The season is underway and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (video link) is back with Full Count..
- Cole Hamels didn't set an Opening Day deadline in his contract talks, but if the Phillies want to hammer out a deal mid-season they'll have to make him a bold and aggressive offer. Otherwise, the pitcher likely wouldn't listen midseason. Matt Cain's new deal is the baseline for Hamels and unless they'll venture into Cliff Lee territory (five-years, $120MM), they probably shouldn't bother restarting the talks.
- The Cain deal also puts the Brewers in a tough spot with Zack Greinke. Cain has been much more consistent than Greinke in the last five years but he's seen a bit of a drop over the last two seasons. The Brewers might want to wait to see more before offering $100MM+ plus, though his second-half last season was a sign of great things to come.
- For the Giants, the Cain signing is a buffer against potentially losing Tim Lincecum. Lincecum could cost the Giants upwards of $25MM a year, but Rosenthal says to keep two factors in mind. First, the contracts of Aaron Rowand and Barry Zito will be off the books by the time Lincecum's next deal begins. Secondly, the club's annual debt payments on AT&T Park – roughly $20MM a year – end after the 2017 season.
- The Rangers have discussed four- and five- year deals with Ian Kinsler but aren't eager to give him free agent money when he's under control for two more years. The danger for Texas is that the Yankees could potentially sign Robinson Cano to a monster deal, effectively raising Kinsler's price. Both players are eligible for free agency after the 2013 season.
Hamels should be eager to test free agency at this point. Why re-up with a team who’s window is closing fast? Their lineup is awful and getting old, and with $60m+ tied up in just three starting pitchers they’ll have little else to play with to make the necessary improvements in the field. Losing games 1-0 and 2-1 with little run production will get tired fast for this rotation. Hamels can excitedly be looking forward to signing in Texas, Boston or NY next year when he gets the chance. LA should be there too to help drive up the price.
Haven’t heard this before.
He’s going to go where the money is.
Zach, how can anyone label Cain as less than spectacular over the last two years given his (lack of) run support and his 2010 postseason?
Jesus, quit dancing around this JD. I’m all for being smart with the money on long term extensions, but give Kinsler the money he deserves!
I agree, it feels like they’re getting stingier and stingier with the money. I know you have to be selective about who you pay, but Kinsler is a staple for this team. Middle infielder , or not, he deserves to get paid. I want him here in Arlington long term. Hamilton and Napoli have already both agreed to being extended mid-season if necessary. We need to lock up Kinsler and then moniter Hamilton and Napoli’s progress for a couple of months.
Cano is already probably making within 2-3m of the salary Texas is discussing with Kinsler. Cano’s 2013 is 14m and one would figure that Texas is probably at no more than 15-17m.
Let’s also not forget Cano is a HUGE product of Yankee stadium, moreso than Kinsler is of Arlington. Then, he also is a tremendous athlete with the glove, as far as range goes even though some like to knock him for being careless with easier plays in the field.
Kinsler is the faster of course, then the comparisons are bound to be made when it comes time. I can see NY making a huge offer to keep their future cornerstone, on the field presence. The rest of the on the field stars are aged and he is the only one other than Gardner who is not on the wrong side of 30 pretty much they can count on to carry this team and not a dice towards them.. They NEED to get his negotiations done and not drag them out.
I see a quick 5-6 year deal at around 18-20m as suitable for Cano. Probably coming up before his 2013 option year. Just hope that Kinsler realizes that Cano is more of a creature of Yankee stadium than he is of Arlington.
It really is amazing that the top 3 2b.. Kinsler, Pedey, Cano all 3 are at the perfect places for them to play and they have utilized them well.
Really?
What is that Cano comment based on?
Career:
Cano
Home: 77 HR, .313 BA, .352 OBP, .497 SLG, .849 OPS
Away: 67 HR, .303 BA, .342 OBP, .495 SLG, .837 OPS
Kinsler:
Home: 67HR, .310 BA, .396 OBP, .529 SLG, .925 SLG
Away: 58HR, .242 BA, .315 OBP, .412 SLG, .727 SLG
Any long term Hamels deal will be ‘The Next Barry Zito Contract.’ He’s not Cliff Lee. He’s not even Matt Cain. He’s a slightly above average lefty who doesn’t deserve anything more than 3yrs/40m. And that is a stretch.
lol.
You should be ashamed.
Good. Spread that talk. Maybe it’ll gain traction and Hamels’ agent will accept a low ball offer from RAJ. (This is wishful thinking)
Comparing Kinsler to Cano isn’t fair- Cano’s got far more RBI’s and far more consistent power, even if Kinsler has broken the 30 HR mark twice and Cano has never hit more than 29. Add to that they’re on clubs with differing financial patterns. Cano could very well get an extension from the Yankees worth anywhere from 5 years/$100MM to 8 years/$160MM, in my opinion and Kinsler just isn’t gonna get anywhere near that kind of money. I think he could shoot for 5 years/$90MM or maybe 6 years/$100MM, but no way does he get $20MM per season on any deal.
RBI’s mean nothing and they’ve both shown consistent power, so 25 HR a year is probably an average for them each.
The two have almost identical WAR over the past four seasons, and Kinsler actually was worth more last season. Both are in great lineups in hitters parks. Should get similar deals, though Cano will likely get more simply for doing it in pinstripes.
I am going to the phillies cause the phils are the best team right now and maybe the beast ever
Beast-mode.