Bay to the Mets (1 Viewer)

[Michael Brown]

4 years, $66 million

ETA: NY Post link

 

[Eephus]

Bay fills a need and the Mets can probably afford him. It's hard to say whether the years and money are right until the Holliday deal is done.

 

[shadyridr]

This is gonna turn out to be a disaster

 

[guru_007]

This is gonna turn out to be a disaster

not really sure why you say that.You can pretty much pencil him in for a .280 average, 30 homers, 100 rbis, 100 runs. That's pretty good middle of the order guy. There's not too much else there available any better. Mets need a thumper. they were desperate enough to get Sheffield, and keep Delgado around, those guys are both about done. Now you get a 31 year old guy who should still have at least 3-4 more productive years to go with Reyes, Wright, Beltran. Biggest problem the Mets have is keeping guys healthy. When your most productive outfielder is Angel Pagan, you really need to do something. Mets can afford his contract, pretty solid signing.

 

[Michael Brown]

This is gonna turn out to be a disaster

not really sure why you say that.You can pretty much pencil him in for a .280 average, 30 homers, 100 rbis, 100 runs.

Just make sure that part's in pencil and not pen.

 

[EZD222]

Physical could be a marathon

 

[guru_007]

This is gonna turn out to be a disaster

not really sure why you say that.You can pretty much pencil him in for a .280 average, 30 homers, 100 rbis, 100 runs.

Just make sure that part's in pencil and not pen.

why? he's had one year in the past 5 under 30, and had his knee scoped that year severely limiting him. His speed is gone now, but he still drives the ball. If he gets 600 AB's, and I see no reason barring unforeseen injury that he doesn't I say 30 is easily doable.

 

[TLEF316]

This is gonna turn out to be a disaster

not really sure why you say that.You can pretty much pencil him in for a .280 average, 30 homers, 100 rbis, 100 runs.

Just make sure that part's in pencil and not pen.

agreed. not in that ballpark. The Mets had to do this. They needed a middle of the order hitter. But Bay is gonna be a disaster defensively in that ball park.

I would have spent the extra money for Holliday.

 

[Koya]

4 years here is the key. As a big time mets fan, there simply WAS no one out there I felt was truly elite, but the Mets have some very good talent, albeit on a VERY top heavy team. However, if you can get an average to good season out of Reyes, Wright and Beltran, then add Bay to the puzzle, you really need only one surprise (i.e. Delgado coming back and hitting 25-30 HRs or something else unexpected) thats not a bad lineup in terms of potential runs produced.

But back to 4 years - this is not too long a commitment. If you get 3 good years, so be it. We arent locked in for 5, 6, 7 years on a stud who could falter. Its 4 years and a high annual salary on a good player who is one of the best FAs in a weak year. See what can happen this year, and one BIG signing next year and they are right back in it with a nice nucleus in their prime.

 

[INRIhab]

4 years here is the key. As a big time mets fan, there simply WAS no one out there I felt was truly elite, but the Mets have some very good talent, albeit on a VERY top heavy team. However, if you can get an average to good season out of Reyes, Wright and Beltran, then add Bay to the puzzle, you really need only one surprise (i.e. Delgado coming back and hitting 25-30 HRs or something else unexpected) thats not a bad lineup in terms of potential runs produced.But back to 4 years - this is not too long a commitment. If you get 3 good years, so be it. We arent locked in for 5, 6, 7 years on a stud who could falter. Its 4 years and a high annual salary on a good player who is one of the best FAs in a weak year. See what can happen this year, and one BIG signing next year and they are right back in it with a nice nucleus in their prime.

There's an "easily attainable" fifth year option...probably based on plate appearances .... how do you feel now? Another Magglio Ordonez situation 3-4 years down the road?

 

[Koya]

4 years here is the key. As a big time mets fan, there simply WAS no one out there I felt was truly elite, but the Mets have some very good talent, albeit on a VERY top heavy team. However, if you can get an average to good season out of Reyes, Wright and Beltran, then add Bay to the puzzle, you really need only one surprise (i.e. Delgado coming back and hitting 25-30 HRs or something else unexpected) thats not a bad lineup in terms of potential runs produced.But back to 4 years - this is not too long a commitment. If you get 3 good years, so be it. We arent locked in for 5, 6, 7 years on a stud who could falter. Its 4 years and a high annual salary on a good player who is one of the best FAs in a weak year. See what can happen this year, and one BIG signing next year and they are right back in it with a nice nucleus in their prime.

There's an "easily attainable" fifth year option...probably based on plate appearances .... how do you feel now? Another Magglio Ordonez situation 3-4 years down the road?

5th year, definately a bit more concerned depending on the trigger. If he needs to average 500 PAs, im cool with it - but being locked in would concern me.That said, this franchise had to do SOMEthing, and in their eyes for whatever reason, Bay was their target.

 

[guru_007]

No idea why there is any disappointment with the Bay signing.

As mentioned, the Mets needed a middle of the lineup guy.

Ya'll are acting like you just signed some 35 year old declining slugger. Bay is just 31, and will only be 35 at the end of the contract. So soon we forget Delgado's 38 homers 2 years ago?

Last year Bay hit 36 homers. And before ya'll start with yeah, but he played at Fenway....he hit 21 of his 36 homers on the road.

He only played in 151 games, and I'd venture to say almost all of them while playing the field. He carried the Sox at the begging of the season hitting 20 homers and driving almost 80 runs in the first half of the season. Except for a poor July, he would have easily passed 40 homers.

He gets on base at a very good clip. I don't see him falling off the cliff here at Citi field. He's played in the spotlight before, so I don't see a big signing swoon going to NY either.

And the bottom line is who the hell else were the Mets going to sign? All this Holliday clamor, they are roughly the same age...and people are sooooo quick to forget the terrific start he had in Oakland last year? Mets have a gold glove centerfielder to help out.

I guess we shall see how the year pans out. The money is a touch higher than you may have wanted, but it's not my money anyway, and it's not like he's getting paid a ridiculously inflated wage either.

 

[Eephus]

4 years here is the key. As a big time mets fan, there simply WAS no one out there I felt was truly elite, but the Mets have some very good talent, albeit on a VERY top heavy team. However, if you can get an average to good season out of Reyes, Wright and Beltran, then add Bay to the puzzle, you really need only one surprise (i.e. Delgado coming back and hitting 25-30 HRs or something else unexpected) thats not a bad lineup in terms of potential runs produced.But back to 4 years - this is not too long a commitment. If you get 3 good years, so be it. We arent locked in for 5, 6, 7 years on a stud who could falter. Its 4 years and a high annual salary on a good player who is one of the best FAs in a weak year. See what can happen this year, and one BIG signing next year and they are right back in it with a nice nucleus in their prime.

There's an "easily attainable" fifth year option...probably based on plate appearances .... how do you feel now? Another Magglio Ordonez situation 3-4 years down the road?

5th year, definately a bit more concerned depending on the trigger. If he needs to average 500 PAs, im cool with it - but being locked in would concern me.That said, this franchise had to do SOMEthing, and in their eyes for whatever reason, Bay was their target.

I think the Mets would be happy if they get as much net value from this deal as Detroit did from the Ordonez deal. They're much more capable of absorbing a bad contract than a team like the Tigers.If Fernando Martinez can somehow manage to stay healthy, Bay could be moved to 1B at some point during the contract.

 

[INRIhab]

4 years here is the key. As a big time mets fan, there simply WAS no one out there I felt was truly elite, but the Mets have some very good talent, albeit on a VERY top heavy team. However, if you can get an average to good season out of Reyes, Wright and Beltran, then add Bay to the puzzle, you really need only one surprise (i.e. Delgado coming back and hitting 25-30 HRs or something else unexpected) thats not a bad lineup in terms of potential runs produced.But back to 4 years - this is not too long a commitment. If you get 3 good years, so be it. We arent locked in for 5, 6, 7 years on a stud who could falter. Its 4 years and a high annual salary on a good player who is one of the best FAs in a weak year. See what can happen this year, and one BIG signing next year and they are right back in it with a nice nucleus in their prime.

There's an "easily attainable" fifth year option...probably based on plate appearances .... how do you feel now? Another Magglio Ordonez situation 3-4 years down the road?

5th year, definately a bit more concerned depending on the trigger. If he needs to average 500 PAs, im cool with it - but being locked in would concern me.That said, this franchise had to do SOMEthing, and in their eyes for whatever reason, Bay was their target.

I think the Mets would be happy if they get as much net value from this deal as Detroit did from the Ordonez deal. They're much more capable of absorbing a bad contract than a team like the Tigers.If Fernando Martinez can somehow manage to stay healthy, Bay could be moved to 1B at some point during the contract.

I think you're right in regards to Magglio. Mags also hit .375 in the second half, so I guess his option triggered simply because he was playing well enough to earn it....and I guess that's all you can hope for I completely forgot about Martinez, but Ike Davis will probably be at first by 2012.

 

[shadyridr]

This is gonna turn out to be a disaster

not really sure why you say that.You can pretty much pencil him in for a .280 average, 30 homers, 100 rbis, 100 runs. That's pretty good middle of the order guy. There's not too much else there available any better. Mets need a thumper. they were desperate enough to get Sheffield, and keep Delgado around, those guys are both about done. Now you get a 31 year old guy who should still have at least 3-4 more productive years to go with Reyes, Wright, Beltran. Biggest problem the Mets have is keeping guys healthy. When your most productive outfielder is Angel Pagan, you really need to do something. Mets can afford his contract, pretty solid signing.

In Citi Field? Guy is a good player no doubt but that field is gonna ruin his numbers

 

[=Smackdown=]

This is gonna turn out to be a disaster

not really sure why you say that.You can pretty much pencil him in for a .280 average, 30 homers, 100 rbis, 100 runs.

Just make sure that part's in pencil and not pen.

agreed. not in that ballpark. The Mets had to do this. They needed a middle of the order hitter. But Bay is gonna be a disaster defensively in that ball park.

I would have spent the extra money for Holliday.

Daniel Murphy & Gary Sheffield played LF for the Mets last year.Signing Bay is a much needed defensive improvement in LF going into 2010.

 

[shadyridr]

This is gonna turn out to be a disaster

not really sure why you say that.You can pretty much pencil him in for a .280 average, 30 homers, 100 rbis, 100 runs.

Just make sure that part's in pencil and not pen.

agreed. not in that ballpark. The Mets had to do this. They needed a middle of the order hitter. But Bay is gonna be a disaster defensively in that ball park.

I would have spent the extra money for Holliday.

holliday is a more complete player

 

[shadyridr]

This is gonna turn out to be a disaster

not really sure why you say that.You can pretty much pencil him in for a .280 average, 30 homers, 100 rbis, 100 runs.

Just make sure that part's in pencil and not pen.

agreed. not in that ballpark. The Mets had to do this. They needed a middle of the order hitter. But Bay is gonna be a disaster defensively in that ball park.

I would have spent the extra money for Holliday.

Daniel Murphy & Gary Sheffield played LF for the Mets last year.Signing Bay is a much needed defensive improvement in LF going into 2010.

But why not sign Holliday who is considered one of the better fielders in LF

 

[guru_007]

In Citi Field? Guy is a good player no doubt but that field is gonna ruin his numbers

Citi field has had exactly 1 year for a track record of home run production.The Mets hit 47 home runs at Citi last year, fewest in the majors.However, the Mets only hit 46 home runs on the road last year.Visiting teams did not have the struggles with hitting home runs that the MEts did, in fact, it was middle of the pack as far as road team homers go.David Wright couldn't him home runs at home. But the Mets were without Delgado, Beltran, Reyes, anyone all last year, so Wright was pressing immensely. Before annointing Citi field as the next polo grounds, lets let a few seasons play out. The dimensions of the new field are hardly outrageous - 408 to center, 380s to the alleys, 340 or so down the lines.

 

[guru_007]

fewer home runs were hit in Los Angeles, Turner Field...oh and Busch Stadium last year.

Where is all the chatter that Busch is going to kill Holliday's stats?

 

[shadyridr]

fewer home runs were hit in Los Angeles, Turner Field...oh and Busch Stadium last year.Where is all the chatter that Busch is going to kill Holliday's stats?

Jason Bay went from Fenway to Citi FieldHolliday is going from Busch to Busch? Also before that Holliday went from Oakland to STL.

 

[MrPhoenix]

But why not sign Holliday who is considered one of the better fielders in LF

FAIL

 

[shadyridr]

But why not sign Holliday who is considered one of the better fielders in LF

FAIL

yeah yeah he made a horrible play during the playoffs. Doesnt mean hes not a great fielder

 

[shadyridr]

But why not sign Holliday who is considered one of the better fielders in LF

FAIL

Fielding: Yes, he had quite the miscue in the playoffs. But have you seen the average corner outfielder in the major leagues? Holliday's actually been pretty good (according to UZR) compared to his peers, having UZR/150s of -5.5, 14.7, 10.9, and 3.2 from 2006-2009. His fans have been a bit more consistent than Bay's, and have tracked his UZR better, with -5.8, 2.3, 4.9, and 3.0 according to my translations. Altogether, that makes him about a +4 fielder in LF.

 

[MrPhoenix]

But why not sign Holliday who is considered one of the better fielders in LF

FAIL

Fielding: Yes, he had quite the miscue in the playoffs. But have you seen the average corner outfielder in the major leagues? Holliday's actually been pretty good (according to UZR) compared to his peers, having UZR/150s of -5.5, 14.7, 10.9, and 3.2 from 2006-2009. His fans have been a bit more consistent than Bay's, and have tracked his UZR better, with -5.8, 2.3, 4.9, and 3.0 according to my translations. Altogether, that makes him about a +4 fielder in LF.

Oh, he does well usually on the balls he does get to. However, I've seen zombies in crappy low-budget horror flicks with more speed and grace than Holliday in LF.

 

[MrPhoenix]

Keith Law recently did a comparison on Matt Holliday and Jason Bay and, while he admits Holliday is a better fielder, that ain't saying much:

Holliday’s stint in St. Louis didn’t end on a good note, and if he leaves for more lucrative pastures his legacy in Missouri may revolve around the missed catch that cost the Cardinals a win in the NLDS. Prior to that, however, he had re-established his place as a top hitter after reverting to his 2008 setup at the plate and getting away from American League pitching. AL hurlers found what the Red Sox discovered in 2007 — you can beat Holliday with good velocity, and he’ll chase a lot of sliders, although he can crush a bad slider as well as any power hitter. He’s moderately patient with good coverage on the outer half, and of course has plus raw power, particularly to left-center. He’s 16 months younger than Jason Bay and a better left fielder, although he looks extremely awkward out there and memories of his NLDS flub will haunt any general managers thinking of signing him, but he and Bay are the only impact bats on the market and will be paid accordingly.

Law is pretty much spot on here.Oh, link.

 

[ffldrew]

So the combined payrolls of the NY teams will be close to $400MM?

I travel to the NY area and when I listen to callers on the talk shows NY fans such a different idea/valuation of money compared to the rest of the country it is comical. They love throwing around big numbers in possible transactions like this 4/66M contract - while in Denver where I live we talk about the astronomical sums of 3 year/5M contracts for players.

 

[INRIhab]

What are the chances that the Mets lower the left field wall to accommodate Bay? Apparently a player on the Mets said today that hitting 30 in that ballpark is so difficult because the wall is so high. About 60% of Bay's career home runs have been to left/left-center.

 

[Michael Brown]

So the combined payrolls of the NY teams will be close to $400MM?I travel to the NY area and when I listen to callers on the talk shows NY fans such a different idea/valuation of money compared to the rest of the country it is comical. They love throwing around big numbers in possible transactions like this 4/66M contract - while in Denver where I live we talk about the astronomical sums of 3 year/5M contracts for players.

Glad to see there's no hyperbole at all in this post.Hey, we know that we tend to talk in greater terms than other teams. We're also in the largest market in the world, where a crappy cheeseburger at Applebee's will cost you $20 in Manhattan. Everything is more expensive here, including the athletes. The two franchises are often competing with one another for the same guys, Boston too...that tends to inflate things even more.Anyway the combined payrolls will not be close to $400 million. They should be around $330 mil combined. And yes, I realize that's still a gigantic number, but it's also $70 million less than what you said. I also hardly think people in Denver are talking about guys who are making the league average (your example would mean a guy makes $1.7 mil per year) having "astronomical" contracts. C'mon.

 

[INRIhab]

So the combined payrolls of the NY teams will be close to $400MM?

I travel to the NY area and when I listen to callers on the talk shows NY fans such a different idea/valuation of money compared to the rest of the country it is comical. They love throwing around big numbers in possible transactions like this 4/66M contract - while in Denver where I live we talk about the astronomical sums of 3 year/5M contracts for players.

Well that's just because 8/10 people who call into WFAN are crazy/irrational.

 

[Snotbubbles]

This is gonna turn out to be a disaster

not really sure why you say that.You can pretty much pencil him in for a .280 average, 30 homers, 100 rbis, 100 runs.

Bay will probably hit closer to .270 then .280. Plus, his defense is atrocious. I've heard comparisions to Pat Burrell.

 

[harryhood]

What are the chances that the Mets lower the left field wall to accommodate Bay? Apparently a player on the Mets said today that hitting 30 in that ballpark is so difficult because the wall is so high. About 60% of Bay's career home runs have been to left/left-center.

This. People saying "its only 340 down the line" are failing to realize you gotta pull it about 370 to get it over that large wall.

 

[DropKick]

What are the chances that the Mets lower the left field wall to accommodate Bay? Apparently a player on the Mets said today that hitting 30 in that ballpark is so difficult because the wall is so high. About 60% of Bay's career home runs have been to left/left-center.

Preposterous! That would be like the Yankees moving in the right field fence by 9 feet!

 

[Michael Brown]

But why not sign Holliday who is considered one of the better fielders in LF

FAIL

Fielding: Yes, he had quite the miscue in the playoffs. But have you seen the average corner outfielder in the major leagues? Holliday's actually been pretty good (according to UZR) compared to his peers, having UZR/150s of -5.5, 14.7, 10.9, and 3.2 from 2006-2009. His fans have been a bit more consistent than Bay's, and have tracked his UZR better, with -5.8, 2.3, 4.9, and 3.0 according to my translations. Altogether, that makes him about a +4 fielder in LF.

Oh, he does well usually on the balls he does get to. However, I've seen zombies in crappy low-budget horror flicks with more speed and grace than Holliday in LF.

Wait, he does well usually on the balls he gets to? Couldn't that be said about just about every outfielder in baseball? I mean, do you really think there are that many guys who consistently drop flyballs?

 

[ffldrew]

So the combined payrolls of the NY teams will be close to $400MM?

I travel to the NY area and when I listen to callers on the talk shows NY fans such a different idea/valuation of money compared to the rest of the country it is comical. They love throwing around big numbers in possible transactions like this 4/66M contract - while in Denver where I live we talk about the astronomical sums of 3 year/5M contracts for players.

Glad to see there's no hyperbole at all in this post.Hey, we know that we tend to talk in greater terms than other teams. We're also in the largest market in the world, where a crappy cheeseburger at Applebee's will cost you $20 in Manhattan. Everything is more expensive here, including the athletes. The two franchises are often competing with one another for the same guys, Boston too...that tends to inflate things even more.

Anyway the combined payrolls will not be close to $400 million. They should be around $330 mil combined. And yes, I realize that's still a gigantic number, but it's also $70 million less than what you said. I also hardly think people in Denver are talking about guys who are making the league average (your example would mean a guy makes $1.7 mil per year) having "astronomical" contracts. C'mon.

220+142=362+New contract for Bay and Johnson and who knows who else - maybe Holiday - so it is getting up there close to 400.

The New York Yankees, once again, ended the year with highest player payroll in MLB posting $220,024,917 for their 40-man roster that won the 2009 World Series. The high player payroll figure means that for the seventh consecutive year, the Yankees will pay into the Luxury Tax (see Yankees Hit With Luxury Tax Bill of Nearly $26 Million for8 2009), but was 1.12 percent lower than their 2008 end-of-year figure. The payroll figure for the Yankees eclipsed the second highest figure by their cross-town National League neighbors the New York Mets, who had an end of year player payroll figure of $142,229,759. The difference between the Yankees and Mets of $77,795,158 was higher than 11 of the clubs in the league spent at the end of the 2009 season.

 

[dparker713]

So the combined payrolls of the NY teams will be close to $400MM?

I travel to the NY area and when I listen to callers on the talk shows NY fans such a different idea/valuation of money compared to the rest of the country it is comical. They love throwing around big numbers in possible transactions like this 4/66M contract - while in Denver where I live we talk about the astronomical sums of 3 year/5M contracts for players.

Glad to see there's no hyperbole at all in this post.Hey, we know that we tend to talk in greater terms than other teams. We're also in the largest market in the world, where a crappy cheeseburger at Applebee's will cost you $20 in Manhattan. Everything is more expensive here, including the athletes. The two franchises are often competing with one another for the same guys, Boston too...that tends to inflate things even more.

Anyway the combined payrolls will not be close to $400 million. They should be around $330 mil combined. And yes, I realize that's still a gigantic number, but it's also $70 million less than what you said. I also hardly think people in Denver are talking about guys who are making the league average (your example would mean a guy makes $1.7 mil per year) having "astronomical" contracts. C'mon.

220+142=362+New contract for Bay and Johnson and who knows who else - maybe Holiday - so it is getting up there close to 400.

The New York Yankees, once again, ended the year with highest player payroll in MLB posting $220,024,917 for their 40-man roster that won the 2009 World Series. The high player payroll figure means that for the seventh consecutive year, the Yankees will pay into the Luxury Tax (see Yankees Hit With Luxury Tax Bill of Nearly $26 Million for8 2009), but was 1.12 percent lower than their 2008 end-of-year figure. The payroll figure for the Yankees eclipsed the second highest figure by their cross-town National League neighbors the New York Mets, who had an end of year player payroll figure of $142,229,759. The difference between the Yankees and Mets of $77,795,158 was higher than 11 of the clubs in the league spent at the end of the 2009 season.

The Yankees and Mets had several big money deals expire this offseason. Its not simple addition. Prior to the Vazquez and Johnson deals, there was some talk of a Yankee payroll around 180mil. Of course that was total BS, but they may atleast start the season with a lower payroll. The Mets will continue to spend near the luxury cap threshold, but will do everything they can to not exceed it.BTW, I think Bay will give away nearly as many runs with his glove as he'll gain with his bat in LF. I'd have much preferred Holliday. Right now, Im just hoping this will be one of the last nails in the coffin for Omar Minaya, but the guy just wont seem to die.

 

[Sammy3469]

So the combined payrolls of the NY teams will be close to $400MM?

I travel to the NY area and when I listen to callers on the talk shows NY fans such a different idea/valuation of money compared to the rest of the country it is comical. They love throwing around big numbers in possible transactions like this 4/66M contract - while in Denver where I live we talk about the astronomical sums of 3 year/5M contracts for players.

Glad to see there's no hyperbole at all in this post.Hey, we know that we tend to talk in greater terms than other teams. We're also in the largest market in the world, where a crappy cheeseburger at Applebee's will cost you $20 in Manhattan. Everything is more expensive here, including the athletes. The two franchises are often competing with one another for the same guys, Boston too...that tends to inflate things even more.

Anyway the combined payrolls will not be close to $400 million. They should be around $330 mil combined. And yes, I realize that's still a gigantic number, but it's also $70 million less than what you said. I also hardly think people in Denver are talking about guys who are making the league average (your example would mean a guy makes $1.7 mil per year) having "astronomical" contracts. C'mon.

220+142=362+New contract for Bay and Johnson and who knows who else - maybe Holiday - so it is getting up there close to 400.

The New York Yankees, once again, ended the year with highest player payroll in MLB posting $220,024,917 for their 40-man roster that won the 2009 World Series. The high player payroll figure means that for the seventh consecutive year, the Yankees will pay into the Luxury Tax (see Yankees Hit With Luxury Tax Bill of Nearly $26 Million for8 2009), but was 1.12 percent lower than their 2008 end-of-year figure. The payroll figure for the Yankees eclipsed the second highest figure by their cross-town National League neighbors the New York Mets, who had an end of year player payroll figure of $142,229,759. The difference between the Yankees and Mets of $77,795,158 was higher than 11 of the clubs in the league spent at the end of the 2009 season.

The Yankees and Mets had several big money deals expire this offseason. Its not simple addition. Prior to the Vazquez and Johnson deals, there was some talk of a Yankee payroll around 180mil. Of course that was total BS, but they may atleast start the season with a lower payroll. The Mets will continue to spend near the luxury cap threshold, but will do everything they can to not exceed it.BTW, I think Bay will give away nearly as many runs with his glove as he'll gain with his bat in LF. I'd have much preferred Holliday. Right now, Im just hoping this will be one of the last nails in the coffin for Omar Minaya, but the guy just wont seem to die.

The Yankees are right around 195-8 million right now in API (the total used for luxury tax purposes); however, I don't think that includes Igawa and is not the actual salary that goes out the door. Cashman has said they won't go over 200 million to start the season, but we all know that's a bunch of BS.

 

[Michael Brown]

So the combined payrolls of the NY teams will be close to $400MM?

I travel to the NY area and when I listen to callers on the talk shows NY fans such a different idea/valuation of money compared to the rest of the country it is comical. They love throwing around big numbers in possible transactions like this 4/66M contract - while in Denver where I live we talk about the astronomical sums of 3 year/5M contracts for players.

Glad to see there's no hyperbole at all in this post.Hey, we know that we tend to talk in greater terms than other teams. We're also in the largest market in the world, where a crappy cheeseburger at Applebee's will cost you $20 in Manhattan. Everything is more expensive here, including the athletes. The two franchises are often competing with one another for the same guys, Boston too...that tends to inflate things even more.

Anyway the combined payrolls will not be close to $400 million. They should be around $330 mil combined. And yes, I realize that's still a gigantic number, but it's also $70 million less than what you said. I also hardly think people in Denver are talking about guys who are making the league average (your example would mean a guy makes $1.7 mil per year) having "astronomical" contracts. C'mon.

220+142=362+New contract for Bay and Johnson and who knows who else - maybe Holiday - so it is getting up there close to 400.

The New York Yankees, once again, ended the year with highest player payroll in MLB posting $220,024,917 for their 40-man roster that won the 2009 World Series. The high player payroll figure means that for the seventh consecutive year, the Yankees will pay into the Luxury Tax (see Yankees Hit With Luxury Tax Bill of Nearly $26 Million for8 2009), but was 1.12 percent lower than their 2008 end-of-year figure. The payroll figure for the Yankees eclipsed the second highest figure by their cross-town National League neighbors the New York Mets, who had an end of year player payroll figure of $142,229,759. The difference between the Yankees and Mets of $77,795,158 was higher than 11 of the clubs in the league spent at the end of the 2009 season.

So now we count the 40-man roster for salary purposes? Why not the entire minor league payroll? Every other salary calculation uses the active 25-man roster to end the season, but let's even say that you use the 40-man. The Yankee payroll doesn't start at $220 million and go up from there...they dropped $25 million between Damon and Matsui, traded Bruney, traded Melky and Coke. Even when you factor in the additions of Javy and Johnson, it's still a net drop $10 million+. I'm not sure who came off the Met books this year.And the fact that you consider the Yankees players for Holliday as a part of your argument shows how little you're actually paying attention to them. The Yankees will not, I repeat, WILL NOT, sign Holliday. Zero chance. They're pretty much done for this offseason outside of the possible bargain basement pitching help.

 

[=Smackdown=]

So the combined payrolls of the NY teams will be close to $400MM?

I travel to the NY area and when I listen to callers on the talk shows NY fans such a different idea/valuation of money compared to the rest of the country it is comical. They love throwing around big numbers in possible transactions like this 4/66M contract - while in Denver where I live we talk about the astronomical sums of 3 year/5M contracts for players.

Glad to see there's no hyperbole at all in this post.Hey, we know that we tend to talk in greater terms than other teams. We're also in the largest market in the world, where a crappy cheeseburger at Applebee's will cost you $20 in Manhattan. Everything is more expensive here, including the athletes. The two franchises are often competing with one another for the same guys, Boston too...that tends to inflate things even more.

Anyway the combined payrolls will not be close to $400 million. They should be around $330 mil combined. And yes, I realize that's still a gigantic number, but it's also $70 million less than what you said. I also hardly think people in Denver are talking about guys who are making the league average (your example would mean a guy makes $1.7 mil per year) having "astronomical" contracts. C'mon.

220+142=362+New contract for Bay and Johnson and who knows who else - maybe Holiday - so it is getting up there close to 400.

The New York Yankees, once again, ended the year with highest player payroll in MLB posting $220,024,917 for their 40-man roster that won the 2009 World Series. The high player payroll figure means that for the seventh consecutive year, the Yankees will pay into the Luxury Tax (see Yankees Hit With Luxury Tax Bill of Nearly $26 Million for8 2009), but was 1.12 percent lower than their 2008 end-of-year figure. The payroll figure for the Yankees eclipsed the second highest figure by their cross-town National League neighbors the New York Mets, who had an end of year player payroll figure of $142,229,759. The difference between the Yankees and Mets of $77,795,158 was higher than 11 of the clubs in the league spent at the end of the 2009 season.

So now we count the 40-man roster for salary purposes? Why not the entire minor league payroll? Every other salary calculation uses the active 25-man roster to end the season, but let's even say that you use the 40-man. The Yankee payroll doesn't start at $220 million and go up from there...they dropped $25 million between Damon and Matsui, traded Bruney, traded Melky and Coke. Even when you factor in the additions of Javy and Johnson, it's still a net drop $10 million+. I'm not sure who came off the Met books this year.And the fact that you consider the Yankees players for Holliday as a part of your argument shows how little you're actually paying attention to them. The Yankees will not, I repeat, WILL NOT, sign Holliday. Zero chance. They're pretty much done for this offseason outside of the possible bargain basement pitching help.

Do you honestly believe that Brett Gardner will be their everyday LF? I sure don't.Back to Bay: I haven't seen him play everyday. Since the Mets acquired him I keep hearing how he's a liability in LF. Someone correct me here if I'm wrong . .

Bay had 0 errors last year and led the AL in OF assists. Is that correct? Is his range his liability in LF? Cause with 0 errors and leading the AL in assists in '09 I fail to see how he's a bad LFer.

 

[Michael Brown]

Do you honestly believe that Brett Gardner will be their everyday LF? I sure don't.

Back to Bay: I haven't seen him play everyday. Since the Mets acquired him I keep hearing how he's a liability in LF. Someone correct me here if I'm wrong . .

Bay had 0 errors last year and led the AL in OF assists. Is that correct? Is his range his liability in LF? Cause with 0 errors and leading the AL in assists in '09 I fail to see how he's a bad LFer.

Why not? He was the starting CF to open last season, so I don't see any reason they can't trot him out there in LF this year. I mean, they were willing to go with Melky so it's not like Gardner is some huge drop-off. When your 2B hits 25 HR, your SS contends for batting titles, and your catcher drives in 80 runs, you can certainly live with a LF that isn't an offensive star.As for Bay, left fielders in Fenway tend to get a few more assists by the nature of the field dimensions. The wall is so short that you're always going to have a few situations where a guy hits a ball to the wall and thinks he has a sure double only to be thrown out because the left fielder is so close (and the same goes for guys going 2nd to home). But yeah, he doesn't take the best routes on balls from what I saw.

 

[shadyridr]

Do you honestly believe that Brett Gardner will be their everyday LF? I sure don't.Back to Bay: I haven't seen him play everyday. Since the Mets acquired him I keep hearing how he's a liability in LF. Someone correct me here if I'm wrong . . Bay had 0 errors last year and led the AL in OF assists. Is that correct? Is his range his liability in LF? Cause with 0 errors and leading the AL in assists in '09 I fail to see how he's a bad LFer.

Manny used to lead the league in assists also. Its called the Green Monster.