At least one Molina brother has been in six of the past ten World Series, as Jon Heyman points out at SI.com (that includes Yadier, who will play again this year). Heyman also passes along some hot stove notes; here they are:
- Red Sox owner John Henry “threw $60MM into the air,'' by making it clear that he views the Carl Crawford signing as a mistake, according to one baseball person. Henry said on the airwaves of 98.5 the Sports Hub that he was not in favor of signing the left fielder for $142MM.
- One agent says Albert Pujols should look for a six-year, $240MM deal in free agency. It’s hard to imagine anyone, even Pujols, signing for $40MM per year.
- The White Sox are expected to try to keep Mark Buehrle on a two-year deal, according to Heyman. The left-hander profiles as a Type B free agent, as our rankings show.
- Jayson Werth, who played with Ryan Madson in Philadelphia, is trying to sell the free agent closer on the Nationals. Keep in mind that the Nationals already have Drew Storen.
- Zack Greinke told Heyman that he would have accepted a trade to the Rangers last winter, when the Royals were shopping him.
“Albert Pujols should look for a six-year, $240MM deal in free agency”
– Scott Boras
Ill like your post, even though I dont like your name!
But at this point, everyone recognizes that Bosh was a mistake for the Heat and now laugh at how out of place he looks for over 80 games a year.
as a raptor fan, so happy about that.
Exactly, so he can set the market price for Prince Fielder.
Albert Pujols to the Rays. They’ll pay him $50 million a year over 8 years
Are they planning on fielding a one man team next year?
Hey, they’ll still be better than the Red Sox
the man has a point, get it done Friedman
Hey diesel2410, stop hating on the Sox. They will be a much better team next year with a way better manager. Screw your Yankees. Ha ha ha
No I’m not implying you a Yankees fan. Just a joke man
40 m a year is not happenen
Literally nobody actually listened to, or read the transcript of, the Henry interview did they?
(not that I’m surprised that Heyman is talking about something he knows nothing about)
not gonna lie, as a nationals fan, a back 3 of CLippard, Madson and Storen sounds damn awesome
actually I am happy with MPHRod, Clip, and Drew at the backend of bullpen. Yes, adding Madson will only help (since we also take him away from a division rival), but will cost more than 3/$12 million that he had signed last time. That’s too much money for a reliever when we can possibly fill those roles with in-house options.
If Jayson can actually get him to sign in Washington, which seems like stretch, then it would mark the first time his seven year deal was actually worth anything.
If Carl Crawford can fetch $142M, Pujols will easily go for $200M or more. $240M is not out of the question for the best hitter in baseball. Remember A-Rod signed for $250M several years ago.
cardinals are not yankees or redsox its about supply and demand
And where was the demand for A-Rod when the Yankees bid against themselves and extended him for $270 MM+? I’m not arguing with you that Pujols won’t sniff A-Rod’s deal, but that’s more because it’s easy to see how ill-advised that deal was in retrospect. Supply and demand oftentimes doesn’t apply when it comes to baseball contracts, otherwise we wouldn’t see so many contracts that teams eventually regret.
A-Rod was also coming off a 50+ HR season in a lefty ballpark in the AL East with no health problems and no steroid allegations. Not to mention chasing the home run record with incentives built in. Did the Yankees outbid themselves? Yes. Is Pujols in the same walk year as A-Rod? No.
I’m not arguing the context of the A-Rod situation, obviously other factors were in play here, such as not wanting to lose him to a rival such as BOS, NYM, etc., and as you said, he was just coming off an MVP-caliber season with little to no health questions. I just raised the red flag in his argument of it being about supply and demand, and how that theory isn’t always in place when talking about baseball contracts, especially when it comes to players we label as superstars. And because he was referencing A-Rod’s contract in the same sentence as supply and demand, I just wanted to point out that the Yankees clearly didn’t look at that when handing him his deal, as it’s possible their offer was higher than what any other team would have offered by as much as $50 MM or so.
Just because the Yankees enter into bad contracts and bid against themselves, it doesn’t mean anyone else will. The Yankees won’t be in on the bidding, it’s really doubtful that the Red Sox will either.
The cubs are likely to be a player, but given how many holes that team has I don’t see why Pujols would want to go there.
The Dodgers might be a player now that the divorce issue is settled.
The national and orioles are kind of sleeper players out there. Maybe Toronto despite their GMs insistence that they won’t be in on them.
But other than that who’s out there to bid on Pujols and Fielder besides their respective teams?
Edit, one interesting team could be the Rangers can you imagine that lineup with Fielder or Pujols added to it, to where Cruz bats 8? absolutely sick.
It all comes down to what the Cardinals final offer is, and if Pujols deems it enough, really. I think (and hope) he’ll give them every opportunity to re-sign him and the Cardinals will make an effort to fit him into their budget, but it obviously won’t be easy to build a team around him for the long-run if he’s occupying anywhere from 25-30% of the payroll, as many have stated on this topic before. It will be interesting to see if the Cards hold firm at say, 8 years/$200 MM, and to how much higher a team like the Cubs, Dodgers, or other possible fits as you pointed out would go, in an attempt to lure him away from St. Louis. Would, say, 9 years/$240 MM (an extra year and higher avg salary) be enough? I’d think any player, as hard as it would be to leave the team you grew up with, would struggle to turn down an extra year of security along with $40 MM. It will be even more interesting to see if only a difference of $5-10 MM is enough to steal Pujols away, if it comes down to it, which I think would seriously turn Cardinals fans off.
On a side note, I don’t see the Rangers as a player in either Pujols or Fielder, but if they win the WS, don’t count them out. It would become even more likely if they don’t resign CJ, but it would take up a gigantic chunk of money they could invest in pitching, and almost certainly close the door on a Hamilton extension. A lot of factors in play there.
My bet (and again, hope) is that Pujols stays in St. Louis, with Fielder going to the highest or near-highest bidder with the best chance of winning (think Teixeira to the Yanks instead of the Nats/O’s). Gotta think Prince would prefer Pujols stay in St. Louis, as it would have a lesser effect on his deal as that contract could be seen as a special deal of its own, whereas Pujols going to the highest bidder would more than likely bring the price for Prince down, assuming no one goes crazy over the top on Pujols.
As a cardinal fan my wet dream is that after Albert’s walkoff homerun in game 7 of the world series, they ask him if his teams incredible run in the post season has impacted his decision as to whether or not he wants to sign whether the cardinals, to which he replies, ” You know Mang I love the city of San Luis, they are the best fans in baseball and there’s no where else I want to play, and that’s why I’m saying my agent Dan Lozana and John Mozeilak, get a deal done because I want to play here for the rest of my career.”
However he’s more likely to say, “I just want to thank God for giving the ability to play, and giving our teammates the ability to win the world series. I’m not going to talk about my contract situation right now, there will be a time for that but not now. I want to be a cardinal for the rest of my life, but it’s not up to me, it’s in the lords hands”.
The bottom line is Pujols waited all the way to free agency, he’s going to test the waters now that he’s there. No way a deal gets done in the time period between the world series and free agency. John Mozeilak is going to sit on his best offer and let the market dictate what Pujols is worth. If it’s 300 million, then Allen Craig starts at 1st base, and Albert becomes our Lebron James, if it’s around 200 million, I imagine the Cardinals come in at about 90 to 95 percent of that offer, at which point it’s up to Pujols to decide.
However if Albert really cares about winning, like he’s always said he does, St Louis will be a much better place to play then say a place like the cubs who will be in a complete rebuilding mode. St Louis is coming off a world series appearance(hopefully win) where the vast majority of the team will be coming back and they will be adding a 20 game pitcher to their rotation next year in Adam Wainwright, and their farm system has two highly touted young pitches, if Albert stays it’s likely that the team will be very good for the next 4 or 5 years until Albert and Holliday start their decline.
yah you are forgetting to put the years in to context though.
ARod signed for 10 years. Besides it is not a good example while referring to Yanks.
I don’t see Cardinals committing 40million for one player every year for next seasons. That’s a lot and that agent (like Red Sox owners and lot of other people recently) must be high.
Actually it was the Rangers who signed Arod and they could not put anything around him because he ate up the payroll. He was and is an excellent player as is Pujols. And being a Cardinal fan, I truely hope Albert remains with the Cardinals, but someone needs to let the agents know that baseball is getting out of hand financially, the fan can’t take a family to a game for less than a couple of hundred dollars and people are not gpomg tp [ay $100 to take a 3 or 4 year old to the game. And sadly, that is the age the kids learn to like the game. I have had season tickets for 29 years, they used to cost me $28 a game and if I couldn’t go, I could give them to some one. Now the same tickets have a face value of $320 and they are too expensive to give away and very difficult to sell. Several times a year I have had to eat the tickets becaue I can’t go at the last minute. I can afford it , but most people can’t. The game has too much money in it. I don’t blame the players alone, they don’t write the checks. I can blame the owners some, but they try to be competitive and keep their fans. I also can blame the fans for paying it, me included. World series seats are $250 a fgame or $1000 for a family of 4.
I guess it really gets down to “how much does it take to live well”. How much better does one live on $30 million than one does on $20 million.
Ok I am finished ranting.
$240 million over like 10 years maybe not $240 million over 6
Pujols is the best hitter in the game, or at the very least in everyones top 3.
With that being said he is not worth as much as Arod WAS. Pujols plays a position that frankly offensive numbers are usually high for that position. I mean cabrera/gonzalez/votto/konerko/fielder/tex might not be as good but can put up comparable numbers cheaper then 240 mil. I agree pujols does deserve a 200mm contract, however 240 is just ridiculous when you look at the position he plays and the fact that he is in the decline. He simply isnt as valuable as a SS who was hitting 40-50hrs and stealing 40 bases.
My thought is that pujols will resign with the cardinals for 9 yrs at 210, essentially what they probably offered him. Beating either one of Arods deals is out of the question, especially since no franchise needs a first basemen that badly.
If he gets $240M it will certainly be over more than six years. Even then, I’m not sure it would be worth it.
Arod was a horrible deal period but it was for $10/$275.00. You really think Pujols is worth or will get 6/$240 mil? As dumb as Arod’s deal was, keep in mind he was coming off a MONSTER year where he led the mlb in runs, hrs, rbi, ops, slugging, ops+ and total bases…..and a .422 OBP. Add to the fact that there is only one Randy Levine and I would not be shocked if Cashman has him kidnapped and in hiding until all the major free agents we don’t need are off the board. I’m sure that will be one of his demands for the next contract he signs as GM.
A-rod’s deal with the Yanks in 2007 was for 10/275, but the original deal with Texas in 2000 was for 10/253 which was re-done by the Yanks in 2007. And oh by the way there are plenty of examples of overpaying……Crawford, Werth, Carlos Lee, Carlos Beltran, Vernon Wells. Wells is being paid $18M a year to hit .248 with 25 HRs and 66 RBIs…..what do you think Albert is worth? I’m not saying that Albert should get paid $34M a year, I’m just saying it is not out of the question given the huge money that has been awarded to average players in the recent past.
both of those contracts are regretted by their owners. The contracts are set by the market, if someone wants to overpay for Pujols then they can, but there just aren’t that many teams out there who have money and can play someone at first base man.
I tend to imagine the cubs will set the market on Pujols worth. It will then be up to the cardinals to decide if they want to make a comparable offer that Albert is happy to live with.
What does “threw $60MM into the air” mean?
It means he is paying Crawford 2.3x’s more then he wanted to and trusted his “baseball” people rather then vetoing the offer….
I wondered that my self, so I read the article (well, only that part of it actually) and it sounds like they are saying Crawford is worth $60 mil less now…
Not that it would matter even if that were the case because the Sox aren’t likely to try to trade him, but baseball people know how to evaluate players (particularly players who have been in the majors for a decade) and nothing Henry said is actually going to change people’s opinions on Crawford.
I might need to see one more season before I pass judgement. Hopefully he can benefit from the fresh start Boston will get next season.
it was an overpay before the ink dried, that was never in dispute. the questions were how much of an overpay would it end up being and would it be a worthwhile overpay (i.e. would they win a title or two with him)
0 for 1 with 6 to go
Not saying it was you necessarily, but it was DEFINITELY in dispute on this site whether that was overpayment. Sox fans came out of the woodwork to dispute that one.
i suppose that’s true; there’s always a few nuts. but the world is a better place when we all pretend they don’t exist
Signing free agents in baseball is like buying a car. As soon as you drive it off the lot it loses 20-25 percent of its value, and when you make the first payment you have buyers remorse.
he made it rain?
Pacman Jones would’ve been proud. Only difference is that Jones threw his money at “skrippers” and Henry threw his at Crawford…..and didn’t even get a happy ending (or at least not in 2011).
“he made it rain?” LMAO! =D
Of course it was a mistake to sign Crawford for that kind of money. Theo and Lucchino must have been at one of Beckett, Lester and Lackey’s beer and chicken parties when they agreed to this deal.
You know there was an order called in to Roscos Chicken and Waffles from the Tampa office of the NY Yankees.
Whoever signs (if someone does) Pujols to a $240m contract IS NOT going to get their $$$$ out of him….I’m sorry but he is starting his decline…(in terms of that kind of $$$$)
Can’t see the Nationals spending the kind of $$$ it would take to sign Madson, especially if they use him as a set up man.
I thought the same thing about them signing anyone significant last offseason..
lucky for jayson werth, his family and his agent, I was wrong.
Maybe they’ll sign Madson and hope that if they over pay two Scott Boras clients they’ll get the third one at market value.
I’m pretty sure I saw that coupon in the back of a newspaper, should have clipped it
I think Ryan Madson’s days as a set-up man are well in his rear-view mirror. Can’t see him signing for a team that would use Drew Storen as a closer before him. Someone is going to pay him to be the closer.
maybe… but lots of teams that would spend on a closer already have one.
the market really isn’t that good for him, with all of the all of sudden lights out closers popping up.
He might do what Soriano did when Yanks offered him a lot of money. Which is the reason, I want Nationals to stay away from him because he will cost a lot. That money could be better spend in trying to build a better bench or something.
I could build them a new bench for about 1 million. I’ll even use pressure treated lumber!
If he’s offered a lot of money he probably would. I just don’t see the reasoning for over paying him when they already have two good back end guys… especially in this market.
I rather have Storen, Clippard, or Henry Rodriguez close before Madson, we dont need him.
I think Pujols should stay put in St.Louis.. I know its easy for me or someone else to talk who isnt in the situation, but realistically is the difference between a 6/180 or 7/200 to a 8/240+ really that big of a deal??
I mean I realize most of us can’t imagine that much money, but I can’t envision what you cant do with a 180 million that you can do with 240.
If his family is comfortable and he likes his team, he should just stay…
sometimes being an overpayed player in a new city isn’t all its cracked up to be.
the career for an athlete is short i expect him to try and get every penny possible and i don’t blame him or any other athlete for it.
i agree on the shortness of their career, if he was a first time free agent, then i’d be all for exploring the best contract.
however, he’s already rich, and regardless of where he signs his next deal, its going to be massive as well..
you simply failed to explain, what an extra 40-60 million is going to do for someone who will end up making close to 400 million when his career is over.
it wont make a difference but we live in a capital society where we all are expected to try and make as much money as possible that’s my explanation
so if the mets offer him the biggest contract he should go there?
if its 40-60 m more than the cardinals contract i won’t expect him to pass on it
it he doesn’t pass he’s a fool.
I would hope that he would pass on it though b/c as an athlete you have to think what gives the best chance to win(unless Alberts at the point in his career he doesn’t care about a Ring since he has one)….since it is no secret that the Mets have $$ issues a contract like that could cripple the franchise from being able to build a winning team around him so he’d be an expensive player on a team going no where….
Tiexiera took the $20m extra but went to a team he felt could win(and did)….if Albert takes it he knows he doesn’t have a shot at it again in his contract life….
I think what Weaver did was awesome and hope to see both Prince(less likely) and Albert do something similar….leave some $$ on the table to play where they would love to play…rather then for who is willing to pay the most….I also think it would really send a message to the fans in a crappy economy….when players say “It’s not about the $$$” we all know that is a load of crap b/c those same players sign for the biggest $$$ BUT if they leave some $$ out there and play where they want to play that says a lot….Weaver/Lee(although it sounds like it wasn’t much left on the table)….
Pujols will weigh the best offer vs what he values for the rest of his career. However, don’t kid yourself, that extra $40 to $60 mil can cover his agent fees and taxes. I can think of a lot more stuff I could do with an extra $40-$60 mil regardless of what I already have (hypothetical world of course).
An Extra 40-60 million to us would make the world of difference..
and extra 40-60 million for someone who has already made so much and will continue to do so, while not exactly chump change, it shouldn’t over shadow other priorities (if he has some)
There are some things money can’t buy. And in fact while CEO’s may appear to be somewhat ruthless in business, that is because the money serves as a means to achieve other things. For example, you see very rich CEO’s doing crazy things with their cash… like owning sports franchises. Mark Cuban doesn’t own the Mav for the revenue potential. Or Bill Gates was somewhat cutthroat as far as MS, but he turns around and gives a lot of it to charity.
So the question is what is important to Pujols? I really don’t think it is the money per se, but rather the money is proxy for recognition that he’s the best player of his generation. A WS title may be more important to him than an extra $50 million, or just staying in St. Louis if he likes it. Or he may take the cash and plow it into his charity.
I wouldn’t blame Pujols for going for the money, but it also wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t. It’s up to him what he wants in life.
Screw you Henry, really. Go trash Crawford who at least seems sorry about his bad season and wants to improve, real great.
Go drink with your FA successes like Lackey.
lol if you’re a cubs fan, I hope you see the irony of your post
lol no, tigers fan.
yep, john henry has a sad and unsuccessful life
When did I say that? He has a very successful life, he owns what 3 sports teams and dates supermodels.
Guess I cant be critical about successful peoples’ opinions…..
nah, i just read that as like “go drink it off” with lackey, wallowing and everything
i have a very strong association of john lackey with drunken sadness, earned the hard way through about 25 starts this season
I’m sorry, but for anyone to say the Crawford contract was a bust after only the first year is ludicrous. The guy has been in the majors for 7 years now, and for most of them was one of the best outfielders in all of baseball. He’ll be a difference maker again very soon.
Like the player, hate the OBP skills. Not sure that contract ends up well.
DUH let’s just say I didn’t support the Crawford signing and create more drama!! What is this real housewives? I’m so tired of all these baseball egos.
Folks, here’s the deal. A-rod signed a $253M, 10-year contract in 2000 with Texas. In today’s dollars (inflation adjusted for 3% per year inflation), that’s $340M over 10 years, or $34M per year. Prince Albert will sign for $34M per year in today’s dollars x 7 years = $238M or round to $240M. I think that’s the rationale for the pricetag. He’ll get it. There are at least 2-3 franchises out there – three come to mind — Cubs, Angels, possibly Orioles that may be willing to do this even with that large pricetag. Only possibility I think for a lower pricetag is if he gives the Cardinals a “hometown” discount of 10%, bringing it to a $215M contract. I just don’t know that he’ll pass on the extra $25M – would you?
Nobody is going to pay anybody 34 million $$$$ a year. Not arguing, just wait & see.
If someone can pay Carl Crawford $20M a year, someone will pay Pujols $34M a year. The $14M difference per year will not break the bank for some of these clubs. By the way, I expect Fielder to sign for somewhere around $25-28M per year, with an opt out clause similar to Sabathia. My prediction is that Pujols ends up with the Cubs, unless he really really wants to stay with the Cardinals and give them a big hometown discount. I think Fielder goes to the Angels.
no one is giving Pujols 34m a year sorry buddy your numbers are off
Look, if someone can give Jayson Werth, he of the 27 HRs and 85 RBIs in 2010 with the Phillies (in a lineup where he had tons of protection), a $17M per year 8 year contract, there is a lot of money out there for a true superstar like Pujols. Just signing Pujols will give the receiving team a boost in attendance which in today’s dollars will easily erase $10-15M/year of the dollars expended.
Dude your numbers are way off! Fielder will get Tex/Gonzo money, which is $22-25M for 7 years (maybe 8 years since he’s younger). Pujols will NOT get $34M…$30M tops (likely $25-27M)
6 years, $25MM/yr
And Crawford is a shining example of why teams should commit that kind of money right?
Albert Pujols has played in 70 post season games and 3 appearences to the World Series…. Why would he want to be a Cub???? Seriously!!!! You don’t know anything about Albert Pujols. He wants to WIN!!!
every player wants to win but mlb is a business first. Always has been and always will be.
The fact that Albert has already been to 2 world series, won 1 and could win a 2nd one soon, is exactly why I think he may consider bolting for a big payday. Not that he WANTS to be a Cub, he just may not have any choice if they shower him with riches. Just remember that if he was on a loser already, then the attraction would be primarily to go to a winner, and the money would be less of an attraction. The deal is that he has been playing for a relatively modest wage (in superstar terms) and already has experienced winning, now he probably wants to experience the extra $$$ that comes with his status. Not saying he doesn’t want to win any longer, but the mulah will help soothe the pain of losing.
personally….if I had made $104m in 10 years as Pujols has and was about to sign another 6-8 yr contract in upwards of $180m+ and I really loved playing in StL…..Damn straight I would leave that much on the table….I would take pride in becoming (or opportunity to become) the greatest Cardinal ever and doing something very few players do anymore and play for 1 team whole whole career(long careers not short lived)
Prince on the other hand is ALL ABOUT THE $$$$….he was trying to get a new deal after his rookie year b/c the amount of HR’s he hit….I believe that is no chance he stays in Milwaukee…
If only Pujols was a SS….Also wasnt a A rod a lot younger? As I stated in a different post position does come into account and as amazing as pujols is he does play 1b where there is A LOT of offense at that position. Not saying those people ar ebetter than pujols, however the difference certainly does not warrant a 240 mil contract, I mean is he THAT much better than fielder/votto/cabrera/konerko/tex/gonzalez? I dont think so, better but not that much better.
Now if he was putting up those numbers at catcher/ss then hell yes 34 mil a year!
If the Rangers could get a do over do you think they would make the deal for Arod again?
Maybe its not all about the money but the appearance of STL ( or some other team ) making a statement that he is the best of the best. Perhaps a 6yr $160 -175MM will do it if the last year ( or first year ) is $50MM. Not likely anyone would surpass that figure in his lifetime and thus can stake his claim to being the best and paid as such. Cards could justify the one year expense on marketing alone as he chases all HR records and such – plus guarentees him going into HOF as a cardinal legend. Last thing Cards need is for him to play 6-8yrs somewhere else – win numerous awards and records and go into the HOF wearing someone elses hat.
I agree with most of what you said. But, Albert is going into the hall as a Cardinal, no matter where he goes this offseason. He’ll be lucky to accomplish half of what he has the last 10 years in the next 10.
I don’t see the logic behind signing Madson.. Sure he’s better then H-Rod, no question, but I’d rather have Clippard or Storen close before him.. On the other hand that would be a pretty dominant 7-8-9 combination to close out games..
Rizzo needs to make it a priority to getting a CF/Leadoff and a front of the rotation starter before worrying about bullpen help
Cards should offer 8/200 tops. I doubt anyone goes over that. Yanks, Sox have a 1B and the Angels dumped their cash on Wells. Albert wouldn’t play for the Cubs IMO, that’s like Bonds playing for the Dodgers or Jeter with the Sox.
yea, sorry pujols isn’t getting 40m per.
big of you to apologize
it gonna be interesting how much albert gets paid. All i know is the pujols family will be fine for the next few generations
Check out my take on the Red Sox at http://thebestsoxblog.mlblogs.com
Looking back, the Crawford signing was a risk taken to “ensure” that the Red Sox not only earned a spot in the playoffs in 2011 but won the AL East divisional title. Surely his presence in the line up, along with Adrian Gonzalez’s addition, would propel the team over both New York and Tampa Bay with room to spare.
For much of the season the majority of Red Sox fans believed this would happen as the team was on track to win 100+ games as late into the season as Labor Day. But something went wrong. Key players forgot how to play and the team’s manager and coaches forgot how to lead. Yes, the roster was filled with all-stars but it lacked the cohesion and fortitude needed to become a winner in the truest sense of the word. There was no “glue” to hold the team together and ensure victory at season’s end. They all folded under pressure, every last player and coach.
With that said, lets hope the upper management in the Red Sox front office find the means to effectively put a “team” of players onto the field in 2012, rather than a group of individuals who happen to wear the same uniform. This team doesn’t need more Carl
Crawford’s or Adrian Gonzalez’s to be a winner. This team needs leadership, self discipline, a common purpose and a will to win, ingredients that money cannot necessarily buy, to become a champion.
If I were John Henry, I would make a special effort to make it aboundantly clear that any player on his team who puts themselves before their team and teammates should begin to think seriously about employment elsewhere. They are no longer wanted in Boston as a member of the Red Sox.. That is the only way this team will ever bounce back from what has become the most embarrassing moment in the entire history of the Red Sox franchise.
I for one, am hopeful but not confident about the future of this professional baseball team. There are simply too many big egos spread throughout this entire organization. to dispense with the “loser tag” this entire club earned in 2011. .