Matt Holliday is a key free agent this
off-season |
Outfielder Jason Bay had until 11:59 p.m. Thursday to re-sign with the Boston Red Sox. To no one’s surprise, Bay didn’t budge, electing to test the market. SI.com’s John Heyman reported that the Sox offered Bay four-years, $60 million. Heyman predicted Bay to pull in around $85 million. We get the feeling that for awhile, it’s going to be all speculation. So, with that The Biz of Baseball takes a look at the free agent buzz on Bay and other top free agents:
Newsday reported that the New York Mets are “Big Name Hunting.” Here’s what Newsday writer David Lennon said about the Mets plans:
Despite the price, the Mets understand they can't afford to come up empty, not after three straight seasons of missing the playoffs and then watching the Yankees win the World Series this year. Other than Lackey, the only marquee names are Matt Holliday and Jason Bay, so the choices are limited.
It just remains to be seen how many teams are as desperate as the Mets, who are eager for a quick fix - or at least the appearance of one. The good news is that the Yankees seem uninterested in the same players and that could keep the prices reasonable. The bad? The Red Sox are likely to be the main competition instead.
St. Louis Post Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz offers solutions in negotiating with super-agent Scott Boras concerning outfielder Matt Holliday in his piece “It’s best to ignore Scott Boras’ bombast.” Miklasz says:
But this isn't really about winning — unless we're talking about the real Boras goal here, which is winning the biggest jackpot. Boras wants a Mark Teixeira deal — eight years, $180 million — for Holliday.
The Cardinals need to wait this out. Hold steady. There is no rush; Boras is in no hurry. Boras plans to slow-play these negotiations, calmly spinning a web until he can lure a GM or owner into his trap. Boras only needs one patsy to make this click.
All it takes is one nervous GM or owner to lunge for the Boras bait. And if that one sucker steps up, Boras will exploit their interest for every last dollar. And if Boras finds a malleable dupe, someone willing to wildly overpay, then the Cardinals are out of it.
The Sporting News reported that the Washington Nationals would like to take a shot at free agent pitcher John Lackey:
The team's Web site reports the Nats want Lackey to be their ace and to mentor the club's young starters, such as left-handers John Lannan and Ross Detwiler and right-hander Stephen Strasburg.
Washington will face stiff competition for Lackey. The Angels would like to re-sign him, and high-profile teams such as the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, among others, are expected to make offers. Teams other than the Angels can discuss financial terms with Lackey's agent beginning Friday.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said during the season that he would look to acquire a veteran starter this winter, and he laid out what he's looking for in a staff leader.
Yahoo! Sports via the Los Angeles Times reported this week that John Lackey has a plethora of teams looking his way:
Lackey supposedly wants to sign a deal worth more than $100 million and has interest from the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and New York Yankees. Figgins is likely to sign a deal for half of that and his suitors supposedly include the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Cubs.
Another source of buzz has been Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman. The left-hander was named fourth best free agent by Yahoo! Sports. As expected, the usual suspects looking in his direction. So far, the Seattle Mariners have expressed interest, as have the Boston Red Sox, while the Chicago Cubs, White Sox and Atlanta Braves have denied any interest. The Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles are also in the mix.
Here are some links to stories about Chapman from the Seattle Times, MLB.com, Chicago Tribune
Unfortunately for those obsessed with the Hot Stove, it seems very little will be hashed out before Santa Claus shows up. Remember, it wasn’t until Dec. 23 of last year that Mark Teixeira signed with the Yankees. But, C.C. Sabathia signed on Dec. 10 and the Astros signed Carlos Lee on Nov. 24. So, even though we have no way of predicting, why not try?
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Matthew Coller is staff member of the Business of Sports Network and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter
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