Personally, I think Carlos wants to be in Houston, and when it's all said and done, he will be in Houston. The problem Scott is having is that he's only got one bidder. And when your job is to make your client the most money possible and you've only got one proposal on the table, you tend to be up the creek without a paddle.
It will be interesting to say the least, and we'll have to see how this plays out, as nothing is guaranteed. I know some in the organization are still on the fence as to where he'll end up. I'm not overly confident by any means, but again, when it's all said and done I think he well remain in Houston.
The Yankees getting RJ is certainly awesome news. Looks like Beltran now can be had for a fairly decent price, which didn't seem likely after his big blowup in the playoffs. I was a bit afraid before that the Astros could end up bidding against themselves into a detrimental contract.
Check this out It goes along with what my buddy's brother was telling him regarding the Yanks "settling" for Tino and possibly not going after Beltran
was the theory that Beltran would play CF and Bernie would DH? So if they sign Martinez, Giambi is the DH then? Unless Martinez is just a bench guy.
The initial theory...way back when...was that Bernie would DH...correct. Now, they sign Tino to play 1st, leave Bernie in CF and let Giambi DH.
By the way...Carlos can't wear #15 in Yankee Stadium....its Thurman Munson's old #. Okay...I'm grasping for straws but who cares
Carlos Beltran will be an Astro before the end of the year.... Yes, What a way to enter 2005.... no links, just one of those can't tell connections.
I will drink an entire bottle of champagne tonight if that is the case. Not just cause I will be happy, but because I will be happy all this speculation will be OVER!
You got $119M? Boras is saying team that inks free-agent centerfielder will have to bid at least that much, according to sources BY JON HEYMAN STAFF WRITER Five-tool free agent Carlos Beltran has a magic number, and it's $119 million. And that's just for starters. According to baseball sources, agent Scott Boras is saying he will advise interested teams to start their bidding at $119 million if they intend to be serious players for the free-agent centerfielder. Teams have discussed possible salary parameters with Boras, but it's believed neither the Yankees nor the Mets - two of about six Beltran pursuers - will submit an official offer until early next week. Baseball people expect Beltran to sign a few days later, by Jan. 8, the last day he's allowed by rules to return to the Astros. One Yankees official, asked about the $119-million figure for Beltran, who hit .267 with 38 home runs, 104 RBIs and 42 stolen bases, characterized it as "very steep." The Yankees will try to limit Beltran's 2005 salary, considering their expanding payroll, but figure to have money saved for 2006, when the contracts of Bernie Williams and Kevin Brown will come off the books. When the $119-million figure was mentioned to a Mets executive, he responded, "That's a big number and a lot of years. I haven't heard those numbers." The Mets will be buoyed significantly by the launching of their new TV channel in 2006. Its ad rates will be based on their 2005 performance, but they are disinclined to enter a bidding war with the Yankees. The Mets' first priority in their meeting with Beltran, set for Monday or Tuesday, will be to gauge his interest. "We have to make sure he's committed to wanting to come," the Mets exec said. "We're not just going to throw numbers out there." The Mets are more focused than ever on Beltran, though, as they're growing discouraged by the fact that there has been no movement in their negotiations with free-agent first baseman Carlos Delgado for weeks. The Mets opened by offering about $30 million for three years. Delgado looks like a potential consolation prize for either the Mets or Orioles, though the Red Sox might jump in if they can clear space for him. The Tigers, Cubs and Orioles also are expressing strong interest in Beltran. The Cubs have suggested that they'd have to unload Sammy Sosa before pursuing Beltran, but they've been looking into both Beltran and Magglio Ordoñez. Houston, an aggressive pursuer all offseason, no longer is seen as a longshot in the derby for Beltran. A confidant of Roger Clemens said the National League Cy Young Award winner is telling friends he almost certainly will return to pitch if Beltran re-signs, which might explain in part why Astros owner Drayton McLane is chasing Beltran so hard. Beltran has told people he was treated extremely well by McLane and other Astros people in his half-season there. However, many baseball people say the most important issue for Beltran is to believe a solid nucleus is in place for sustained winning, and it isn't certain how convincing McLane was at their meeting last week, given the impending free agency of Lance Berkman and advancing ages of Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio and Clemens. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman publicly has spoken noncommittally about the club's interest in Beltran, but that is seen as an attempt at coyness. George Steinbrenner has been focused on Randy Johnson in recent days, but the Yankees seem unwavering in their interest in Beltran. The Yankees' Tampa contingent was anxious to replace Williams in centerfield even last year, which explains the signing of Kenny Lofton (now on the Phillies). The Mets' interest is strong, but their chances depend on GM Omar Minaya's ability to sell the Wilpons on going where they haven't gone before - not to mention selling Beltran on a team that still might be a year or two away. The Mets will emphasize Beltran's chance to become the face of a franchise rather than just a face in the crowd in the Bronx. The $119-million figure was not pulled out of thin air but reflects a $17-million salary for seven years. Boras is trying to make the case that baseball, which is undergoing a "golden age," according to its leaders, should be back to the high-flying 2000 marketplace. Beltran's new starting price also reflects heightened interest among deep-pocketed teams. The looming possibility of a New York-New York bidding war could drive the price still higher. Various reports have said the Astros have offered figures ranging from $70 million to $96 million. It isn't certain whether those are early or wrong, or whether Beltran might consider giving the Astros a "hometown" discount that reflects Texas' lack of state income taxes. In any case, none of those reported offers has been accepted. Several teams broached five-year, $75-million deals early, but the market moved skyward with certain high-profile signings. Another Boras client, Adrian Beltre, who's had one superb season in six, signed for $64 million over five years, giving him a higher annual salary than was received a year earlier by Miguel Tejada, a much more accomplished hitter. Tejada signed a six-year, $72-million deal, one that could seem like a bargain by Jan. 8.
Getting Beltran and Clemens back to go with a healthy Pettitte would give the Astros another shot at the WS. Losing Kent and Berkman's injury will hurt some, but losing Micelli and gaining Pettitte will help some. Now if we can get another OF or C with some pop in his bat, that would be all need to start another season.
Beltran is as good as gone. I don't see him in H-town next year Boras is waiting for the yanks's offer and it will be more.
I'll believe it when I see it. They've got about 15 hours to get a deal done. I think he'll end up here, but not today.
So basically, according to the article, Beltran has lost $81 mil in value since the beginning of the offseason? I believe Boras was floating around the 10/200 number back then. Why do newspapers keep reporting this junk. It's not like any fairly knowledgable baseball fan really believes the crap he spews.
