sorting thru the tea leaves of the yanks not offering arbitration to bobby abreu

[Deja Vu]

the yankees do not have a right-fielder as of yet, and had they offered arbitration to abreu they would have either had to pay him the arbitrator's rate or received two supplemental draft picks for him.

but they declined to make the offer.

this may have a big impact on players' salaries.

if the yankees are not willing to risk paying some arbitrator's likely too-high salary for abreu, if they are not willing to risk paying an extra million or two for a decent player at a position of need and would forfeit a chance at the draft picks, then this kicks a key leg out from under the "salary stool."

if i'm cc sabathia, i take that offer before it is pulled.

and if i'm manny ramirez, i call the dodgers back, apologize, and ask for that offer back.

in this economy, there is a meaningful chance of a legal, non-collusive collapse in free agent salaries.

[Noe]

the yankees do not have a right-fielder as of yet, and had they offered arbitration to abreu they would have either had to pay him the arbitrator's rate or received two supplemental draft picks for him.

but they declined to make the offer.

this may have a big impact on players' salaries.

if the yankees are not willing to risk paying some arbitrator's likely too-high salary for abreu, if they are not willing to risk paying an extra million or two for a decent player at a position of need and would forfeit a chance at the draft picks, then this kicks a key leg out from under the "salary stool."

if i'm cc sabathia, i take that offer before it is pulled.

and if i'm manny ramirez, i call the dodgers back, apologize, and ask for that offer back.

in this economy, there is a meaningful chance of a legal, non-collusive collapse in free agent salaries.

I thought about "collusion" this morning when I pondered the prevailing winds of the mlb economic woes.  I think the owners may of just had an early Christmas gift drop right in their laps and perhaps a rollback for players salaries by the MLBPA is not too far-fetch of an idea right now.  I just think that right now the mlb owners have traction using the recession as a means to an end.

[MusicMan]

The Cubs still haven't sold, have they?

Remember, the business structure of MLB is still largely predicated on finding that infamous "greater fool" to pay a massive increase in purchase price for the franchise.

I wonder if you're about to see a housing-sized bubble burst for these guys.

[chuck]

I have neither an explanation nor an excuse but I was reading through the replies to a McTaggart blog the other day and he responded to a particular reply questioning the anticipated payroll with the assertion that the Astros' finances have changed recently. I wonder what that means exactly. That season ticket renewals have dropped off considerably? That the team has lost a key sponsor? That Drayton suddenly realized that the country is in a deep recession?

[JimR]

I have neither an explanation nor an excuse but I was reading through the replies to a McTaggart blog the other day and he responded to a particular reply questioning the anticipated payroll with the assertion that the Astros' finances have changed recently. I wonder what that means exactly. That season ticket renewals have dropped off considerably? That the team has lost a key sponsor? That Drayton suddenly realized that the country is in a deep recession?

Pam Gardner demanded immediate payment for her collection of photos of Drayton with farm animals.

[Ty in Tampa]

Pam Gardner demanded immediate payment for her collection of photos of Drayton with farm animals Pam Gardner.

[MRaup]

Farm animals everywhere are disgusted by that.

[MusicMan]

Farm animals everywhere are disgusted by that.

By Pam Gardner?  Yes, I would imagine.

[hostros7]

I have neither an explanation nor an excuse but I was reading through the replies to a McTaggart blog the other day and he responded to a particular reply questioning the anticipated payroll with the assertion that the Astros' finances have changed recently. I wonder what that means exactly. That season ticket renewals have dropped off considerably? That the team has lost a key sponsor? That Drayton suddenly realized that the country is in a deep recession?

AIG was a top sponsor.  No mas.

[pravata]

I have neither an explanation nor an excuse but I was reading through the replies to a McTaggart blog the other day and he responded to a particular reply questioning the anticipated payroll with the assertion that the Astros' finances have changed recently. I wonder what that means exactly. That season ticket renewals have dropped off considerably? That the team has lost a key sponsor? That Drayton suddenly realized that the country is in a deep recession?

Here's the quote, "Very good point, Jerry, but things have changed financially in the last few months." it's ambiguous whether it's specific to the team, although I have read that sponsorships will likely decline.  I think the sudden realization about the general economy, and he's not alone, is the most likely answer.

[Lurch]

Namely, sponsorship sales, as well as season ticket sales, are projected to be down next year, which directly affects how much money can go toward player salaries.

link

[pravata]

other teams

"The economy will affect everybody and everything," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. "I don't know anybody that hasn't been affected. There's a lot of uncertainty."

Paul Beeston, Toronto's interim president and chief executive, ..."The last three weeks has changed a lot of thinking," Beeston said. "If you're not aware of it, I don't think you're being realistic."
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081202&content_id=3699872&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp

[Lurch]

And more from Selig

Selig said he was concerned about how the sickly economy -- and the severe turmoil facing the three big U.S. automakers -- would affect the league's 30 teams. He has cautioned owners to avoid being "too cocky" when setting ticket prices.

"There used to be a theory ... that we seemed almost to be recession proof," Selig told the Reuters Media Summit on Tuesday. "This is different clearly, and so we're going to be very sensitive."

[pravata]

"The downturn in the economy shouldn’t affect the kind of contracts offered to free agents. I think we have to look at the revenues today, which are historic." - Scott Boras
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2008/11/boras-talks.html

[JimR]

Right, Boras. Your millionaires have lifestyles to maintain.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

"The downturn in the economy shouldn’t affect the kind of contracts offered to free agents. I think we have to look at the revenues today, which are historic." - Scott Boras
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2008/11/boras-talks.html

Thank you, Mr. Ray of Fucking Sunshine.

[pravata]

Thank you, Mr. Ray of Fucking Sunshine.

It's what I do darlin.  It's what I do.

[kevwun]

Yeah, they make alot.  But they spend alot, too.

[VirtualBob]

Yeah, they make alot.  But they spend alot, too.

Just doing their bit to keep the economy running in high gear.  It's all for us!

[hillbillyken]

Food dosen't just grow on trees!
Well some of it does, but not "good" food.
Imagine if your income was cut in half!
Oh wait that's like comparing apples to oranges, hey they grow on trees and they're "good".
Ok players are overpaid, premadonnas.
We can stop watching any time we want.
Its the American get yours while you can!

[The Spleen]

"The upturn in Indian activity shouldn’t affect the kind of orders given to my soldiers. I think we have to look at my mustache today, which is freaking huge." - George Armstrong Custer

[JaneDoe]

in this economy, there is a meaningful chance of a legal, non-collusive collapse in free agent salaries.

I would tend to agree they may fall, however, I am not sure collapse would be the correct word.  Dip, maybe.

[strosrays]

Paul Beeston, Toronto's interim president and chief executive, ..."The last three weeks has changed a lot of thinking," Beeston said. "If you're not aware of it, I don't think you're being realistic."
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081202&content_id=3699872&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp

I knew the dollar was in trouble, but loonies and toonies, too.  Where will it end?

[Gizzmonic]

I knew the dollar was in trouble, but loonies and toonies, too.  Where will it end?

In some Montreal stripper's g-string?

[ValpoCory]

if i'm cc sabathia, i take that offer before it is pulled.

He held out and got a 7th year at $20 more million.

Love this ESPN.com gem,

"So a rotation of Sabathia, Joba Chamberlain, Chien-Ming Wang and those two free-agent starters to be named later puts the Yankees in prime position to return to the postseason for the first time in two years."

Wow, what a drought.

ETA: Houston got me by 1 minute.

[Deja Vu]

i'm wondering if the yankees were bidding against themselves here- there's no indication either the dodgers, angels or giants ever stepped up here.

oh, i see the waiter has my crow plate here.

[kevwun]

It doesn't sound like Sabbathia wanted to sign with the Yankees originally, so they offered him way more than anyone else and convinced him.  Or his agent is really smart and knew that if they appeared to prefer another team the Steinbrenner blood would kick in and Hal would make a ridiculous offer.

[Mr. Happy]

It doesn't sound like Sabbathia wanted to sign with the Yankees originally, so they offered him way more than anyone else and convinced him.  Or his agent is really smart and knew that if they appeared to prefer another team the Steinbrenner blood would kick in and Hal would make a ridiculous offer.

He wanted a big time California team offer.

[Gizzmonic]

It doesn't sound like Sabbathia wanted to sign with the Yankees originally, so they offered him way more than anyone else and convinced him.  Or his agent is really smart and knew that if they appeared to prefer another team the Steinbrenner blood would kick in and Hal would make a ridiculous offer.

Yep, kinda depressing to see someone who clearly was gunning for another place go to the Yanks.  I just wanted to see CC hit.  But, it's better for the Astros to keep him in the AL.