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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

FOX: Rosenthal - Red Sox on verge of getting Gagne

The Red Sox are on the verge of winning the Eric Gagne sweepstakes, pending his approval and a review of his medical records, according to major-league sources.

Gagne must waive his no-trade clause to Boston for the deal to be completed. It is possible the Red Sox will allow him to share the closer’s role with Jonathan Papelbon.

The Rangers would receive right-hander Kason Gabbard and an additional player or players in the deal, sources say.

Before reaching agreement with the Red Sox, the Rangers had discussed trading Gagne to the Mets, Yankees and Brewers. He could have been sent to each of those teams without his permission.

NTNgod Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:14 PM | 87 comment(s)
Related News: General, Boston, Texas

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1. NTNgod Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:18 PM (#2463075)

If Gabbard is the winning bid, I'd hate to see what crap everyone was offering - and if Gagne was traded to the one finalist he COULD veto, the rest had to be crap.

2. TerpNats Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:18 PM (#2463077)

The value of this deal depends upon the "additional players" the Bosox are sending Texas. One wonders what the other teams were offering the Rangers.

3. Sam M. Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:19 PM (#2463079)

If Gabbard is the winning bid for Gagne, that should win my argument in the Cordero thread about how valuable he is.

4. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:23 PM (#2463087)

It is possible the Red Sox will allow him to share the closer’s role with Jonathan Papelbon.

uh-oh--wouldn't that be "closer by committee"?

(well, a very SMALL committee)

5. Weekly Journalist_ Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:23 PM (#2463088)

If the Rangers traded Gagne for Kason Gabbard and David Murphy, they should be be kicked out of the league. What a joke. How do they not even get Ellsbury? Ellsbury isn't even good!

6. Weekly Journalist_ Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:25 PM (#2463095)

This is a great move for the Sox. They should go for it all, honestly. They are guaranteed almost of a postseason spot, and this makes their pen dominant. None of their prospects outside of Buchholz are really of the A type, once you get past the hype, and they should be more than willing to part with them. A great great move for the Sox if its true, and just a horrible trade by the Rangers. They would have been better off with draft picks than ####### David Murphy and Kason Garbage. How does a professional GM get fooled so badly by two or three good starts?

7. TerpNats Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:26 PM (#2463099)

In this Ivy League GM battle, Yale routed Cornell.

8. JoeHova Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:26 PM (#2463100)

The Brewers look real stupid now, giving up so much for Linebrink. Oh well.

9. Ozzie's gay friend Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:26 PM (#2463104)

If the Rangers traded Gagne for Kason Gabbard and David Murphy, they should be be kicked out of the league. What a joke. How do they not even get Ellsbury? Ellsbury isn't even good!

Why is this so egregious?
Soriano for crap wasn't?
Young and A-Gonz for nada wasn't?

Gange should command more, but he is a HUGE health risk who's owed a bunch of cash.

10. Weekly Journalist_ Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:28 PM (#2463107)

How are two draft picks not better than Gabbard and Murphy? haha, at best it is a wash. Wait, how much cash is Gagne owed? I thought it was like $3 million or something

11. NTNgod Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:29 PM (#2463111)

I think this Gagne return is pretty strong evidence that the Otsuka/Gwynn near-deal a few weeks ago wasn't just RoboRumor, but was an actual transaction that Daniels thought was a good idea.

12. IronChef Chris Wok Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:33 PM (#2463119)

Cross posted from Therapy:

There is no way it's Gabbard and Murphy. It's like trading toilet paper for a notebook computer with a bad LCD display.

Everybody needs toilet paper, you can't live without it, you can live without a notebook computer, but nobody in their right mind trades a laptop for for toilet paper, no matter how badly you have to take a dump.

13. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:35 PM (#2463125)

Stark just reported on ESPN that he thinks it's Gabbard and Murphy. Not sure, but that's what he's "hearing."

14. SteveF Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:38 PM (#2463131)

Gabbard is left-handed. Not that that makes a big difference, but I think there's a feeling in baseball that left=handed pitchers can succeed on lesser stuff than right-handed pitchers.

I think Gabbard can be a reasonably effective and cheap 5th starter for a team that's rebuilding and has no delusions of 100 win seasons.

Is that all 1/3 of a season of Gagne commands these days? You'd think there should be other potential playoff teams in line ahead of the Red Sox by virtue of needing him more.

Though this does give some insight into what the Red Sox front office is thinking about some of their players. First, obviously they like Lester in that 5th starter spot better than Gabbard. Second, they think Schilling is over his injury issues. And third, they aren't confident Mike Timlin is over his injury issues.

15. IronChef Chris Wok Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:42 PM (#2463135)

irst, obviously they like Lester in that 5th starter spot better than Gabbard. Second, they think Schilling is over his injury issues. And third, they aren't confident Mike Timlin is over his injury issues.

I'm SHOCKED taht they think that 1) Mike Timlin probably blows 2) Curt is better and 3) Lester is better than Gabbard

16. Cowboy Popup Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:45 PM (#2463142)

You'd think there should be other potential playoff teams in line ahead of the Red Sox by virtue of needing him more.

Seriously, if I'm the Tigers and I hear that's all it takes, I get on the phone immediately.

Has that happened, where a team hears about a potential trade about to happen, outbids one of the original partners and makes the trade.

17. AROM Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:46 PM (#2463144)

I think Gabbard can be a reasonably effective and cheap 5th starter for a team that's rebuilding and has no delusions of 100 win seasons.

Check out Texas's rotation. He'd be their ACE. Even though he'll probably get lit up with that ballpark and defense behind him.

18. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:49 PM (#2463148)

I think Steve's got it basically right. The Sox haven't had Timlin in their high-lev plans for a while, but otherwise, yeah. And, regardless, the upgrade from Timlin to Gagne is pretty huge.

ESPN now reporting that the Red Sox are trying to restructure Gagne's deal, maybe switch a bonus for games pitched in place of the games finished bonus. Sounds pretty good.

19. AROM Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:50 PM (#2463154)

The Red Sox are discussing their options. It would seem that the most likely solution would be for the Red Sox to move Jonathan Papelbon into a setup role and grant Gagne the ninth inning.

From Yahoo. If the Red Sox demote Papelbon, they should be banned from baseball forever.

20. Latnam's first name is Bob Lemon's middle name. Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:51 PM (#2463158)

As a fantasy owner of Gagne and Papelbon, let me say I hate this trade.

21. Bobby Bonilla's Annuity (Matt) Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:51 PM (#2463159)

Third player from the Sox, Buster says. Some 16-year-old kid.

22. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:52 PM (#2463161)

There it is.

Olney reports that GCL bonus baby Engel Beltre is the third player in the deal. I'm still ok with it, but that's more like it.

23. salfino Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:52 PM (#2463162)

Has that happened, where a team hears about a potential trade about to happen, outbids one of the original partners and makes the trade.

Of course. That's why teams leak trade rumors (real and made up).

24. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:52 PM (#2463167)

Beltre's 17. Got big power tools. Striking out like crazy in the GCL.

25. Rafael Bellylard has become a Mets fan! Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:54 PM (#2463172)

I didn't catch the full name, but ESPN said a third player (last name Beltre) would be going to the Rangers as well.

If they have to demote Papelbon to set-up, I'm against the whole thing.

26. ValueArbitrageur Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:54 PM (#2463176)

If the Red Sox use Papelbon in high leverage situations before the stupid 9th inning, they should be praised by saber types forever

27. Rafael Bellylard has become a Mets fan! Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:54 PM (#2463179)

I gotta learn to type faster

28. baseball chick (now, with NEW blog) Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:56 PM (#2463185)

one of the chron reporters was, um, suggesting (ahem) we trade lidge straight up for david murphy. i shtt you not. sad thing is most of the fans thought i would be a GREAT trade.

seeing as how lidge is mental and someday will blow a save or give up a run

29. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2007 at 01:58 PM (#2463192)

If the Red Sox use Papelbon in high leverage situations before the stupid 9th inning, they should be praised by saber types forever

oh, barf.

The Sox won't change Papelbon's usage here at all, and they shouldn't. I have no idea where Yahoo got that idea, but there have been absolutely no reports to that effect, and instead they're saying that the Sox are trying to change Gagne's incentives to games pitched in order for him to get paid in full without closing.

30. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:00 PM (#2463197)

Very angry at the Tigers right now. Won't be tomorrow, but am now.

31. Kurt Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:04 PM (#2463208)

If Gabbard is the winning bid for Gagne, that should win my argument in the Cordero thread about how valuable he is.

Is this a joke? Your argument in that thread was that Bowden should absolutely trade Cordero, and the Needham crew said it wouldn't be so bad to keep him. If Gabbard is the bounty for Gagne, that seems like a strong argument for keeping Cordero.

32. You Forgot Walewander Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:13 PM (#2463221)

Why not tomorrow? You know that the only reason he won't come is cause the Tigers won't move Johnny Cakes out of the closer spot. That's a great reason to be mad.

33. Sam M. Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:16 PM (#2463230)

Your argument in that thread was that Bowden should absolutely trade Cordero, and the Needham crew said it wouldn't be so bad to keep him. If Gabbard is the bounty for Gagne, that seems like a strong argument for keeping Cordero.

I was referring to the part of the thread discussing how much trade value a guy like Cordero has, not the overall wisdom of actually trading him. There was some opinion expressed there that a reliever like Cordero has value comparable to Mark Teixeira. I differed with that sentiment.

34. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:17 PM (#2463232)

Yeah. . .

I just mean that after what Dave Dombrowski has done for us, I'm not going to stay mad at him for any length of time. I guess that makes me a fanboy, though I'm the most ludicrously pessimistic fanboy ever!

35. haven Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:19 PM (#2463241)

Just heard ESPN is reporting Engel Beltre would be included with Gabbard and Murphy for Gagne.

Olney is also reporting Ensberg was acquired by the Padres.

36. Dock Ellis on Acid

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:27 PM (#2463263)

Horray for market ineffieciencies!

37. jimmybob Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:39 PM (#2463301)

I wonder if there will be a clause in Gagne's contract that says Pedroia can't make fun of him for taking him deep.

38. IronChef Chris Wok Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:42 PM (#2463310)

I wonder if there will be a clause in Gagne's contract that says Pedroia can't make fun of him for taking him deep.

Gagne should be more worried about Pedroia doing his wife. Apparently that's like the most beautiful sight in the World.

39. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:44 PM (#2463316)

Done.

Gagne for Gabbard/Murphy/Beltre

Gagne's "Games Finished" bonuses now pay "Games" - he'll set up.

40. 1k5v3L, Useless

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:46 PM (#2463318)

Gagne's "Games Finished" bonuses now pay "Games" - he'll set up.

That's a nice compromise. I've never heard of Beltre, is he good? Higher ceiling than Pedroia? :)

41. Sir Stamford Raffles Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:46 PM (#2463323)

That's a nice compromise. I've never heard of Beltre, is he good? Higher ceiling than Pedroia? :)

Not anymore. :V:

42. Marc Sully's not booin'. He's Youkin'.

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:48 PM (#2463327)

All Beltre can hope to be is half the man/player Callaspo is.

43. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:48 PM (#2463328)

Sox paid $500k for Beltre last year out of the Dominican. He has big power, apparently. He's been struggling in 30some games the GCL (215/315/415 with one K every 3 AB), but he's seventeen and toolsy.

44. chris p Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:50 PM (#2463337)

levski, he's a 17 year old outfielder in the gcl. if he stayed with the red sox, he'd be in lancaster in a couple years ... so, think carlos gonzalez.

45. 1k5v3L, Useless

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:52 PM (#2463342)

All Beltre can hope to be is half the man/player Callaspo is.

so, he's a midget?

levski, he's a 17 year old outfielder in the gcl. if he stayed with the red sox, he'd be in lancaster in a couple years ... so, think carlos gonzalez.

thanks, chris. hopefully for the rangers he's more like CGonzalez and less like CJ Henry.

46. 1k5v3L, Useless

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:54 PM (#2463347)

but he's seventeen and toolsy.

keep him away from lastings milledge.

seems like a nice trade for the red sox.

47. Rear Admiral Piazza Posted: July 31, 2007 at 02:59 PM (#2463357)

I wonder what Bill Simmons' friend Sal thinks of this? Guess I will find out tomorrow.

48. Dock Ellis on Acid

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 03:09 PM (#2463369)

So Wok, what kind of tiolet paper did the Rangers get?

49. 1k5v3L, Useless

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 03:13 PM (#2463384)

So Wok, what kind of tiolet paper did the Rangers get?

Industrial quality sand paper

50. frannyzoo Posted: July 31, 2007 at 03:38 PM (#2463419)

Okay, exactly what is Gagne going to do for the Sox? Is he replacing Delcarmen? Is he "pitching the 7th" in a Gagne-Okajima-Papelbon dream team? Is there a thought that he closes when: A. Papelbon blows another save or two, and/or B. Papelbon goes back to the need to pitch every five days for health reasons thing?

51. IronChef Chris Wok Posted: July 31, 2007 at 03:39 PM (#2463422)

So Wok, what kind of tiolet paper did the Rangers get?

Two-ply. Also, Engel Beltre isn't one lottery ticket, it's like 600K worth of lottery tickets.

52. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2007 at 03:58 PM (#2463464)

Is there a thought that he closes when: A. Papelbon blows another save or two, and/or B. Papelbon goes back to the need to pitch every five days for health reasons thing?

No and No.

Gagne's probably going to be pitching the 8th, Okajima the 7th, perhaps with some adjustment for platoon concerns. So, yeah, he replaces Delcarmen.

53. jim in providence Posted: July 31, 2007 at 04:23 PM (#2463537)

Whither Timlin? Apart from concerns about his health/effectiveness going forward, there simply won't be any innings for him. There's no way he's going to settle for competing with Snyder for garbage time. His "shoulder problems" don't sound 60-day DL worthy.

I hope it doesn't get ugly because all of my feelings toward Timlin are good (the Red Sox stuff AND I'm an erstwhile Jays fan).

54. SJ and the pants of freedom. Posted: July 31, 2007 at 04:31 PM (#2463554)

Great deal for the Sox. They give up next to nothing and get a top notch reliever.

Mike Kay says Daniels never backed down from his demands of Hughes/Joba/Kennedy. I don't blame cash for not pulling the trigger in that situation.

where was Detroit? Surely they had next to next to nothing available.

55. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: July 31, 2007 at 04:36 PM (#2463566)

Whither Timlin? Apart from concerns about his health/effectiveness going forward, there simply won't be any innings for him.

Like you say, the Red Sox might be lucky if Timlin can pitch any innings. He's already got a sore shoulder. He doesn't seem like the type to complain too much, though, so I can't imagine things getting "ugly."

I'd like to think that our starters will be awesome and will be in the lead in every game by the time the 7th rolls around, but I'm sure that Timlin will get his innings. Making sure the back end of the pen gets innings is a nice problem to have.

56. Jose Canusee Posted: July 31, 2007 at 04:38 PM (#2463575)

Gagne's "Games Finished" bonuses now pay "Games" - he'll set up.

Milton Bradley will collect Gagne's bonus?

57. Biff uses the power of mental thinking Posted: July 31, 2007 at 04:46 PM (#2463584)

Interesting. Is this Tavarez back to the rotation or will Schilling be ready to go soon enough?

58. jim in providence Posted: July 31, 2007 at 04:52 PM (#2463589)

mcgriffy -

so the Sox carry seven relievers going forward? can Timlin do more than Tavarez and Snyder (and now Delcarmen) can? plus, Donnelly is coming back eventually, I assume.

59. NTNgod Posted: July 31, 2007 at 04:55 PM (#2463595)

Donnelly is coming back eventually, I assume.

Nope, TJ surgery by Yocum.

Started new thread on that.

60. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2007 at 04:59 PM (#2463601)

Schilling's final rehab start is tonight. He's been throwing in the low 90s, free and easy, says he feels the best he's felt in quite a while. The Red Sox are highly confident in Schilling's return.

The rotation is set up perfectly - they can use the off-day yesterday to skip Gabbard, and then start Schilling on Saturday. No need to put Tavarez in the rotation, and no need to make a roster move until Satuday. They can carry 8 relievers.

Once they have to make a cut, the Sox can either DL Timlin, DL somebody else, or option Lopez to Pawtucket. They'll only need to balance eight relievers for four weeks, and I don't think there's much risk of any cuts or any problems for guys like Timlin, if he's healthy.

61. RayDiPerna Posted: July 31, 2007 at 05:06 PM (#2463612)

Am I the only one who doesn't understand the hype surrounding Eric Gagne? He's pitched all of 50 innings in three years, and now that he's been able to stay healthy for a millisecond, we see that his walks are up and his strikeouts are way down. Meanwhile, he'll pitch at best another 15-20 innings the rest of the way for a team that is already in the postseason. Having him around for the postseason -- assuming he's healthy, of course -- will be nice, but hardly worth getting all excited over.

It's kind of an odd pickup for the Sox in particular, who don't need Gagne for the regular season -- the Yankees being 8 games back no matter how good they actually are -- and the Sox shouldn't sign Gagne to a long-term deal, since his market value will far outstrip his actual value. That leaves the handful of innings Gagne will pitch in the postseason. Big whoop.

62. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2007 at 05:12 PM (#2463623)

the postseason. Big whoop.

Well said.

63. Daryn Posted: July 31, 2007 at 05:17 PM (#2463626)

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that Gagne's performances in non-save situations this year have been brutal. ERA over 6 I'd guess. He seems uncomfortable and bored when he is not closing.

64. rfloh Posted: July 31, 2007 at 05:21 PM (#2463633)

#62

WS rings are forever?

65. tfbg9 Posted: July 31, 2007 at 05:38 PM (#2463647)

He seems uncomfortable and bored when he is not closing.

Pitching the 8th for Boston is like closing on other teams! Pure adrenalin!

66. The Clarence Thomas of BTF (scott) Posted: July 31, 2007 at 05:38 PM (#2463648)

i'm convinced that the Ray DiPerna moniker is a very clever ruse by someone who posts under another name. it's hard to be as obtuse as he is, intentionally.

67. Fumbduck Joe Bivens Posted: July 31, 2007 at 05:53 PM (#2463667)

Well, it does give them the option to flip him back into the rotation if Schilling's rehab doesn't go well, Matt.

Not that that's what they intend to do but it's a real possibility.

I strongly doubt that it is at all possible. I suspect it is impossible. Even unpossible.

68. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2007 at 05:53 PM (#2463669)

As the Sports Guy would say, I wish there was somewhere I could place a bet on things like "Ray DiPerna holds to hardcore libertarian politics".

69. RayDiPerna Posted: July 31, 2007 at 05:54 PM (#2463670)

#62

WS rings are forever?

That sentiment, as I understand it, is meant to validate the strategy of trading prospects for a veteran (or whatever) in order to get a team into the postseason, to play for the chance to win it all. But the Red Sox are already there, barring a complete collapse.

There's no telling which players or which situations a postseason series is going to turn on, given all the vagaries of chance in those series. Given that, it's hard to get too excited over a minor upgrade to an already strong bullpen. Again, Gagne isn't the same pitcher he was, even if he's able to stay on the field for October -- which is not a sure thing by any stretch.

Even accepting that the Sox made a decent trade, I don't see why it's anything to get excited about. Gagne is way overhyped.

70. villageidiom Posted: July 31, 2007 at 06:08 PM (#2463696)

I'm just excited they didn't trade Buchholz and Ellsbury for Jason Kendall. (And then use a police escort to bring Kendall to the game in time.)

71. NTNgod Posted: July 31, 2007 at 06:12 PM (#2463704)

Even accepting that the Sox made a decent trade, I don't see why it's anything to get excited about.

It also kept Gagne away from the Yankees, who could have really used him.

72. RayDiPerna Posted: July 31, 2007 at 06:23 PM (#2463721)

It also kept Gagne away from the Yankees, who could have really used him.

Yes, but, again, I don't see a compelling reason to worry about what the Yankees are doing when they're 8 games back with 57 to play.

Anyway, the Yankees bullpen can be improved anyway, just by forcing Torre to use people like Chris Britton and Colter Bean and Edwar Ramirez, even if he's not comfortable with them. (Not to mention the potential upgrade that Chamberlain might bring.) Bean hasn't been used since a bad outing against Seattle on May 4, and Ramirez hasn't been used since a bad outing on July 20.

73. Yankee_Redneck Posted: July 31, 2007 at 06:34 PM (#2463735)

I never thought we'd get a Colter Bean shout-out in this thread.

74. Fumbduck Joe Bivens Posted: July 31, 2007 at 06:35 PM (#2463738)

Yes, but, again, I don't see a compelling reason to worry about what the Yankees are doing when they're 8 games back with 57 to play.

Because the Yankees are like a fungus. A fungus that doesn't yield to regular fungicides.

75. jim in providence Posted: July 31, 2007 at 06:39 PM (#2463746)

Anyway, the Yankees bullpen can be improved anyway, just by forcing Torre to use people like Chris Britton and Colter Bean and Edwar Ramirez, even if he's not comfortable with them.

Yankee fans await the discovery of this "force" you speak of.

76. jim in providence Posted: July 31, 2007 at 06:56 PM (#2463761)

Something that just occurred to me: Gagne had a no-trade to Boston? A team that actually will play in the postseason every now and again and which is the closest MLB city to Montreal?

Uh oh. Might be some family issues there.

77. John DiFool2 Posted: July 31, 2007 at 07:09 PM (#2463795)

I wonder how this impacts the Dye sweepstakes, as Manny D is now a less crucial cog in the machine now. The Sox basically traded two guys who are easily replaced by better, younger players within the organization, so in the long-term this trade hinges on what that Beltre kid does, and what the draft picks are when Gagne bolts.

78. robinred

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 07:42 PM (#2463908)

I think this is an excellent move, even if Gagne gets hurt next week and it winds up not helping. This is a move that could swing a couple of key post-season moments Boston's way and then they can get the draft picks.

Add me to the people a little puzzled by other teams not coning in with a better offer, most notably Detroit and Cleveland. Those teams should be pushing hard to make a run, particularly Detroit.

79. Bob Loblaw Posted: July 31, 2007 at 07:44 PM (#2463914)

I think the draft picks are almost the key to the deal. If he's a Type A, as people seem to be saying he will be despite how little he's pitched the last two years, then the Red Sox just upgraded their bullpen for three mediocre and/or way-off prospects.

But, they'll get two picks in the next draft that are higher than any pick they had in the last draft, which was a draft that they were praised for taking a lot of talent in (the question being whether they could sign it all).

This could end up pretty much being three months of Gagne for free.

80. Ozzie's gay friend Posted: July 31, 2007 at 07:49 PM (#2463928)

ture, but free also mean paying Gagne 4.2 million and at least $2m for the picks, if you get them.

81. Bob Loblaw Posted: July 31, 2007 at 07:51 PM (#2463933)

Well, I don't care about monetary costs to the Red Sox. I care about how much talent they have.

82. robinred

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 08:01 PM (#2463972)

Well, I don't care about monetary costs to the Red Sox. I care about how much talent they have.

What? I thought the Red Sox had to squeeze their nickels like 28 of the 29 other teams. That is what Lucchino says, anyway.

83. philly Posted: July 31, 2007 at 08:16 PM (#2464020)

As the Sports Guy would say, I wish there was somewhere I could place a bet on things like "Ray DiPerna holds to hardcore libertarian politics".

A real player would have doubled down and bet on an imminent "Colter Bean is all you need" mention.

84. villageidiom Posted: July 31, 2007 at 08:24 PM (#2464040)

Something that just occurred to me: Gagne had a no-trade to Boston? A team that actually will play in the postseason every now and again and which is the closest MLB city to Montreal?

IIRC the boilerplate MLB contract includes no-trade provisions for up to three teams, specified at the time of signing. This is obviously different from the more familiar negotiated no-trade clause, in which a player cannot be traded without his consent.

My understanding is that every player fills in three teams, whether or not they actually don't want to be traded to them, if only because it doesn't make much sense not to make use of such a benefit. If I were Gagne, I would've put big-market teams that might be more likely to "compensate" me for waiving the clause should a trade occur. And Colorado. (Though Mike Hampton says they have good schools.)

85. Greg Pope Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:06 PM (#2464590)

Something that just occurred to me: Gagne had a no-trade to Boston? A team that actually will play in the postseason every now and again and which is the closest MLB city to Montreal?

Gagne has a contract where he could specify 12 (IIRC) teams that he could not be traded to. He apparently didn't have to name the teams when he signed, but he named them a few weeks ago. He basically picked the 12 teams that were most likely to trade for him so that if those teams wanted him they'd have to negotiate. So he left off teams like the Pirates and the Royals because he knew they'd never trade for him anyway and he put on teams like Boston and Detroit so that he could guarantee he'd be the closer or be compensated.

IIRC the boilerplate MLB contract includes no-trade provisions for up to three teams, specified at the time of signing.

I have never heard this (of course I know nothing about MLB contracts). I thought that all no-trades were negotiated.

86. Primakov is once again done with politics Posted: August 01, 2007 at 07:37 AM (#2465380)

Then Gagne should be damn lucky the Pirates didn't try for him (very hard, anyway).

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