-
Recent Posts
Categories
Archives
Meta
Category Archives: Sandy Alderson
Fun With Bad Contracts: The Money Involved in the Rumored Jason Bay Trade
Rumors were swirling late last week that the Marlins and Mets were throwing around the possibility of a change-of-scenery trade between the teams. The rumored trade would send outfielder Jason Bay to Miami for catcher John Buck and reliever Heath Bell. This is is the final part of the series, examining the financial aspect.
While cases can be made both for and against the Jason Bay trade, this post is mostly going to focus on how awful each of the three players have been during their respective contracts. First, here are each player’s contracts.
—
Jason Bay
Initial Contract: 4 yr/$66 million deal signed in 2010, with year four (2014) being a vesting option, or requiring a $3 million buyout.
Remaining: $19+ million ($16 million next year, $3 million buyout, remaining salary this year).
Heath Bell
Initial Contract: 3 yr/$27 million deal signed in 2011, with a team option for 2015, that could become a vesting option based on performance
Remaining: $21 million+ (two years at $9 million, $3 million in delayed bonus payments, remaining salary this year)
John Buck
Initial Contract: 3 yr/$18 million deal signed in 2010
Remaining: $6+ million ($6 million next year, remaining salary this year)
—
While the Mets would upgrade in two areas after this deal, they’d be taking on an extra $8 million-and-change. The Mets are still a big-market team, but they have made shrewd moves in lieu of giving out big contracts in recent years. The Madoff scandal and subsequent settlement took a decent chunk of change out the Wilpons’ pockets.
One of the reasons the Mets went with Sandy Alderson as their GM was his track record of success with an extremely limited budget in San Diego. Their 2011 opening day payroll decreased by over $40 million in 2012, and Mets ownership sold $240 million in minority stakes to keep control of the franchise.
The Mets are stuck paying Jason Bay regardless. He’s not a nut-case like K-Rod and won’t give the Mets reason to put him on the restricted list. He’s a professional player in the midst of an incredible struggle, taking his demotion to bench warmer with grace. But what kind of production would the Mets rather be paying? All three are ridiculously overpaid for what they actually do.
They could continue paying Jason Bay nearly $300,000 for every hit he gets, or pay John Buck $116,883 for every hit he gets and Heath Bell $201,492 for every out he records. The Mets could decide to continue to pay Bay $26,336 for every strike he takes or swings at, or pay Buck $9,202 for his similar services, while paying Bell $87,947 for every ball he throws.
Either way, they’re stuck paying outrageous money for abysmal performances.
Posted in Bernie Madoff Scandal, Francisco Rodriguez, Fun With Bad Contracts, Heath Bell, Jason Bay, Jason Bay's Contract Is So Big It Requires It's Own Tag, John Buck, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Random, San Diego Padres, Sandy Alderson
Comments Off on Fun With Bad Contracts: The Money Involved in the Rumored Jason Bay Trade
Fun With Bad Contracts: The Money Involved in the Rumored Jason Bay Trade
Rumors were swirling late last week that the Marlins and Mets were throwing around the possibility of a change-of-scenery trade between the teams. The rumored trade would send outfielder Jason Bay to Miami for catcher John Buck and reliever Heath Bell. This is is the final part of the series, examining the financial aspect.
While cases can be made both for and against the Jason Bay trade, this post is mostly going to focus on how awful each of the three players have been during their respective contracts. First, here are each player’s contracts.
—
Jason Bay
Initial Contract: 4 yr/$66 million deal signed in 2010, with year four (2014) being a vesting option, or requiring a $3 million buyout.
Remaining: $19+ million ($16 million next year, $3 million buyout, remaining salary this year).
Heath Bell
Initial Contract: 3 yr/$27 million deal signed in 2011, with a team option for 2015, that could become a vesting option based on performance
Remaining: $21 million+ (two years at $9 million, $3 million in delayed bonus payments, remaining salary this year)
John Buck
Initial Contract: 3 yr/$18 million deal signed in 2010
Remaining: $6+ million ($6 million next year, remaining salary this year)
—
While the Mets would upgrade in two areas after this deal, they’d be taking on an extra $8 million-and-change. The Mets are still a big-market team, but they have made shrewd moves in lieu of giving out big contracts in recent years. The Madoff scandal and subsequent settlement took a decent chunk of change out the Wilpons’ pockets.
One of the reasons the Mets went with Sandy Alderson as their GM was his track record of success with an extremely limited budget in San Diego. Their 2011 opening day payroll decreased by over $40 million in 2012, and Mets ownership sold $240 million in minority stakes to keep control of the franchise.
The Mets are stuck paying Jason Bay regardless. He’s not a nut-case like K-Rod and won’t give the Mets reason to put him on the restricted list. He’s a professional player in the midst of an incredible struggle, taking his demotion to bench warmer with grace. But what kind of production would the Mets rather be paying? All three are ridiculously overpaid for what they actually do.
They could continue paying Jason Bay nearly $300,000 for every hit he gets, or pay John Buck $116,883 for every hit he gets and Heath Bell $201,492 for every out he records. The Mets could decide to continue to pay Bay $26,336 for every strike he takes or swings at, or pay Buck $9,202 for his similar services, while paying Bell $87,947 for every ball he throws.
Either way, they’re stuck paying outrageous money for abysmal performances.
Posted in Bernie Madoff Scandal, Francisco Rodriguez, Fun With Bad Contracts, Heath Bell, Jason Bay, Jason Bay's Contract Is So Big It Requires It's Own Tag, John Buck, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Random, San Diego Padres, Sandy Alderson
Comments Off on Fun With Bad Contracts: The Money Involved in the Rumored Jason Bay Trade
Point: The Rumored Jason Bay Trade Would Be a Godsend.
Rumors were swirling late last week that the Marlins and Mets were throwing around the possibility of a change-of-scenery trade between the teams. The rumored trade would send outfielder Jason Bay to Miami for catcher John Buck and reliever Heath Bell. This is is the first part in a series, supporting the trade.
The Mets have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rid themselves of one of their historically bad contracts and have to pull the trigger. They never had a chance to dump Oliver Perez, and Bobby Bonilla is still on the books for another 23 years, but they can fix the Jason Bay problem.
Bay has been so incredibly bad for the Mets, that there are talks of just flat out releasing him. His career slash line for the Mets is a paltry .238/.324/.372, and he’s owed $32 million over the next two years with a vesting option.
Moving Bay would allow a opportunity for Jordany Valdespin to play everyday, and give him a chance to develop into a more patient hitter. When a guy only gets an occasional start or one at bat off the bench, of course he’ll try to swing at anything. Valdespin has struck out 25 times, while walking only three times. Those kind of K:BB ratios are only rewarded if you have Adam Dunn power, and Valdespin does not. However, giving him more at bats to develop plate discipline is one of the many reasons why the Mets should make this trade in a heartbeat.
Another is adding a power-hitting, right-handed catcher to complement Josh Thole. While Buck is being overpaid in his contract, he unquestionably has some pop. In 2010, Buck slugged 20 HRs for the Royals, and still had 16 last year for Miami. He’s infinitely more valuable than Rob Johnson or Mike Nickeas, and on days Thole starts, will provide a decent right-handed bat off the bench.
Finally, adding Bell would shore up the Mets’ achilles-heel: the bullpen. While he has struggled this year, he gives the Mets a proven, shutdown closer. Frank Francisco is not that guy anymore, Jon Rauch was never that guy, and Bobby Parnell wouldn’t have to be that guy.
An opportunity to develop Valdespin, and add two valuable, albeit overpriced pieces for essentially the same money they would be paying Jason Bay to hopelessly roam the outfield next year. Sandy Alderson has to make this deal–yesterday, if he can.
Posted in Bobby Bonilla, Bobby Bonilla's Contract Actually Requires 25 Tags But I'll Stop At Three, Bobby Bonilla's contract is worse than Jason Bay's, Counterpoint, Heath Bell, Jason Bay, Jason Bay's Contract Is So Big It Requires It's Own Tag, John Buck, Jordany Valdespin, Josh Thole, Miami Marlins, Mike Nickeas, New York Mets, Point, Rob Johnson, Sandy Alderson
Comments Off on Point: The Rumored Jason Bay Trade Would Be a Godsend.
Point: The Rumored Jason Bay Trade Would Be a Godsend.
Rumors were swirling late last week that the Marlins and Mets were throwing around the possibility of a change-of-scenery trade between the teams. The rumored trade would send outfielder Jason Bay to Miami for catcher John Buck and reliever Heath Bell. This is is the first part in a series, supporting the trade.
The Mets have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rid themselves of one of their historically bad contracts and have to pull the trigger. They never had a chance to dump Oliver Perez, and Bobby Bonilla is still on the books for another 23 years, but they can fix the Jason Bay problem.
Bay has been so incredibly bad for the Mets, that there are talks of just flat out releasing him. His career slash line for the Mets is a paltry .238/.324/.372, and he’s owed $32 million over the next two years with a vesting option.
Moving Bay would allow a opportunity for Jordany Valdespin to play everyday, and give him a chance to develop into a more patient hitter. When a guy only gets an occasional start or one at bat off the bench, of course he’ll try to swing at anything. Valdespin has struck out 25 times, while walking only three times. Those kind of K:BB ratios are only rewarded if you have Adam Dunn power, and Valdespin does not. However, giving him more at bats to develop plate discipline is one of the many reasons why the Mets should make this trade in a heartbeat.
Another is adding a power-hitting, right-handed catcher to complement Josh Thole. While Buck is being overpaid in his contract, he unquestionably has some pop. In 2010, Buck slugged 20 HRs for the Royals, and still had 16 last year for Miami. He’s infinitely more valuable than Rob Johnson or Mike Nickeas, and on days Thole starts, will provide a decent right-handed bat off the bench.
Finally, adding Bell would shore up the Mets’ achilles-heel: the bullpen. While he has struggled this year, he gives the Mets a proven, shutdown closer. Frank Francisco is not that guy anymore, Jon Rauch was never that guy, and Bobby Parnell wouldn’t have to be that guy.
An opportunity to develop Valdespin, and add two valuable, albeit overpriced pieces for essentially the same money they would be paying Jason Bay to hopelessly roam the outfield next year. Sandy Alderson has to make this deal–yesterday, if he can.
Posted in Bobby Bonilla, Bobby Bonilla's Contract Actually Requires 25 Tags But I'll Stop At Three, Bobby Bonilla's contract is worse than Jason Bay's, Counterpoint, Heath Bell, Jason Bay, Jason Bay's Contract Is So Big It Requires It's Own Tag, John Buck, Jordany Valdespin, Josh Thole, Miami Marlins, Mike Nickeas, New York Mets, Point, Rob Johnson, Sandy Alderson
Comments Off on Point: The Rumored Jason Bay Trade Would Be a Godsend.
Phantom GM Part 1: Shipping Up to Oakland (Update)
EDIT: Fautino De Los Santos was traded to Milwaukee earlier this morning in exchange for catcher George Kottaras. This news broke hours after I had finished the original post around 2:46am. The proposal, as it stands, is invalid.
The Trade Deadline is quickly approaching, and the Mets, thankfully, are looking more like sellers as each loss piles up. While Sandy Alderson and his personnel were looking for pieces to buy as recently as three weeks ago, the abrupt struggles by the Mets leave them little time to work out trades with the still-contending teams.
For help that nobody in the Mets’ organization will ever see, and mostly for my personal amusement, I’ll be developing a trade a day until the trade deadline. Each one makes sense on paper and will help the Mets for a run next year.
Without further ado, today’s trade suggestion:
The Mets send 2B Daniel Murphy, RHP Ramon Ramirez, and cash considerations to the Oakland Athletics for RHP A.J. Griffin, RHP Fautino De Los Santos, and RHP Arnold Leon.
Murphy is a fan-favorite, has a good bat, and is under team control until the end of the 2015 season, so the Mets would expect a decent return on him. On the season, Murphy has a .303 average, as well as .773 OPS.
Oakland’s starting 2B is their homegrown, first-round pick, Jemile Weeks. While Weeks had a team-high batting average in 2011 (.303), he’s only hitting .216 this year, and has a dreadful .602 OPS.
If they’re serious about making a Wild Card run (especially after a magical July where they’re 17-3), they’re going to need better production, and Murphy will give them a solid #2 hitter. Murphy can also play 1B, 3B, and even some OF, giving Oakland the opportunity to figure things out.
Adding Ramon Ramirez and paying the rest of his contract is to help acquire the prospects Oakland would give up. Ramirez had a few tremendous years up until 2012, and maybe needs a change of scenery. While Oakland doesn’t need bullpen help, Ramirez has the potential to be a dominant 7th or 8th inning guy and has playoff experience.
As for who the Mets’ would get, A.J. Griffin is a #3 or #4 starter type with a below-average fastball, good control, and a nasty changeup. He won’t dominate anybody, but has a career 5.15 K:BB ratio in the minors.
Acquiring him would give the Mets a Santana-Dickey-Niese-Harvey-Griffin rotation for 2013, which honestly, isn’t that bad. Griffin doesn’t really profile into Oakland’s future either, as he’s only being called up as an injury-replacement to their ace, Brandon McCarthy.
Next year, the A’s have four other starting pitchers with big league experience under contract. Griffin is buried behind Brett Anderson, Jarrod Parker, Tommy Milone, and Dallas Braden. He’s also less highly-regarded than 2010 first-round pick Sonny Gray, the emerging Dan Straily, and Brad Peacock, who the A’s acquired from Washington in the Gio Gonzalez trade. Oakland would be wise to move him while his value is at an all-time high, especially with their surplus of arms.
Arnold Leon and Fautino De Los Santos would give the Mets two more electric arms out of the bullpen. The A’s major league bullpen has been outstanding, which is why Leon hasn’t been promoted yet despite a 2.96 ERA and averaging 11.1 K/9 across three levels in the minors. He sits comfortably around 93mph, has a good curve, and above-average control. He would be an immediate asset to the Mets’ beleaguered bullpen.
De Los Santos has some big league experience, and has a 95-96mph fastball to go with a wipeout slider that averages around 83mph. He has all the peripherals to be a big-league closer, add adding him and Leon to the current Mets power arms (Bobby Parnell, Josh Edgin, Jennry Mejia, and Jeurys Familia) would give the Mets are far more formidable bullpen then they’ve had all of this year.
Why would the Athletics give up on a command starter, and two possibly great relievers? Because they’d get a needed stabilizing bat in the lineup, while keeping the rest of their current roster intact. Murphy is cheap for another three years after the end of the season, something the penny-pinching Athletics love. Griffin is a surplus, and Leon and De Los Santos are relievers who will help in 2013. The A’s aren’t in possession of the #1 Wild Card and 55-45 in 2013 though. They’re in possession of the #1 Wild Card and 55-45 in 2012.
Posted in A.J. Griffin, Arnold Leon, Bobby Parnell, Brad Peacock, Brett Anderson, Dallas Braden, Dan "The Man" Straily, Daniel Murphy, Dropkick Murphy References, Fautino De Los Santos, Gio Gonzalez, Holy Shit That's A Lot of Tags, Jarrod Parker, Jemile Weeks, Jenrry Mejia, Jeurys Familia, Johan Santana, Jonathan Niese, Josh Edgin, Matt Harvey, Oakland Athletics, Phantom GM, R.A. Dickey, Sandy Alderson, Shipping Up to Oakland, Sonny Gray, Tommy Milone, Trade Deadline, Wild Card
Comments Off on Phantom GM Part 1: Shipping Up to Oakland (Update)
