Comments on: Rafael Soriano is all about the money

By: billybeaneismyhero

billybeaneismyhero — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 02:04:46 +0000

Craig, surely you jest. A Scott Boras client that cares more about money than anything else? Well, I never! What are you going to tell me next? That Jon Heyman is a personal mouthpiece for the Boras empire? I will simply not believe one word of it! On that note, I bid you a good day. I SAID GOOD DAY, SIR!

By: phukyouk

phukyouk — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 23:10:19 +0000

Can we go off topic for a minute and try to figure out how he got the last name Bastardo. I hate the Phils but i watch every time that guy pitches. i can only imagine the headline in the paper the next day if he blows a game “BASTARD-O”

By: bigcatasroma

bigcatasroma — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:39:14 +0000

FINALLY. A press conference where someone signs and doesn’t say it wasn’t about the money.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:45:15 +0000

Well unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view Soriano won’t have to worry about a team offering him $45M to be a bullpen catcher or even a closer. He’s probably going to have to settle for about 8M per for maybe 3 years if he can get that.

By: Chris K

Chris K — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:44:44 +0000

Take a shot? No pun intended?

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:21:32 +0000

Awesome point Panda. And the whole “sign and trade” deal looks viable in this case now doesn’t it? Thanks. There’s a post on this now actually.

By: Panda Claus

Panda Claus — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:46:21 +0000

Maybe prevailing theory is too strong a description. It has been mentioned in many places (a commonly-held belief?) that teams not holding protected picks (top 15 I think) in the first round have been more hesitant to give them up than in years past due to the higher than typical talent that is perceived to be available in the next draft.

Even on HBT there were quotes by Cashman himself that he didn’t want to just give up next years pick. He added that if could have signed Lee that would’ve been an exception.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/08/the-yankees-are-apparently-still-in-on-rafael-soriano/

Did I apply that too widely across the board to other teams? Maybe so.

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:05:25 +0000

BC, yup 1 more season of a$$ puckering, edge of the seat 9th innings for Phills fans. I don’t see the Phills punting him, they tend to have faith in Lidge. Charlie M seems to Love him some Brad Lidge. But you do make a good point, with the Phills “O” losing ground, a great closer would be nothing but good. Lidge seems great with the amount of saves, but he’s not all that great imo.But they don’t have much cash now either.They almost panicked over the Lee deal and traded Blanton to free up some cash, which I’m glad they sat on.

Panda, Do you have any links to that theory?

By: Panda Claus

Panda Claus — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:45:28 +0000

I think BC means as bullpen catcher, not closer. For that matter, maybe “BC” is supposed to stand for bullpen catcher, not that there’s anything wrong with that.

What about the prevailing theory that Soriano would go to a team with a protected first-round pick? The O’s seem like a natural fit since they currently only have three closers on their 40-man.

By: BC

BC — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:42:57 +0000

How many more years does Lidge have? If it’s just one, I’d eat the $8 million, punt Lidge and grab Soriano to replace him. No sense waiting for his next meltdown.

By: Adam

Adam — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:38:09 +0000

he could always claim the closer’s job if he plays well enough.

Are you serious? The guy has had an ERA under 3 for the last 3 years, has fanned 10+/9 for 2 of the past 3 years, has appeared in 50+ games in 4 of the last 5 years and 60+ games 3 of the last 4 years.

The guy is almost as stud as stud can get.

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:19:42 +0000

They have one of the best set up men in baseball already.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/10/22/underrated-reliever-ryan-madson-comes-up-big-for-phillies/

And Brad Lidge making 8 million.

Conteras has proven that if you don’t allow rust to gather he’s lights out.

there are high hopes for Bastardo

They really can’t afford to anyway… with, well you know…

By: mattintoledo

mattintoledo — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:46:56 +0000

Isn’t that quote from that movie with Ice T?

By: dodger88

dodger88 — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:43:26 +0000

Makes sense as even if a team signs him to set up he could always claim the closer’s job if he plays well enough. Lord knows the number of consistent closers who don’t lose their job even temporarily is small.

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:40:01 +0000

A reference to “The Most Dangerous Game?” You, sir, are a scholar and a gentleman.

By: BC

BC — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:39:32 +0000

Why wouldn’t the Phillies take a shot at him?