ESPN basically says the Yanks are front runners, but they might be using them to get more $$ from Anaheim. "Everybody's conceding him to the Yankees" (no mention of Houston anywhere really...doesn't sound good if Insider knows anything..)
ESPN sucks. They suck NY and LA's nuts all the time. I cant stand their site and their Insider knows just about as much as we do.
I agree most of the time the insider stuff comes from somethign printed in a newspaper. I bet if you cruise around you'll find an article that says the Yankees are the front runners but it might be just leverage for the Angels.
heck, even Richard Justice said that in this morning's Houston Chronicle http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2889616
From Ken Rosenthal of the Sporting News One executive says he knows the day agent Scott Boras will accept an offer for free-agent center fielder Carlos Beltran. "You can mark it down," the executive says. "It will be on the last day of the winter meetings when you has as many cameras assembled as possible." Oh yeah, FWIW: The refusal of Astros owner Drayton McLane to grant GM Gerry Hunsicker a contract extension helped prompt Hunsicker's resignation. Only the timing surprised baseball insiders; McLane's demanding style and Hunsicker's headstrong approach frequently were in conflict. Tim Purpura should prove a capable replacement, but the Astros are losing a GM who led the team to four first-place finishes and four seconds during his nine-year tenure ...
I read "Dick" Justice's article this morning. I hope people who think we should be signing Beltran to a 10 year deal read that article. 7yrs 105 million sounds good enough. If he won't take that, then we have to move on.
Well, the a brilliant move Drayton! Hunsicker can grab almost any GM job in baseball. My money is the Yankees will eventually fire Cashman and hire Gerry.
GH found DMc overbearing but would take on King George? Madness. One year off, then GH goes _________? But not NYY. DC maybe if he goes earlier than one year.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1919637 Boras' clients lead the free agent list KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- Magglio Ordonez headed down a hotel hallway, off to a meeting. Carlos Beltran and Adrian Beltre made big impressions, too, from far away. Standing in front of an enormous arrangement of pink roses in the lobby, Scott Boras could afford to smile. Decidedly dressed down in jeans, the agent to all three prime free agents -- and a few more -- is smelling big bucks. "I've heard from all teams, I've talked to all teams," he said. So while general managers debated moving back the July 31 trade deadline, reshaping the Arizona Fall League and other procedural topics, the real business of the GM meetings never strayed very far from players. And this offseason, Boras might be the top impact player with the likes of that talented trio, along with J.D. Drew, Derek Lowe, Jason Varitek and Kevin Millwood. "He's got a very special class," New York Mets GM Omar Minaya said. Beltran might seek a 10-year deal following his phenomenal postseason with Houston, and Beltre may look for something similar after his MVP-caliber year with Los Angeles. Ordonez, if the slugger proves he's healed after knee surgery, could command a healthy contract. Coming off Boston's win in the World Series, Varitek wants to catch onto a five-year deal. "Icon players have proven to be great investments for their businesses," said Boras, who previously negotiated megapacts for Alex Rodriguez and Kevin Brown. Only a few teams might be willing to spend the kind of money Boras' guys want. Of course, the New York Yankees are at the top of that list, despite any rumblings that they're worried about a $200 million budget. "This is my 24th year of doing this, and the Yankees' payroll has been 'dangerously high' 24 of 24," Boras said. "They've been the Goliath of the game, and I don't expect their position to change." Which would put them in perfect position to get Beltran, a five-tool center fielder. The Yankees already have Bernie Williams playing that position -- he's another Boras client. Not to worry, the agent said. "That's something between Carlos and Bernie," Boras said. "That's something they've talked about." Their conversation took place during the season, Boras said, and he did not reveal the details or whether that meant the Yankees were the front-runners to sign Beltran. So many potential moves this winter revolve about where top free agents might go, with Pedro Martinez, Nomar Garciaparra, Troy Glaus and Carl Pavano among those available. While the winter meetings usually produce more action, there's a chance some big-name players could move before that session Dec. 10-13 in Anaheim, Calif. "This is a time when many owners call," Boras said. "When you deal with owners, timetables run short." Boras would not mention any interested owners or particular suitors for his players. Until Friday, teams can only talk money with their own free agents. Come next month, there could be several trades. For now, teams talked about whether to change the July 31 deadline for making deals without waivers. Atlanta GM John Schuerholz, Milwaukee assistant Gord Ash and several others are fine with that date. Yankees GM Brian Cashman, who has made his share of late deals for the postseason push, would like to see it moved back. No formal vote was taken, though there could be some sentiment for making it Aug. 15. "I just think that with the wild-card issue, there are so many teams in it and they could use more time to decide if it's a real opportunity or not," Cashman said. "I would hate to be in a situation where you think you have a real shot and you hate to start selling off veterans." ____________________________________ So Beltran and Williams talked during the season about going to the Yankees? Nothing wrong with this, except when it comes to Beltran, I feel like a jealous boyfriend. GET AWAY FROM MY BELTRAN!
It's just Boras "fueling" the fire, like with A-Rod, he's hoping somebody will throw stupid money at Beltran...remember the Rangers didn't get anywhere with A-Rod.
I am glad to see a more practical attitude developing to signing Beltran. I hope this is true with the casual, non-posting fans as well. I am afraid of a back lash if we do not sign Beltran and Clemens does not return. The team would not have as high expectations with just Bags, Bidge and w/o Berkman for two months but bringing up some young guys along will be something new to watch. We should have plenty of SP to compete and with a couple of solid bullpen acquisitions we should be competetive. I'd like to see Burke and Lane get their shot for a full year. An upgrade at 3B would be nice but I would also like to see Ensberg in the 5 hole for a few months before we give up on him. Beltran is not going to sign here even if he gets A-Rod money!
no one is going to get A-Rod money. no one. everyone learned their lesson from that. Pujols signed for $14 million/year. Beltran will be in that neighborhood.
Exactly; i posted these weeks ago, but i'll post them again for everyone. Jim Thome - 14 million Vladimir Guerrero - 14 million Albert Pujols - 14 million Miguel Tejada - 12 million Scott Rolen - 11.25 million These have been the top free agent signings the past 2 offseasons.
According to Mike and the Mad Dog (WFAN in NY), the Yankees are going to offer Beltran 10 yrs/ approx 150 mil...hopefully we match that.
hopefully we don't. i love beltran...but 10 year deals?? paying a guy $15 million at age 38, particularly as a CF?? no thanks..i think we've learned that lesson.
