Contracts from the past
by Grant Brisbee on Dec 12, 2006 10:56 AM PST
in News
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PrintThe five most ridiculous contracts of the ridiculous offseason:
- Gil Meche - 5 years/$55M
- Gary Matthews, Jr. - 5 years/$50M
- Juan Pierre - 5 years/$44M
- Carlos Lee - 6 years/$100M
- Miguel Batista - 3 years/$27ishM
Ted Lilly -- a league-average pitcher who has never gone above 200 innings, and was paid 4 years/$40M -- didn't even make the list. It was tough leaving Alfonso Soriano off, but he's actually, you know, good. If someone told you the contract Soriano would eventually receive at the beginning of 2006 -- remembering he hit .268/.309/.512 in 2005 -- what would you have guessed he was going to hit in 2006 to deserve that contract? .350/.420/.790 with 60 homers and 60 steals would have been my guess.
I didn't think that Batista's contract was too crazy, but then I realized he was 35. He's also a below-average pitcher. Here's $30M. Knock yourself out.
Gil Meche isn't being paid for results. He isn't being paid for durability. He's being paid $45M because he was throwing hard at the end of last season. Darren Dreifort kind of feels ripped off right now. It's easily the most insane contract in baseball history; that's even taking into account that Kansas City had to overpay to get anyone. Meche's best comparison: Brett Tomko without the health. Franchise player.
This is more amusing than anything, but only because the Giants are on the sidelines. You'd have to wonder what some Giants throughout history would have received in this market:
Mike Krukow
1987 stats: 245 IP, 3.05 ERA, 20-9, age 34
His agent would say: This guy's all guts and savvy. Savvy and guts. He's a 20-GAME WINNER, and he'll be able to teach the secrets of pitching to any young pitchers you come up with.
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like '87: 4 years/$48M
Kevin Mitchell
1989 stats: 543 AB, 47 HR, 125 RBI, .291/.388/.635, age 27
His agent would say: MVP. Seriously, do see any other MVPs on the market? Here, let me pull out my list of free agents, and...oh, you believe me that there aren't any other MVPs available?
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like '89: 8 years/$150M
Shawn Estes
2000 stats: 190 IP, 4.26 ERA, 15-6, age 27
His agent would say: Left-handed pitching doesn't grow on trees, my friend. Have you seen that curve? This kid is just about to harness his stuff. Plus, he is a proven winner.
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like '00: 5 years/$60M
Willie Mays
1962 stats: 596 AB, 49 HR, 141 RBI, .304/.384/.615
His agent would say: Hi, I represent Willie Mays.
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like '62 15 years/$350M, a ride to the ballpark everyday on a rickshaw of pure gold that's pulled by the Nobel Prize winner of Mays's choice; another 15 year/$400M option that automatically vests after Mays hits four doubles over the life of the contract; the secret of fire; all of the cool powers that come with being a vampire without any of the downside; autonomous control of the world's penicillin supply just in case; when coupons say something is "buy one, get one free" and the fine print says that the free item is the one of lesser or equal value, Mays would be able to take the more expensive item for free at any store in the world; additional womens and foodstuffs as requested.
Comment starter: Other Giants throughout history, obviously. Plus, any additional whining about the insane market would be welcome.
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Re: Title
1989 stats: 208 IP, 2.94 ERA, 17-8, age 40
His agent would say: My client is the real "professor." If you want someone stabilizing your young pitching staff, pay my client.
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like 1989: 1 year/$15M
by lunaticfringe1 on Dec 12, 2006 12:21 PM PST reply actions
Mr. Mays
by Kent @ McCovey Chronicles on Dec 12, 2006 12:31 PM PST reply actions
Re: Title
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Dec 12, 2006 12:33 PM PST reply actions
Re: Title
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by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Dec 12, 2006 1:15 PM PST up reply actions
One squabble, but only one.
Re: Title
1999 stats: 562 AB: .290/.359/.457 16 HR 27 SB, age 29
His agent would say: This kid plays with a lot of fire. He plays bigger than his size. He's got a good mix of pop and speed and shows good range in the outfield. Plus he's under 30.
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like 1999: 4 years/$48M with a mutual option for 2004 at 1 yr/13M.
Re: Title
by howtheyscored on Dec 12, 2006 12:38 PM PST up reply actions
Re: Title
I didn't even mention that the season before that he hit .322 (OVER .300)!!
in 286 AB (sample size shmample size)
Re: Title
by lunaticfridge on Dec 12, 2006 12:49 PM PST up reply actions
When a dollar meant something
Re: When a dollar meant something
Re: Title
2006 stats: 367 AB, 26 HR, 77 RBI, .270/.454/.545
His agent would say: Look at the guy's numbers. All 30 teams should be interested in this guy.
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like 2006: 1 year $16m??????
What are the Rules of Order here?
Re: Title
by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 12, 2006 1:47 PM PST up reply actions
Slight derail
Meche
Re: Meche
KC overpaid for a not-terribly-good pitcher. If you are going to go nuts, why not try to overpay someone better?
by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Dec 12, 2006 1:28 PM PST up reply actions
Re: Meche
Kris Benson was a bust at 22 cents. He wasted locker space in the club house, in the dugout, and in the rotation. And his skanky old lady was an embarrassment.
You can only justify super-size contracts if you sign a super star. Meche, Benson, Pierre, Matthews, Lily, et al are not super stars, were never super stars and will never be super stars. Dumb shits in media are in media because they are dumb shits. Idiots.
by E Ticket on Dec 12, 2006 1:37 PM PST up reply actions
E continues to set the standard for awesome
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Dec 12, 2006 1:41 PM PST up reply actions
Just a second...
by Mayor of 311 on Dec 12, 2006 3:24 PM PST up reply actions
Amaysing
Re: Amaysing
He made $100,000 in 1958, $80,000 in 1959, $125,000 in 1970, and $180,000 in 1971 and 1972.
Apparently, $100k in 1958 was about $656k in 2005.
Mays was born in the wrong decade.
by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Dec 12, 2006 1:34 PM PST up reply actions
Re: Amaysing
His peak salary was less than twice that - $175K or $180K, according to different sources - or in other words, barely over half of today's major league minimum.
this town thinks you're a bastard - Elvis Costello
Re: Amaysing
Re: Title
1919 Boston Red Sox
29 HR 114 RBIS 103 RS .322 BA .456 OBP .657 SLG 1.113 OPS
Plus He pitched 12 CG W 9 L 5 1 Saves ERA 2.97
Hey there Rupey baby. George here. Yeah thats right, the one and only. Here's my offer and I'm only going to say it one time. 51% ownerships of the Yanks and Miller Huggins keeps me supplied in Pabst Blue Ribbon for the duration. You got 15 minutes.
Yeah, I know its kind of steep, but Chalie Stoneham has offered me 51% of the Giants. I gotta tell yas, I prefers the Bronx to Coogan's Bluff so if yas match it, I'm all yours. Your down to 14 minutes now, I got a hot tomata waitin for me, and I can't stall her anymore. Look forward to talkin to you real soon Colonel. (click)
by E Ticket on Dec 12, 2006 1:28 PM PST reply actions
Re: Title
2000 Stats from Japan: 511 AB, .278/.321/.491, 28 HR, 23 2B, 85 RBI, 15 SB
His agent would say: This guy is unbelievable. Look at those numbers in the pitching strong Japanese league. He's got the speed to cover 4 square miles in the outfield, and his arm was blessed by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. He's only 28 years young, and will be a star in America. And if not, he can always go into modeling in Hollywood.
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like 2006: $48 million just for the rights to speak with him. Then after negotiations, 6 years, $68mil
Re: Title
1999 stats: 254 AB: .260/.406/.386 3 HR 26 RBI, age 32
His agent would say: Look, the guy wants to get into broadcasting after his career is over. I'm not saying he's a great or anything, but by signing him, you'll be postponing the day when he irritates thousands of radio and TV listeners with witless reminiscing about his playing days in Montreal.
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like 1999: 3 years/$12 million, with a $5 million bonus for agreeing to never pick up a microphone.
Re: Title
by E Ticket on Dec 12, 2006 1:38 PM PST up reply actions
I like this game
1998 stats: 329AB: .286/.351/.419 12 hrs, 62 rbi's, age 33
His agent would say: This is freakin' Charlie Hayes. You guys obviously love him as you keep bringing him back. He would constitute your "youth movement."
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like 1998: 5 years/$40M, with an out clause for Charlie after two years.
Tony Torcato
2004 stats: 9AB: .556/.583/.556 0 hrs, 2 rbi's, age 24
His agent would say: .556 batting average! can you imagine if this kid got a chance and played a full season? And moxie, well josh he's got that in spades!
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like 1998: 4 years/$16M, modest investment that would be labeled "low-risk."
John Burkett
1990 stats: 204 innings: 14-7 record, 3.79 ERA, 118 SO, 33 starts, age 25
His agent would say: A young innings-eater with a wonderful overbite? You would be foolish, nay retarded, to let this one slip away.
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like 1999: 6 years/$69M, with people saying he's A.J. Burnett without the injury.
Christy Mathewson
1905 stats: 338 innings: 31-9 record, 1.28 ERA, 206 SO, 32 CG, 8 Shutouts, 2 saves, age 24
His agent would say: You will soon bow to a new Lord.
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like 1905: 11 years/$400M, every first born male in the newly renamed San Christyisco Bay Area, a locket containing our hopes and dreams.
Re: I like this game
by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Dec 12, 2006 2:21 PM PST up reply actions
Re: I like this game
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Dec 12, 2006 2:26 PM PST up reply actions
The Great Ones Had Different Tastes
Both might have laughed, but neither would have been happy about it.
Re: The Great Ones Had Different Tastes
Re: Title
1. Bengie Molina - 3 years, $18M
This is for a lard-assed catcher with declining defensive skills that nobody else wanted and Sabean outbid himself on this one.
2. Eric Gagne - 1 year, $6M with performance clauses that could make it $11M
Excuse me, but that much money for a previously juiced-up pitcher whose body is breaking down on him and who hasn't pitched nu 15 innings in the last 2 years???
Re: Title
this town thinks you're a bastard - Elvis Costello
Re: Title
His agent would say: 2nd in Rookie of the Year in '86 (ahead of Barry-flippin'-Bonds!), All-Star in '88, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in '93- this guy is consistent, and in his prime. .871 OPS, from a second baseman? Are you friggin' kidding me?
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like '93: 3 years/$26M, + incentives
Robby Thompson, BTW
Re: Title
Great concept Grant, I agree! Where do you think of these?!?
by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Dec 12, 2006 2:49 PM PST reply actions
Ted Williams
His agent would say: "I am the second wealthiest man in the world"
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like '41: Well, everything.
JT Snow
His agent would say: This guy is the complete player. He's a 5 tool guy. Except for speed. And his arm is nothing to write home about. He's a 3 tool guy. He plays gold-glove caliber defense... in fact, he's probably the best defensive 1B of all time. He's a spry 29. He hits for power and average and he knows how to take a walk. He's smart and a great clubhouse presence.
Contract in this market if he entered free agency after a season like '97: 6 years/$72M and his picture painted on first base.
Re: JT Snow
Another great thing about Snow: nobody, and I mean nobody, charged a catcher on a play at the plate quite like ol' J. T. Now that was fun to watch.
by howtheyscored on Dec 12, 2006 6:16 PM PST up reply actions
Re:Hal Lanier
Mel Ott
In all seriousness, I think a guy like that would get about 10/$250M to 12/$325M today. He was kinda small and batted funny, so he wouldn't get more, though how could you go wrong with a guy called Master Melvin!
by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 12, 2006 6:19 PM PST reply actions
Re: Title
BTW, can someone tell me why Saito of LA and Kline of SF both only got around 1 mil a year?
by theclap on Dec 12, 2006 10:38 PM PST reply actions
Re: Title
Saito wasn't a free agent... he has less service time than Matt Cain. He will make twice as much as any other player with his service time this year, presumably because he had a little leverage because he could have returned to Japan.
Kline isn't a kid and is coming off of a couple of unspectacular years, but I think we got a decent deal with him.
Re: Title
this town thinks you're a bastard - Elvis Costello
by EliminateMe on Dec 13, 2006 11:13 AM PST up reply actions
Re: Title
Could someone explain this? Players from Japan without MLB service time come over for huge salaries all the time. Boston just gave $100 million for a guy without an inning of MLB service time. Why doesn't Saito, a Japanese veteran who was spectacular last year, get this kind of money?
by theclap on Dec 13, 2006 10:00 PM PST up reply actions
Re: Title
Re: Title
by Grant Brisbee on Dec 13, 2006 6:33 PM PST up reply actions
Re: Title
Baseball players get what they can get from a group of owners that are making cash hand over fist. I wish I got that kind of money, but I sure can't fault the guys who have the opportunity to get it while the getting is good. Other than agreeing that the prices at the ballpark for tickets and food are crazy, I really don't care what they pay the players. Given the choice I'd rather the money went to the athletes than the owners.
Re: Title
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this town thinks you're a bastard - Elvis Costello
by EliminateMe on Dec 13, 2006 11:14 AM PST up reply actions
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