Strike One For Soriano
The AP says that Alfonso Soriano has rejected the Nationals offer of a 5-year $70 million contract. Jose Rijo, who seems like he was doing some of the negotiations for the Nats while in the Dominican, says that it is "almost impossible this great player will stay on our payroll." Either that's a negotiating ploy, or the Nats are near the ceiling they've set for Soriano.
At that price, it's probably a good thing that he's likely to head elsewhere.
The team is in a delicate position. Soriano IS PR and does draw eyes to the team, but there is a limit to how much he deserves. In his weekly chat yesterday, Barry Svrluga reported that the Nationals would be willing to bump up the payroll a bit to retain Soriano, but to otherwise expect a freeze. That's reflective, I'd assume, of the price tag (extra tickets sold) a star can bring. But, in the end, it's a winning team that ultimately packs them in.
And with that gaping hole of three starting pitchers and just $27 million to spend, Soriano's price is too high.
So they're left in a position of getting rid of him in the most sensitive way possible. They've made a loud and public offer that's reasonable. But it's also one that they knew he'd turn down. Even if they go higher, it's likely that some other team will outbid them. And if they do go higher, it'd likely be with the knowledge that that would happen, allowing some appeasement to the fans. (The BPGers seem content so far) "Hey, we offered him a fair deal. He just made a business decision."
And so did they.
Now about those draft picks...
At that price, it's probably a good thing that he's likely to head elsewhere.
The team is in a delicate position. Soriano IS PR and does draw eyes to the team, but there is a limit to how much he deserves. In his weekly chat yesterday, Barry Svrluga reported that the Nationals would be willing to bump up the payroll a bit to retain Soriano, but to otherwise expect a freeze. That's reflective, I'd assume, of the price tag (extra tickets sold) a star can bring. But, in the end, it's a winning team that ultimately packs them in.
And with that gaping hole of three starting pitchers and just $27 million to spend, Soriano's price is too high.
So they're left in a position of getting rid of him in the most sensitive way possible. They've made a loud and public offer that's reasonable. But it's also one that they knew he'd turn down. Even if they go higher, it's likely that some other team will outbid them. And if they do go higher, it'd likely be with the knowledge that that would happen, allowing some appeasement to the fans. (The BPGers seem content so far) "Hey, we offered him a fair deal. He just made a business decision."
And so did they.
Now about those draft picks...
posted by Chris Needham at
3:14 PM
6 Comments:
Based off what Jose Rijo told the newspaper Listin Diario this morning, it seems that this isn't just strike one for Soriano and the Nats. This is the end. My spanish may be a bit elementary, but any time I see the words "imposible" and "negociaciones" in the same sentence, that's not a good thing. The Listin Diario article suggests that Soriano wants $100 million -- though he's probably going to end up signing for somewhere around $75 or $80 million. Plus, Rijo says at the end of the article, "We feel that we like him, but the economics of the negotiations have stopped Soriano from coming back to the Nationals."
It's a tough break for the Nats, but this does really open the door for either Ryan Church or Kory Casto to win the LF spot in spring training.
By
Dan, at 10/12/2006 4:15 PM
This is not a tough break for the Nats, it is good luck. Soriano isn't worth $14 million per year. Any team that signs him for more than that is going to get screwed. Soriano isn't Albert Pujols and he will be 31 in January. Let's spend the money on pitching and give Ryan Church a shot in left field.
By
Anonymous, at 10/12/2006 6:20 PM
As big of a Soriano fan I became, and especially my wife, the Nats offer really is more than fair. He had a career year, in all liklihood. Could we use him, yes--can we build without him, definitely yes. If it does come to pass, and Soriano moves on--as surprising as it may seem coming from me--It was a great one year, better than anything Wilkerson could have provided, Soriano brought excitement to a terrible team, and we will get to build for the future when he leaves with two sandwich picks. Two picks, we most likey would not get in 2007 if Wilkerson was never traded and left on his walk year coming next fall, due to the possible changes in the players agreement with the owners. Its all good, it really is.
By
Screech's Best Friend, at 10/12/2006 8:45 PM
I suspect that if Stan Kasten were to stumble across that comment, that he'd smile!
(Before cackling maniacally and rolling around in piles of Lerner's dough)
By
Chris Needham, at 10/12/2006 8:47 PM
Nice knowing you, Fonzie. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
By
Anonymous, at 10/13/2006 11:07 AM
Lerner's studied at the feet of Abe Pollin. ('cept he's gone him one better and gotten DC to build him a stadium, all expenses paid.) Forget about Royals East -- we're going to be the Wizards of MLB! Where's the cake?
By
Anonymous, at 10/13/2006 10:30 PM
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