4:49pm: Infante and the Royals are closing in on a four-year deal worth roughly $30MM, according to ESPN's Buster Olney (Twitter link).
4:44pm: The Royals are "very close" to a deal with free agent second baseman Omar Infante, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
The Royal and Yankees have been said to be the top suitors for the Gene Mato client. New York has reportedly offered a three-year, $24MM contract, but Infante has seeking a four-year, $40MM pact.
If Infante can get 4 years and or close to $40MM he should jump on that deal as quick as possible.
Unbelievable the Yankees refuse to match this deal. What is their plan a full season of Nunez at 2B? Ugh…
I am not a Nunez fan but I have to say a year or 2 of Nunez at 2nd base platooned with Johnson is a much better option then 4 years of a 32 year old Infante for $30mm.
The thing is I don’t think Nunez is capable of playing a full season at an infield position without being a serious defensive liability.
I did say platooning didn’t I. Nunez is a RH’ed batter, Johnson a LH’ed batter The Yankees can afford to sacrifice some defense if they can get 20 to 25 total HR’s and 75 plus RBI’s from the pair at 2nd base. Plus don;t forget the Yankees have other option aside from Nunez they can platoon at 2nd with Johnson if necessary the can always run Ryan over there is necessary defensively.
Nunez and Kelly Johnson is not a better option than Infante. That platoon could easily be replacement level and after getting 5 wins from the position last year, that may be a problem. A 4 year 30 million deal will not hamstring the Yankees.
Uggla
yankees .. prepare for the 10 year curse at second base! love it
What curse? They won 3 in a row with Knoblauch until Soriano showed up & still had Cairo/Wilson until Cano showed up. Remove Yanks insert Mariners then I’ll agree
Wow. I thought someone was gonna go 3/30 at this rate, and they got him for 4/30? Not exactly a steal, but still.
Whoa … lots of GM’ s calling Cashman right now offering 2B for Gardner …
Kind of surprised the Yankees aren’t in it at 3/30, I wonder if they feel good about the backup plan or feel confident with a pitcher.
Looks like the Yankees have decided to not over pay in either years or dollars for marginal players on the wrong side of 30.
He’s not marginal compared to Kelly Johnson and Eduardo Nunez…..
He is at roughly $8MM per year over the next 4 years. Just my opinion but I think fans are underestimating Johnson and while Nunez is defensively challenged offensively he’s not bad. And platooning the 2 players at 2nd is a definite possibility.
Following the 2009 season, Dave dombrowski didn’t extend a QO to Polanco and he walked away at 3 yrs 18 mill to the Phillies. As a Tiger fan I watched in shock and horror over the next 2 1/2 plus years as they trotted out stiffs at 2B such as Scott Sizemore, Will Rhymes, Ryan Raburn, Ramon Santiago, Danny Worth, Brandon Inge etc until Dombrowski finally traded for Infante in 2012. Bottom line is I don’t mind a team giving an occasional overpay to a “know what you’re going to get guy” if you don’t have any other real answers at that specific position. You can’t say kudos Yankees for not giving Infante what KC gave him but then justify Beltrans contract considering the dearth of OF on the Yankees roster, Beltrans age, horrendous defense, (although I assume he will DH some but not everyday?). But that’s where I’m just assuming. As a Yankee fan, are you happy with how they have spent money this off season? Just curious since I’m not in the NY market or follow them.
You act like its your money man. The yanks aren’t hurting for dough. Surely, you would approve of them spending 8 mil over using Nunez? What’s the worry with money with of all teams the Yankees?
You act like its your money man. The yanks aren’t hurting for dough. Surely, you would approve of them spending 8 mil over using Nunez? What’s the worry with money with of all teams the Yankees?
That probably is the reasoning by the Yankees. What I wonder is what is the sweet spot for how to pay a player now? The money is sloshing around, you can’t spend for Latin amateurs and in the June draft anymore. So how much is too much is hard to tell.
Infante (31) WAR over the past 3 years: 8.1
Beltran (36) WAR over the past 3 years: 9.6
Beltran is older, hurt more often and showing more signs of decline than Infante. He signed for $15M more, went for one more year than the Yankees wanted and plays a position where the Yankees have more depth than 2B.
I don’t really love either contract, but I’m not sure your theory holds true.
The Yankees are now the voice of fiscal sanity? I think the Yankees are working off the idea their best players should make the most money. Is Infante even going to be the best player in KC?
The TV deals are inflating all prices, but especially of decent players. Above average players are now making what stars made a few years ago. It would be interesting to read analysis on how teams tie value on the field to what they are payed. It’s looking like not all teams are working of the same valuations, not even close.
Although I’m a Tiger fan, I gotta give it up to KC. They traded a position of strength to get a lead off hitter in Aoki so they could move Alex Gordon down in the lineup where he belongs. Infante isn’t a sexy name but he’s a very solid player. Keep in mind Peralta got 4/52 after he was suspended for PEDs and unlike Peralta, infante isn’t a statue w no range at his position. KC has long has a 2B revolving door and this helps solidify this position for the time being while also moving Bonaficio to a utility type role where I think he would prove ultimately most effective. Although I’m not a huge fan of the Vargas deal I realize even 4th/5th sp innings eaters cost money in the open market. And it addressed a need.
nunez may just flourish who knows wierd things has happened