Somebody?
Amalie Benjamin at the Boston Globe is reporting that the Red Sox offered arbitration to both Jason Varitek (Type A) and Paul Byrd (Type B) but no other arbitration eligible players
Benjamin believes neither player will accept.
I'm not so certain. I know baseball is somewhat insulated from an economic downturn, what with the long term TV deals, but I have to imagine ownership of most teams has asked management to consider short term deals instead of longer-term deals. With that in mind, if Bryd doesn't find a 2-3 year deal, he might just say "yes" to Boston and take a $7.5mm or so 1-year deal and try again next year.
I cannot see Byrd getting anything more than a 2-year deal for $8-9mm total next year, so he just might bite. Keep in mind he is coming off a 3 year deal (originally a 2-year deal but with a 3rd year option that was exercised) that paid him approx $7mm a season.
As for Varitek, he will not accept arbitration unless he tells his agent Scott Boras to do so. Boras has, as we all know by now, told people he wants a 3 or 4-year deal in the Jorge Posada tax bracket. Varitek's market will really need to fall apart for him to accept arbitration.
To be frank, I think the Red Sox would love it if he said "yes."
Comments
I think Byrd will bite, less pressure in Boston for him as #5 or #6 starter and the money for one year would be good enough. Risky move unless you want to have him as insurance...
Hijack alert (sorry), did you see the posting of who is on the ballot for the HOF?
The 23 players on this year's Hall of Fame ballot, some of these guys have no business being on a ballot (NB=no business IMO):
• Harold Baines -
• Jay Bell - NB, hof? kidding me, right?
• Bert Blyleven
• David Cone
• Andre Dawson
• Ron Gant - NB, wow, give me a break
• Mark Grace
• Rickey Henderson
• Tommy John - Dr. Andrews has a better shot and deserves a chance in the hall
• Don Mattingly
• Mark McGwire
• Jack Morris
• Dale Murphy
• Jesse Orosco - NB
• Dave Parker
• Dan Plesac - NB, who makes this list?
• Tim Raines
• Jim Rice
• Lee Smith
• Alan Trammell
• Greg Vaughn - seriously/ NB
• Mo Vaughn - again, NB
• Matt Williams
I guess it is time for someone to wake up the guys who make this list. Many of these "sluggers" benefitted from the juiced (players and balls) era and the smaller stadiums and the watered down pitching eras.
Wish I had the energy to revive my blog, this started to get my blood boiling some...thoughts?
Posted by: blmeanie | December 2, 2008 07:53 AM |
BL,
I mostly agree with your assessment. I thought your take on Tommy John was a bit harsh, though. The man had 3 20-win seasons, won 288 games, had a career ERA of 3.34, was a 3-time All Star and finished second in the Cy Young voting twice. That's not too shabby (thank you, Baseball-Reference.com!) Oh well, at least you didn't tag him with the dreaded "NB".
Posted by: Greg | December 2, 2008 10:06 PM |
BL
Personally I am sick of the BBWAA and all of their BS. From the awards they give out to the HOF process, they do a miserable job and put their personalities ahead of their job.
Now, other than Rickey Henderson, who gets in this year?
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 2, 2008 10:40 PM
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I believe anyone with 10 years service time is put on the list. Brosius(sp?) was last year, I believe. As for Tek, it might be wise for him to accept arby. Play for one year at roughly 10 million and try to have a better year than a 73 OPS+. Hit the market next year looking for a two year deal to close out his career.
Posted by: Tom | December 2, 2008 11:39 PM |
I think Andre Dawson, Jim Rice and Lee Smith besides Ricky.
perhaps cut and paste the HOF comments into its own post so others see it, sorry about the hijack
Posted by: blmeanie | December 3, 2008 08:13 AM |