Vesting options are always fun for hot stove junkies to follow during the season. Last year we had Kevin Millwood's $12 Million Out and the Tigers allowing Magglio Ordonez's pricey option to vest. 2011 vesting options to watch this year:
- Brian Fuentes, Angels: $9MM option vests with 55 games finished. Fuentes has finished 55+ three times in his career, last year included. Fernando Rodney will be lurking.
- Billy Wagner, Braves: $6.5MM option vests with 50 games finished.
- Trever Miller, Cardinals: $2MM option vests with 45 games, but reverts to a club option with a left arm or shoulder injury.
- Matt Cain, Giants: $6.25MM option vests with 182.3 innings or 27 starts. The Giants will exercise this even if it doesn't vest, as the alternative will be going to arbitration with Cain and potentially paying him more.
- Kerry Wood, Indians: $11MM option vests with 55 games finished. A trade into a non-closing job could affect Wood's bank account. That's three closers whose GF totals we'll be monitoring.
- Alex Cora, Mets: $2MM option vests with 80 starts.
- Darren Oliver, Rangers: $3.25MM option vests with 59 appearances.
- Ramon Hernandez, Reds: $3.25MM option vests with 120 games played.
- Magglio Ordonez, Tigers: $15MM option vests with 135 starts or 540 plate appearances.
- Note that a game finished is given to the last non-starting pitcher of record. Also, thanks to Cot's Baseball Contracts for the info.
Interesting…and thanks for the clarification about what games finished means. I’d have to think that there might be some motivation to keep guys from achieving certain marks this year, especially given the teams and players involved.
No way the Tigers let Magglios option vest. They pretty much had to last season, he was getting platooned to make sure his option wasn’t going to vest, and right as it looked like he wasn’t going to get enough PA’s he “conveniently” started batting 400+ down the stretch, no way Leyland could bench the hottest hitter in the middle of a pennant race. With all the hype about the payroll flexibility next year, I’m almost certain he won’t be given enough PA’s
the signing of Damon SHOULD be used to try to dispel Magglio from getting those 135 starts. However, if he starts off hot, and hitting over 300 with a home-run per week and a few doubles, I will be fine with that option vesting. However, if turns into Singlio Ordonez again next season and hits .270 and only singles with no RISP, I say kick him to the curb.
the signing of Damon SHOULD be used to try to dispel Magglio from getting those 135 starts. However, if he starts off hot, and hitting over 300 with a home-run per week and a few doubles, I will be fine with that option vesting. However, if turns into Singlio Ordonez again next season and hits .270 and only singles with no RISP, I say kick him to the curb.
Yeah the Giants would have to be fools to not let Cains option vest or pick up that option. Going into arbitration with Cain may not be as bad as going into arbitration with Lincecum was but i’m sure Cain would make 8-10 million if he went to court for his salary. 6.25 is a steal for Matt Cain at this point. Although it wouldn’t be the first “Oh my god” mistake the Giants have made. They are paying Barry Zito 126 mil to essentially work on his stuff in San Fran he made 18.5 Mil last year (boy what a good use of almost 20 million dollars huh?). So I guess the Giants just have money to throw around. However with the 2-5 Million they will save on Cain this year how about offering me a nice 2-year 10 million dollar contract, im sure I wont be AS big a bust as Zito has been so far….just a thought….
HaHa, I like your idea, let me be your agent for 7%, sound good?
Its San Francisco why not go 10%!
Whether win, lose, or save, as long as he is the last pitcher in the game, it counts as a game finished
Whether win, lose, or save, as long as he is the last pitcher in the game, it counts as a game finished