It could still happen apparently... http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/2161579/report-gonzalez-sox-still-possible
Werth to the Nats for the infamous 7 Year $126 Million contact of doom. (See Wells, Vernon and Zito, Barry)
So I guess Buster Olney is surprised? # Last contract that generated this kind of vitriol was Kevin brown deal 21 minutes ago via Mobile Web from Bay Lake, Bay Lake # The Werth contract has had an impact of an 8.0 earthquake. Rival gms, execs are going nuts about the terms. 26 minutes ago via Mobile Web from Bay Lake, Bay Lake # Of gonzalez’s contract demands. The werth contract has stunned people in the game, because of it’s magnitude 32 minutes ago via Mobile Web from Bay Lake, Bay Lake # Werth terms of seven years is enormous for Carl Crawford, who figures to get even more. Wonder if this will change boston’s view (more) 42 minutes ago via Mobile Web from Southwest Orange, FL
Still no official word. Gonzalez's agent says they are still meeting. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/05/padres-red-sox-gonzalez-trade/
Looks like a done deal in the end. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...gonzalez.redsox.deal.off/index.html?eref=sihp
Looks like we submitted to his 8 year demand, which I don't mind. This is going to give us stability in the middle of the order for the better part of a decade. If he's hitting 30 HR's consistently in Petco...
I agree Werth isnt worth the money. At first I thought it would have made sense to get Crawford, but then I realized they dont need another speed guy. Still I'm impressed that the Nats are not trying to cut salary, I think it would have made sense to sign a guy like Paul Konerko to a short term deal instead. But I'm happy that I wont have to see super dooper crap until Harper in two years. If the Nats somehow got Cliff Lee I would be mighty impressed
I know the nats feel they have to overpay to get people, but what a horrible contract to give a 31 year old he isn't worth that money now, and he certainly won't be worth it in three years.
I dont know if the Nats think they have to overpay, its a dumb contract sure but Werth would have probably gotten 15 mil from a different team. I cant really comment too much because I really have no context as far as bids from other teams. Jerry Crasnick has this whole thing about why the Nats signed Werth, I think its kinda bullshit. The only reason I think this went down the way it did was because after the Nats didnt resign Dunn, they panicked and signed the consensus next best power bat on the market. Though like I said earlier they could have taken a few lower tiered players.
I find it hard to believe there was another team offering 7 years at anything close to that. Reminds me of the A-Rod Texas contract. Maybe another team was offering about the same money per year, but certainly not a 7 year deal.
Unbelievable the contract Werth got from the Nats... Crawford is probably doing back flips right now.
The Jays are on the cusp of dealing S.Marcum to the Brewers for one of their top prospects (2B Brett Lawrie)......the rumor going around here is they could be posturing themselves to make a run at Zack Greinke. It's too bad....I really liked Marcum....his work ethic and durability will be missed. Greinke is too much of a head case to take a chance on, imo.....talented kid though.
What are the Nats thinking? This is a guy who clearly benefited from playing in a hitter friendly park and in a lineup that featured a ton of talented guys. I think this move just spells Crawford to the Yanks or Sox because the Nats probably just priced 85% of the teams in the league out of the market. Although I wouldn't be surprised to see the Angels make a run at Crawford either. They can pay him and he fits a need.
I think that people are selling Werth a little bit short here--no, he isn't worth the money that Washington paid him, but the Nats have to overpay if they're gonna convince anyone to sign away their future to a bottomfeeding franchise. Werth is a legitimate middle of the lineup force, and a good defender to boot. I'd rather have him than Crawford to be honest (once Crawford's speed starts to decline in a few years, he won't even be close to as valuable as he is now.)
Lets make a distinction between the Nationals and the Pirates. The Nationals are low now but I cant see how with Strasburg, Harper, and Storen, maybe a few pieces here and there, and they are not at least fielding a competitive team. The ownership is willing to spend money, which is all you can ask for at the moment. The Nats are not far away from competing I think it may have been Tim Kurkjian who said that Nats people heard that Werth was going to get six years at 18 mil. So in that sense, its not a
Werth is a pretty good player and he could be close to worth the money for the next two-three years. After that, no, unless he starts on a Bonds-like regimen.
After looking everything over, San Diego did pretty well in this trade. To all the guys that said the Sox got a steal, the Padres did too. This was a player that had no future in San Diego. There was absolutely no shot at re-signing him to the kind of deal that he wanted. It would be nice to get some immediate help in this trade, but I have no problem with prospects acquired. Hoyer is supposedly going after Adam LaRoche or Derrick Lee right now...definitely a downgrade from Gonzalez, but either of the two with be serviceable. I would have liked to see him extended, but that wasn't happening...so the Pads grabbed three of Boston's best prospects and made a great move for the future.
I like this move for Baltimore, they get a good young 1B/3B/DH who'll hit 35+ HRs and .225. The Orioles need to make moves if they're ever going to compete. They just don't have the farm system that is deep enough to do what the Rays did. With Buck at the helm they are going to try and be competitive right away. Insane to think they go after Dunn to play 1B. Throw Dunn in a lineup with Reynolds, Markakis and Jones and it's not that awful. Now pitching is another story but gotta give the O's some credit for at least trying.
