As MLBTR’s Extension Tracker shows, teams and players have signed 34 extensions since last September. Who’s going to be next? A couple of Gold Glove middle infielders may sign soon. Here’s the latest:
- Fern Cuza, the agent for shortstop Erick Aybar, arrived in Angels camp last night and is expected to meet with GM Jerry Dipoto this week, Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com reports. Cuza will discuss the possibility of a long-term deal for Aybar, who's on track to hit free agency after the 2012 season.
- It appears that the agents for Brandon Phillips met with the Reds today, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes. “I don’t know . . . probably,” Phillips said. GM Walt Jocketty, who wouldn't comment on the negotiations, hadn't discussed a deal with Phillips' representatives since the Winter Meetings.
My guess is that the Reds make a low ball offer to Phillips. That way, if he accepts, they get him for less than what he would cost on the open market. If he declines then they can say they made him an offer and Phillips looks like a greedy bad guy for declining it.
We can’t offer Phillips the Uggla money that he wants. We just can’t afford it. 4 years/$44-46M is the absolute max in my opinion.
The Braves set the worst example offering Uggla that money.
What B.P should do what Barry Larken did. Take lesser money and build a World Series team.
Comparing BP to Larkin is a huge mistake.
Any time that you sign a player to an extension, it is at a rate lower than what the player would likely receive if he were on the open market at that point in time. It is, essentially, a trade-off. The player gets the security of getting paid now (based on current performance) vs later (risking a potential decrease in production or injury), and sacrifices potential earnings in the process. The team does this seeking a chance to save money over the length of the extension. Ideally it works out for both sides.
That is right Kevin BUT Phillips has already said he is not going to take “no homeboy hookup” (home town discount). So, the Reds are going to have to either pony up and pay Phillips what he thinks he is worth on the market or they are going to lose him.
I (and MANY others) feel that the Reds can NOT afford both Phillips and Votto (unless they raise team payroll to $100 million dollars or more, which they wont do). So, that is why I say they are going to low ball Phillips. That way they can look good and Phillips will look bad when he declines their offer.
Then the Reds can LOOK like they are saving the money for a Votto extension and keep the fans on the hook for the next two years. Until, of course, it becomes clear they can’t afford him either and he either gets traded or walks as a Free Agent.
But, the real question is does Votto stay if he knows Phillips won’t be in the lineup with him?
they’ll easily be able to afford one. but not both.