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By Tim Dierkes [February 15, 2008 at 11:27am CST]
The biggest move of this year's Hot Stove League was clearly the trade of Johan Santana. The subsequent contract given to Santana by the Mets set a new benchmark for
pitchers and could have a lasting trickle-down effect on other pitchers in
baseball. The players most likely to cash in on the Santana deal are other young
lefties with strong track records. The first fallout appears to be in Cleveland,
with the recent news that C.C. Sabathia has broken off contract talks.
With pitchers and catchers conducting their first workouts in many camps today,
let's take a look at how Santana's deal is affecting other pitchers in the
blogosphere.
- Let's Go Tribe feels that Sabathia could command $150MM on the
open market and breaking off contract talks means Sabathia will not be a member
of the Indians in 2009.
- Indians Confidential agrees that Sabathia is "as good as
gone."
- Tribe Report does not think the Indians should give Sabathia a
seven-year deal as it is a stretch to think he will be worth $20MM at age 35.
- MLB Fleece Factor calls it "The Santana Effect" and believes
that Santana's new deal means that A.J. Burnett will likely opt
out of his contract in Toronto following the 2008 season. In addition, they
believe that there is a possibility that the Jays will look to trade Roy
Halladay prior to his 2010 free agency.
- Rays Index believes there is a good chance the Rays will look
to trade Scott Kazmir following the 2008 season. They feel that
Santana's deal will make it nearly impossible for the Rays to sign Kazmir to an
extension prior to his 2010 free agency. In addition, the recent bounty obtained
by the Orioles for Erik Bedard and the pipeline of top pitching
prospects in the Rays' system, suggest that it is in the best interest of the
franchise to move their young ace.
by Cork Gaines
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