I’ve been wondering if the new CBA eliminated deadlines for a team to sign one of its players who file for free agency. The answer is yes:
Under baseball’s new collective bargaining agreement, a five-year deal reached Tuesday night, there is less of a time constraint on the Giants and Bonds to get something done on a new contract.
The previous labor agreement mandated that if the Giants had not offered Bonds arbitration by Dec. 7, they would be unable to sign him until May 1. Now, the club can still negotiate with the 42-year-old Bonds even if it doesn’t offer him arbitration by the new Dec. 1 deadline.
The bigger story here is what will happen to Barry Bonds? Will a team take a chance on him? Has an edict come down from on high that no one touches him? Does he try to go to somewhere with good home run characteristics that make his quest for Aaron’s record more easily obtainable? The bidding should start soon.
With the Yankees exercising Sheffield’s option, I think the market price for Bonds has just about been set. Bonds is better, was healthier last season, and is more of a crowd draw because of the HR record and being a legendary player.
If the Giants try to low ball him and have some sort of signals from other teams they won’t sign him, I think the Angels, the A’s, of the Dodgers will jump at two years/$16 mill, and he’ll take it (especially the Dodgers) just to f**k the Giants.
I also think he’ll again be a top 10 OPS+ player earning his keep and helping some team win 5 to 10 more games.
Hey Dave,
Which player do you think is more likely to average 32-36 homers a year from now until they turn 40, A-rod or Pujols? A-rod needs 33 a year for the next 9 years, and Pujols 36 over the next 14 to break 756.
If both stay healthy I think both scenarios will happen, but it would be hard to pick one. A-rod is futher along, but I think Pujols will knock out at least 4-5 more 50 homer seasons, which should allow him to cruise towards 756 more easily by the time he is in his late 30’s.
Anyway I hope they both stay healthy so that 10 years from now Barry will be just a bad memory.
And I don’t think he will play in 2008 if he has the record. Do you?
Thanks
Chris
Chris,
Given Rodriguez’s age, he’s less likely to do it. Pujols may end up hitting 250 home runs over the next five seasons, which makes averaging 32 much easier.
However, it seems the home run hitters run hot early cool down quicker as they age. Ruth, Aaron reached 700 by playing well late in their careers.
How does this affect other players? Can they avoid offering arbitration until spring training? Can they hold onto a player’s rights as a backup plan and then let him loose in April, after all the jobs have been filled?