Beltre signing provides Bavasi credibility
Now that it appears only a physical is keeping Beltre from donning an M's uniform, it is time to give Bavasi credit. He found the right guy, and the numbers actually seem too good to be true. While most of us gasped at the Sexson numbers, just the opposite happened with Beltre.
It's hard to believe other GM's let this guy get through. If I'm Arizona I'm thinking "I signed Glaus when I could have gotten Beltre for almost the same money?!!"
Here is what appears happened. Boras as we know is a shrewd negotiator, who knew what he was looking for regarding a contract. When he saw 7 years was simply not happening, he realized 5 was actually not bad for a 25 year old. This way his client is in line for a new contract while still in his prime.
Put it this way- if Beltre performs like we hope he will, the M's might well be wishing they had him locked up 5 years from now. Who knows what a 3rd basemen who plays good defense, hits for power and average will be getting in 2009?
So 5 years works pretty well. If Beltre turns into Brady Anderson, the M's will be able to get out of his contract in a reasonable amount of time. If he gets better and is really entering his prime, Boras gets to re-negotiate a new contract for a 30 year old.
Boras realizes this of course, and sent his client to Seattle because he makes more money each year AND gets to be a free agent in 5 years by leaving LA. Typical Boras move- it's all about the money.
Now the big question becomes "what's next?" We know we need starting pitching, and we know the budget is going to be near capacity.
Don't believe any stories that the M's are done. While they certainly won't be going after Delgado, they are not going to sit back and ignore the pitching. Look for several trades to happen between now and February to beef up this pitching staff, and provide even more reason for optimism for '05.
I've been skeptical of Bavasi, but willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He now appears to have earned that benefit, and has shown he is capable of making big deals, while ignoring the really bad ones. I feel good knowing he is not done, and several more deals are yet to come. I'm pretty sure I'm going to like what I see over the next few months.
Who's excited for M's baseball now?!!!
Now that it appears only a physical is keeping Beltre from donning an M's uniform, it is time to give Bavasi credit. He found the right guy, and the numbers actually seem too good to be true. While most of us gasped at the Sexson numbers, just the opposite happened with Beltre.
It's hard to believe other GM's let this guy get through. If I'm Arizona I'm thinking "I signed Glaus when I could have gotten Beltre for almost the same money?!!"
Here is what appears happened. Boras as we know is a shrewd negotiator, who knew what he was looking for regarding a contract. When he saw 7 years was simply not happening, he realized 5 was actually not bad for a 25 year old. This way his client is in line for a new contract while still in his prime.
Put it this way- if Beltre performs like we hope he will, the M's might well be wishing they had him locked up 5 years from now. Who knows what a 3rd basemen who plays good defense, hits for power and average will be getting in 2009?
So 5 years works pretty well. If Beltre turns into Brady Anderson, the M's will be able to get out of his contract in a reasonable amount of time. If he gets better and is really entering his prime, Boras gets to re-negotiate a new contract for a 30 year old.
Boras realizes this of course, and sent his client to Seattle because he makes more money each year AND gets to be a free agent in 5 years by leaving LA. Typical Boras move- it's all about the money.
Now the big question becomes "what's next?" We know we need starting pitching, and we know the budget is going to be near capacity.
Don't believe any stories that the M's are done. While they certainly won't be going after Delgado, they are not going to sit back and ignore the pitching. Look for several trades to happen between now and February to beef up this pitching staff, and provide even more reason for optimism for '05.
I've been skeptical of Bavasi, but willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He now appears to have earned that benefit, and has shown he is capable of making big deals, while ignoring the really bad ones. I feel good knowing he is not done, and several more deals are yet to come. I'm pretty sure I'm going to like what I see over the next few months.
Who's excited for M's baseball now?!!!
posted by Tom at
4:55 PM
