Rumors for October, 2009
Rays resign outfielder Gabe Kapler
Posted by: | CommentsMarc Topkin of the St. Peterburg Times has reported that the Tampa Bay Rays have Gabe Kapler to a one-year deal for $1,050,000. Kapler got a slight raise of $49,982 from his 2008 salary $1,000,018.
Kapler, 34, hit. 239 with 8 homers and 32 RBIs overall in 99 games, but his production against lefthanded pitchers is what the Rays were most interested in - .276 with all 8 homers and 30 of his RBIs, plus a .379 on-base percentage (26 walks, 23 strikeouts) and .931 OPS.
La Russa rejoins Cards with Big Mac McGwire
Posted by: | CommentsESPN.com has reported that Tony La Russa has signed a 1 year contract to resume his position as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. His current 2 year $8.5 million contract is due to expire at the end of this month. Terms of his new contract were not available. This is the first time he has decided to sign a 1 year contract rather than the traditional multi-year deals he has done with the Cardinals. Additionally, Mark McGwire will be joining La Russa’s staff as hitting coach.
ESPN reports that La Russa first contacted McGwire about the coaching job a week earlier, when he was still supposedly mulling his future. He said McGwire showed immediate interest, but the manager said the steroids topic was not broached.
“It’s up to Mark how he wants to handle it,” La Russa said. “What we want him to do is coach our hitters, and if he does that well, we’re going to be happy.”
Being a hitting instructor is not new to McGwire. He’s spent time tutoring Matt Holliday and Skip Schumaker.
Tigers are in pursuit of Chapman
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Melissa Segura of SI.com reports that the Detroit Tigers are in pursuit of 21 year old Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman. In addition to the Tigers, the Orioles, Red Sox, White Sox, Cubs, Yankees, Mets, Athletics and Cardinals are showing interest in the pitcher. It is believed that Chapman will command more than the $32 million that the Yankees paid for Jose Contreras in 2002.
Ray Lewis' $25K fine is like me getting a speeding ticket
Posted by: | CommentsRay Lewis was fined $25000 today for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Chad Ochocinco and an unnecessary kick to a Bengal’s player in last Sunday’s game. Lewis is currently on a guranteed $22 million 3 year contract so he makes roughly $7.33 million this year. The $25000 fine represents 0.3% of his paycheck. I can’t find any sources that indicate a fine is paid pre or post tax. In Silicon Valley, where a $100K yearly salary is common, 0.3% of ones paycheck is $300 or equivalent to getting a speeding ticket. Despite our thinking that a fine is a drop in the bucket for most players, I’m sure Lewis feels the sting.
Tim Hudson's plans for 2010 and beyond
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Tim Hudson could fetch more than $27-30 million 3 year contract on the open market. However, Hudson is willing to resign with Braves for a “hometown” discount. The Braves have a $12 million team option for 2010 but probably won’t exercise it since he only played in 7 games in the 2009 season. Hudson does have a $1 million buyout if the Braves choose to not exercise the option.
Sabean, Bochy get 2 more years with Giants
Posted by: | CommentsAs expected, the San Francisco Chronicle reports that General Manager Brian Sabean and Manager Bruce Bochy received 2 year contracts with the San Francisco Giants with a team option for a 3rd year. Although the terms have not been disclosed, it is rumored that Bochy received a raise from the reported $2.5 million he earned in 2009.
There were rumors that Tony Larussa may have been a candidate for the Giant’s managerial job since he is a Bay Area native. However, the 2009 Giant’s success was probably the deciding factor in keeping the Sabean and Bochy duo for another 2 years.
Contracts for longest tenured MLB managers
| 2009 Salary | Cost per win | Contract expires | |
| B. Bochy | $2.5 million | $22,727 | 2009 (new contract terms not disclosed) |
| T. LaRussa | $4 million | $43,956 | 2009 (free agent) |
| J. Torre | $5 million | $52,632 | 2010 |
AC Milan seeks compensation for injured Oguchi Onyewu
Posted by: | CommentsSerie A soccer team AC Milan is seeking compensation for their newly signed Oguchi Onyewu. Onyewu suffered a patellar tendon rupture during the US National Team’s match versus Costa Rica on October 14, 2009. He’s expected to miss 3-4 months.
Onyewu signed a 3 year contract with AC Milan in July 2009 after previously playing with Standard de Liege. Because his previous contract expired and he was not moved during a transfer window, there was no transfer required between Standard Liege and AC Milan. Traditionally, the receiving team would have to pay a transfer fee to the original team when moving a player per UEFA rules. Onyewu’s previous transfer fee was reportedly $4 million between Marseille and Standard de Liege. You can see the top 10 soccer transfer fees here.
It’s not surprising that AC Milan would like to get compensation for their newly recruited player since the injury occurred while playing for the US National Team. You see reports like this and you can understand why Brian Cashman and Mark Cuban are reluctant to loan their players to the World Baseball Classic or the Olympics, respectively. Onyewu’s loss could spell disaster for the remainder of AC Milan’s season. I hope David Beckham can pick up the slack.
Pujols not interested in contract extension yet…
Posted by: | CommentsAlbert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardianls is not “desperate” to sign a contract extension yet, according to ESPN.com. Pujols is currently in a seven-year, $100 million contract up to 2010 with a club option for 2011. The team option is worth $11 million. Pujols is arguably the best player in baseball based on his ability to send each ball he hits out of the stadium. Let’s take a look at the value of some of the cost per home run over the last few years.
Cost per home run (MLB HR leader in BOLD)
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
| A. Pujols | $404,307 | $374,891 | $303,951 |
| P. Fielder | $8,300 | $19,706 | $195,652 |
| R. Howard | $19,149 | $208,333 | $400,000 |
| M. Teixeira | $300,000 | $378,788 | $576,923 |
| A. Rodriguez | $420,528 | $800,000 | $916,667 |
The St. Louis Cardinals were able to get a great deal by locking in Pujols to a long term contract in 2003. His cost per home run is well below that of similar power hitters. However, a long term deal back in 2003 gave him the security that in the event that he failed (like Andruw Jones), he would still have food on his plate. Barring any career-ending injuries, the options for Pujols will be:
- Let the contract and team option play out until the end of 2011 (he’ll probably get traded if it goes down this path). He’ll be worth $25-28+ million and a 7-10 year deal in free agency since he’ll only be 32 on Opening Day 2012.
- Go to the table before the 2010 season, leverage a 8-10 year contract extension through 2020 worth $240+ million. This will put him in the upper pay bracket and give him the security of a long term deal.
St. Louis would be foolish to let their franchise go. I anticipate a contract extension by Spring Training 2010.
Divorce in Dodger's Ownership
Posted by: | CommentsFox Sports has reported that Los Angeles Dodger’s owner Frank McCourt, and Dodger’s CEO Jaime McCourt are in the middle of divorce proceedings. It’ll be interesting to see how all of this is played out given that California community laws would split the franchise at 50% each. The Dodgers are valued at $722 million according to Forbes magazine. The McCourt family have a combined net worth of $1.29 billion. The McCourts took controlling interest of the Dodgers in 2004 from Fox Entertainment Inc.
A similar episode occurred last year with the San Diego Padres organization and then owners John and Becky Moores. The $385 million Padres franchise (as valued by Forbes magazine), was eventually sold to John Morad. It is believed that due to the divorce and the financial situation of the Padres organization, high priced players such as Jake Peavy were moved. The Moores were high school sweethearts and did not have a pre-nuptial agreement in place at the time of their divorce. It is not known if the McCourt’s assets were prearranged.
Should Billy Wagner retire?
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to ESPN.com, Billy Wagner may retire. With the $85+ million that he’s made throughout his career, it’s not a bad time to call it quits and spend time with his family.
- He can still play and throw in the upper 90’s.
- 15 saves away from 400 (currently at 385) – this will pad the Hall of Fame resume.
- He may not get the closer roll that he wants if he returns in 2010.
- He does not have a World Series ring.
- He’s walking away from money.
(MLB save leader in bold)
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
| Trevor Hoffman | 166667 | 178571 | 202703 |
| Mariano Rivera | 350000 | 384615 | 340909 |
| Billy Wagner | 308824 | 388889 | 0 saves |
| Jose Valverde | 42553 | 106818 | 320000 |
| F. Rodriguez | 175000 | 161290 | 352381 |
| Brian Fuentes | 175000 | 168333 | 177083 |
