11/19: Soriano: 8 Years, $136 Million
Posted by: James
If you saw the $51.1 million posting for Matzuka and thought it was just a blip, get ready to be amazed. A Chicago-based radio station is reporting that the Cubs just signed Alfonso Soriano to an 8 year deal worth $136 million. That's $17 million per season for those playing along at home. $17 million for converted infielder who happens to turn 31 years old in a month. Yes, I know he went 40/40 last year but Soriano scares me on many levels. I mean, he was playing for a new contract last year, a good part of his game built on his speed and even in his best year (last year), his OBP was just .351. Honestly, if you look at his career stats, last year certainly looks like a outlier, doesn't it? Well, the Cubs will certainly find out over the next 8 years.
What does this mean for the Yankees? Well, remember a couple of years ago when a ton of teams were just throwing around money (and the Yanks picked up Pavano & Wright) - yeah, it looks like it's going to be one of those free-agent hauls this year. If you want to pick someone up, be prepared to pay through the nose for him because a lot of teams seem to have cash just burning a hole in their pocket. For example, look at Mark DeRosa. He's a utility infielder that I liked at the beginning of the offseason to fill Miggy Cairo's spot on the Yankees bench. He plays a lot of positions (all of them pretty well actually) and I figured he wouldn't command more than a couple million on the open market. I mean, DeRosa will turn 32 before the beginning of next year and prior to last year, really hadn't done too much. So what happened? Well, he was signed to a 3 year, 13 million dollar deal by (who else?) the Cubs. Wow. I can't wait to see what Boras is drumming up for Mr. Zito.
In hindsight, it looks like Detroit really did get a bargain on Sheffield at just $13 million. Who knew?
Update: Justin Speier, who Patrick had mentioned earlier as a player that the Yanks were looking at, just signed with LAnaheim to a 4 year, $18 million dollar deal. $4.5 million a year for a reliever who is pretty good and has been consistent the last few years but is also turning 33 before the start of next season. Interesting. Even with the minimal amount of actual talent out on the free agent market, it looks like big dollars and long-terms are back in vogue.
What does this mean for the Yankees? Well, remember a couple of years ago when a ton of teams were just throwing around money (and the Yanks picked up Pavano & Wright) - yeah, it looks like it's going to be one of those free-agent hauls this year. If you want to pick someone up, be prepared to pay through the nose for him because a lot of teams seem to have cash just burning a hole in their pocket. For example, look at Mark DeRosa. He's a utility infielder that I liked at the beginning of the offseason to fill Miggy Cairo's spot on the Yankees bench. He plays a lot of positions (all of them pretty well actually) and I figured he wouldn't command more than a couple million on the open market. I mean, DeRosa will turn 32 before the beginning of next year and prior to last year, really hadn't done too much. So what happened? Well, he was signed to a 3 year, 13 million dollar deal by (who else?) the Cubs. Wow. I can't wait to see what Boras is drumming up for Mr. Zito.
In hindsight, it looks like Detroit really did get a bargain on Sheffield at just $13 million. Who knew?
Update: Justin Speier, who Patrick had mentioned earlier as a player that the Yanks were looking at, just signed with LAnaheim to a 4 year, $18 million dollar deal. $4.5 million a year for a reliever who is pretty good and has been consistent the last few years but is also turning 33 before the start of next season. Interesting. Even with the minimal amount of actual talent out on the free agent market, it looks like big dollars and long-terms are back in vogue.
