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Will economy drive CC, Teixeira to New York?
October 10th, 2008, 6:30 am · 8 Comments · posted by Ellen Bell, Afternoon Angel
Interesting angle into free agency with CC Sabathia - and, by extension, Mark Teixeira. Will the economy drive the top pitcher and hitter in this free agent class?
It has happened in the past, as outlined by Newsday columnist Ken Davidoff.
The Major League Players’ Association is said to have applied some degree of pressure on Jim Thome a few years back to take a larger contract to keep salaries escalating during tough economic times.
Davidoff writes: ”The one free agent set to make big-time money was Jim Thome, the affable Indians slugger. The Phillies bid heavily, offering him a six-year, $85-million package. The Indians, who drafted and developed Thome but thought they needed to give themselves more payroll and roster flexibility, countered with a five-year, $60-million deal.
Thome, an Illinois native and resident, loved playing in the Midwest. He enjoyed immense popularity in Cleveland, and $60 million probably could have paid the bills. But the Players Association leaned heavily on Thome to take the Phillies’ offer, saying, essentially: “You can’t turn this down. Not this winter.”
Could the same thing happen to Sabathia, a Bay Area native who reportedly wants to play in California and is on the Angels’ shopping list?
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Not this year. There are so many people struggling that if it comes out that players are being pressured to take top dollar rather than play where they want to, the fans will finally throw in the towel and say “that’s enough”.
Love to keep Mark, but I’ll accept Kendry Morales for a lot less money!
Same for Frankie and Jose!
They are all over paid and I am sure they are not struggling like the average Joe.
Halos Christmas list -
Tex, Manny and CC.
IF THE YANKS OFFER THE CASH THE BIG DOGS WILL GO…
IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME…
NO MATTER WHAT THE CASE OF THE ECONOMY IS…
CC doesn’t want to play for the Yankees - he pretty much already said that when he mentioned how “messed up” the Yankees organization has become. I think Teixeira will go with the most money, which might or might not come from NY. Their biggest priority is pitching although they can afford several big contracts.
As far as the Player’s association making a push like that, I can’t picture a player signing with a team where he doesn’t want to live or play. However, who the heck wouldn’t take $25m more guaranteed dollars!?!?! The player’s assoc doesn’t need to say a word to me to take THAT deal. I also don’t expect the Yankees to come up with THAT much more money than the Angels for Teixeira anyway. The Angels can cut a lot of contract money from their payroll this year, next year(Escobar) and the next few years. Teixeira is a “must sign” if there ever was one.
Scott Boras is much more likely than the MLBPA to pressure Mr. Teixeira to take the highest dollar offer he receives. It’s too bad the young superstar will lkely be offered, and accept, a deal paying in the range of $200M for ten years from the NYY or the Mets. It will be a shame to see such an apparently nice young man sacrifice peace of mind and stability for the dollars so he can go work in that human zoo called New York.
Oh too bad Jim Thome was traded to the White Sox and missed out his chance with the Phillies. My guess he wasn’t happy there…
Now look at the Phillies have won the World Series.
if the players aren’t happy with the way their team is, traded the player and the team will play better just what the Phillies did.