[Justice-Chron] Squeeze play catches Bags in the middle

He has in the past...several times in fact. Which is why his contract is so backloaded now. I think he's earned the right to play out his contract if he so chooses, but I understand the team's feelings of not wanting to pay 17mill for a pinch batter.

 

There's no doubt he's earned this contract.

But I wouldn't be real keen on paying $17 million to a guy who can't make a throw across the infield. Particularly when you've also paid insurance premiums to cover this very situation.

 

ESPN not only rehasing a local story, but sensationalizing it. Nowhere in the article does anyone from management specifically ask Bagwell to retire.

 

The money he deferred does not exist in his current contract. The deferred money will be paid out at some other point in time. This year's 17 million is because of the 5 year 85 million dollar deal he signed in 2000.

 

Well, to be fair, it does say Jeff and his agent claim that they have behind closed doors.

Evan

 

Considering the Astros have been paying insurance premiums on that contract, they would be foolish to not try and take advantage of that, if possible.

If Bagwell cannot perform in the field, the Astros are entirely justified in seeking the compensation via the insurance policy that they have been paying on for the last X years.

 

As I see it, no Bagwell = no Clemens.

 

I call BS on the Astros for this one - I understand you try to save $ wherever you can, but Bagwell restructured for the good of the team, and it is time for the Astros to pay that debt without forcing him the indignity of a forced retirement - they thrived off his competitve, prideful nature for years, they can not just expect him to become a different creature because they owe him money. Its like deferring payment on a phone bill, and then b****ing when they bulk payment comes due.

 

something i think you guys are missing: HE STILL GETS PAID!!! the Astros just get reimbursed for $15 million of it. but it's not as if this is a decision to pay Bagwell money he contracted for or not.

 

Bagwell gets a $15 million signing bonus -- payable $3 million a year from 2002 through 2006 -- and salaries of $8 million in 2002, $10 million in 2003, $13 million in 2004, $15 million in 2005 and $17 million in 2006. Houston holds an $18 million option for 2007 with a $7 million buyout.

Of his salaries, $2 million will be deferred in 2002, $3 million in 2003, $6 million in 2004, $8 million in 2005, $10 million in 2006 and, if the option is exercised, $12 million in 2007. The deferred money will accrue interest and be paid 2{ years after it is earned.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2000/1218/961349.html


All I know is he's taken one for the team a number of times, he's an icon of this team and city, and is a big factor behind the club's success over the past decade. So I think he deserves to try and and finish on his terms. But obviously if he can't, he should do what's right and call it quits.

 

ok..so bagwell, himself, is saying he can't make the throw across the infield.

where does that leave us?? are we obligated to play him even if he can't throw the ball across the infield????

 

He can't throw now... I don't think anybody is gonna know what he can or can't do, including himself, until spring training rolls around. And by that time, it'll be too late. Pretty big pickle. Hopefully this turns out ok for both sides. I don't wanna see another Dream incident.

 

It leaves the team at the end of the era with Jeff Bagwell plain and simple. He would be hurting the team in such a situation. I love Jeff, but he has to be able to throw in the infield to be able to get starting consideration again. And I don't see Bags putting himself above the team.

Personally, I think Justice is trying to stir the pot a little bit. The Astros had to hedge their bets, and Wilson was a smart acquisition. He can play a lot of center if Bagwell can go, but can also fill the offensive void they sorely missed if Bags is out again, like last year.

 

i see this as very different from Hakeem.

it's possible Bags can't play. literally can't do very routine things. not just diminished skills.

with dream, it was largely diminished skills. time had taken its toll...but he could still do the very fundamental things. he just wasn't the player he once was.

i think this is different.

 

I think that is what I was saying with respect to his current contract. In other words, the money he is playing for this year, was not money deferred from previous years. While he will apparently only receive $10,000,000 in 2006, he will receive the remaining $7,000,000 in 2008.

I don't consider that kind of contract as "taking one for the team". He was well paid and will get additional monies after he retires. Also, according to that blurb, he will get $3,000,000 from his signing bonus, $10,000,000 in 2006 non-deferred money and $6,000,000 from his 2004 deferred money this year. So it looks like his cash compensation during the 2006 season will be $19,000,000 .

 

where can i sign up to make that sacrifice?

 

Is it Bagwell's fault that the supposed drop dead date of Jan 31 is in the policy. Who signed off on such a stupid provision. Why not have had a date coinciding with the end of spring training? Did they save a few bucks on the premium by pushing the date up to Jan, 31?

Something seems a little queer about it to me. If anyone has any direct knowledge of the circumstance of the Jan, 31 date, it would be nice to know.

 

The insurance company did that to protect themselves against situations just like this and force players and clubs to make definitive decisions. It's all in the game my friend.

 

HAHA that's oh so true about this situation.