Thursday, November 15, 2007
The Biggest Loser
So it looks like A-Rod is going back to the Yankees, reuniting two things I can't stand. Do as the dust settles, it's time to determine who is the biggest loser in this beatiful union:
Candidate #1: Scott Boras
The Skinny: Filed for free agency on the last day of the World Series, earning a rebuke from the commissioner's office. Promised to ignite a bidding way and make A-Rod baseball's first $300 million man.
The case for: Now, he essentially gets booted out of negotiation as A-Rod goes to Florida to meet with Yankees' brass sans Boras, meaning he will have little to do with the eventual signing.
The case against: Six percent of $280 mil is still pretty sweet.
Candidate #2: A-Rod
The Skinny: Baseball's best player and self-absorbed superstar forgoes big money in an extension to become a free agent.
The case for: A-Rod had to essentially come crawling back to the Yanks in an effort to earn the money that didn't appear available on the open market. This whole charade will do nothing to furhter endear him to Yankee fans.
The case against: He'll be making $28 million as a 43-year-old.
Candidate #3: The Yankees
The Skinny: Hal (or Hank, I can't keep them straight) Steinbrenner said the Yanks had no use for A-Rod if he opted out, which cost them $21 million in salary that was being paid by the Rangers.
The case for: Yanks said they were done with A-Rod, now accept him back at market value and lose the $21 mil (the Yanks say the $21 mil was factored into the contract, which then makes this contract worth more than $300 mil by my specious reasoning).
The case against: The Yanks have the best third baseman in baseball locked up for 10 years, which will be lucrative as A-Rod chases Hank Aaron's legitimate home run record and Barry Bonds' illegitimate home run record.
So I put it to Sportsmeat nation (we're a small nation, like Belize)? Who's the biggest loser?
Candidate #1: Scott Boras
The Skinny: Filed for free agency on the last day of the World Series, earning a rebuke from the commissioner's office. Promised to ignite a bidding way and make A-Rod baseball's first $300 million man.
The case for: Now, he essentially gets booted out of negotiation as A-Rod goes to Florida to meet with Yankees' brass sans Boras, meaning he will have little to do with the eventual signing.
The case against: Six percent of $280 mil is still pretty sweet.
Candidate #2: A-Rod
The Skinny: Baseball's best player and self-absorbed superstar forgoes big money in an extension to become a free agent.
The case for: A-Rod had to essentially come crawling back to the Yanks in an effort to earn the money that didn't appear available on the open market. This whole charade will do nothing to furhter endear him to Yankee fans.
The case against: He'll be making $28 million as a 43-year-old.
Candidate #3: The Yankees
The Skinny: Hal (or Hank, I can't keep them straight) Steinbrenner said the Yanks had no use for A-Rod if he opted out, which cost them $21 million in salary that was being paid by the Rangers.
The case for: Yanks said they were done with A-Rod, now accept him back at market value and lose the $21 mil (the Yanks say the $21 mil was factored into the contract, which then makes this contract worth more than $300 mil by my specious reasoning).
The case against: The Yanks have the best third baseman in baseball locked up for 10 years, which will be lucrative as A-Rod chases Hank Aaron's legitimate home run record and Barry Bonds' illegitimate home run record.
So I put it to Sportsmeat nation (we're a small nation, like Belize)? Who's the biggest loser?
# posted by EJ @ 3:07 PM 
Comments:
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I vote for Boras. Sure he'll still get a pay check after the dust settles, but he's lost a lot of clout. His reputation has been dinged and he operates in an industry where reputation is everything. This debacle will affect his ability to represent big name stars in the future.
I'd say we're more like Liechtenstein -- small, isolated, under the radar, but doing OK for ourselves.
Anyway, I'm amazed at how well this has spun for the Yankees. I mean, the "opt out and we're out of the bidding" line was in place for much of the season, from Cashman, long before the Princes started yapping. Yet everyone is taking the position that the Yanks stayed on the higher ground, let A-Rod come crawling back, yada yada. Er, OK, but maybe, just maybe, they looked around at what they'd have to give up to have anywhere near the same production at third base. I don't know that the Yankees are the biggest loser (Boras, I agree, takes a huge hit), but they're certainly not the big winners that NY radio types are making them out to be. (*This is based on last night and today's morning commute only, so this may have changed)
Anyway, I'm amazed at how well this has spun for the Yankees. I mean, the "opt out and we're out of the bidding" line was in place for much of the season, from Cashman, long before the Princes started yapping. Yet everyone is taking the position that the Yanks stayed on the higher ground, let A-Rod come crawling back, yada yada. Er, OK, but maybe, just maybe, they looked around at what they'd have to give up to have anywhere near the same production at third base. I don't know that the Yankees are the biggest loser (Boras, I agree, takes a huge hit), but they're certainly not the big winners that NY radio types are making them out to be. (*This is based on last night and today's morning commute only, so this may have changed)
I swear to god I was clicked on the comment button only to say that we are more of a Liechtenstein.
Spooky.
Spooky.
Also, I'd like to praise BT for pointing out that the Yankees were still as likely as any team to be ARod's final resting place. Er, final destination.
The question that that needs to be answered is whether or not there were competitive offers to 10 years, $280 mil. Did A-Rod really swallow his pride because he wanted to remain a Yankee or did he do it because of the money. If the Yankees were the top bidder (which I have to think was A-Rod's motivation, although that could come from the New England in me), how can you really say Boras didn't do his job? He got the best deal for his player. He might have lost a little respect among the owners, but does he really care since the players put bread on his table? You can only argue that Boros was the biggest loser if his actions cost A-Rod some money.
This reminds me of that Seinfeld when Jerry and the gang were at Elaine's friend’s apartment to watch the marathon and Jerry and George are debating who is a bigger idiot when a woman in the back yells out to the runners "You're all winners!". Oh how that make me laugh.
I meant to blog about a post made to the Melrose comment blog. The comment referred to the devils as the "crappy devils". I take offense to that. They are by no means crappy. We are talking about one of the most successful NHL franchises over the past 12 years with 3 cups, a game 7 loss in the finals. They also are probably in the top 3 in games won over that span. All of this accomplished with by no stretch the most talented team. But a great GM and a great goalies have made them a classy, model organization. They never sign huge FA for big money, but sign the right players for the team and system. I am sure you will throw the boring D- focus style at this, but do not forget, they lead the league in scoring during on of their cup runs. I would relate them to a BB team with little O but great pitching. Think Ravens super bowl team. The poster was going for a cheap shot attempt at laughs. He either knows dick about hockey or is a bitter rangers, isle or flyer fan. No offense Shoes. Who is this dave law anyway? I say we ban his rights for stupid blogging.
I meant to blog about a post made to the Melrose comment blog. The comment referred to the devils as the "crappy devils". I take offense to that. They are by no means crappy. We are talking about one of the most successful NHL franchises over the past 12 years with 3 cups, a game 7 loss in the finals. They also are probably in the top 3 in games won over that span. All of this accomplished with by no stretch the most talented team. But a great GM and a great goalies have made them a classy, model organization. They never sign huge FA for big money, but sign the right players for the team and system. I am sure you will throw the boring D- focus style at this, but do not forget, they lead the league in scoring during on of their cup runs. I would relate them to a BB team with little O but great pitching. Think Ravens super bowl team. The poster was going for a cheap shot attempt at laughs. He either knows dick about hockey or is a bitter rangers, isle or flyer fan. No offense Shoes. Who is this dave law anyway? I say we ban his rights for stupid blogging.
I think it's hilarious to think that Boras is taking a hit here. He got exactly what he wanted out of this. Earlier in the season he floated the 10 year $300 mill and everyone in the world looked at him like he was crazy. A-Rod opts out and he throws out 10 years $350m.
What's he sign for? 10 years $300. Exactly like he called it. No one else was going to pay him, and he still gets what he wanted in the first place.
Every time Boras has a high profile negotiation the press goes crazy saying he's burned all of his bridges. No one will trust him about the mysterious "other offers." Yet every year he gets new clients and every year he makes big deals (and gets $1.8 m a year for the next 10)
A-Rod comes off okay. He got what he wanted and it's made to look like he told his agent off and negotiated the deal himself.
The Steinbrenners come off looking like hacks. They end up paying what he wanted, and losing $21 mill in the process.
Speaking of Dave Law. From now on I shall be Matt Education.
Oh, and I'd rather be Belize. Better weather.
What's he sign for? 10 years $300. Exactly like he called it. No one else was going to pay him, and he still gets what he wanted in the first place.
Every time Boras has a high profile negotiation the press goes crazy saying he's burned all of his bridges. No one will trust him about the mysterious "other offers." Yet every year he gets new clients and every year he makes big deals (and gets $1.8 m a year for the next 10)
A-Rod comes off okay. He got what he wanted and it's made to look like he told his agent off and negotiated the deal himself.
The Steinbrenners come off looking like hacks. They end up paying what he wanted, and losing $21 mill in the process.
Speaking of Dave Law. From now on I shall be Matt Education.
Oh, and I'd rather be Belize. Better weather.
Or maybe Maducation?
Dave Law is down with the Thunder, which means he's down with the 'meat, which means he's got irrevocable posting privelages. Joseph, if you're so fired up, I suggest you respond within, say, A WEEK of the offending comment.
On the topic of nicknames (returning to Matt Education), I heard Marc Stein call Yi Jianlian "Yi-Harmony." Not bad, but with all the e-commerce, e-mail, e-whatevers out there, I think there must be something better. Ideas?
Dave Law is down with the Thunder, which means he's down with the 'meat, which means he's got irrevocable posting privelages. Joseph, if you're so fired up, I suggest you respond within, say, A WEEK of the offending comment.
On the topic of nicknames (returning to Matt Education), I heard Marc Stein call Yi Jianlian "Yi-Harmony." Not bad, but with all the e-commerce, e-mail, e-whatevers out there, I think there must be something better. Ideas?
Sorry I cannot dedicate more time to blogging Budds. Important as this is, it is not priority #1.
Is this timely enough? "Eat sh#t, Eat It"
Is this timely enough? "Eat sh#t, Eat It"
Joseph, I called the Devils "crappy". A week later, you're calling me "stupid" and un-funny. This aggression will not stand, man. I'd say let's meet outside the Prudential Center after dark and settle this, but I'm too much of a pussy. I'm actually a Devils fan myself, I'm just bitter about this season including seeing Scotty Gomez go to NY and I think building a hockey arena in Newark was one of the worst moves in the history of any sports franchise. Sorry if I offended, but like you, I don't have a ton of time to spend revising my posts.
Back to A-Rod - I can't believe the Boras Kool-Aid that ESPN pundits are ladelling out. I do NOT think this was all part of Boras' grand scheme to get his client max $$$. I agree that no one looks good here, but I still feel that Boras is the biggest loser b/c he wasn't even at the table when the deal was made. That sends a message to his clients that he's expendable.
Now where are the picks?
Back to A-Rod - I can't believe the Boras Kool-Aid that ESPN pundits are ladelling out. I do NOT think this was all part of Boras' grand scheme to get his client max $$$. I agree that no one looks good here, but I still feel that Boras is the biggest loser b/c he wasn't even at the table when the deal was made. That sends a message to his clients that he's expendable.
Now where are the picks?
I do believe the correct answer is (a) knows dick about hockey. However, it could be simply (b) is a dick.
Also, as to this post, Boras has been "taking hits" for years, always looking bad, and all he has to show for it is the best roster of clients in sports. He'll continue to look bad in his mansion and bentleys for years to come.
This is the most exciting comment thread ever.
Even if Boras wasn't at the table. The only reason it's a 10 year deal is because of his earlier maneuvering.
Even if Boras wasn't at the table. The only reason it's a 10 year deal is because of his earlier maneuvering.
The funny thing is that dave law and joe are virtual clones of each other. They should hug it out over a plate of meatballs and gravy and a soccer match or something.
Anyhow, here are the games we're picking. Maybe I'll post them on the front page later:
N.Y Giants 2½ DETROIT
JACKSONVILLE 3 San Diego
DENVER 2½ Tennessee
MINNESOTA 6 Oakland
And here are the dogs:
KANSAS 26½ Iowa State
BOISE ST. 34 Idaho
ALABAMA 24½ UL Monroe
FLORIDA 34 Florida Atlantic
Anyhow, here are the games we're picking. Maybe I'll post them on the front page later:
N.Y Giants 2½ DETROIT
JACKSONVILLE 3 San Diego
DENVER 2½ Tennessee
MINNESOTA 6 Oakland
And here are the dogs:
KANSAS 26½ Iowa State
BOISE ST. 34 Idaho
ALABAMA 24½ UL Monroe
FLORIDA 34 Florida Atlantic
But does Dave law like the Simpsons? If so, he should watch out. Something like that could push Joe over the top.
Gints
Chargers
Denver
Oakland
Fla. Atlantic
Gints
Chargers
Denver
Oakland
Fla. Atlantic
I think we all know that Simpsons fanatacism is a divisive issue in modern society. For the sake of the long-term health of Sportsmeat, the Blog, I'm going to request that Dave Law not give his opinion on that hot topic.
Thank you. I'm kicking myself that I didn't say you should watch the Azzurri, though.
And compare "waste management" techniques.
And compare "waste management" techniques.
I haven't checked the 'Meat since I made this post and then saw 20 posts. That's fantastic, throw in a little scrapping blog-style and I have to agree with Maxipriest, this is good stuff.
Don't really have much else to add. Sadly, Boras and A-Rod both got their money but I do think it reflects poorly on Boras to be cut out of the negotiations and this will not help endear A-Rod to Yankee fans.
But at the end of the day, everyone got what they wanted. A Yankees tea minus A-Rod would have been easier to root for, but I'm pretty comfortable rooting against the Yanks so why change now.
Don't really have much else to add. Sadly, Boras and A-Rod both got their money but I do think it reflects poorly on Boras to be cut out of the negotiations and this will not help endear A-Rod to Yankee fans.
But at the end of the day, everyone got what they wanted. A Yankees tea minus A-Rod would have been easier to root for, but I'm pretty comfortable rooting against the Yanks so why change now.
The teabag joke reminds me of my favorite Yankee t-shirt of all time. A-Rod sucks and Jeter swallows.
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