Wright's deal not so good for Cabrera

 

By Juan C. Rodriguez

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Posted August 12 2006

 

PHOENIX ? Crazy as it sounds, the $55 million extension Mets third baseman David Wright signed last week probably hurt more than it helped Miguel Cabrera.

 

Unlike Cabrera, Wright wasn't eligible for arbitration until after the 2007 season. Cabrera qualifies this offseason and can look forward to his first seven-figure deal in 2007.

 

If the Marlins have any interest in buying out Cabrera's arbitration years, it'll likely cost more than what the Mets gave Wright. From 2008-2010, the seasons Wright would have been arbitration-eligible, he will earn $5 million, $7.5 million and $10 million, respectively.

 

Those numbers are below what Wright would have received in arbitration assuming he maintained his production. That also takes into account the player sacrifices dollars for long-term security, plus Wright received a $1.5 million signing bonus.

 

When Wright gets compensated more accordingly is in 2011 ($14 million) and 2012 ($15 million), what would have been his first two free-agent years.

 

"All in all not a bad deal, but not great either," said one agent, asked to analyze the impact of Wright's deal on Cabrera's future earnings. "If the Marlins decide to go year to year and Miguel keeps producing he will make considerably more than Wright in those arbitration years ... The Marlins will use this deal to try and keep Miguel's numbers down."

 

Assuming the Marlins go year-to-year, Cabrera's representatives will likely shoot for figures between Wright's and Albert Pujols' earnings at the same service time. Pujols, who signed a seven-year, $100 million contract before the 2004 season, received $7 million and $11 million, respectively, in what would have been his first two arbitration years.

 

A good comparison for Cabrera is Mark Teixeira. The Rangers last offseason bought out his first two arbitration years at $6 million and $9.4 million, respectively. Again, Cabrera would likely take less in exchange for a long-term commitment.

 

"In some ways I think [the Wright contract] helped a little bit," Cabrera said. "He's already signed and the people can see more or less what they could give me. It doesn't just depend on that. I have to put up the numbers I should this year and finish strong. ... The money will come with time. I'm not anxious about it."

 

NO WORRIES

 

Manager Joe Girardi said Sergio Mitre's performance Thursday won't preclude him from making more significant appearances. Mitre started the seventh and not only did he fail to retire any of the three batters he faced, he didn't throw a strike with 12 pitches.

 

"Serge is fine," Girardi said, of Mitre, who had not pitched since May 12. "I didn't lose confidence in him because I know what he's capable of doing. It's just getting comfortable again."

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...-sports-marlins

we have to lock cabrera and willis long term.

If there's one player worth it, Miggy's worth a 10 year deal. Just do it, quickly.

If there's one player worth it, Miggy's worth a 10 year deal. Just do it, quickly.

 

i agree whole heartedly there...willis...while great...im not so sure that we lock him long term...we go year by year with him

not good for cabrera, but good for the marlins and their fans :thumbup

I wouldn't give a long term contract to a guy who "runs" the way Cabrera "ran" to first last night (*) or to guys who show up to spring training 30 lbs. overweight. If you give long term, big money contracts to guys with questionable attitudes, no matter how talented they are, you're looking to get burned and small payroll teams like the Marlins cannot afford to get burned with bad, expensive contracts.

 

(*) FSN did not show him running and I'm assuming he took so long due to laziness and not because he slipped or anything like that. If he slipped or fell I'm sure Tommy or Rich would have mentioned it.

no long-term deals for pitchers, miggy, hell yes.

I wouldn't give a long term contract to a guy who "runs" the way Cabrera "ran" to first last night (*) or to guys who show up to spring training 30 lbs. overweight. If you give long term, big money contracts to guys with questionable attitudes, no matter how talented they are, you're looking to get burned and small payroll teams like the Marlins cannot afford to get burned with bad, expensive contracts.

 

(*) FSN did not show him running and I'm assuming he took so long due to laziness and not because he slipped or anything like that. If he slipped or fell I'm sure Tommy or Rich would have mentioned it.

 

Players have faults. If you only signed the "perfect player" to long-term contracts, then you'd have twenty-five men seeking arbitration every year.

 

To me, it's unquestionable that Miggy needs to be signed. How amazing would it be to KNOW that Miguel will be here for 6 years. He has hall-of-fame talent, let him be our first "franchise player". Lock him up.

 

When the they do sign him long term, I'm throwing a party. Seriously.

He is a kid that is on pace for over 210 hits this year 20+ homeruns and another 100+ RBI season. He is only 24 years old and barely that.

 

He is worth the long term deal so is willis

I wouldn't give a long term contract to a guy who "runs" the way Cabrera "ran" to first last night (*) or to guys who show up to spring training 30 lbs. overweight. If you give long term, big money contracts to guys with questionable attitudes, no matter how talented they are, you're looking to get burned and small payroll teams like the Marlins cannot afford to get burned with bad, expensive contracts.

 

(*) FSN did not show him running and I'm assuming he took so long due to laziness and not because he slipped or anything like that. If he slipped or fell I'm sure Tommy or Rich would have mentioned it.

 

Players have faults. If you only signed the "perfect player" to long-term contracts, then you'd have twenty-five men seeking arbitration every year.

 

To me, it's unquestionable that Miggy needs to be signed. How amazing would it be to KNOW that Miguel will be here for 6 years. He has hall-of-fame talent, let him be our first "franchise player". Lock him up.

 

When the they do sign him long term, I'm throwing a party. Seriously.

The Beinfest mantra is to have players outperform their contracts and that has worked very well for him and once Cabrera starts making $15 million per year well I don't think that's a contract that can be outperformed unless he puts up an 1100 OPS or something like that. I would go year by year with him and then trade him for a good, young players once he gets too expensive.

He is a kid that is on pace for over 210 hits this year 20+ homeruns and another 100+ RBI season. He is only 24 years old and barely that.

 

He is worth the long term deal so is willis

 

 

I disagree

I wouldn't give a long term contract to a guy who "runs" the way Cabrera "ran" to first last night (*) or to guys who show up to spring training 30 lbs. overweight. If you give long term, big money contracts to guys with questionable attitudes, no matter how talented they are, you're looking to get burned and small payroll teams like the Marlins cannot afford to get burned with bad, expensive contracts.

 

(*) FSN did not show him running and I'm assuming he took so long due to laziness and not because he slipped or anything like that. If he slipped or fell I'm sure Tommy or Rich would have mentioned it.

 

 

speed cannot be taught, it is a god given talent...cabrera has well behaved this year. he might have showed up 30 pounds overweight but he has busted his ass losing most of it.

 

those who label mr. miguel as lazy are really tiring....a team find a player like cabrera once maybe twice every generation, when you find a player like him you hold onto him as long as you possibly can

I wouldn't give a long term contract to a guy who "runs" the way Cabrera "ran" to first last night (*) or to guys who show up to spring training 30 lbs. overweight. If you give long term, big money contracts to guys with questionable attitudes, no matter how talented they are, you're looking to get burned and small payroll teams like the Marlins cannot afford to get burned with bad, expensive contracts.

 

(*) FSN did not show him running and I'm assuming he took so long due to laziness and not because he slipped or anything like that. If he slipped or fell I'm sure Tommy or Rich would have mentioned it.

 

 

speed cannot be taught, it is a god given talent...cabrera has well behaved this year. he might have showed up 30 pounds overweight but he has busted his ass losing most of it.

 

those who label mr. miguel as lazy are really tiring

Great! He'll be in beach shape right about when the off-season starts.

Ah, I always love it when writers turn into agents for the players. Not so good for Cabrera? Eh? He's going to make millions upon millions and be one of the highest paid players in the game. I think he'll manage just fine Juan.

 

That said, if they don't lock him up then this is all just stupid and Loria should stick to Picassos.

Yeah Cabs may not have run whole heartedly to first last night, but when on second he didn't get picked off due to the fact he isn't that quick and had a small lead, Hanley probably gets done on that play due to his speed. Its swings and roundabouts. He is a better hitter than Wright, he should earn at least $6.5 next year, 5 years $55 is an exceptional rate for someone of his ability.

Lock Cabs up first, but WIllis I wouldnt give a long term deal to

Lock Cabs up first, but WIllis I wouldnt give a long term deal to

I'd give Trelle a 3 year deal max with an option for a fourth. Thats about it.

 

 

And to those of you who use laziness as a reason to not sign the best hitter this generation has seen besides Pujols, a nice big :thumbup for you.

I wouldn't give a long term contract to a guy who "runs" the way Cabrera "ran" to first last night (*) or to guys who show up to spring training 30 lbs. overweight. If you give long term, big money contracts to guys with questionable attitudes, no matter how talented they are, you're looking to get burned and small payroll teams like the Marlins cannot afford to get burned with bad, expensive contracts.

 

(*) FSN did not show him running and I'm assuming he took so long due to laziness and not because he slipped or anything like that. If he slipped or fell I'm sure Tommy or Rich would have mentioned it.

 

Players have faults. If you only signed the "perfect player" to long-term contracts, then you'd have twenty-five men seeking arbitration every year.

 

To me, it's unquestionable that Miggy needs to be signed. How amazing would it be to KNOW that Miguel will be here for 6 years. He has hall-of-fame talent, let him be our first "franchise player". Lock him up.

 

When the they do sign him long term, I'm throwing a party. Seriously.

The Beinfest mantra is to have players outperform their contracts and that has worked very well for him and once Cabrera starts making $15 million per year well I don't think that's a contract that can be outperformed unless he puts up an 1100 OPS or something like that. I would go year by year with him and then trade him for a good, young players once he gets too expensive.

You make a good point, but I still disagree. This is a matter of opinion, and I think that there is a certain amount of value to locking in a player like Cabrera. Teams develop history by developing and keeping star players. Where would the Astros be without Biggio and Bagwell? Where would the Mariners be had they never had Ken Griffey Jr.? Having star players lends a certain amount of credibility to the franchise. For the newer teams (the Marlins, Rockies, D-Backs, and D-Rays) it's important to give the fans a sense of continuity -- to find talent and keep talent. This is not to say you keep any schlump just so fans know who he is, but you do keep a Cabrera when he comes along.

 

 

I don't see Dontrelle in the same light. To me, he's a risky investment. He hasn't been all that consistent, plus he's a pitcher. Pitchers are less durable, and the way our farm system is now, easier to replace. I love Dontrelle, but in my opinion he's more expendable than Miguel.

 

Edit: And I think he will hit for an 1100 OPS one season

I'd also go up and lock Cabrera first. Players like this obviously dont come around too much and the fact that he would prolly take less for a commitment should help us out.