Extension season generally continues well into Spring Training and the regular season. For example, teams and players agreed on nine extensions between this date last year and the end of April. Let's check in on some ongoing extension talks:
- Ryan Zimmerman said he doesn't want to discuss a new extension after this Friday, according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com. Zimmerman had already set the official start of Spring Training as a soft deadline for talks, since he doesn't want to let contract talks become a distraction. Agent Brodie Van Wagenen was in Nationals camp today.
- Michael Bourn says the Braves haven't approached him about an extension so far, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter link). Bourn will earn $4.4MM in 2012 and hit free agency after the season unless the Braves lock him up.
- Brandon Phillips said he's not looking for "Prince Fielder money" in extension talks with the Reds, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I just want what other second baseman got," he said. "I want to be in my city." Phillips is not under contract beyond 2012.
- Check out MLBTR's Extension Tracker for information on previous deals.
Atlanta should be very careful in getting wild with any extension with Bourne. His entire game is his legs.. he is a younger version of Crisp, with less power.. More of an old style Omar Moreno type, who slashes at the ball and runs.. A successful Joey “Gaspipe” Gathright who makes enough contact to be able to use his legs.
Can see them looking to maybe get him under contract for 2-3 years, but not for anything significantly over the 4.5m he is already making.
This is a guy that when his speed slips even some, everything about his game goes down and not trying to hammer on Brave fans here, just trying to point out what to beware of.. This isn’t a Timmy Raines, CoCo Crisp type, even a Crawford type who all have/had some XBH power and the ability to drive the ball when the situation presented itself.
Agreed. His play this season will be indicative of his future in ATL. I can see them offering him a 4-year deal with a good season. Matt Lipka’s season should show them what they have as a future replacement, which could be indicative of the years.
We’ll have the money, and based on our lack of OF farm depth, we need to re-sign him, especially if he’s one of the league leaders in SBs again, fielding at a high level, and getting on base like much of last year. We haven’t had that for quite awhile.
bourn is due to make almost 7 mil this coming season. or atleast i thought he was
Thanks.. Looked and he just signed a 6.85m deal for his 6th and walk year.
At that figure.. Not sure would not let him see what the market would bring, but maybe go a couple of years, nearly 7m is an awful lot for a glove and speed.
Is $7MM a lot for 4-5 WAR?? Because that’s what Bourn’s been worth the last three years…
-C
I would be worried he can keep it up for reasons described in initial post.. His legs are his only attribute.. He’ll be 30YO and brings nothing to the table except his legs..
Raines, Crawford, even Crisp bring some XBH ability, or did along with a slick globe.. Even Ricky Henderson did as a speed burner.. Omar Moreno would be an example of Bourne and I am not trying to dice on the guy here..
Just be careful about extending him to far.. Maybe let the market set his pace, No Jaun Pierre type deal here.. remember him? Look about the same? He ended up as a 4th OF for the LAD after getting a similar deal and was not moveable after getting the same type contract everyone here seems to want.
no its not. 7mil is a great price for GG defense and 60 stolen bases at a good SB% with a .280+ average.
if they want to keep him they need to get it done now. cause with boras as his agent he will get him more than atlanta is willing to pay. its been so long since we have had a good leadoff man I would him to stick around.
I’m guessing Phillips is looking for a 6 year, 84-96 million dollar deal.
Then he will likely be told to take a hike. Pains me to say that, but there is no way the Reds pony up that type of coin.
I could see Brandon “settling” for 14 mil a year at 4 years. I think he really wants to stick with one team like Barry Larkin (his idol). But, as they say, if a big dollar roller throws out more years, etc, then bye-bye whoville.
Cot’s has Micheal Bourn at $6.845 million for 2012.
So, Phillips wants Uggly money, then? 12.4 mil
12.4 x 5 = 62 mil
12.4 x 8 = 99.2 mil
Phillips means much more to a team then Uggla with his all or nothing attitude at the plate. And, I think Phillips is probably the most well-rounded 2B in the NL.
All or nothing attitude at the plate? Just because Uggla isn’t a contact hitter doesn’t mean it has anything to do with his attitude. Guy is a gamer, just like Phillips. They’re different types of players. Phillips is much better defensively and is reliable at setting the table for Votto to clear it. Uggla provides power to a team in desperate need of it. He’s pure hustle and has forearms Popeye would kill for. While he might not be the team’s absolute leader, I really don’t know what the ATL offense would do without him.
Derek, I like your reply. I have a better understanding of the dude now. Hustle, honestly, Phillips has 95% of the time but not all the time like Uggla. Not trying to hate on Uggla, but I think Phillips may get a little more then Uggla did.
Well-rounded, sure, but the total value of their contributions are pretty similar. Uggla’s about a year older, and Phillips has been ~2 fWAR more valuable since they’ve become regulars.
Phillips is clearly inferior at the bat, Uggla very inferior with the glove. But they amount to about the same amount of production.
-C
Whoa. I wouldn’t call him inferior at all. Just a different type of player for a different part of the lineup.
Inferior doesn’t mean bad. Uggla’s a better hitter.
All the statistics, save batting average, support that. OBP, SLG, ISO, wOBA, wRC+, etc. are all in Uggla’s favor.
-C
To be fair, I don’t think Prince Fielder was even expecting Prince Fielder money at the amount he got.
I think Phillips is looking for 6 years/$75-90MM
Atlanta’s loss will be D.C.’s gain
Bourn is going to look nice in a Nationals uni next year
Yep, that will be one highly overpaid outfield (and that even takes into account one guy will be at the league minimum).