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Wednesday, July 11, 2007

FOX: Rosenthal - Hafner gets 4-year, $57M extension

The Indians have signed designated hitter Travis Hafner to a four-year, $57 million contract extension, FOXSports.com has learned.

Hafner, 30, was eligible for free agency after the 2008 season. His new deal does not include a signing bonus, but part of the money will be redirected to increase his salaries in 2007 and ‘08, according to a source with knowledge of the contract.

The Indians are paying Hafner $3.75 million this season and hold a $4.75 million club option on him for 2008.

FOX: Rosenthal - Yanks, Twins may enter Hillenbrand fray

NTNgod Posted: July 11, 2007 at 11:24 PM | 39 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: indians, twins, yankees

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1. MSI Posted: July 11, 2007 at 11:31 PM (#2437788)

Sounds good... Now Sabbathia is next and they should open the wallet for him and keep the core of the team locked up.

2. Russlan is fond of Dillon Gee Posted: July 11, 2007 at 11:32 PM (#2437789)

Very good deal for the Indians. It's a lot to pay a DH but he certainly would have gotten a Carlos Lee contract from someone after 2008.

3. Mister High Standards Posted: July 11, 2007 at 11:51 PM (#2437796)

I' ve never navigated a road trip before, but I've driven on a few. I have to be honest, I'm not sure I could handle the shotgun seat for most of the ride.

Really? I'm not sure as Pronk is always hurt with something. So this effectivly ties him up for until he is 35... I guess it's an OK deal.

4. Honkie Kong Posted: July 11, 2007 at 11:55 PM (#2437800)

I don't know about this. Its a good deal for them, but if this causes a budget constraint, which makes them let sabathia go, it might be bad.
In an isolated sense, its good for both parties. Indians dont get too much of a discount, but they really underpaid Hafner to date, so evens out

5. Sparkles Peterson Posted: July 12, 2007 at 12:16 AM (#2437808)

So basically this is three years and $52 million over what they already had him for? That makes this much less of a great signing.

6. Russlan is fond of Dillon Gee Posted: July 12, 2007 at 12:35 AM (#2437819)

Wait, does this extension begin after the 2008 season or after this year?

7. Rouglas Odor Eaters Posted: July 12, 2007 at 12:39 AM (#2437822)

So basically this is three years and $52 million over what they already had him for? That makes this much less of a great signing.

It's four years more at 48 million. The "4 year extension" starts with the 2009 season. Hafner gets 9 million more over the next two years.Total is 65.5 over six years (2007-12).

2007: 8.25 (4.5 mil increase)
2008: 9.25 (4.5 mil increase)
2009: 11
2010: 11
2011: 13
2012: 13

8. andrewberg Posted: July 12, 2007 at 01:02 AM (#2437835)

He might end up being the richest native North Dakotan of all time. At least until I win the lottery.

9. Misirlou is bad, he's nationwide Posted: July 12, 2007 at 01:22 AM (#2437847)

He might end up being the richest native North Dakotan of all time. At least until I win the lottery.

Not even the richest No Dak sports personality.

10. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: July 12, 2007 at 01:29 AM (#2437856)

2011: 13
2012: 13

Eek. I like Pronk, and lord knows that's better than what the Yankees are shelling out for Giambi these days but shelling out $26 million for his age 34 and 35 seasons just seems like begging for trouble. Why not frontload the contract so you're paying him the most when he's likely worth the most? I'm sure someone has provided an answer to this before, but lord knows if I can remember

11. Danny Posted: July 12, 2007 at 01:30 AM (#2437857)

Why not frontload the contract so you're paying him the most when he's likely worth the most? I'm sure someone has provided an answer to this before, but lord knows if I can remember

Money now is worth more than money later.

12. Misirlou is bad, he's nationwide Posted: July 12, 2007 at 01:31 AM (#2437859)

Why not frontload the contract so you're paying him the most when he's likely worth the most? I'm sure someone has provided an answer to this before, but lord knows if I can remember

Beacuase a dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow.

13. Misirlou is bad, he's nationwide Posted: July 12, 2007 at 01:32 AM (#2437861)

I guess I owe Danny....something. Is there an official primate tally keeper?

14. Tim Wallach was my Hero Posted: July 12, 2007 at 01:37 AM (#2437866)

«Hillenbrand would fit for the Twins as a designated hitter; the team is next-to-last in the American League in on-base/slugging percentage at DH»

That's the silliest thing I've read in a while. Any team might want Hillenbrand, but I'm pretty sure none would want him to improve their OBP...

15. RobertMachemer Posted: July 12, 2007 at 01:54 AM (#2437879)

Hillenbrand would fit for the Twins as a designated hitter; the team is next-to-last in the American League in on-base/slugging percentage at DH

That's the silliest thing I've read in a while.

I read it more as being like saying Gandhi would fit in with the 1906 White Sox (who also didn't like to hit). I.e., Hillenbrand would feel right at home with the Twins.

16. Chris Hansen, NBC Dateline Posted: July 12, 2007 at 02:02 AM (#2437882)

DOLAN IS A CHEAP FU-

What? Oh.

Well, I guess Clevelanders will have to find another reason to not go to the Jake.

17. Bernal Diaz has an angel on his shoulder Posted: July 12, 2007 at 02:18 AM (#2437893)

I'm not sure as Pronk is always hurt with something.

He has only been hurt when Twins or White Sox pitchers throw at him and hit him in the elbow or hand. Try some research next time.

18. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: July 12, 2007 at 02:28 AM (#2437900)

He has only been hurt when Twins or White Sox pitchers throw at him and hit him in the elbow or hand.

Well, those teams aren't going anywhere, are they Bernal? Why don't you try some research!

EDIT: Since I think Bernal's #19 indicates I was perhaps not being clear enough, that's a joke.

19. Bernal Diaz has an angel on his shoulder Posted: July 12, 2007 at 02:30 AM (#2437904)

What the #### are you talking about? Pronk has not been hurt this year. He got hurt last year after getting hit and the year before that he missed time after getting hit.

20. CWS Keith plans to boo your show at the Apollo Posted: July 12, 2007 at 02:36 AM (#2437910)

He has only been hurt when Twins or White Sox pitchers throw at him and hit him in the elbow or hand.

Still crying about the Buehrle HBP? Jesus H...

21. The Clarence Thomas of BBTF (scott) Posted: July 12, 2007 at 02:50 AM (#2437926)

the guy has a 128 OPS+ this year and is over 30. extending him over the next 5 years is kinda... i dunno.

i know he was near historically great, but this could end up hurting a mid-market team like the Indians.

22. Danny Posted: July 12, 2007 at 03:07 AM (#2437944)

the guy has a 128 OPS+ this year and is over 30.

Or...The guy has a 154 career OPS+, 23rd best all time for players with at least 2000 AB, and he just turned 30 last month.

23. Tony H. Posted: July 12, 2007 at 03:11 AM (#2437947)

Still crying about the Buehrle HBP? Jesus H...

He's not crying about it, he's stating a fact. And it is a fact.

24. Misirlou is bad, he's nationwide Posted: July 12, 2007 at 03:25 AM (#2437963)

Or...The guy has a 154 career OPS+, 23rd best all time for players with at least 2000 AB, and he just turned 30 last month.

How many of those guys had merely 2500 PA by age 30, and how well did they do after age 30?

I can answer the first, none. Of the guys with a 154 or better career OPS+ by BBREF (minimum qualifying 3000 PA), none save a couple of 19th cent guys and Hank Greenberg failed to exceed 4000 PA by age 30.

25. villainx Posted: July 12, 2007 at 03:50 AM (#2438000)

I think this is a pretty good signing, paying low for the next 4-5 years for MVP caliber offense, most expensive years later, when he might still be great, or possibility of trading him. In 2010, 13 mill per year will be what a good utility guy will get paid.

26. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: July 12, 2007 at 03:58 AM (#2438014)

How many of those guys had merely 2500 PA by age 30, and how well did they do after age 30?

I'm not sure I'd hold that against Hafner. The Rangers had Rafael Palmiero at first base and Carlos Pena, not Hafner, was considered the heir apparent. They were content to let Hafner pile up big numbers in the minors until they could trade him for valuable chits (Einar Diaz and Ryan Drese).

27. CWS Keith plans to boo your show at the Apollo Posted: July 12, 2007 at 04:31 AM (#2438044)

He's not crying about it, he's stating a fact. And it is a fact.

No -- he said when White Sox pitchers "throw" at him. "Throw at him" insinuates that Buehrle meant to land that low 80s pitch right on Pronk's noggin. "Throw at" is definitely not a fact.

28. Gambling Rent Czar Posted: July 12, 2007 at 10:38 AM (#2438135)

I hope the Yankees take on Hillenbrand.
It will give the press something to do besides bash 8-Rod every other day.
It will also help ensure they finish below .500 this year ...

Yippee ..

29. plim Posted: July 12, 2007 at 03:09 PM (#2438284)

what was ortiz' contract extension last year?

30. The Polish Sausage Racer Posted: July 12, 2007 at 05:55 PM (#2438508)

The problem is that sluggers tend to age early, and age badly. This is pretty reasonable early on but at age 34 and 35 it'll be a millstone in all likelihood, even accounting for the time value of money.

31. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: July 12, 2007 at 06:10 PM (#2438518)

Perhaps, but for the first three years of that contract, he'll be awfully good. Cleveland is close right now, so I'd suggest that this year and the next two seasons will be more important for the Indians than the last two years on of contract.

32. jordan Posted: July 12, 2007 at 06:13 PM (#2438521)

I don't know if sluggers are still aging as early as they used to. What about Jim Thome, Gary Sheffield, Fred McGriff, and Frank Thomas?

33. WillYoung Posted: July 12, 2007 at 06:14 PM (#2438523)

He has only been hurt when Twins or White Sox pitchers throw at him and hit him in the elbow or hand. Try some research next time.

When did the Twins ever hit Pronk? It's not like we've got Captain Cheeseburger on our staff - a guy who throws at batters for laying down a bunt and making his fatass move.

Pronk is one of my favorite players, and I can't recall a single instance of him being hit by a Twins pitcher. I also can't recall a Twins pitcher ever throwing "at" anyone.

34. zempf Posted: July 12, 2007 at 06:18 PM (#2438528)

Yeah, it was C.J. Wilson of the Rangers who broke Pronk's hand last year.

35. Craig in MN Posted: July 12, 2007 at 06:51 PM (#2438553)

I didn't remember any notable Twins-Pronk plunkings either. Thanks to BR-PI, though I've found at least some interesting ones. JC Romero hit Hafner with the bases loaded. Twice, 2003 & 2005. (Just when I had almost blocked the Romero era from my mind, I get a reminder). Jesse Orosco hit him once in 2003. (Good things the Twins had all those LOOGYs there to face Pronk). Santana hit him earlier this year. Lohse hit him early in 2004.

All of them were pretty close games....so they don't look obviously intentional. Actually, Santana's was after a Hafner HR, with first base open. Lohse's was immediately after a HR as well. I wouldn't put it past Lohse to plunk him. Santana's game was closer, so I'd be little more surprised with that one.

Chicago hits Hafner a lot. Buerhle's hit him 4 times himself.

36. WillYoung Posted: July 12, 2007 at 07:16 PM (#2438568)

Romero was probably told to hit Pronk in every PA in which he didn't. God I hated that man.

37. Craig in MN Posted: July 12, 2007 at 08:51 PM (#2438664)

I'm pretty sure that Romero followed those two HBPs with a wild pitch and a wild pick-off throw to first, scoring another runner each time. Or at least that seems likely to have happened.

38. WillYoung Posted: July 12, 2007 at 09:09 PM (#2438673)

While adjusting himself 45 times.

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FOX: Rosenthal - Hafner gets 4-year, $57M extension

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