As Spring Training winds down and Opening Day draws near, let's dig up some of the more interesting stories on MLBTR from April of 2007, 2008, and 2009 to see what kind of news we can expect in the coming weeks..
- On April 11th, 2007, the Twins made a low-ball offer to Johan Santana. Minnesota offered their superstar pitcher a two-year extension for $36MM, plus a club option for 2011. Tim summed it up perfectly when he wrote, "I know you have to start somewhere with negotiations, but the Twins could essentially double their offer and it would still be well below market value." Santana later denied that the Twins made such an offer.
- We saw a handful of extensions agreed upon in the coming days, including a three-year, $33MM extension for Jake Westbrook and a two-year, $7MM contract for Ryan Freel.
- The Braves gave John Smoltz a contract extension towards the end of that month. The deal gave him $14MM in 2008 with vesting options for '09 and '10 for a similar rate. Smoltz pitched 28 innings in 2008, terminating his deal at season's end.
- Now we fast forward to April of 2008, where Evan Longoria signed a long-term deal with the Rays early in his rookie season. Though Longoria signed with very little Major League experience, this has become the game's most team-friendly contract.
- Scott Hatteberg said that he would welcome a trade after being slotted as the understudy to Joey Votto.
- Kenji Johjima inked a three-year, $24MM extension with the M's, only to bolt for the Hanshin Tigers in the fall of 2009.
- Toronto was fed up with Frank Thomas and released him, leaving them on the hook for more than $7MM. The thrifty A's signed the Big Hurt to a cheap deal.
- Matt Morris retired from baseball soon after being released by the Pirates.
- The Rockies and the Tigers closed out that month with a rare April trade, swapping pitchers Jason Grilli and Zach Simons.
- In April of 2009, Indians GM Mark Shapiro denied that the club was willing to part with Cliff Lee. Lee would continue to be a member of the Tribe – until right before the trade deadline.
- The White Sox made what proved to be a great pickup when they signed Scott Podsednik to a minor league deal.
- Manny Ramirez, as he is wont to do, decided to be Manny and stated publicly that he would like to return to Cleveland before the end of his career.
- There were plenty of interesting signings in this month – Chad Gaudin hooked on with San Diego, Ron Villone signed with the Nats, and Dallas McPherson joined the Giants.
Could you see the Cardinals presenting Albert Pujols with an offer well below market value, similar to how the Twins handed Johan in 2007? Do you think the Padres, similar to the Indians last season, will shoot down Adrian Gonzalez trade talk, only to deal him closer to the deadline? Let's hear your thoughts.
I don’t see how the Cardinals ever offer Albert a contract “well below” market value. It is hard to say what the definition of “market value” is in his case, though. The Cardinals and Albert have made every indication that they want to make him a Cardinal for life, in public statements and in actions.
Part of the Holliday signing was to prove to Albert that they are committed to putting a winning team on the field, rather than surrounding him with question marks.
It will be interesting to see how much money is deferred. If they make him a Cardinal for life, I can see them being comfortable with keeping him on payroll long past his playing days in exchange for appearances and spring training instruction.
Any offer to Albert will be below market if it’s under 200/7 since Mauer got his contract done.
There is no way they offer below market value. they overpaid (by a lot) for a player that is half of what Pujols is in Holliday with virtually no competition for him. They will seek to bloww everyone away so that they do not have to compete with anyone for Albert. They, we, want him for life. Lets blow him away! A little “Shock and Awe”.
Im going 10 years 275 Mil with 75 Mil deferred. Also with incintives regarding MVP, WSMVP, etc that could push it to 350 MIL and a HOF Clause that gives him an additional 20 MIL on the Day he is inducted AS A CARDINAL.
You can’t give that many incentives to a guy like Pujols for two reasons. First, he’ll reach a bunch of them and you’ll go broke. But more importantly, he’s being paid a huge base to be that guy already. The reason he gets the giant guaranteed money is to be in the MVP mix and to win batting titles and all that. And when you are that good you don’t “earn” the dollars for doing those things, it gets handed to you in advance.
I’d offer Pujols 9/240 and structure it around the Holliday deal so they can afford to field a team around those two. I think if Pujols makes enough money he won’t care what years he gets the money, especially if the goal is nurturing payroll health.
75mil in incentives? lol
The Padres really can’t trade Adrian Gonzalez in my opinion. I know how much they can get in return but they don’t have good player development at all and they have the money.
Adrian Gonzalez also wants to stay in San Diego even though his first choice is to be on a contender. If the Padres make a conserative push towards improving their team and if their young pitching pans out than Adrian might consider an extension which in my opinion, is the best thing for both Adrian Gonzalez and the Padres.
They already have one of the best bullpens in Baseball with Bell, Gregerson, and Mike Adams who could be the most underrated reliever in Baseball.
Hey man I know you want the Padres to do with Gonzalez like the Twins did with Mauer, but I don’t know, it seems like a longshot. One, the Padres I don’t think can afford it, and two, the trade offers are going to be very tempting.
“The Padres really can’t trade Adrian Gonzalez in my opinion. I know how much they can get in return but they don’t have good player development at all and they have the money.”
They have kyle blanks who is playing out of position in left field and would move to first. He is supposed to be a righty version of ryan howard but can also move.
the cardinals should give pujols a 1-year, $25 million contract with an indefinite number of player option years at the same price. let the man decide how long he wants to play. like wakefield, but in reverse. anyway, that’s my morning geniusing. you’re welcome.
Manny Ramirez, as he is wont to do
is it known*?
Wow I completly forgot about Matt Morris.
Yeah and I wonder what Scott Hatteberg is up to these days.
I think the minny deal with Johan is not in terms of annual money, but overall dollars, and that double the 36 ( meaning 72) would still be well below market value for then what was a 28 or 29 yr old ACE sp . Injuries aside of course. Moot issue though
He and the Twins have always said that that offer was not true, so I don’t think it really matters. The only offer that seems to be true, was 5/100. He said no to it. Ended up with 6/137.5 guaranteed. I like the Twins offer, I’m glad they didn’t increase it, but I wish they had better players in return.