Byrning Heat

[RedsoxRockies]

Again, hindsight.

Yes, I know, but, with them taking a risk due to his wicked off year, they should have made an incencitive loaded deal, and had his eyes checked, and fixed his swing

[justanewguy]

I am confused on why Andruw Jones is getting paid so much,a nd Carlos Silva, and Jason Schimdt

The Jason Schmidt deal was a stroke of bad luck. He was the best pitcher available at the time, and the Dodgers got their man.

The Jones deal was a little weird (especially when Miguel Cabrera was available and the Dodgers needed a 3B), but it was actually a very, very good deal at the time it was done, because it was only a 2 year deal. If Jones had even done as well as 2007, it would be looked at as a bad deal, but not the horrible deal it's looked on as now.

Hindsight is 20/20.

Exactly.

But I do agree with:

I am always baffled how, in every pro sport, owners and GMs CONSTANTLY buy in to the career year. This almost NEVER pans out long term as an investment for the team, yet continually these guys get massive dollars. Look at Byrnes, look at Beltre...he's been a good player since signing that massive deal with the Mariners, but he hasn't come close to earning that kind of money. Continually, teams investing large in contract year outbursts are disappointed, yet they continue to buy in.

[HoustonGM]

Yeah. It's the expensive long-term deals in response to what is quite obviously a career/fluke year that are truly baffling. Adrian Beltre, although that deal is actually pretty solid, all things considered....but more "strangely"...Gary Matthews Jr., Eric Byrnes, and the lot.

[RedsoxRockies]

Look at Vernon Wells, he got waaaaay Overpaid

[HoustonGM]

That stinker of a deal is often overlooked.

[RedsoxRockies]

That stinker of a deal is often overlooked.

Yea, especially since Wells rarely, even a few years ago, was able to put up OPSes over .800

[justanewguy]

Yeah. It's the expensive long-term deals in response to what is quite obviously a career/fluke year that are truly baffling. Adrian Beltre, although that deal is actually pretty solid, all things considered....but more "strangely"...Gary Matthews Jr., Eric Byrnes, and the lot.

Beltre was a pretty good deal. I'm always confused when people talk down about that guy. Phenomenal defender and solid hitter.

The Eric Byrnes deal always makes me think "What, Aaron Rowand wouldn't return your calls? Oh, right, he ended up getting even MORE money."

Along with the Gary Matthews deal, three of the most confusing deals in recent memory.

[RedsoxRockies]

No, Vernon Wells is more confsing!

[justanewguy]

No, Vernon Wells is more confsing!

Yeah, that was confusing as well. He should have been getting closer to Rowand/Byrnes money based on his performance, but definitely not the $120 mil or whatever it was he ended up with.

[HoustonGM]

Yea, especially since Wells rarely, even a few years ago, was able to put up OPSes over .800

Uh?

2003 - .909
2004 - .809
2005 - .783
2006 - .899
2007 - .706
2008 - .828

He signed the extension right after 2006. He routinely puts up OPS's over .800, with 2007 likely being a fluke year due to injury. He's a very good player. .800 OPS and good defense in center field is very good, but I don't know if it's worth $120 million.

[Arctic Blast]

Vernon Wells was ghastly. I'd forgotten about Matthews, Jr. and the contract he got. Beltre wasn't awful, but NOBODY can be called a good deal when he's averaging $15 mil a friggin' year. He's a nice player, but I personally don't think he's THAT nice a player.