Another One Bites the Dust

by David S. Cohen on Nov 24, 2006 6:33 PM EST in News Comment 24 comments

Earlier today, the Astros signed Carlos Lee to a six year $100 million contract. Unless he's blowing smoke up the media's collective rear ends, Pat Gillick is proving that he's not so good at getting what he reportedly wants this off-season.

Maybe next he'll concentrate on the Phils' actual need - starting pitching?

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conundrum

I wouldn't have wanted the Phils to pay that deal for Lee, or what the Cubs gave Soriano.

But all this just puts a dozen more exclamation points and underlines on just how bad the Abreu trade was--and no, I'm not going to "get over it" until the team is fixed.

I have no clue what their next move is. But I don't expect to like it. Signing a David Weathers at this point will feel a lot like the team giving us the finger.

by dajafi on Nov 24, 2006 7:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good way to look at it

I really think Gillick is doing the right thing not getting involved in this horrible FA mess. These contracts are ridiculous. Bully to Pat!

The problem is (as I pointed out in re: SP months ago) he should've seen this coming. There was no reason to deal Abreu to open up payroll space when there would be nothing (other than Moyer & Conine) to use payroll space on.

by DanT on Nov 26, 2006 4:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That'll be comforting to know

That we haven't given anyone too much money when we we finish 12 games out of the division and miss the wildcard again next year...

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by JasonB on Nov 26, 2006 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Long term

It'll be nice to not have gigantic contracts still on the books when these guys are done.

by DanT on Nov 26, 2006 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Long term eh?

It won't be nice to have ZERO playoff appearances in the record books in a few years.

I'm not saying that the Phils needed to give Soriano $160 million... I'm just saying that they are swimming in cash and have not done a thing to improve this team.

If anything the team may very well take a step backwards next year. No Abreu or suitable replacement over the course of an entire year and this team is worse than next year.

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by JasonB on Nov 26, 2006 8:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"get over it"

But all this just puts a dozen more exclamation points and underlines on just how bad the Abreu trade was--and no, I'm not going to "get over it" until the team is fixed.

Thank you for this. That trade is Exhibit #1 in the case of Phillies Phans v. Teflon and Assoc. The trade looks worse and worse every day... And I also refuse to get over it.

But... Bobby looked funny playing the outfield!

by WholeCamels on Nov 27, 2006 11:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

After this signing...

Pat HAS to be banging his head on his desk repeating, "I am a retard, I am a retard."

What amazes me is that teams still were hesitent to talk about Abreu and his contract and even Burrell and his contract. Man, they are paying such big bucks for good but over valued players. This is ridiculous.

by jonk on Nov 24, 2006 9:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Contracts Being Handed Out Are Ridiculous.

I hear that Zito may be asking for 5 years at 80 to 85 million.

Thursday was my 51st birthday and man do I feel old. I am old. I hope the Phillies win another WS before they put me 6 ft. under.

I hope everybody enjoyed their Thanksgiving and thank you all for celebrating my birthday.

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by gategem on Nov 24, 2006 11:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I would imagine

This almost guarantees that Burrell isn't going anywhere.

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by JasonB on Nov 25, 2006 11:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps the plan all along

was to use this $$ for pitching? So -gasp- Gillick actually knows what he is doing??

by das411 on Nov 26, 2006 12:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

And when all the pitching is gone

Then what will the $$$ be saved for?

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by JasonB on Nov 26, 2006 1:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I know there was some talk about Estrada

as a possible trade target. He's been dealt to the Brewers for Doug Davis... I actually think it's a good deal for the Diamondbacks.

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by JasonB on Nov 26, 2006 2:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yet another one

Seems like Randy Wolf can be added to the list as reports say he will sign with LA in a one year deal with an option for '08.

by jerseygrown on Nov 27, 2006 12:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

At least...

We didn't have to pay Wolf any money. If he was willing to play for free... maybe. For money though? No way! This free agent market is crazy!

/sarcasm off.

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by JasonB on Nov 27, 2006 11:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Completely rational

Actually, the market is completely rational right now. There's a ton of money in the game, so the owners are spending it. It was very predictable too, especially after the labor negotiations ended well.

Now, I'm not saying that in any absolute theoretical or societal value sense these guys are worth that much money. But, we're not talking about their societal value; we're talking about their value to a small group of businessmen who have billions of money to spend. In that light, these contracts are reasonable.

by David S. Cohen on Nov 27, 2006 12:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Adjustment

But unfortunately, management seems to be in 2004 still vis-a-vis the buying power of a $95MM budget.

by WholeCamels on Nov 27, 2006 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

CBA or something else?

I know people are attributing the massive contracts this offseason to the new CBA and the strength of the game in general, but that could be missing two important factors. First, for whatever reason, the supply of solid free agents is very low. Second, the teams that have spent the most so far this offseason haven't significantly raised payroll (except for the Cubs and Boston's Matsuzaka bid, but those are exceptions). The Angels and Astros had big contracts come off the books, freeing up money for Matthews and Lee. The Cubs' payroll should be huge: they have a national following, national TV deal, and a crazy-loyal fan base. Plus, Hendry is obviously trying to save his job by winning now, and when you consider Wood's contract last year, Soriano, by himself, only increases the Cubs' payroll by about 8 million.

I think we'll have to wait to see the opening day payroll figures to really evaluate what's happened this offseason.

by enterpsmith on Nov 27, 2006 2:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I think we've made this point several times. There's more money in the game now than ever before. People are looking at the numbers in these deals from the wrong perspective. 5 years ago they would have been insane. Right now, with the new CBA and new TV deal the numbers aren't so nuts.

The most frustrating thing with the Phils is they got all the same extra money that every team got AND they got a brand new stadium from the city to boot!

I actually read that the Pirates may trade for and sign Adam Dunn. Not that I want Dunn, but even the Pirates are out there spending money!

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by JasonB on Nov 27, 2006 1:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Shocked

I'd be shocked if that Dunn were to happen!

by David S. Cohen on Nov 27, 2006 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

so confusing

as much as i want to applaud gillick for not giving in and offering such ridiculous deals to undeserving (or old) players, the fact remains that he has to do something. with wolf now signing, another of our supposed targets is off the board. i'm kind of worried that no matter where we turn now, it'll be a mistake. scramble to enter into the zito/schmidt sweepstakes and overpay them, or sit on your hands and sign borowski/weathers/batista? i honestly think, even without making a move, this team should make the playoffs, but gillick is taking a serious risk if he feels the same way. i'm some shmuck on the street, not the GM of a professional team. let's hope he's got an ace up his sleeve (can we dream about vernon wells, or is that too absurd?)

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by king myno on Nov 27, 2006 12:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wells

Yeah, he's the man. But I don't see how the Phils can possibly put together an attractive package for him that doesn't include Burrell (and I'm not sure that even including Burrell, plus say Gonzalez and another prospect, would get it done), and I don't think Pat would waive his NTC to go play in Toronto.

by dajafi on Nov 28, 2006 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Trading

is the only way he's going to go, and thank god for that. Contracts are much cheaper, and players don't have to consent to coming here, the main reason Wolf didn't sign was because he wanted to sign in L.A. Maybe we could pick up V. Wells, or another power hitting corner outfielder.

by fredex1 on Nov 27, 2006 3:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

There's not too much out there

Unfortunately the best power hitting outfielder on the trade market is Pat Burrell...

That said, reports are that Jacque Jones is available from the Cubs. Do you want him?

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by JasonB on Nov 27, 2006 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather they just resign Dellucci, if possible.

They scored 865 runs last year. The offense is fine. They only need to replace the average production of 3b and RF. Luckily, Nunez was so bad, that line is only .347/.402 OBP/SLG.

by enterpsmith on Nov 27, 2006 4:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs