The Red Sox have said that retaining Adrian Beltre is one of their top priorities this offseason, but a source tells Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe that they will not offer him more than four years and $52MM. Cafardo adds that they appear to have a similar limit with Victor Martinez.
A dozen teams are reportedly interested in the 31-year-old Beltre, who is far and away the best third baseman on the free agent market. Interest in the soon-to-be 32-year-old Martinez is plentiful as well, with about half-a-dozen clubs expressing interest in his services at one point or another. While four years and $52MM is certainly a competitive offer, it's possible that Beltre could find more than $13MM annually on the open market, especially coming off a .321/.365/.553 season.
It seems very odd for such exact numbers to come out.
That’s what happen when people speculate. Numbers just fly all over the place!
I think the exact numbers came out of Cafardo’s butt. I believe the four years, but not the $13M.
You mean Cafardo?
Not Cafardo, I’m sure they are talking about Abraham. He’s known for attention-seeking speculation.
Prior to last season Beltre made it very clear he wanted to test the free agent market, so the Sox had no chance of signing him during the season.
But Martinez? All year he wanted to sign an extension, but the only known offer he received was a midseason 2-year deal which there was no chance of him taking. So if there is truly a 4-year limit the Sox are willing to offer, why did they refuse to go more than 2 years when they had exclusive negotiating rights to him? That’s why the 4-year comment just doesn’t make sense.
Theo is 100% right on this one…. i wouldn’t go more then 4 years on either of them.. beltre at 5+ years scares me same with v-mart. Theo isn’t so stupid to say “here (beltre,v-mart) here is a blank check tell us how many years and how much and its a done deal” he knows that 5+ years is to much, and if someone else gives him 5 years, so be it. i wish more players were like lowell, who turend down more $$ from the PHI in order to stay with the sox. ALmost every player in every sport, will just go to the team that backs the biggest brink’s truck into their front yard…. and that sicken’s me..
anyone agree?
Most workers in the real world would switch jobs if they could earn a lot more money working for someone else. Why should athletes be any different?
And it’s not like teams are ultra-loyal to players, all the time you see players non-tendered because their team thinks they can get similar production from other less-expensive players. So why should players be more loyal to teams than teams are to players?
Why should he?
He’s already given the Red Sox a big break in 2010. If you want to talk about loyalty it then it would be the Sox who “owe” Beltre – not the other way around.
That said, I agree with their numbers. The offer seems very fair and it scares me that the Angels would be stupid enough to beat it.
Beltre was coming off of an awful, injury riddled season. The highest offer he was getting was three years at about $8MM per. The Sox offered him a deal that beat that for a one year in a hitters’ park to rebuild his value and still left him in his potential “prime years” to garner a much larger contract. Let’s not kid ourselves and pretend Boras and Beltre were doing the Sox any favors, this was purely a “show me” contract that both sides knew going in the advantages and disadvantages of.
If the Sox didn’t sign Beltre, they’d have still finished out of the playoffs (Albeit it by a wider margin). If Beltre balked at their offer, he’d be stuck in Oakland making about half of what he’s going to get on this next deal over the next two years and likely continuing to put up awful home numbers.
The Sox don’t “owe” Beltre a darned thing. Given, he doesn’t owe them anything and should by all means take the best deal he can get, but let’s not pretend he didn’t get at least as much out of the Sox as they got out of him.
Beltre was coming off of an awful, injury riddled season. The highest offer he was getting was three years at about $8MM per. The Sox offered him a deal that beat that for a one year in a hitters’ park to rebuild his value and still left him in his potential “prime years” to garner a much larger contract. Let’s not kid ourselves and pretend Boras and Beltre were doing the Sox any favors, this was purely a “show me” contract that both sides knew going in the advantages and disadvantages of.
If the Sox didn’t sign Beltre, they’d have still finished out of the playoffs (Albeit it by a wider margin). If Beltre balked at their offer, he’d be stuck in Oakland making about half of what he’s going to get on this next deal over the next two years and likely continuing to put up awful home numbers.
The Sox don’t “owe” Beltre a darned thing. Given, he doesn’t owe them anything and should by all means take the best deal he can get, but let’s not pretend he didn’t get at least as much out of the Sox as they got out of him.
If Boston will go four years for V Mart, they’ll probably keep him. I can’t see the Tigers going five years for him.
I don’t get this…at least, not sure why Martinez and Beltre would get the same limitations. Seems pretty clear to me that if Boston should overbid on one of the two, it should be Beltre. If people would stop freaking out about the “contract year curse”, its pretty clear he’s a good player who would be a perfect fit for a long-term contract in Boston. Defensive whiz, strong bat (and no I don’t expect a 2010 performance every year, come on, but I would expect a moderate improvement on his Seattle years, due to the friendlier confines of Fenway), and really fun personality. Was far and away my favorite player to watch this year.
While V-Mart is just beginning to break down, and Boston can’t risk having another player who’ll need to platoon 1B/DH; those positions are gonna get clogged up quickly.
Well, yeeeeeeahhh, who’d want to wait more than 4 years for another breakout contract year?
There is nothing wrong with a 4 year deal. He’s going to make money so he might as well take the best 4 year deal he gets. I don’t think anyone is going to give him 5-6 years.
i think it’s funny that uggla is asking for more money and years then beltre.
Uggla is 26 and has hit more HRs than Beltre the last 5 years.
30 years old and a poorer defender.
oh and the hr’s are very similar. only one yr. beltre was off. other than that, within 5.
26? Better check that.
well he is younger. is more consistant with his power and plays just as premium a position as beltre….its just that Uggla knows that only a other 2nd basemen have ever hit as many home runs and rbi, and slugged as much as he has….he has the right to ask for a ton of money he is in very very very limited company
he’s thirty (one year difference), sucks at defense and strikes out all the bleeping time. beltre has more room to ask for more imo.
He is less than a year younger than Beltre and is one of the worst defensive infielders in baseball.
Those numbers remind me of the five-year, $64 million contract Adrian Beltre landed with the Seattle Mariners when the thirdbaseman was 25 years old. FanGraphs reports that Beltre was valued at 16.9 Wins Above Replacement, or $67.6 million, over the course of that five-year contract:
link to fangraphs.com
I’m not a big hater of the Drew signing, but if Theo can give Drew $14 million a year he can give Beltre at least $14-15 mil per.
Absolutely. That’s why I think the $13M number is bogus.
Just because Theo overpaid one guy doesn’t mean he should do it again. Using your math you could say “if Lugo is worth 4/$36m then “insert crappy SS name” is worth at least 4/$36m”. Markets change and hopefully Theo learned from the Drew deal.
I thought we were over this already. Drew is not overpaid.
Just because Theo overpaid one guy doesn’t mean he should do it again. Using your math you could say “if Lugo is worth 4/$36m then “insert crappy SS name” is worth at least 4/$36m”. Markets change and hopefully Theo learned from the Drew deal.
Boston should just let Adrian “Contract Year” Beltre and his crappy OBP walk. It may be painful for 2011, but 2012 and beyond its gotta be all about Youk at third and Adrian Gonzalez at first.
LOL Redsox and there dreams about AGon
Padres can’t afford to resign him. AGon WILL test free agency in 2012 if his agent has a brain. Who is gonna outbid Boston in 2012?
The Jays, Orioles, White Sox, Tigers, Mets, Nats, Cubs and Dodgers all have just as much a chance at AGonz as Boston does. Don’t get too cocky.
EDIT: 1B for the Jays and Orioles will be vacant. The White Sox could DH Konerko. The Tigers could DH Cabrera, The Mets could move Ike. 1B will be vacant for the Nats and Cubs, and the Dodgers want an upgrade over Loney.
EDIT2: I completely forgot about the Braves, they have a top-3 farm system (better than the Sox) and could easily trade for him if they wanted to. Lowe, Jones and Hudson come off the books so they will have tons of money to spend for him in FA.
“The Jays, Orioles […] all have just as much a chance at AGonz as Boston does.”As an Orioles fan… I can refute that statement. You new to the AL East?
That being said.. as an Os fan.. I also hope you’re right that he goes to someone besides Boston.. that would make my day.
LOL @ thinking any of those teams will outbid Boston. Especially a player the Red Sox have wanted for so long now, is basically tailor-made for Fenway and what the Red Sox need. He’s basically been booked to be a Red Sox since Teixeira went elsewhere.
And the Red Sox can outbid anyone outside the Yankees.
not really. . who have the red sox ever really out bid? Its just a myth, the red sox outbid on players that teams end up backing out on, and thinking wow, are the red sox really going to give that slightly above average player that kind of money? Lackey, Renteria,Clement I cant really think of a time that red sox up and outbid everyone, i guess 2001 manny comes to mind.. but this fallacy that Theo just imposes his wallet on big name free agents is complete rubbish..Red Sox, for the most part have been successful because of the ability to grow (and Keep) home grown talent, make some good trades and a few minor deals that ended up working out for them (Ortiz) so LOL @ your unfounded cockiness,
Clement was the consolation prize to whoever lost out on the Carl Pavano bidding from what I can remember. I’m also pretty sure Theo didn’t negotiate Manny’s contract. Theo’s best moves for major league ready talent have come in trades.
The deals you mentioned (and Julio Lugo/JD Drew included) indicate the Red Sox biggest free agent acquisitions have been what I/we would consider overpays of above average players. With Tiexiera, however, Epsitien showed that he is willing to break the bank for a franchise type player. Gonzalez is a very similar guy in terms of offensive and defensive production. Couple that with the fact that his swing is supposedly tailor made for Fenway Park (high fly ball rate to left field) and that the Yankees will almost certainly not be bidding for his services, and you’ve got a pretty logical fit with the Red Sox.
Do they have the money? Absolutely. Do they have the desire? Sure seems like it. They’d probably win a bidding war with a team like the Jays or Orioles with a slightly smaller contract offer.
Well thats just speculation on your part…
but history will show that the Red Sox do not go out and trump other teams in the free agent market… The Orioles and Nationals offered Tex more money then what the red sox apparently offered.
All I’m saying is this myth that Red Sox are like the yankees and will outspend teams in the free agent market is baloney.
Could they outbid everyone for Gonz in the free agent market? Yea probably.. but they’re not the yankees, thats my point. the majority of their books comes from trade and drafting
Wrong! The Sox were runnersups for Tex! those were bogus rumors after the fact from the Nats and the O’s were unwilling to go over 7 years! lets reverse the arguement and name a team other than the Yankees who’ve ever outbid the Sox for a player they wanted! And dont say Pedro cuz we wanted him on our terms and were quite happy to let him sign for 4 years with the mets!
“but history will show that the Red Sox do not go out and trump other teams in the free agent market… The Orioles and Nationals offered Tex more money then what the red sox apparently offered. ”
This isn’t true. The Red Sox had offered around $10-$20 million to Tex than either the Orioles or the Nationals. They thought they’d be players at a lower price because he’s from Maryland.
By the way, the Red Sox out bid everyone for Dice K, postint $51.1 million just to negotiate. So your claim that the Red Sox don’t outbid their competition for high profile free agents isn’t backed up by this “history” that you allegedly grasp so well. I’d suggest you read up and come back with a more learned perspective.
“but they’re not the yankees, thats my point”
I’d agree with this, but argue that it’s irrelevant because the Yankees have handcuffed themselves with huge long term deals at both corner positions. That pretty much makes the Red Sox top dogs for Gonzalez’s services
“but history will show that the Red Sox do not go out and trump other teams in the free agent market… The Orioles and Nationals offered Tex more money then what the red sox apparently offered. ”
This isn’t true. The Red Sox had offered around $10-$20 million to Tex than either the Orioles or the Nationals. They thought they’d be players at a lower price because he’s from Maryland.
By the way, the Red Sox out bid everyone for Dice K, postint $51.1 million just to negotiate. So your claim that the Red Sox don’t outbid their competition for high profile free agents isn’t backed up by this “history” that you allegedly grasp so well. I’d suggest you read up and come back with a more learned perspective.
“but they’re not the yankees, thats my point”
I’d agree with this, but argue that it’s irrelevant because the Yankees have handcuffed themselves with huge long term deals at both corner positions. That pretty much makes the Red Sox top dogs for Gonzalez’s services
careful with what you say. the Jays have a lot of money. as much as the yanks angles phillies and red sox. our ownership will spend – ie: aj burnett bj ryan rolen wells halladay these guys all received nice size contracts under JP regime and it has not impeded us from signing hill lind romero recently to long term deals. shoot we gave 6mil to phills with halladay just to get another prospect. our ownership is a multi-billion dollar corporation who make the jays payroll in about two weeks of business profits. they will spend money (draft 15 mil – Adeiny 10 mil – cardona another what 5mil?) that is almost the pirates payroll for 2010 on just prospects. as well we do not have a 1b and Agon is still young enough to fit the scheme of AA.
PS all you sox fans out there. i duly agree more then 4 years for beltre is stupid. same with Vmart – although i do think a desperate team out there will commit to more. ie O’s and tigers
Regardless, Fielder and possibly Pujols will be out there sooo, theres a few options. I don’t think the Sox are going to miss out if Beltre doesn’t come back. They have the ability to outspend any of those teams. We don’t have to worry about the Yanks so I don’t see what the issue is.
contribute dude that was sad plus he is a free agent next year wake up
thanks for adding so much to the conversation! pure genius!
I think thats probably what Beltre is worth, but Boras will find a way to get 5 years @ 15M/yr. I would only go 4 years for Beltre (mostly because he is great on D) and 3 years for VMart.
Any chance this is Theo trying to set Beltre’s market at 4 years 52M, so that at the last minute he can increase his offer to his real limit of 4 years $60+M? Or could it be Boras making sure that Beltre’s market begins at 4 years, knowing that bidding will push it to 5 years…
With regard to all the “contract year” comments about Beltre – check your facts. He had several solid years of 25+ HR with Seattle and then tanked in ’09, his contract year.
He has been mediocre except for his walk year in LA and this year in Boston
I didnt realize that being one of the best defensive players in baseball is considered “mediocre.”
Wow. I guess your username says it all.
Well I hope some other team like the A’s or Angels offer him 5 years because him staying with the Red Sox is the last thing I want.
GOD I HOPE KENNY WILLIAMS COMES OUT OF NO WHERE TO SIGN V-MART…he would be the perfect guy for our offense…he could split time at C and 1st (split time at C with flower and split time at 1st with Adam Dunn or worst case scenario dyan vicedio(not that bad of a scenario))…god that would be sick..and kenny clearly does not mind spending jerrys money and jerry and kenny both love to get guys that have killed the sox in the past and V-mart is exactly that!
VMart would probably be a good fit with the White Sox. The reason why the Red Sox won’t give him 4 years is because they see him as a DH (he’s bad at defense) and Theo won’t pay him $15M/year just to hit. It seems like the Tigers GM is willing to give him 5 years at top $ to catch, which just doesn’t seem right…
I wouldn’t give him any more than 1 year, since he only seems to play well during contract years.
I think signing beltre is a stupid move.If the redsox want to fight for 1st place again, they are going to have to move youk over to 3rd, and trade for AGon.Their pitching is set. And signing Cameron as a starter was another stupid move. Who on the red sox is a consistent .300 hitter beside youk? And who can hit 30-40 hrs? Exactly. That’s why u need a AGon.rays will disappear because they will eventually lose their players in the FA market. Sooo can the sox keep up and make smart moves? Hmm.. now I know AGon reminds u of Adam Dunn, low BA but good power, but look at what Kevin long turned nick swisher Into..
Yeah I think the redsox overtime can fix aGon’s BA issues.
A-Gon is a career .284/.368/.507 hitter. Last year he hit .298, and I don’t suspect anyone wants to fix him. Adam Dunn is a career .250 hitter and while he and A-Gon are good power comparisons, A-Gon hits for a pretty good average and Dunn does not.
The question the Red Sox face is what price will it take to get Gonzalez from San Diego. Frankly, Baltimore needs him more, and has as much to offer in return, so Boston should be considering a lineup with Beltre, Youkilis, Martinez and Ortiz for their future regardless. There is nothing guaranteed about acquiring A-Gon.
“Yeah I think the redsox overtime can fix aGon’s BA issues.”
LOL i really hope that was sarcasm.
“Who on the red sox is a consistent .300 hitter beside youk?” – Pedroia and probably Ellsbury, VMart if we keep him
“And who can hit 30-40 hrs?” – Ortiz
AGon doesnt have “batting average issues”, he hits around .300 with a ton of walks
Beltre will sign for about 4/62 with either the Sox or the Angels.
Could they move Scutaro to 3rd and led Lowerie play SS for this year and still have room for Agon next year at first and Youk at 3rd? Save the 50 mil, 4 year contract to Beltre when they really want Agon? They lose a big bat in the lineup tho.
Beltre won’t have another year like last—-anytime soon. Too bad MLB doesn’t operate like the NFL. Sign a contract and if you don’t perform up to it, you’re cut and the contract is void. Once a baseball player signs a deal, he owns the team for that length of time, not the other way around. He can dump in his jeans all he wants and the team still has to pay him. Always thought baseball owners took the pipe on this one.
It would be nice if every league took that approach… I mean imagine… if every year were a contract year.
Beltre…4 years/$56M…. Theo’s best offer….
Adrian’s family moves east.
BTW, does anyone know whether Manny sold his condo next to the commons?
It looks like its almost time for Boras to play the “mystery team” card and say they offered 5 years,
Just when I thought owners had gotten smart about free agency here they go again spewing big contracts at everybody. Just because an owner makes money doesnt mean he has to blow it on overpaid men playing a game. 52 million for Beltre? Way too many years and way too much money. Uggla turned down 48 million. These owners have to be billionaires to be paying that much to an employee.
Then again 39 year old Manny made 20+ million last year and Arod banked 30+ million. Owners should just keep that money for themselves and stop paying ridiculous money.
4 years for Beltre would be a disaster…