Tomorrow, it will likely be announced that Derrek Lee has extended his contract to the tune of $13 million a year over 5 years. It's not a bad take, but he could easily have made more with the Yankees or Red Sox in the offseason. But, apparently, the extra cash isn't worth it to him.
During Sunday's game, Peter Gammons said that Lee would rather stay a Cub than earn a few extra (million) dollars. Lee himself said:
If it's a deal I feel is fair for me, I would sign it. It's still a business. I always look at it as if there is a deal that makes me happy now, why not sign it? I don't think $2-3 million a year more is going to change my life.
I love hearing that. Sure, it's important to sign the guy who will best help your team, but having a five-tool player isn't always as valuable as a man of character. Well, a man of character with four tools.
When NFL free agency began, the Bears (and I) had their eyes set on Antwaan Randle El. Thanks to the increased salary cap, virtually every team had a ton of found money and the Redskins decided to go nuts. They snagged Antwaan for $31m over 7 years with $11.5m in guaranteed money, which was far too high for a number two receiver, even if he might fill multiple needs for the Bears.
As much as I wanted the Bears to sign him, I'm glad they didn't. If top dollar is all that matters, buzz off.
I'm going to avoid a Moneyball rant, but this gets to the idea of spending your dollar wisely. You don't need to throw money at a team to build a winner. The Patriots and Steelers have proven that in football and Oakland's done it in baseball (at least in the regular season). As much as I want to see the Cubs break the Curse of the Billy Goat, I can understand and appreciate their choices. Also, it's no fun to root for a team that is always expected to win. I'd much rather be on the cusp and root for the scrappy underdog.
04/11/06 1:23 PM
A counter to your argument is the sad tale of Corey Koskie. Signed as a free agent to the Blue Jays last year, taking substantially less money than market value because he wanted to be on a Canadian team, as he is Canadian himself.
Flash forward to this year, where the Jays trade for Troy Glaus and Lyle Overbay, and now the stacked infield leaves Koskie, who was injured for much of last year, as the odd man out. He is traded to Milwaukee (I think) for a sack of beans, with Toronto paying much of his contract. Now, he's somewhere he doesn't want to be, and with less money. I'd be pissed if I were him, and from reading articles, he is truly upset.
This is why people are encouraged in the NBA to sign with their original team after their first contract runs out. When Vince Carter wants to leave Toronto, all he has to do is tank it, and he's traded...full salary and all.
Thoughts?
04/11/06 11:44 PM
you might be waiting (on or off that cusp) for a long, long time. but nobody wants to cheer for the yankees. except for those loser yankee fans.
04/12/06 1:00 AM
That's great news for the Cubs, and I'm sure a huge reason of why Lee decided to stay is because he feels desperately needed and wanted by the Cubs. That's also something that the Redskins offered Randle-El that the Bears were unable to match, even before the money came up.
Before contract numbers were thrown about with ARE, the Redskins flew him out on their private jet, got him courtside basketball seats with some well known players, and sat him down for a full presentation on how he would be used in the Redskins offense. When Randle-El called the Redskins offices, Joe Gibbs answered personally. When he called the Bears, multiple times, he got Lovie Smith's voice mail, and no return phone call until it was too late.
Sure, money was a huge part of it, but approximately half of ARE's contract is backloaded in bloated base salaries that will be restructured to keep his cap number manageable throughout his time in DC. That's how the Skins are always able to keep and sign well paid players while staying within the salary cap.
If you haven't noticed yet I am a very excited Redskins fan who is looking forward to a long playoff run next season. :)