Was this year's season a revelation?

Hey TPM, I do think that all of these factors are market driven. There is just soo much money floating around baseball now. The 600 number seems high but may include all levels. A-Rod and Bore-Arse are just doing what he always does. For Varitek he said they would only sign for 5 years at 15 mil per. Varitek was happy to take 4 yrs and 10 mil. With Dice-K he announced that the salary portion of the deal would have to be like 8 yrs and 100 mil. The sox gave 6 yrs and 52 mil. So as usual he's blowing lots of smoke and posturing. I know A-Rod will get lots of dough but probably not was Bore-Arse is suggesting.
As for bonuses, my opinion is that there is so much more foreign talent to draw from that teams are re-evaluting how much they have to give out. That is also a market condition.

Hello TPM & Coach Ric. I also feel that you have competition among certain groups of teams for what is out there. The rich boys [Yankees,Red Sox, Dodgers, Cubs, Mets & Angels] are the one's in the hunt for most of Bore-arse [I like that Coach] 's clients. He is not trying to get A-Rod [or for that matter any of his clients] anywhere but where he/they can be handsomly paid. This group will split among themselves the more expensive free agents.

The good mid-market teams [Clevland, Phillies, Braves] need to improve but will most likely tinker [other than the Braves who have seem to be looking for a centerfielder in a free agent market rich with expensive talent in that department] with minor pickups.

Some teams [Cardinals, Astros, Padres, Mariners, etc] must decide soon whether they are going with a youth movement or compete with each other for the hidden jewels in the large mass of mid-level free agent talent available.

The already committed to youth movement teams [Tampa Bay, Brewers, Rockies, et al] still need to find some bargains in the free agent market to fill in few holes [bullpen help, a vetran utility player, etc] with a one or two year contract until their pitching/hitting star in the minors is ready for the bigs.

The there is the hapless group [Marlins, Pirates, Washington]. What they will do is anybody's guess but one thing is for certain. Whatever it is; it will be wrong.

As for me, I'll be watching three teams. The Red Sox, the Athletics and the Blue Jays. The have committed to the Moneyball philosophy and so far have that free agent market to themselves: FOR NOW.

TW344

TPM,
I believe those were all minor league free agents. I'm not certain but I believe it has something to do with # of years of service and level of play. I don't think the players opted for free agency.

I'm just guessing though, maybe someone more knowledgable about the process could help out here.

Here's what I got from Wikipedia:

In other words, a player is eligible for minor league free agency if he has played all or part of seven seasons in the major or minor leagues and is not placed on a team's 40-man roster by October 15 of that year.

And Schilling says yes to the Red Sox!!!!

Posada says not to the Yankees!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by CADad:
TPM,
I believe those were all minor league free agents. I'm not certain but I believe it has something to do with # of years of service and level of play. I don't think the players opted for free agency.

I'm just guessing though, maybe someone more knowledgable about the process could help out here.

Here's what I got from Wikipedia:

In other words, a player is eligible for minor league free agency if he has played all or part of seven seasons in the major or minor leagues and is not placed on a team's 40-man roster by October 15 of that year.

Correct CADad, I should have stated "minor league" free agents. I see one player that did play MLB, but I do beleive optioned back to AAA. You receive free agency after 6 years.