Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Fetal Position
During the season, when the Cardinals lost, I childishly avoided ESPN, the newspaper, and the internet.
It looks like I'll be doing the same thing for awhile. Edgar signed with Boston.
I think Cardinal fans have become too accustomed to players signing for less to play in St. Louis. We've been told too often that it's the BEST BASEBALL CITY IN AMERICA and guys LOVE PLAYING THERE. Some players are happy to take the hometown discount; the Cards just have a relatively higher percentage (and they're higher profile) than most teams. McGwire and Rolen took less money; Pujols signed for somewhat less than he could get on the open market in a few years. Hell, Jimmy would probably play for free. Lots of players have deferred money (the intelligence of which is a topic for another time) which looks good to fans. But none of this is the norm, especially this year. Just take a look at Cards Talk on the P-D website to see how personally people are taking the signing.
I can't even imagine the outrage if Sexson had been on the Cardinals last year. Many fans would probably want him to sign for less because he was being paid while injured. Well, he's going to his hometown team and he's getting $50 million for four years. Not a discount.
So Renteria went for the money in Boston (not that much more money, but still)? Shit happens. I didn't want the Cardinals to spend $10 million/year for him. He's good, but not Rolen/Pujols good. There are some things that rub me the wrong way about his statements. Boston wanted him more? I guess that's a polite way of saying they were paying more. This whole situation has been so freakin messy; I'm glad it's over and done with. And I don't buy that the wait prevented getting someone else. We weren't going to pay a 3rd starter $7 million a year no matter what.
Of course, now the Cards don't have a middle infield. And Renteria's signing drove up the price on Cabrera. So, will the team go cheap on 2B and SS and get good pitching? The A's don't need a 2B anymore, could they be more open to St. Louis' pitching-only deal? Clement is still out there-think he'd take 4 years/39 million?
It looks like I'll be doing the same thing for awhile. Edgar signed with Boston.
I think Cardinal fans have become too accustomed to players signing for less to play in St. Louis. We've been told too often that it's the BEST BASEBALL CITY IN AMERICA and guys LOVE PLAYING THERE. Some players are happy to take the hometown discount; the Cards just have a relatively higher percentage (and they're higher profile) than most teams. McGwire and Rolen took less money; Pujols signed for somewhat less than he could get on the open market in a few years. Hell, Jimmy would probably play for free. Lots of players have deferred money (the intelligence of which is a topic for another time) which looks good to fans. But none of this is the norm, especially this year. Just take a look at Cards Talk on the P-D website to see how personally people are taking the signing.
I can't even imagine the outrage if Sexson had been on the Cardinals last year. Many fans would probably want him to sign for less because he was being paid while injured. Well, he's going to his hometown team and he's getting $50 million for four years. Not a discount.
So Renteria went for the money in Boston (not that much more money, but still)? Shit happens. I didn't want the Cardinals to spend $10 million/year for him. He's good, but not Rolen/Pujols good. There are some things that rub me the wrong way about his statements. Boston wanted him more? I guess that's a polite way of saying they were paying more. This whole situation has been so freakin messy; I'm glad it's over and done with. And I don't buy that the wait prevented getting someone else. We weren't going to pay a 3rd starter $7 million a year no matter what.
Of course, now the Cards don't have a middle infield. And Renteria's signing drove up the price on Cabrera. So, will the team go cheap on 2B and SS and get good pitching? The A's don't need a 2B anymore, could they be more open to St. Louis' pitching-only deal? Clement is still out there-think he'd take 4 years/39 million?
