I think that's spin. I don't believe a lot of teams could afford him like RichMiano said before this all started but I do believe the Dodgers, Angels, Boston and either NY team could. The Dodgers and Angels are fighting a turf war and if either of them got him it would help their attendance and hurt the other. The ability to increase ticket prices while selling more tickets would probably make up his entire salary in full. Just look at Boston who this week raised ticket prices 9% and they haven't added anybody. I don't think a 300 million dollar offer from either the Dodgers or Angels was off base. I do think 350 was never going to happen from anybody.
But provided you guys don't do anything like trade Hughes, Joba and Kennedy for Santana it appears as if that good pitching will be in place. Don't get me wrong those guys all have to prove they can go a full season but I don't think that will be an issue.
FA just started, how many big signings have there been so far, 2? Can we wait a couple weeks before we start criticizing people.
To be fair... besides Arod this isn't really a big FA year.... how many top level players are really available? Rivera and Posada had about zero chance of leaving the Yankees...
Looks like the final haul for Arod is 314 million. 275 Guaranteed for 10 years. 30 million for HR milestones. 600, 714, 755, 762 and 763 9 million from Texas for opting-out
You said the Red Sox upped prices without adding anyone. For all you know Lowell is going to leave and then they pick up Helton. Who knows? Coco/prospects to Minny for Santana, who knows? I'm just saying don't make statements like that until late Dec. at least.
That wasn't being critical, that was just making a point how winning a WS can justify increased prices without doing anything else. (Which they haven't). The addition of expensive players, if it brings in more people is another excuse owners use to raise prices. The point is anything that generates more interest in the team is an excuse for higher prices. BTW, I didn't know Helton was a free agent and if he isn't why wouldn't they trade for Cabrerra instead? They would probably both cost the same in players. Santana would cost way more the Coco Crisp and prospects. Probably Buchholz, Ellsbury and a prospect.
Thats a very subjective statement. Rather than have one 35 million dollar player, most teams would rather have two additional players, one for 20 million and one for 15 million. I think that feeling was expressed quite clearly by teams refusing to go near Arod's numbers. And NOT to beat a dead horse, he has not produced in the post season. Arod has never won a World Series and how many years has he played now, at least 10. As an example, lets see who the Mets pick up between now and opening day. Players they would not want to spend on if they signed Arod. I somehow suspect I would rather have the extra players rather than become a Me-rod team.
The problem with that is you can't replace his numbers with one single player. Meaning that you need to take up two places in the lineup with two players to do it. The cost of two would almost be the same as what you are playing Arod and give you one less at bat each time through the order. It really is a bargain. (assuming he stays healthy)
You KNOW what this boils down to? IF Arod hit in the post-season, there would be NO ARGUMENT. If AROD did in the post season, what he does in the regular season, I would agree with you. IF Arod hit in the post season - all anti-Arod rhetoric would be shut up.
He hit for an average close to .375 in his first four post season series and has hit crap in the last 4. It isn't like he can't or hasn't done it. I think he will again but only time will tell. Like I have said dozens of times, if we get some pitching it takes a lot of pressure off the hitting and that in itself will probably make him better in the playoffs.
This is what anti-Arod fans are clamoring about. Yorvit Torreabla, the catcher the Mets just signed from Colorado (for 5 MILLION dollars a year), in the World Series against Boston hit .256 and had 8 RBIS. Arod has played in 10 playoff series in his career, and has NEVER had more than 5 rbis in any series. YOU MUST SEE where the criticism is coming from.
