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Zambrano signs extension

Word came down today that Carlos Zambrano (stats) signed a 5 year, 90 million dollar extension. Here's the link to the story, though it doesn't really give any of the contract details.

This got me to thinking about whether CC (stats) would accept a deal in the same neighborhood. Their stats are pretty similar, although Zambrano is 11 months younger and is hitting free agency a year earlier.

I was personally shocked to hear about this, I thought that once they got this far into the season there would be no way he would sign. He could have gotten a lot more money had he waited until the end of the season. I'm not ripping him for this, just saying I was suprised.

So the real question is, should the Indians offer CC something like 100m over 5? Would he take it? It seems like this would be the only type of extension that CC would consider signing. In my heart I would love for the Indians to offer this and keep around a very likeable guy, not to mention the ace of our staff. The thing I do not know is if it is smart for any smaller market team to put that much money into one player.

Also, does anyone have a link or information on the Tribe payroll for future years? It seems that with the Westbrook and Hafner extensions that Tribe payroll will already be rising to new heights.

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Re: Zambrano signs extension
Looking at the Cot's list, here's what we seem to have tied up for next year:

Players under contract:
Sabathia: $8m
Westbrook: $10m
Dellucci: $3.75m
Hafner: $8.05m
Martinez: $4.25m
Lee: $3.75m
Michaels: $2.15m
Peralta: $2.25m
Sizemore: $3m

Plus guys whose options we're likely to pick up:
Byrd: $8m
Fultz: $1.5m (why not?)

We have an option on Borowski at $4m, too -- would we pick that up? Who knows, really.

I believe Betancourt's arb-eligible, which means he could get anything really. Figure something like $1.5m for him, I'd guess.

Matt Miller's also arb-eligible, so we'll just put him at $800k assuming he even gets tendered a contract.

There are a bunch of people making the minimum still (Carmona, Garko, Shoppach, Marte, Gutz, etc.) -- figure 10 of those guys at $400k per.

Which puts us at around $65m for next year (assuming that Byrd, Fultz, and Borowski all get their options picked up). I have to imagine we'll end up committed to more than that as Shapiro may make a couple of Nixon/Hernandez-esque signings in the offseason.

by zempf on Aug 17, 2007 12:03 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
I'm doubtful that the club'll pick up Borowski's $4m.  He's just so, you know, replacement level.

Little chance they'll have an arbitration case--Betancourt looks like a shoe-in for a multi-year deal.  

by homelytourist on Aug 17, 2007 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
According to MLB.com:

"Zambrano and the Cubs agreed on a $91.5 million, five-year contract with a vesting option for a sixth year, the two parties announced on Friday at a Wrigley Field press conference. Zambrano would receive $19.25 million in the sixth year of the deal, which represents the highest average salary in Major League history for a pitcher in a multi-year contract."

I'd be wary of giving C.C. a contract longer than 4 years, but maybe an option for a fifth could be a compromise point.  

by Pronk33 on Aug 17, 2007 12:22 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
saying he could of gotten a lot more money at the end of the season makes me chuckle. i mean, how much money do these guys need anyway. remember, we used to play this game as 12 year olds. and i could get a guy home from third with less than 2 outs, which is a talent the seems to elude most big leaguers these days.

by fivekmd on Aug 17, 2007 1:33 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
If Zambrano waited until he hit the free agent market to re-start negotiations with Chicago, he would have had a lot more leverage, thus opening the possibility for more money (maybe with another team).  So in that regard, it is a little surprising that the deal got done in August, but shows that Zambrano was serious when he said earlier how he wanted to stay in Chicago.

I'm guessing you were being sarcastic when you compared playing backyard baseball to executing a play in the majors, but I get your point about doing it for the love of the game rather than just money.

by Pronk33 on Aug 17, 2007 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
At this point, I think people who throw out the old "it's just a game" argument are kidding themselves. There are so many billions of dollars floating around out there in tickets, ads, TV revenues, merchandising, etc. -- why wouldn't a player want a slice of that?

by zempf on Aug 17, 2007 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
I was never one to buy into the "I can't believe pro athletes get paid sooooo much!!!" argument. It's pure capitalism. Athletes are paid just as much as owners are willing to pay them.
Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Aug 17, 2007 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
I agree, but I don't think we should knock a guy for staying in the same place for a little less.

In real-world terms, what is the difference between $18m per year and $20m per year?  (and don't tell me $3 million ... I can do math!)

by emd2k3 on Aug 17, 2007 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
...of missing jokes and calling "irony"

i know, I kid.  I do it all the time.  It's a limitation of text based interaction

by homelytourist on Aug 17, 2007 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
Aww, STUPID.  That's what I get for cherry-picking.

I shut up now.

by ManchildinBeantown on Aug 17, 2007 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
Oh I agree, I will always look more fondly on a guy who takes a "hometown disount," I'm just saying that you'll hardly hear me curse a guy for not doing so.
Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Aug 17, 2007 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
It's pure capitalism

Oh, that it were pure capitalism - it's an American perversion of capitalism but not pure Ayn Rand-type capitalism.

Here's the problem: most of the production facilities - read stadia and training facilities - are government owned and/or subsidized - you know like in old-school Russia.  If the "owners" had to fund their production facilities their profit would be considerably less.  In addition to underwriting the owner's profit, the government subsidies also allow for higher player's salaries.  So not only are the paying spectators (those with an interest in the game) supporting higher player's salaries, but the taxpayers (many of whom have no interest in sports) are also helping the owners and the players make more money.

So this pure capitalism bull is just that - bull.

LeBron must GO!

by mauichuck on Aug 18, 2007 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
You know what, Chuck? That's a really good point. I never thought about the fact that Stadiums are largely, if not totally, government subsidized in most cases which would make a huge difference.

Regardless, I'm sticking to me guns about not complaining about high players salaries. It's still seems to me in principal like a case of supply and demand. Players get paid egregiously high salaries as long as millions of people pay to watch them,. Athletes have entertainment value and, most importantly, are part of teams that represent civic pride, and it's impossible to put a price on that.

Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Aug 18, 2007 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
there families have to eat, right?

by hans on Aug 18, 2007 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
This signing of Zambrano before the year is over will only serve to drive Sabathia's higher.  This signing took one of the top front line starters off the market so it will put Sabathia more in the driver's seat.

Jay mentioned awhile back that the Indians will possibly try to sign Carmona to a long term extension and I think that's probably true. And I think they pretty much have to do this because of what he's shown this year.  His cost will only rise with time if he continues pitching as he has this year.

The front office has to see that there's little chance they can retain Sabathia at what he'll command (5-6 yrs. @ $19-20 mil/yr).  All the talk of him taking a 3-4 year deal with the Tribe is wishful thinking, IMO.

Tribe fans better enjoy him while they've got him.  I still say that the Indians will trade him this off season to the highest bidder.  And I suspect he'll get traded to a NL team.  

by SpringTrainingFun on Aug 18, 2007 11:14 AM EDT reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
Jay mentioned awhile back that the Indians will possibly try to sign Carmona to a long term extension and I think that's probably true.

Well, it would only be a short extension, as Carmona is under control through 2012 regardless.  What they'll do is lock him up through all those arbitration years -- four in his case -- to try achieve some cost savings.

Victor, Jhonny and Cliff's contracts all include team options that "optionally" extend their time with the Indians by one year.  Grady's contract includes a guaranteed extra year, plus an additional team option year after that.

Fausto seems to me to be a talent of Grady's magnitude -- and age -- but it will be interesting to see if the Indians will want to extend him as many years, given that he's a pitcher.  They also won't have quite the same leverage, since Fausto will be only one year from reaching arbitration rather than two.

Then again, unlike Grady, Fausto doesn't have a $2 million signing bonus in the bank already.

by Jay on Aug 18, 2007 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

No offense, but unless it's a great trade offer,
I don't see the Indians trading CC this offseason,

Hello everyone,

SpringTrainingFun - I'm hopeful the Indians can resign CC to a 3-4 year deal, maybe with a club option for a 4th or 5th year, though I admit the chances are probably 50/50 at best, and probably lower, but even with that, unless the Indians are bowled over with an offer (like say a Phil Hughes or Yovani Gallardo - someone of that caliber included in the deal,) I don't see where the Indians would trade Sabathia this offseason.

Besides that, without Sabathia, their chances of competing for a playoff spot and WS Championship will be greatly diminished for the 2008 season, even if Carmona can duplicate or come close to what he's doing this year (I think he can, though a slight dropoff next year wouldn't be out of the question either.)  And I'm not sure even getting a Hughes or Gallardo would compensate for the loss of Sabathia, as Sabathia is a proven ace; those two aren't yet, and probably won't be by 2008 either.  

So, I really don't see Sabathia being traded by the Indians this offseason.  The only chance I can see Sabathia being traded is if the Indians know for sure they can't resign him AND they are totally out of the playoff race in July like they were in 2006 - in that case, I could see where Sabathia would be traded for the highest package, and being that it would be essentially a 2-month rental, the value the Indians would receive wouldn't be all that high (i.e. a Phil Hughes or Yovani Gallardo,) so even then, I don't think it's a guarantee the Indians would trade him, though that would be the likeliest case of a Sabathia trade in my opinion.  But during the 2007-2008 offseason, I don't see a Sabathia happening unless it was a mind-blowing, no-brainer deal that significantly upgraded the Indians for the future, and I really don't see that type of deal happening.

Just my 2 cents.  :-)

Go Tribe! :-)

by indiansfan on Aug 18, 2007 4:59 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: No offense, but unless it's a great trade offe
I appreciate your enthusiasm and hope for the Tribe signing C.C. to an extension.

The Indians will try to sign Sabathia in the off season, right up to the last week of spring training.  

If they're unable to sign him before the 2008 season, he'll be gone in what will be termed a "blockbuster deal", quite possibly to a team on the west coast.

Just my opinion, as always.

by SpringTrainingFun on Aug 18, 2007 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: No offense, but unless it's a great trade offe
I don't think it'll play out quite that way.  If they are entertaining any notions of trading him, they won't wait until the last week of Spring Training.  That suggests they'll try to get a deal done earlier.

If it's late March and there's no word that a deal is coming, I think a blockbuster trade will be very unlikely.

by Jay on Aug 19, 2007 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions  

Re: No offense, but unless it's a great trade offe
Over the last week or so I've come to lean on a 70/15/15 slant in regards to CC's future.  70% we run him as deep as we can into the October nights of 2008 and then bid him farewell, with even odds of a big trade or resigning him.  Frankly, it gets easier to accept every day.  

by nickjs21 on Aug 19, 2007 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: No offense, but unless it's a great trade offe
The way the market is currently constructed, there are incentives to keep him through 08 and let him walk and to re-sign him but I don't believe there are incentives to trading him, given the reticence to part with top-shelf prospects (irrational GM fear of making another Colon for everybody trade).

by NickFantana on Aug 19, 2007 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: No offense, but unless it's a great trade offe
It's looking a lot better with Westbrook stabilizing and Carmona dominating, isn't it?  The long-term depth took a hit with Lee, Sowers and Miller all running into problems.  But those guys are down but not out, and Laffey came out of nowhere, and I really think Sean Smith or Chuck Lofgren will be ready for some role by 2009 as well.

by Jay on Aug 19, 2007 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: No offense, but unless it's a great trade offe
All we need is for one of the Lee, Sowers, Miller trio to come out of it.  Frankly, I think we might get two of those guys to act like major league starters - then we're really in business!
LeBron must GO!

by mauichuck on Aug 19, 2007 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: No offense, but unless it's a great trade offe
I don't know.  I love Byrd, but can you really depend on him?  He's gone after 2008 regardless.

The 09-10 rotation almost certainly will include Westbrook and Carmona, but beyond that, nothing is entirely clear.  I'd say probably Laffey, probably Miller, but not probably Laffey and Miller.  Ditto for Lee and Sowers.

Seems to me we'll need one more guy, and at Zambrano/Oswalt rates, you'd rather keep C.C. than go find the next Byrd.  As I've commented before, we've already signed the next Byrd -- it's Westbrook.

by Jay on Aug 19, 2007 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: No offense, but unless it's a great trade offe
All I know is that most major league clubs would love to be in our shoes.  

We've got two guys locked up for the next 3 years who look like they'll have long ML careers - Westbrook and Carmona.  We've got another guy with a pretty good history - Lee - locked up (I still think he'll be a good 4-5 starter) and three high level prospects in AAA.  And who knows what's gonna shake out of the guys down in A and AA over the next two years.  Hell, wasn't Carmona in AA in '05?  

We're in pretty good shape with the SP.  We might need a $8-10M FA to round things out in '09, but even then we're in still in good shape.

LeBron must GO!

by mauichuck on Aug 19, 2007 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: No offense, but unless it's a great trade offe
"If it's late March and there's no word that a deal is coming..."

That's exactly how Shapiro operates.  Many of his big trades are not rumored.

by SpringTrainingFun on Aug 20, 2007 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions  

Re: No offense, but unless it's a great trade offe
I have a hard time believing that a trade at next year's deadline could net Gallardo (who I'm super high on) or Hughes.

by Gradyforpresident on Aug 19, 2007 3:08 AM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
Does anyone have any idea about the '09 draft class?

If it's a strong draft, I imagine that might influence Shapiro to keep CC through next year, and take the draft picks if he walks.

by Gradyforpresident on Aug 20, 2007 11:22 AM EDT reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
Again ... remember ... you can't get ever get a Top 15 pick as compensation ... and the typical return is going to be something like #35 and #80 overall.  They're nice, but that's not where most impact picks get made.

It's not going to be a significant factor in the decision.

by Jay on Aug 20, 2007 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Zambrano signs extension
Also! I may be in the minority here, but I'm really skeptical about giving a $100 million deal for a pitcher. Unless this team puts a 4-5 playoff appearances in a row together, I don't think our payroll can sustain it.

by Gradyforpresident on Aug 20, 2007 11:25 AM EDT reply actions  

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