LINING IT UP FOR 2005 WORST CASE LINEUP: • CF: Craig Biggio • SS: Adam Everett • 1B: Jeff Bagwell • 3B: Morgan Ensberg • LF: Jason Lane • 2B: Chris Burke • RF: Orl. Palmeiro • C: Brad Ausmus ROTATION: • RH: Roy Oswalt • LH: Andy Pettitte • RH: Brandon Backe • LH: C. Hernandez • RH: Tim Redding BEST CASE LINEUP: • CF: Chris Burke • SS: Adam Everett • 1B: Carlos Beltran • 3B: Lance Berkman • LF: Jeff Bagwell • 2B: Jason Lane • RF: Morgan Ensberg • C: Brad Ausmus ROTATION: • RH: Roy Oswalt • RH: Roger Clemens • LH: Andy Pettitte • RH: Wade Miller • RH: Brandon Backe http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/sports/baseball/index.html I think Baggs will be alright in Left
That has got to be a joke, someone thinks that Bagwell, someone who can barley throw from first to second can be a leftfielder.
Posted wrong on the Chronicle. I know it's accident but how can they mess it up that bad. I think it's been up for a couple of days now. I just think it's funny
Boras Content to Wait By Jayson Stark ESPN.com ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Five years and 70 million bucks. That's the answer. The question, here on this very special baseball edition of Double Jeopardy, is: What do the Houston Astros think Carlos Beltran is worth? There were mixed signals Sunday on whether the Astros actually presented that offer to Beltran's agent, Scott Boras, this weekend at baseball's winter meetings. But Astros GM Tim Purpura did meet with Boras to discuss Beltran. And multiple sources indicated the Astros at least let Boras know those were the basic parameters they had in mind. For the moment, of course, Boras finds that kind of talk more laughable than Saturday Night Live. One team that inquired about Beltran reported it was told it wouldn't even be considered a "serious" bidder unless it was willing to begin the conversation with a 10-year, $200-million synonym for "hello." And Boras continues to talk confidently of getting that price. Just don't ask where or from whom. According to people who have spoken with the Yankees, they're prepared to deliver a very similar offer whenever Boras decides his offer shop is open for business: Five years, somewhere in the range of $70-75 million. And, as other teams get sick of waiting around and turn their attention elsewhere, the only other team that looks like a potential bidder -- the Cubs -- are already at $90 million for next season and can't pursue anybody until (OK, make that unless) they find a new home for Sammy Sosa. So where is this leading? Boras' strategy, clearly, is to wait until he pops his New Year's Eve champagne corks and then get down to business. At that point, it would be only a week until the deadline for Beltran to re-sign with the Astros. And, as an agent who loves deadlines almost as much as dollar signs, he no doubt anticipates the Astros will be so terrified of losing Beltran to the Yankees by then, they'll be adding years and millions to his pile by the shovelful. But given owner Drayton McLane's frugal history, we wouldn't be so sure of that. "We're not going to bid against ourselves," Purpura said. "What we're paid to do in this business is to analyze and evaluate what we think a player's value is. And we have a range, on the value scale, where we think Carlos fits in the market and where he fits in our budget. And that budget is probably the most significant part of the equation. "So those are our parameters. And we can't be swept up in what somebody else might do." In other words, we wouldn't look for the Astros to triple their offer the first time Boras utters the magic phrase, "mystery team." So if Boras reacts by nudging Beltran past that deadline, where it becomes impossible for him to return to Houston, it will be so late in the offseason that the Yankees conceivably could be the only remaining serious bidder. And how is that good for anybody? We don't claim to know as much about negotiating as Boras. But in our experience, it's tough to stoke up a good bidding war when there's only one team playing. And we're pretty sure Boss Steinbrenner didn't make all his money without figuring that out somewhere along the line himself. Oh, maybe this strategy will, in fact, get Beltran the big buckaroos. Maybe it will make him the first free agent to bust through the $15 million-a-year barrier on a multiyear contract since Jason Giambi did it three winters ago. But in the end, is his biggest client really being served by this approach? "You know, baseball players like stability," said an official of one club that once thought it would be interested in Beltran. "This is crazy. This thing is going to drag into the middle of January, and maybe later. What's the point of that?" But in the case of Beltran in particular, people who know him say he doesn't just like stability. He happens to like Houston. He liked his teammates. He liked the city. He liked the large Hispanic community. He liked the atmosphere in the ballpark. He liked the way those KEEPCARLOSBELTRAN.COM signs seemed to multiply around town as the Astros began rolling into October. In other words, his first choice is not to go play in New York. It's to return to Houston. He has told that to a number of his friends in baseball. He just hasn't told it to the Astros themselves -- because he hasn't been allowed to speak to them. "Out of respect for Carlos, he's indicated he'd like things to go through Scott," Purpura said. "So we've respected that." But sometime before these negotiations conclude, Purpura suggested, the Astros' brass wants to "have a dialogue" with Beltran himself. When a team makes a player the largest contract offer in franchise history, he said, it's not talking about making him just another employee. It's talking about "creating a significant partnership." In other words, that five-year, $70 million offer is not one the Astros make lightly. But what they're finding out is that one man's "significant partnership" is another man's lowball offer -- one that can't even be considered "serious." And there's no better commentary on the modern state of free-agent insanity than that.
I tend to wonder if a 'package' deal might be what Boros is angling for. Getting Beltran for 7/100, say, and taking Drew for 4/40. Or some such.
So, is it 5 years 70 million... or 6 years 81 million (as reported by the Chronicle)? Both basically good offers... but even though the second one is worth less annually, you can't ever turn down an extra year (especially since it only lowers the average value of the contract by .5 million). My guess is that the Astros are publically saying the 5 year 70 million offer as their first offer... when in reality, they're willing to start out at 6/81... but they don't really want that to be well known. (for the dangers of bidding against themselves). Thus, ESPN, CNN, PTI, Gammons, etc... will all say 5 years 70 million is the Astros offer... and while it may seem like a lowball, we all know that they'll be more than willing to add another year (or even more). I do have to say, I'm liking these national articles more and more for each one I read, as the Astros role in this whole thing has increased in each subsequent one. (going from the third best contender to get him at the beginning... to now possibly the favorites)
It is no surprise to me at all that Beltran prefers Houston. No surprise at all. It is surprising to me that he hasn't said enough is enough to Boras. He may feel a bit intimidated by him. But I tend to agree with Stark on this...hard to conduct negotiations when only one team is bidding. Disappointing to Boras, I'm sure. But the hype on Beltran after this offseason is probably more than is justified.
I'd wet myself. Drew is one of my favorite players. There would have to be other moves, but geez, Louise, that would be amazing! I guess money comes into play at some point, though. So, though I'll add it to my Christmas list, I won't expect it to happen.
Meanwhile, Richard Justice is trying to conjure up more controversy in the Lance Berkman situation. When you read Lance's quotes in this article, in which he's totally being amicable, and not trying to start anything, you can tell that he completely understands the situation... yet Justice has wrote an almost scathing critique of how they handled this situation (for no good reason). Of course they were going to have to take care of Kent and Beltran before they could get in touch with Berkman... and they probably figure that he should be too busy rehabbing his "flag football" injury, rather than negotiating contracts anyways. Silly rabbit... Uh, fellas, don't forget about Lance By RICHARD JUSTICE Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle RICHARD JUSTICE Gamble to prove costly for Astros You know how it is during the holiday season. You've got so many things to do that occasionally something important falls through the cracks. That's apparently why the Astros haven't bothered to telephone Lance Berkman. "Sometimes I wonder if they know I'm not under contract for next year," he says. He speaks these words without a trace of anger in his voice. Anger is not Berkman's style. "Maybe they think I'm already signed for 2005," he adds. Yeah, maybe. Maybe they've also been so sucked into Carlos Beltran's outrageous demands that they've decided to put everything else on hold. Including their second-best player. The Astros have offered Beltran $81 million and are waiting while agent Scott Boras shops for something better. He may get it from the Yankees or Cubs. He may interest the Orioles or Tigers into driving up the price. The Astros might have figured out that it's all about the money, but they're in too deep now. Every other need will have to wait while Boras does his thing. And if the Astros get Beltran, they might not be able to afford to upgrade the pitching staff. Oversight committee Meanwhile, a guy who wants to play for the Astros, a guy who has made his home here and intends to stay here, can't even get a phone call. As of Friday, neither Berkman nor his agent, Michael Moye, had spoken to Astros owner Drayton McLane or general manager Tim Purpura about 2005. Maybe McLane and Purpura should bring Gerry Hunsicker back for a refresher course on how to treat an employee. Purpura and Berkman have talked just once, that after Berkman wrecked his right knee in a flag football game. Berkman has since undergone surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament and is healing nicely. Doctors have told him he has a legitimate chance of being ready for opening day. "That's a realistic goal," Berman said. "According to my physical therapist, I'm ahead of where I should be." (Astros manager Phil Garner told reporters at baseball's winter meetings he doesn't think Berkman will be ready for opening day.) Out of order Because Berkman is a year away from free agency, the Astros apparently have made signing him a low priority. McLane recently told me he hoped to sign Berkman to a multiyear contract, but he hasn't told Berkman. He should have signed Berkman before entering the Beltran auction. Now whatever Beltran gets -- say $15 million a year -- will be the starting point for discussions with Berkman. Berkman says he's not disappointed. "It kind of surprises me a little bit," he said. "Part of me feels sorry for Tim. I guess he didn't know he was going to be the GM (because Hunsicker's resignation took the organization by surprise). They've got more time with me. "They had to make a decision on (Jeff) Kent. They're trying to sign Beltran." Berkman's contract shouldn't even be an issue. He should have been signed to an extension last year, but the Astros basically dared him to go out and prove he was worth it. Great athletes hate being doubted like that, but they almost all love the challenge. Berkman isn't one to play with a chip on his shoulder, but he knew last season was about showing the Astros they had made a mistake. He didn't complain. "To me, they're the ones who took the gamble," Berkman said. His price has gone up since last winter and will continue to go up as he nears free agency. Last season, Berkman finished in the National League's top 10 in batting average, on-base percentage and RBIs. He was in the top 20 in slugging, home runs, hits and doubles. He's an impact offensive player in every sense of the word. Maybe the Astros are going to play hardball again. Maybe they're going to use the injury as leverage. Teams that do such things risk alienating other players. Players pay attention. They see how other players are treated, especially when they're vulnerable. For now, Berkman is watching the Beltran negotiations with more than a passing interest. He's not about to say he's worth more than Beltran, because he doesn't have the same defensive skills or speed. Yet in terms of offensive numbers, the two aren't really comparable. Berkman is better. Berkman is one year older (28 vs. 27). His career batting average is 19 points higher. His 2004 batting average was 49 points higher. He also had a higher on-base percentage and slugging percentage, more RBIs, more hits and more doubles in 2004. Beltran's only advantage was in power. He hit 38 homers to Berkman's 30. What Berkman doesn't have is the hammer of free agency, and until he gets that hammer, the Astros might not be compelled to do anything. "I think they'll be honorable in their negotiations," Berkman said. "I feel I've done enough on the field that they'll take care of me. It'll happen at some point." But he's not waiting by the phone.
The Astros should have dealt with Berkman last year. No ifs, ands, or buts. However, since they didn't they will just have to pay him more. I also believe that this attempt to land Cruz, Jr. is (at least in part) Berkman influenced.
I wonder if Justice could add more fuel to what is clearly not a fire. Read Berkman's quotes..."i realize they're busy with Kent and Beltran...they have more time with me." duh. Seriously, what should they do?? Call off the dogs on all fronts so they can sign a guy who is already under contract to a longer contract?? We have a deadline of 1/8 on Beltran...that's it. We just finished up trying to work out something with Kent. Other names appear on the burner, as well. For those who feel Berkman is being dealt with unfairly..he signed a multi-year deal that was offered to him early the last time. They're still paying on it. He's still very rich. He'll be fine. But Justice loves this angle...I liked this article better the first time I read it in July.
But you're just saying that because Richard Justice made a big fuss about it in his column before the season... there was never any ill-will between the Astros and Lance. The Astros gave him a 4 year deal when they didn't have to... when they could have let him play a string of one year deals, and risk injury. Lance knows this... he's thankful... that's why he says, "If anything, they took a gamble on me." Also, this whole thing about how had we extended him earlier, we would have saved money... is ludicrous. Lance was/is going to get paid no matter what... and to say that we should have lowballed him an extension last year is assuming that him and his agent would have been dumb enough to take it (which would have been REALLY dumb on their part). In the end... Lance plays out the generous contract that we never had to give him... and we negoitate a new deal for one of our franchise cornerstones. I just don't like it when Justice stirs up controversy... in this article, you could tell that he simply called Lance out of the blue, and said, "Have they called you yet? huh? HUH?!... ooh, i'm gonna make them pay!"
"Ill-will" is a bit much, but Lance did mention last year that he would've liked an extension (at some discount), and that his representation approached the club. That tempest might have come from Justice (I don't remember), but I also remember LB mentioning it on the radio, on his own.
You deserve the right to say "I told you so." Anyway, I'm worried about going too much higher than 6 years. 2005 Carlos Beltran is worth $15 million, but is 2012 Carlos Beltran? I'd almost rather negotiate a higher annual salary than give him more years. Guys are productive later and later these days, but the whole Bagwell thing makes me nervous about signing such a long term deal.
WOW, that totally put a smile on my face. I am really starting to love these national articles. Can't wait till we sign him.
Basically BELTRAN wants/perfers to come back to Houston, but is Boras who's playing the bidding game to get the extra $$$$ and probably is going to try to convince Beltran to sign with the team that's offering the most.
I wish beltran would speak up... I remember during the season everyone expected him to drop Boras. He was looking for a new agent for quite sometime.
