On this date two years ago, the Red Sox signed then-reigning AL MVP Dustin Pedroia to a six-year contract worth $40.5MM. The deal bought out all of his arbitration eligible years plus two free agent years with a club option for a third. Given the contract just signed by another middle infielder at a similar age (Troy Tulowitzki), it sure looks like Boston saved themselves a boatload of money with Pedroia's deal.
Here are this week's links, which aren't looking for a long-term contract…
- Speaking of Tulo's deal, Red Reporter wants to know if you'd give Joey Votto a ten-year contract.
- The Captain's Blog, meanwhile, evaluated baseball's longest and most lucrative contracts.
- SPANdemonium interviewed Phillies' prospect Jiwan James.
- Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness talks about the Dodgers' catching situation in the wake of Russell Martin being non-tendered.
- The Process Report believes the Rays should give the non-tendered Bobby Jenks a call.
- U.S.S. Mariner explains why it would be okay for Seattle to trade top pitching prospect Michael Pineda.
- Baseball Time In Arlington wonders how much Cliff Lee will be worth.
- Red Sox Beacon is concerned about Boston's fall-back options.
- The Nats Blog wants the Nationals to sign Lance Berkman.
- The Friarhood thinks it's time to blow up the Padres.
- Wahoo Blues says goodbye to Andy Marte, the Indians' best pitcher.
- 1 Blue Jays Way wonders if J.P. Arencibia is being overvalued.
- Amazin' Avenue looks at Terry Collins' managerial tendencies.
- Meanwhile, Flushing Faithful writes about the small market Mets.
- Rooftop View wants to see the Cubs pursue Brandon Webb.
- Crashburn Alley comes up with some baseball one-liners, CSI: Miami style.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.
deere5800
I wouldn’t give Votto ten years, but that’s mostly because I’d be hard pressed to give anyone ten years. They’d have to have shown multiple really strong years at a young age, but that’s just me
moses0507
Agreed, especially Tulo whose had an injury history. Pujols should get one, thats about it.
deere5800
I’d still be a little concerned seeing as he’d be getting on in years at the end of the contract, but he’s been too good for too long you have to give ten years.
roebirds
deleted
JaySchu
That Flushing Faithful article represents everything that is wrong with Mets fans. I felt physically ill reading that piece. What a moron.
Brad
It looked like an entire page from a distance, but once I looked closer, all it read was “wah wah wah, we don’t spend any money!”.
Mark S
You should probably go see a doctor if all it takes is a poorly-written baseball article to make you physically ill.
JaySchu
I’m really unhealthy.
woadude
Just want to throw this out there, Ron Santo passed away last night, RIP Ron you were a great player and a great broadcaster for the Cubs.
WrigleyTerror37
im surprise there wasnt an artical with his lifes work and baseball carrer
woadude
me too.
Steveospeak
I’m not totally sure i’m buying Arenciba being overvalued? I really don’t think anyone is calling him the next Mauer or Posey, but I do think he can be a good catcher in this league. He might not be an elite guy or someone the Blue Jays need forever, but I think he is going to be pretty good.
lazerball
Agreed. I don’t think many people are expecting him to be a superstar or anything, but it’s not exactly like you need to be the greatest hitter in the league in order to be a quality starting catcher either. I hate how some people act as though he should be traded away for lacking the upside of other prospects who are at least years away from the bigs, if they ever make it at all, as if there’s no value in a solid everyday catcher making the league minimum. How many teams trade away major league ready prospects just because they don’t have superstar upside? The entire concept is ridiculous.
deere5800
I think it’s tough because JPA has had a bit of a roller coaster of a minor league career…top prospect then a bust, then a top prospect again, then he sat on the bench for the Jays while he was up. It’s easy to look at his young career and get confused about what to expect
myname_989
That Crashburn Alley piece was a classic. Funny stuff. Haha
0bsessions
Seconded. I want more.
Bob George
I think Jenks and the Rays make a lot of sense, as long as he’s willing to sign for around $5 million. The Rays then could try and fill out the rest of their bullpen with their surplus of starting pitching and trading or signing a couple guys on the cheap.
Steveospeak
yeah i agreed with that piece, Jenks makes a lot of sense for the Rays (as well as 15 other teams). But the point Is Jenks very well could be this year’s Matt Capps
SneakyLongBalls
Red Sox on paper compared to the on field product are 2 VERY different things.
Mr Top Ten
Only thing dumber than Jeter contract situation, is when Met fans call Mets small market. I wouldn’t that morons article if you paid me. Face it, out lst management team and Madoff killed us with $$$ and now we need to grin and bear 2011
Matt Berger
Dear Mike Axisa. The Red Sox saved just as much money with Pedroia as Tulo, because both of their original deals bought out their arbitration years, and the Rockies aren’t paying Tulo much of anything for the next 3 years. The contract really sets in at 2015, which is coincidentally the year both would’ve been free agents had the Rockies not signed Tulo. The extension Tulo signed only affects 2015-2020, not the next 4 years. So no, Pedroia’s deal doesn’t look as good as Tulos now, especially since the Rockies will A) never worry about Tulo being a free agent until he’s in Jeter years and B) He would’ve gotten paid more on the open. Thank you, have a nice day.
Matt Berger
open market, excuse me**
gringopv
BOTH THESE GUYS ARE GETTING LESS THAN WERTH????