Jenrry Mejia is 20 years old and is considered the Mets’ top-rated pitching prospect. But he’s only been playing baseball for a little over five years. Mejia, from Santo Domingo, only took up the game at the age of fifteen at his mother’s insistence. The new skill allowed him to leave his part-time shoe shining job behind for a five-figure contract.
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The Jets did a lot of recruiting in a small amount of time. A little over 48 hours of wooing, LaDainian Tomlinson agreed to become a member of the Jets. And this was after a visit and a pitch from the Vikings which is said to have “wowed” the former Chargers running back. Now, Tomlinson will take his place as the third or possibly even second man in the Jets backfield.
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Thomas Jones will be released tomorrow to avoid paying him his $3.3 million roster bonus and $2.8 million salary. But that might not be the end of his run in New York. ProFootballTalk reports that the Jets will try to re-sign Jones once he becomes a free agent.
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Rich Cimini reports that the New York Jets will likely tender two of their restricted free agents within the next few days. Cimini believes that both Brad Smith and Leon Washington will be tendered at the second round level. That seems more than reasonable for Smith but it’s a calculated risk to put Leon in the same boat.
In Washington’s case, he will earn $1.759 million next season with the second round tender. If the Jets had opted to tender him at the first round level, he would earn $2.512 million (more on restricted free agency here). Personally, I would like to see the Jets give him the $2.512 million. Even with his injury, Leon is probably worth at least $2 million and potentially above $3 million per season. Let’s not forget that last year his agent, Alvin Keels, was trying to convince the Jets to pay him $6 million per year. Clearly, there aren’t going to be any teams that offer him a contract like that. But it seems like the Jets are leaving themselves open to risk by trying to save $800,000.
The most likely scenario is that Leon won’t get any significant offers. He’s coming off of a major injury and other teams won’t have a good read on his current health status. Additionally, there are a couple big name running backs that are already free agents. So the market for Washington’s services is probably very limited. At the same time, it’s not very hard to imagine a team offering Leon a deal close to that $2.5 million per year mark. And don’t be surprised if the Patriots make that offer. It would make sense since their running back depth is pathetic, they have three second round picks, and they’d screw the Jets by just making an offer in the first place.
Sure, the Jets can always match any offer or let Leon go to that team to receive the pick as compensation. But it would be foolish to tender Leon at only the second round level if they actually expect him to receive offer sheets. In the worst case, the Jets will have to pay Leon anyway or receive just a second round pick. Even in the best scenario, Leon doesn’t receive any other offers but becomes even more frustrated with his contract situation.
Tags: Brad Smith, contract, football, free agency, leon washington, NFL, restricted free agent, second round pick, tender
Will Johnny Damon be golfing in March?
Johnny Damon has at least one offer on the table. MLB.com reports that the Braves offered Damon a one-year deal. The addition of Damon would give them two out of the four main Yankee outfielders from 2009.
This is an interesting development because it seems to put a lot of pressure on Damon. His agent, Scott Boras, has been pushing for a two-year deal up to this point. But it’s unlikely that Damon can get the yearly money he wants along with a multi-year deal. The Braves’ offer reportedly includes deferred money which may indicate that it’s the biggest one-year deal that Damon sees at any point this offseason.
The other teams in the running for Damon’s services include Detroit and possibly Tampa Bay. Atlanta may be willing to give their 20-year-old prospect a chance in right field. So the Braves may not extend him any additional offers. It seems unlikely that Detroit or Tampa Bay can give him the money or years he wants. The Tigers have to deal with the massive contracts of Magglio Ordonez (owed $33 million over the next two years) and Miguel Cabrera while they just signed Justin Verlander to a long-term deal. At the same time, there have been rumblings that the Rays are uncomfortable with their current payroll situation and have called it “not sustainable” compared to attendance.
Tags: atlanta braves, baseball, contract, detroit tigers, free agents, johnny damon, MLB, outfielders, scott boras, tampa bay rays
Tim Lincecum will be able to pay off a lot of civil infraction fines for weed if he wins in arbitration. The two-time Cy Young winner is seeking $13 million for the upcoming season. The Giants have offered him only $8 million so the two sides will sort it out next month. Though, many cases are settled prior to hearings.
The current record of $10 million for belongs to Alfonso Soriano and Francisco Rodriguez (who both lost) along with Ryan Howard, who won his case in 2008. In Lincecum’s case, he can receive either the low-ball $8 million or his entire $13 million as requested. There’s no slicing it down the middle at this point. Either way, he will shatter the $6.5 million mark for first-year eligible pitchers set by Jonathan Papelbon. Though, the middle point does play a role in determining what he will be paid. From the San Jose Mercury News:
A second executive said the key to the case is the midpoint between the player and the team — in other words, $10.5 million. In a hearing, the executive said, Lincecum’s camp will have to prove that “he’s worth $1 more than $10.5 million and the Giants will have to prove that he’s worth $1 less.” That’s the tipping point for the arbitrator.
“$10.5 million is the magic number,” the executive said.
Lincecum’s request for $13 million is considered “unusually high” but some thought he might ask for more. The problem is that submitting $20 million means you have to prove you’re worth it — or settle for MUCH less cash. Asking for $13 million signals that Lincecum expects the case to advance to a point where they can defend the figure and win. Lince will certainly have a good shot since Felix Hernandez just signed a deal paying him over $15 million per year.
Tags: 2010, arbitration, baseball, contract, MLB, salary, san francisco giants, tim lincecum
Do you think Red Sox fans are done whining about Cashman and co. now? When free agency started, Boston didn’t even think John Lackey would consider signing with them. But the Sox eventually signed Lackey… with a little help from his wife.
Word out of Boston is that Krista Lackey had a hand in steering her husband to the Red Sox. Krista is from New England and graduated from high school in Maine while attending college in New Hampshire. I’m sure most Sox fans are loving it. Except they weren’t too kind when Mark Teixeira’s wife Leigh persuaded him to sign with the Yankees. Here are a couple of quotes from about a year ago:
“I personally think Teixeira is pussy-whipped, but that might just be my opinion…” – Randy Booth on OvertheMonster.com
“Oh man… I can see it already. Leigh Texeria is going to be the subject of many a sign or shouted comment. She is going to get KILLED by the Boston fans. I’m sure somebody is already printing up t-shirts, and Tex will get railed as a man with no pants who must look to his wife before he can make a decision…
This is going to be fun, in a sick sort of way.” – Billy on the Projo Sox Blog
Krista Lackey said that her family was always Sox fans — even when her husband pitched for another AL team. Should a star athlete yield to his wife’s judgment in these cases? I think Derek Jeter’s answer would be: I’m single and rich, bitches! And hey, can you blame Lackey for listening to his wife? He’s an ugly dude. Even with $80 million, it would be hard for him to get another one. Especially one that’s reasonably attractive like his current wife. You can judge for yourself below.
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The tale of Aroldis Chapman is an interesting one. Before being eligible for an eight-figure free agent contract, Chapman had to defect from Cuba. He failed to defect in 2008 and ended up getting suspended for a while. He then successfully defected the next near. But he didn’t take a raft to freedom — Chapman walked out the door of his Rotterdam hotel and boarded a private jet.
This week, Chapman finally got a chance to prove he’s worth the hype. The Cuban pitched in front of representatives from 15 teams on Tuesday including the Angels, Cubs, Mariners, Marlins, Mets, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates, Rangers, Royals, Reds and Yankees also were on hand. The Nationals and Astros even sent their GMs to the showcase. Chapman’s fastball was between 92-94 and hit 97. He also threw a slider and a changeup in the session. I would imagine it went much like Brendan Frasier’s tryout in The Scout… except without the home runs.
Observers believe Chapman will command upwards of $15 million. Word is that the Red Sox have already put $15.5 million on the table. For reference, Stephen Strasburg signed the largest rookie contract for a college player earlier this year for $15.1 million over four years. It seems tough to justify breaking the bank on Chapman when a guy like Jon Lester only makes $6 million a year. But I guess that’s the price you pay for an elite prospect… and MYSTERY! Though, Chapman’s eventual suitor could end up with a bargain. Rick Porcello received a whopping $11.1 million (including a $3.5 million signing bonus) straight out of high school. The price tag caused him to free fall in the 2007 draft — but the Tigers probably aren’t complaining about the money now.
Before the season, Larry Johnson filed a grievance in an attempt to recover his multi-million dollar signing bonus. He lost the grievance but still managed to get a deal where he earned a pro-rated bonus over the course of the season. At that point, it seems like the Chiefs had successfully maneuvered around Larry Johnson’s poison pill (gi-mongous roster bonus) and managed to keep him somewhat happy.
While cutting L.J. was necessary, the Chiefs didn’t really save any money. Larry Johnson’s deal with the Chiefs paid him $4.55 million in base salary and a pro-rated $62,500 per game roster bonus. Since he was released, the Chiefs won’t be responsible for paying him the roster bonus or the rest of money left on his deal. Johnson was due $22.5 million over the next three seasons but none of that money was guaranteed. Kansas City will still be sending checks to L.J.’s house though. Johnson wasn’t claimed on waivers by any team so the Chiefs have to pay him the remaining $2+ million on his contract for 2009.
If you followed the Chiefs in the preseason, it didn’t seem like it would end like this so soon. L.J. claimed to be pleased with the moves made by new GM Scott Pioli. The former Penn State runner also said, “If they wanted to get rid of me, they had a chance to get rid of me.” At the time, the Kansas City press gushed over the statement as if he had a new attitude. Now, it seems like it may have been a declaration of defiance.
Yes, Larry Johnson’s public image was destroyed. But he also succeeded in punching the Chiefs right in the balls. K.C. was essentially forced to pay him the money they tried to avoid paying him before the season. On top of that, Johnson can still sign a free agent contract with any team.
Tags: contract, cut, football, free agent, kansas city chiefs, larry johnson, NFL, release, salary, waivers
Michael Vick might seem like a good fit on the Eagles. But there’s a good chance he won’t be with the team next year. Vick’s own words and salary requirements indicate that he might move to a new team in 2010.
When asked about returning to the Eagles in 2010, Michael Vick said it would be “an everyday struggle” and that he doesn’t want to be pigeonholed as a Wildcat guy. He’s also due a massive $5.2 million if Philadelphia picks up his team option next year. As a result, it’s highly unlikely that Vick would return to the team for a second season.
Tony Dungy recently mentioned that Buffalo could be a destination for Vick. They had engaged in initial negotiations with the former Falcon’s quarterback before he signed with the Eagles. Dungy also says that teams thin at QB such as Cleveland, St. Louis, and Washington could be interested in Vick.
There’s no way that Cleveland hands over the reins to Vick since they pay so much money to Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn. Even if they get rid of Quinn, Anderson makes around $8 million per year and it would be tough to pay him that much to be a backup (again). St. Louis and Washington both seem like teams that need to start over with rookie quarterbacks. Other than those teams, the Raiders and Panthers could be options. Though Dungy has previously mentioned that he advised Vick against considering Oakland. Buffalo seems like it could be the best fit.
But don’t rule the Vikings out of the Michael Vick sweepstakes. If Favre doesn’t come back (but I think he will), Vick could be a great option for a team that’s already solid on both sides of the ball. A Favre-less Vikings team could easily cover Vick’s contract since Favre is due about $10 million next year. Another interesting potential fit would be in Tennessee. Vince Young is due upwards of $4 million in a roster bonus and $7.5 million in salary for 2010. Unless the Titans decide he’s the quarterback of the future or restructure his deal, it would be extremely difficult to pay that price for a mediocre quarterback.
Tags: brett favre, buffalo bills, cleveland browns, contract, football, free agent, michael vick, NFL, oakland raiders, option, philadelphia eagles, st. louis rams, vince young, washington redskins
Ricky Williams will be a Dolphin through 2010. The former Heisman winner recently signed an extension that will pay him $4.35 million next year. We here at BLS are huge Ricky Williams fans and applaud the move. Ricky has put his life back together and will likely pursue a career in massage therapy (and weed-smoking) after football. He said he plans to retire after 2010.
Tags: contract, miami dolphins, NFL, ricky williams
