The Things I'll Never Understand

I've had numerous friends come up and bust me about the contract saga with Derek Jeter and the Yankees. I shoot them down by one by one assuring them Jeter will be back in a Yankees uniform, and not a Boston one. After all this is the face of the Yankees. He's what makes us Sox fans jealous. The thought of him leaving the Yanks is just simply un-American! The Yanks have offered Jeter a three year/$46M contract which will roughly pay out to $12M/yr. Not bad for a SS who can still play the game at an above average level when age 36 is considered the decline period. Jeter is looking for six years/$90M. GM Brian Cashman gave Jeter's agent a basic "Go pound sand." Is Jeter worth $90M? I don't think with his diminished power stroke and coming off a down season in production, but should get more money for three years? Yes. Why you ask? He's still an elite SS, which is hard to find this off-season. Do the Yanks have a comparable SS in the wings? Not in my eyes and most certainly not in any Yankees fans eyes. So pony up and offer more money, it's not going to break the bank. Derek bleeds pinstripes and will take a discount if the price is right. He's committed to winning and that's what the Yankees are supposed to be committed to doing. Jeter's batting average and OBP dropped significantly this season, but he's kept pace with the last two seasons in just about every other category. This is your leader, your Mr. Postseason, legend and HOFer. Trying to settle and deal for Jose Reyes doesn't make the team any better. Pony up Steinbrenners, or you'll regret it.

In terms of other large contracts, Adrian Beltre makes me throw up. He's a contract year type of player, nothing else. The year in Boston is no different. Why did he do so well? Contract year and the advantage hitters have in Fenway Park. Don't believe me? Look at his numbers, they consistently go down and then up as a new contract approaches and then right back down once a new contract is signed. The best part is the A's are willing to pay his price and I can guarantee his numbers won't be nearly as good. Someone should give him Jason Bay's number and ask him how things are going in NY. When Boston signed Beltre last season, I can say I was hardly enthused, but got excited when I saw the player give effort. Needless to say, I knew this would be his only season in Fenway because he'd go chasing the money as he nears 35. Good luck Adrian, you'll need it.

By now, everyone has seen that Victor Martinez has signed a hefty new deal with the Tigers. Crazy money for a guy who is a dynamite on offense, but middle of the road on defense. As a Sox fan, I was disappointed to see him go offensively, but knew we had to get better defensively. Problem is the catching market is very thin now. Martinez will make the Tigers a much better team in the long run, but I feel the Tigers overpaid by about $10M.

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More off-season cuts

Despite the short amount of time since the end of the World Series, the baseball world is still turning as team's are cutting down their rosters to make a run for the hot stove in December. Here's a few players who survived the first day of cuts, but weren'l so lucky:
Bill Hall, UT; Felipe Lopez, 2B - Red Sox
Kevin Gregg, RP; Miguel Olivo, C - Blue Jays (after he was traded from the Rockies)
Edgar Renteria, SS - Giants - considering retirement.
Scott Podsednik, OF - Dodgers
Jesus Feliciano, OF; Omir Santos, C - Mets
Casey Kotchman, 1B - Mariners
Jeff Francis, P - Rockies

The Red Sox have picked up David Ortiz's option, but Ortiz is less than excited about fearing job security. Also, sub-par reliever Scott Atchinson was retained. The Marlins have offered 2B Dan Uggla a four year contract with the financials undisclosed, but would receive $8M for 2011. Uggla is seeking five years.

Rumors: Juan Uribe and Aubrey Huff may be offered contracts soon from the champion Giants. The Giants aren't sure if they will keep Pat Burrell or Mark DeRosa.
The Yankees and Derek Jeter have begun discussing a new contract.
RP Hasanori Takahashi is looking for a three yr. deal
A few teams are already calling about Brandon Webb.
Lance Berkman "won't be an Astro again" according to GM Ed Wade.

Bring On The Offseason!

The season is over and congrats to the Giants on a well-deserved championship. Now we made it to the exciting part of the season( especially if your team has been sitting for awhile). Before the hot stove heats up, teams are making decisions on whose coming back already. Here's a list of players who aren't returning to their teams currently:
Adam Kennedy, 2B - Nats
Chris Young, P; Jon Garland, P; Yorvit Torrealba, C - Padres
Octavio Dotel, RP; Jeff Francis, P - Rockies
Willy Ayber, UT; Dan Wheeler, RP - Rays
Vladimir Guerrero - Rangers
Adrian Beltre, 3B - Red Sox
Orlando Cabrera, SS; Aaron Harang, P - Reds
Erik Bedard, P; Russell Branyan 1B, 2B Jose Lopez - Mariners
Eric Chavez, 3B; Boof Bonser, RP - A's
Rick Ankiel, OF; Kyle Farnsworth, RP - Braves
Jhonny Peralta, SS - Tigers
Adam LaRoche, 1B - D'Backs
Greg Zaun, C; Trevor Hoffman, RP; Doug Davis, P - Brewers
Mark Hendrickson, P - Orioles

Meanwhile, the Mets exercised Jose Reyes option, the Padres have exercised Adrian Gonzalez's option, The A's have exercised Coco Crisp and Mark Ellis's options, and finally the Reds pick up Bronson Arroyo and Jonny Gomes options. Aramis Ramirez exercised his player option with the Cubs.