2010 Options

Are the Rays really likely to spend 10 million on one player? I mean I know they are willing to spend more than they have been before, but still, they are a really small market, and 10 million to one player seems like it will be a good percentage of their payroll

Um........Tim Hudson WILL have his option picked up! Bank on it!

Mora's won't be exercised.

Why wouldn't the Braves excerise the option for Tim Hudson at just 12MM? Plenty of pitchers have come back from TJ. They were about to spend a boatload for AJ Burnett who's a bigger flake and injury risk.

I'd have to say Betancourt will bounce back this year and have that option picked up and Huddy will too. Doubt Ramon Hernandez has his picked up at 8.5M. I think Feliz would be a pretty good deal at that price, but who knows.

Tim, I'm seeing Mora's option at 8M with a 1M buyout.

http://www.hotfootblog.com/category/melvin-mora/

(not sure how reputable that website is)

Wait. So Adam Eaton's option is mutual. So, even if the Phillies declined his option, Eaton could exercise it and be in line for the 9MM from the Phillies?

Missed One

Noah Lowry of the San Francisco Giants has a $6.5M 2010 option that is unlikely to be picked up.

"Wait. So Adam Eaton's option is mutual. So, even if the Phillies declined his option, Eaton could exercise it and be in line for the 9MM from the Phillies?"

The opposite, rather they would both have to agree to pick up the option for it to vest.

I'd throw Wake in the 'likely' category.

I don't see Victor Martinez's option picked up at 7 million in 2010 unless Shoppach is traded. The Indians have less expensive 1B, DH and C options in Garko, LaPorta and Shoppach. Not to mention that Hafner is signed through 2013 and needs a place to play. All that is combined with catching prospects Wyatt Toregas, Carlos Santana and Chris Giminez.

Hudson isn't expected back until the last month of the season isn't he? It's hard for me to believe he'll pitch so well during that one month that he'll be able to get a $12mil/year offer for 2010 from somebody else if he declines his option. Conversely, if he shows he's healthy, the Braves will certainly want him back at $12 mil for 2010.

"I don't see Victor Martinez's option picked up at 7 million in 2010 unless Shoppach is traded. The Indians have less expensive 1B, DH and C options in Garko, LaPorta and Shoppach. Not to mention that Hafner is signed through 2013 and needs a place to play. All that is combined with catching prospects Wyatt Toregas, Carlos Santana and Chris Giminez."

Then they'd pick up his option and then trade him. They'll be able to net decent return for a catcher.

Put Putz in the "Likely" column

The Mets will exercise unless J.J.'s health is goes ker-Putz

Mora is a coin flip. He's a good clubhouse guy, loyal to the O's, and lives in the area. However, if they don't have a slot for him (e.g., if they pick up Dunn on a multiyear deal and keep Huff around), he might be a decline, simply to allow him the option to play somewhere.

My suspicion is that he retires before the 2010 season, after the O's tell him he won't play more than a bit part. I wouldn't be totally shocked if they reupped him (or declined and re-signed him), either, though.

Ker-Putz ...good stuff

I think Carl Crawford would be a great sign and trade as well, especially if the Rays feel he's too expensive to afford. They could get nore if they trade him sooner than later.

I'd put Dye on the "To be determined", $12MM isn't bad if he continues what he's been doing, especially with Thome gone after 2009

Put Vizcaino in the unlikely column. Unless he has a big turnaround year, the Rockies will drop him faster than Matt Holliday. He's been too injured and ineffective with the Rockies this year, and most likely next year to be paid 4 million.

The Cards have too much depth in the farm at reliever to spend almost 3 mil on franklin. Its as good as a contract year for him. He'll follow Duncan and Tony right out the door...

I really can't see the Braves NOT picking up Hudson's option, Tim.. any reason you think they won't??

I'd love to see Carl Crawford in an Angels uni but the Rays will sign him to an extension. He'll retire as a Devil Rays/Rays and he'll be their TRUE only retired jersey. Cuz Boggs getting his jersey retired by Tampa was bs.

Write it down: Wakefield will be on the Red Sox 2009 roster.

Matt Thornton is a definite, even if he struggles this year, he's been fantastic the last 2 years.

I'd also put Dye in the likely to maybe section. If he comes close to last seasons numbers, it's a lock. Plus as someone said, Thome is gone after this year, I think Dye would then slide into the DH spot.

If the Rays are in the market to sign a power bat such as Burrell or Dunn @ 12 million a year, don't you think they are going to pick up Crawford's option at 10MM next season...

Not only that, with their expanding payroll, I wouldn't be suprised to see them extended him passed that to a multiyear deal... They have a growing fan base and teams such as the Royals and Nationals should take note... This is how you compete with big markets such as the Yankees and Red Sox...