he certainly can't bring the same overall value that Manny can. Ramirez's contributions go much deeper than what he provides on the field.
Edge: Manny
Merchandise
I couldn't go to a game last season without seeing loads of people wearing Manny Dreads. While you would never catch me sporting one, they certainly brought money to the Dodgers. What would the Dodgers market for Sabathia? A fat suit? Even if they did, people might confuse it for Andruw Jones merchandise. We know McCourt loves money, so its a no-brainer here.
Edge: Manny
Attendance
The Dodgers will get 3.5 million fans regardless, so this one is tougher to gauge; however, people can go see Ramirez play everyday versus only one-fifth of the days for Sabathia.
Edge: Manny
Run Support
Manny can drive them in, and out, like no other. However, the rest of the team lacked power. Only Either had 20 or more home runs (he got number 20 on the last day of the season) and only one player (Loney) had more than 90 RBI's. If Ramirez isn't in blue next season there certainly won't be another player that can provide runs like him. If there is no power and little runs scored, it won't matter how well Sabathia pitches. Just ask Derek Lowe.
Edge: Manny
Risk
Neither player has had any significant injuries, and its only if "Manny being Manny" pops up again that Ramirez might prove to be a problem. While the Dodgers have been burned on big pitching contracts (Kevin Brown, Darren Dreifort, Eric Gagne, Jason Schmidt) that shouldn't be enough to deter them from going after Sabathia. If Manny gets hurt, we are looking at Juan Pierre in left field. If Sabathia gets hurt, we might be looking at Eric Stults. Huge downside for Ramirez.
Edge: Sabathia
Cost
Only certain teams can afford these two players and unfortunately one of those teams is the Yankees. While Boras will probably use the Yankees to drive up offers, the Dodgers are most likely looking at $25 -$30 million per year to Ramirez and probably $18-25 million per year to Sabathia. The Dodgers would be on hook for more years with Sabathia so he will cost them far more in overall dollars.
Edge: Ramirez
Contract
The deadline for accepting arbitration is 9pm today. If Manny accepts arbitration (Buster Olney thinks he should) then this column is mute. If he declines then the Dodgers are looking at $25 - $30 million for 3 years. They won't go higher, and certainly not longer than 3 years. A club option for a fourth year would be okay in my opinion. Sabathia was rumored to be offered $140 million from the Yankees for six years. I don't think the Dodgers can go that high, or that long. Manny is cheaper, but Sabathia would be with the team longer. Both contracts are huge. Calling this one a tie.
Edge: Tie
Final Thoughts
In my opinion the Dodgers should go after Ramirez. I'll admit to being a little biased as I've had the privilege of watching Ramirez during last season. With Sabathia, I don't know what I might be missing. Manny has consistently put up Hall of Fame numbers (41 HR/ 133 RBI's per year average) over the last 10 years, while Sabathia put up above average stats (15-9 average win/loss record and a 3.66 ERA). There is a big difference between Hall of Fame and above average.
Given the factors listed above I believe the decision is clear. Sign Manny and hope Bills, Kershaw, and McDonald can provide above average pitching in 2009.
Bill Plaschke wrote an article awhile back stating his case for Sabathia, while several articles have been written backing Ramirez.
Lets take a closer look and compare the two players.
Value
Both Ramirez and Sabathia carried their respective teams in the playoffs last season with other-wordly numbers down the stretch. Ramirez hit .396 and posted 53 RBI's in 53 games while Sabathia went 11-2 and toted a 1.69 ERA after arriving with the Brew Crew. While it is easy to count the number of wins that CC accounted for (11), he certainly can't bring the same overall value that Manny can. Ramirez's contributions go much deeper than what he provides on the field.
Edge: Manny
Merchandise
I couldn't go to a game last season without seeing loads of people wearing Manny Dreads. While you would never catch me sporting one, they certainly brought money to the Dodgers. What would the Dodgers market for Sabathia? A fat suit? Even if they did, people might confuse it for Andruw Jones merchandise. We know McCourt loves money, so its a no-brainer here.
Edge: Manny
Attendance
The Dodgers will get 3.5 million fans regardless, so this one is tougher to gauge; however, people can go see Ramirez play everyday versus only one-fifth of the days for Sabathia.
Edge: Manny
Run Support
Manny can drive them in, and out, like no other. However, the rest of the team lacked power. Only Either had 20 or more home runs (he got number 20 on the last day of the season) and only one player (Loney) had more than 90 RBI's. If Ramirez isn't in blue next season there certainly won't be another player that can provide runs like him. If there is no power and little runs scored, it won't matter how well Sabathia pitches. Just ask Derek Lowe.
Edge: Manny
Risk
Neither player has had any significant injuries, and its only if "Manny being Manny" pops up again that Ramirez might prove to be a problem. While the Dodgers have been burned on big pitching contracts (Kevin Brown, Darren Dreifort, Eric Gagne, Jason Schmidt) that shouldn't be enough to deter them from going after Sabathia. If Manny gets hurt, we are looking at Juan Pierre in left field. If Sabathia gets hurt, we might be looking at Eric Stults. Huge downside for Ramirez.
Edge: Sabathia
Cost
Only certain teams can afford these two players and unfortunately one of those teams is the Yankees. While Boras will probably use the Yankees to drive up offers, the Dodgers are most likely looking at $25 -$30 million per year to Ramirez and probably $18-25 million per year to Sabathia. The Dodgers would be on hook for more years with Sabathia so he will cost them far more in overall dollars.
Edge: Ramirez
Contract
The deadline for accepting arbitration is 9pm today. If Manny accepts arbitration (Buster Olney thinks he should) then this column is mute. If he declines then the Dodgers are looking at $25 - $30 million for 3 years. They won't go higher, and certainly not longer than 3 years. A club option for a fourth year would be okay in my opinion. Sabathia was rumored to be offered $140 million from the Yankees for six years. I don't think the Dodgers can go that high, or that long. Manny is cheaper, but Sabathia would be with the team longer. Both contracts are huge. Calling this one a tie.
Edge: Tie
Final Thoughts
In my opinion the Dodgers should go after Ramirez. I'll admit to being a little biased as I've had the privilege of watching Ramirez during last season. With Sabathia, I don't know what I might be missing. Manny has consistently put up Hall of Fame numbers (41 HR/ 133 RBI's per year average) over the last 10 years, while Sabathia put up above average stats (15-9 average win/loss record and a 3.66 ERA). There is a big difference between Hall of Fame and above average.
Given the factors listed above I believe the decision is clear. Sign Manny and hope Bills, Kershaw, and McDonald can provide above average pitching in 2009.
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