Thursday, December 09, 2004
The Best-Laid Planned Blog Entries Of Mice And Men
… are usually about equal. I was all set to note a few random inanities when I picked up this morning's Republic and see "D-Backs to Sign Glaus." I normally wouldn't give an unsourced article quite so much weight, but when an article mentions an impending press conference and specific salary amounts (4 years, $4 million signing bonus, and the following non-deferred salaries: 2005: $8.25 M; 2006: $9.25 M; 2007: $10.75 M; 2008: $12.75 M), I'm willing to give the report some slack.
So, assuming that the report is true (and nothing is showing up on the D-Backs' website), two immediate thoughts come to mind:
1. Does this make Randy Johnson sticking around in 2005 more likely? On first glance, I thought the answer was "yes." Here you go, Randy, here's your offensive upgrade. Upon further reflection, however, the contract length (through 2008) does give the D-Backs enough certainty that they could feel like they could trade Randy knowing that they have a nucleus (Gonzo, Glaus, Webb) through at least 2006. That could make them feel more comfortable trading Randy. So I guess it probably makes Randy feel better about sticking around in 2005 (and possibly beyond); whether it not it gives management the same feeling, we'll see.
2. What happens if Sexson accepts aribtration? This was one of the "random inanities" I was pondering when signing Glaus was much less of a reality. Clearly the D-Backs are no longer interested in a multi-year contract with Sexson. But Richie could be finding out that nobody is willing to give him the pure guaranteed contract he wants and the D-Backs refused to give him. He may decide that he's better off accepting arbitration, getting one year at around $9 or $10 million (most likely guaranteed), hitting the lights out of the ball with Gonzo, Glaus and him batting 3-4-5 and giving each other protection, then using his 2005 season to get a guaranteed multi-year contract next winter. Certainly it might be nice having three men whose combined season-high HR totals equal 141 in the heart of the lineup. Of course, those same three men only combined for 44 HR last year. Paying $27 million or so for 141 HR seems like a pretty good value; paying $27 million for 44 HR seems like a pretty lousy value.
More on this (effects on Tracy and the rest of the team; salary implications; is the contract worth it) in the next day or so. I hope.
So, assuming that the report is true (and nothing is showing up on the D-Backs' website), two immediate thoughts come to mind:
1. Does this make Randy Johnson sticking around in 2005 more likely? On first glance, I thought the answer was "yes." Here you go, Randy, here's your offensive upgrade. Upon further reflection, however, the contract length (through 2008) does give the D-Backs enough certainty that they could feel like they could trade Randy knowing that they have a nucleus (Gonzo, Glaus, Webb) through at least 2006. That could make them feel more comfortable trading Randy. So I guess it probably makes Randy feel better about sticking around in 2005 (and possibly beyond); whether it not it gives management the same feeling, we'll see.
2. What happens if Sexson accepts aribtration? This was one of the "random inanities" I was pondering when signing Glaus was much less of a reality. Clearly the D-Backs are no longer interested in a multi-year contract with Sexson. But Richie could be finding out that nobody is willing to give him the pure guaranteed contract he wants and the D-Backs refused to give him. He may decide that he's better off accepting arbitration, getting one year at around $9 or $10 million (most likely guaranteed), hitting the lights out of the ball with Gonzo, Glaus and him batting 3-4-5 and giving each other protection, then using his 2005 season to get a guaranteed multi-year contract next winter. Certainly it might be nice having three men whose combined season-high HR totals equal 141 in the heart of the lineup. Of course, those same three men only combined for 44 HR last year. Paying $27 million or so for 141 HR seems like a pretty good value; paying $27 million for 44 HR seems like a pretty lousy value.
More on this (effects on Tracy and the rest of the team; salary implications; is the contract worth it) in the next day or so. I hope.
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