This season the Washington Nationals shocked the baseball world by doling out an enormous seven-year, $126 million contract for Jayson Werth. The Nationals finished last in the division and, desperate to stay relevant, paid top-tier money to a second-tier star.
With Stephen Strasburg injured and Bryce Harper still years away from the show, GM Mike Rizzo was looking to maintain fan interest in the interim by signing this offseason’s No. 3 prize. But was it really worth it?
Often times bad teams are forced to pay premiums to acquire top-flight talent, which got me thinking. Which players have taken the biggest contracts with awful teams?
Read on as we examine Jayson Werth and 10 stars who took giant contracts with bad teams.
The New York Yankees have an abundant amount of money to spend after losing out on signing Cliff Lee, who went to the Philadelphia Phillies.
All possible options will be tried, as cash is never short in New York and especially when the team is in need. Nobody puts Baby in the corner; not the Phillies, not Lee and certainly not a lack of free agents.
So, when the news came that the Yankees signed pitcher Mark Prior to a one-year minor league contract, the possibility of what Prior was and could be started to cause butterflies in my stomach.
Back in 2002, when Prior debuted with the Chicago Cubs, the level of excitement could only be compared to that of Washington Nationals phenom Steven Strasburg.
Yes, Prior was that good. At just 22 years old, he was joining team ace Kerry Wood, and in 2003 they made a tandem of the best one-two punch in the majors.
That season Sports Illustrated dubbed them the “Chicago Heat” and it was well deserved. Combined, Wood and Prior posted 522 strikeouts, seven complete games and three shutouts over a total of 422 innings in 2003.
Prior finished with a 2.43 ERA, was named to the All-Star team, finished third in the NL CY Young voting and ninth in the NL MVP. Wood posted a 3.20 ERA, leading the Cubs to 88 wins and a division title.
Cubs manager Dusty Baker was frivolous with his two stars, as fans voiced concerns about the constant high pitch counts. Prior was averaging 113+ pitches during that 2003 regular season, and the number jumped to 126 in September through the postseason.
Baker’s irresponsibility clearly was at fault and he is the reason for all the anal pitch counts across baseball with young prospects. After that 2003 season, neither half of the “Chicago Heat” did anything except be on the DL and Chicago fans were devastated but blamed it on the curse of the Cubs franchise.
Wood was about four years older then Prior, so he managed to hang out in the bullpen but Prior imploded by 2006 and hasn’t pitched in the majors since.
Yankee fans are familiar with Wood, after he joined the pinstripes post All-Star break last season and dominated as the team’s eighth inning pitcher.
For Cubs fans, it was déjà vu because Wood not only dominated, but also stayed healthy through the end of the 2010 season.
Yankee fans’ relationship with Wood was an immediate love affair and I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t want Wood back in 2011.
Presumably I expect to hear that Wood is back within days, confirmed the minute GM Brian Cashman announced the signing of Prior.
Cashman well knows that these two are not going be the “Chicago Heat” ever, but Cashman’s genesis behind it could be brilliant.
If Prior can be as good as Wood in the Yankees bullpen, the “New York Heat” could have a major impact in a huge way.
The humbled “Middle-Men,” also known as the bullpen or the set-up guys, hold such a critical role for every team across baseball. Being dominant in the seventh and eighth innings is without question a game-changer in any situation.
If this little experiment works out, Cashman would be deemed a literal genius. Even if it fails, Wood is still solid and Prior cost the Yankees under $1 million, which is literal pocket change.
This should give Yankee fans some comfort because Cashman is going to try any and every formula possible to make sure the 2011 team can win again.
The Cliff Lee signing has put together one of the greatest pitching staffs in recent memory.
The last staff that looked this dominant on paper was the 1993 Atlanta Braves.
Like the Phillies, the Braves had recently signed the best free agent pitcher on the market in Greg Maddux. Maddux had just come off a 20 win season for the Chicago Cubs, and won his first of four consecutive NL Cy Young awards.
Maddux led a staff of four dominating pitchers in Atlanta in 1993. In addition to Maddux, there were also future Hall of Famers in Tom Glavine and John Smoltz. Steve Avery rounded out the four-headed monster in Atlanta that dominated the NL that year with a record of 105-57.
Greg Maddux/ Cliff Lee
The pitching staff comparison starts with Lee and Maddux. Maddux was perhaps the best pitcher of his era. He was a “pitcher’s pitcher,” nicknamed the “Professor.” Maddux would paint the black of the plate consistently. Maddux was known for his control of the strike zone, and craftiness to get hitters out.
Lee has been the best control pitcher in baseball over the last three years. His K/BB ratio of 10.26 in 2010 was the second best of all time, falling only behind Bret Saberhagen in 1994. Fifth and ninth on the all time best K/BB seasons was none other than Maddux.
Maddux in 1993 won his second NL Cy Young. He went 20-10 on the year. He had an ERA of 2.36, with 197 strikeouts over 267.0 innings.
Lee went 12-9 last season, despite missing some time early in the season, and playing the majority of the season for one of the worst offensive teams in the American League.
Given the fact that Philadelphia scored 4.76 runs per game last season, compared to the Mariners 3.16 per game, the win total for Lee should obviously trend upward.
Season Prediction for Lee: 18-9, 3.05 ERA, 175 K’s over 215.0 innings.
John Smoltz/ Roy Halladay
John Smoltz compares most favorably with Roy Halladay.
Smoltz was the Robin to Maddux’s Batman on the 1993 Atlanta Braves. Gifted with great talent, and a devastating split finger fastball, Smoltz was the strikeout pitcher in the rotation.
After being plucked out of the Detroit Tigers organization in 1987, for then 36-year-old Doyle Alexander, Smoltz dominated for the Braves. He made his debut for the Braves in 1988 and proceeded to put together a Hall of Fame career.
During the 1993 season, Smoltz went 15-11. He had an ERA of 3.62 over 243.2 innings, and struck out 208 batters.
Halladay came to the Phillies last season, after spending 12 seasons in Toronto with the Blue Jays.
In his first season in Philadelphia, Roy “The Doc” Halladay, made an immediate impact.
Going 21-10 and winning the NL Cy Young would be enough for some pitchers to be happy, Halladay went a few steps further.
On May 29th, 2010, Halladay pitched a perfect game against the Florida Marlins. In his first ever playoff appearance, Halladay went on to pitch the second-ever postseason no-hitter, while facing the Cincinnati Reds.
Season Prediction for Halladay: 19-10, 2.65 ERA, 220 K’s over 230.0 innings.
Tom Glavine/ Cole Hamels
Tom Glavine was a crafty left-handed pitcher for the Atlanta Braves in 1993.
Glavine was a two sport star, being drafted early in the 1984 NHL Draft. Glavine was also drafted by the Atlanta Braves that year in the second round. He eventually decided on baseball, making his MLB Debut in 1987, marking the first season of the future 300 game winner.
Glavine, the 1995 World Series MVP and two time NL Cy Young winner, relied on location of an average fastball mixed in with great breaking pitches, most notably a circle changeup on the outside of the plate.
Glavine had his third straight 20 win season in 1993, going 22-6 that season. He had a 3.20 ERA over 239.1 innings to go along with his 120 K’s.
Cole Hamels, 26, was drafted by the Phillies in 2002 and made his debut in 2006.
He has been instrumental in turning the Phillies into a National League powerhouse. His most notable accomplishment was winning the 2008 World Series MVP, while pitching the Phillies to the title.
Hamels, like Glavine, is a left-handed pitcher who spots a good fastball, and relies on a dominating circle changeup to get batters out.
Over the second half of 2010, Hamels may have been the best pitcher in the NL. Despite an underwhelming 12-11 record, this was not indicative of his season. He also sported only a 3.06 ERA over 208.2 innings with 211 K’s.
Season Prediction for Hamels: 16-10, 3.30 ERA, 210 K’s over 200.0 innings.
Steve Avery/ Roy Oswalt
Steve Avery, though many forget, was one of the best starting pitchers in the National League from 1991-1993. His unexpected and quick decline from dominance after the 1993 season tends to overshadow his accomplishments in the early 90s.
Avery, a left-hander, was the 1991 ALCS MVP. He had a great 1993 season, which was his best as a pro. He went 18-6 with a 2.94 ERA over 223.1 innings to go with his 125 K’s.
Oswalt came to Philadelphia last season from the Houston Astros, after being one of the more dominant pitchers in the NL over the last decade.
The right-handed Oswalt still has electric stuff and could be one of the best fourth starters in MLB history. The 2005 NLCS MVP had another great season in 2010. He went a combined 13-13 between the Phillies and Astros. He had a 2.76 ERA over 211.2 innings with 193 K’s.
Season Prediction for Oswalt: 17-8, 2.90 ERA, 190 K’s over 210.0 innings.
Overall
The Phillies now have, with all respect to San Francisco, the best starting staff in all of baseball. Given the top five offense that they can also field, the Phillies should role through the NL East in 2011.
The Phillies in 2010 won the NL East with a ML best record of 97-65. This was quite impressive, due to the extended time missed by Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and others throughout the season.
The Phillies, if healthy, have one of the better lineups in the NL, despite losing Jason Werth to the Nationals this offseason.
If the rotation stays healthy, the top four pitchers could win 70-75 games all by themselves. Not to mention, Joe Blanton, as a fifth starter, won 9 games last season. Add that to the bullpen wins and you have a team that could potentially win 110 games next season.
2011 Philadelphia Phillies season prediction: Since we are doing a 1993 Atlanta Braves comparison, I think 105-57 season is a good barometer for the the 2011 Phillies.
Phillies fans were treated to the exact same mind-boggling experience last offseason, just without the happy ending. Lee was sent to Seattle to free up prospects and acquire Roy Halladay which was a serious shock.
It takes a big man to admit he was wrong. Not only has GM Ruben Amaro Jr. done that, he has redeemed himself completely with this signing.
And Cliff Lee has just established himself as almost God-like in the still sleepy eyes of Phillies fans everywhere. Lee accepted less money and fewer years to come back to Philadelphia simply because he loved it here. His wife Kristen loved it here.
And Philadelphia loved them right back.
The deal is reportedly for five years and $120 million with a vesting option for a 6th year. The Yankees offered six years, $138 million and another option to bring the total to $154 million.
The Yankees must be equally stunned as the Phillies are with this turn of events.
A player choosing happiness over money is not something you see every day.
The Yankees fans who probably feel the worst about this news are the ones who harassed and spit on Cliff Lee’s wife Kristen during the ALCS in New York this past October. These fans may be to partly blame for sending the Lee family on this journey back to Philadelphia.
Phillies fans thank you.
As far as making room for Lee, the Phillies made an exception to their payroll to make the deal happen. It is also rumored that they are shopping pitchers Joe Blanton and Kyle Kendrick plus outfielder Raul Ibanez.
Whether any teams will bite remains to be seen.
For now, Phillies fans should feel free to celebrate. The Phils now have the best rotation in the majors with Lee, Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt.
And while no one faults Jayson Werth for taking the money and going to Washington, Cliff Lee will be appreciated that much more in Philly for choosing this team over the money.
And what an amazing team it is.
You can all take the masking tape off your HalLEEday tee-shirts now.
Surprise, surprise…coveted free-agent ace Cliff Lee has signed with his former club the Philadelphia Phillies. According to multiple media outlets, the 32 year-old All-Star hurler will make a return to the team who he helped lead to the 2009 World Series and reportedly has agreed to a five-year, $120 million deal with a vesting option for a sixth year.
Lee put up sparkling numbers that postseason with a 4–0 record, 33 strikeouts in 40.1 innings pitched, and a microscopic ERA of 1.56 ERA and was the only Philadelphia starter earn a victory during the 2009 World Series with each of their two victories.
In a move that will stun baseball fans across the nation, Lee turned down the advances of the New York Yankees who defeated the Phillies during that same World Series. By joining Philadelphia, he will have rejected a seven-year offer from the Yankees that would have paid him in the range of $160 million.
It should also be mentioned that Lee would have earned significantly higher endorsement contracts if he opted to put on the pinstripes and the opportunity to team up with close friend C.C. Sabathia.
The Texas Rangers were said to have given Lee multiple deals to consider including one that worth more than $20 million annually over six seasons. Rangers‘ manager Ron Washington admitted that he was confident that the star hurler telling reporters “that he’ll be here.”
Lee’s performances this past postseason propelled the Rangers into the 2010 World Series where they lost to the San Francisco Giants in six games. Some baseball insiders felt that Texas held an advantage in negotiations due to the Rangers’ proximity to his Arkansas home.
Lee will now form a piece of what experts will undoubtedly refer to as an “All-Star” Phillies rotation. Along with Lee, Roy Halladay is one of the most revered pitchers in the game.
Philadelphia will now have a one-two combination that no team across the MLB can match. Completing the “murderer’s row” of top-four starters are Roy Oswalt, who after July trade from the Houston Astros recaptured his dominant ways, and Cole Hamels who enjoyed a terrific comeback season in 2010.
The capture of Lee will give Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel an arsenal of supreme starters to choose from in potential playoff matchups as the Phillies are surely a “shoe-in” to make the playoffs in the upcoming season.
Club general manager Ruben Amaro will likely deal away Joe Blanton to free up some funds as 26-year-old Kyle Kendrick is their fifth starter to fill out the rotation.
Lee is coming off of a fine 2009 regular season campaign where he put up a 3.18 ERA, 185 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.00 in combined duty with the Rangers and the Seattle Mariners. A nine-year veteran, his career ERA stands at 3.85 with a win-loss record of 102-61.
As Phillies fans awake to Tuesday morning, the will be greeted by the sensational news that their club has reacquired one of the predominant starters in baseball to add to their already stunning rotation.
Late-night message board “Phanatics” are already predicting a return to the “fall classic” for their beloved Phils. Only time will tell if this group can live up to the lofty expectations that most MLB pundits will place upon the Phillies in 2011.
The five teams in the National League East, the Phillies, Braves, Marlins, Mets and Nationals, have all had busy off-seasons trying to improve their clubs. Some have been more successful than others. And some, like the Phillies and Mets, are moving very slowly through the free agent and trade possibilities.
Here is a countdown of the top 10 moves so far within the division and a breakdown of potential future moves for each team.
The New York Yankees fan base was in a state of bedlam yesterday afternoon, when there were reports on Twitter circulating and stating that Cliff Lee had rejected the Yankees offer. Immediately, the reaction was that Brian Cashman should throw more money in the deal. But later on, the rumors settled down as many did not know what to believe. Beat writers told fans to be careful what was out there and what they read.
Brian Cashman has not taken a trip to visit Cliff Lee in Arkansas since his last visit. The Star Ledger is reporting that Brian Cashman may be willing to take yet another trip. The last time Cashman visited, there were reports that an apology was made to Cliff Lee’s wife for certain fan behavior during the playoffs. Only good can come out of a visit.
The Yankees and Texas Rangers are playing a game where they are only waiting on Cliff Lee’s decision. Lee is the only person in control right now. There is not much that the Yankees front office can do; other than maybe add to their offer. It would be a risky move to make.
Yesterday, there were sources reporting that the Red Sox are out on the Cliff Lee sweepstakes. It was mostly just to get their names in contention to up some offers. Their focus was mostly on Carl Crawford. Cliff Lee served as a smoke screen in their negotiations.
Yankee fans can only be optimistic about Lee at this point. There will be some doubters, but some people in the front office (mainly Hal Steinbrenner) are channelling their inner George Steinbrenner. Steinbrenner expressed his optimism and said that the Yankees are only moving forward and that is what makes them the more attractive offer on the table.
Cliff Lee is in control of the clock and when he makes his decision.
The rumour mill has been working extra hard this past week and is expected to gain more steam as Cliff Lee has apparently said he will make his decision within the next 48 hours.
In my opinion I hope that he chooses to stick with the Texas Rangers.
Why?
If Cliff Lee signs with the Yankees the focus will largely be on him, as he will be crowned the saviour of this aging Yankee team.
In recent years another mega star, CC Sabathia, was brought to New York in light of his recent domination of national league hitters.
If CC can do it, why can’t Lee?
Because Sabathia has been consistent since his emergence in 2001.
Lee, on the other hand, did not transform to this overwhelming dominant version of himself until the 22-3 campaign in 2008.
For fun, let’s explore this a little bit further.
In Lee’s nine seasons, he has had an ERA over 3.69 five times, including 2007 and that awful 6.29. His stint in the second half of 2010 with the Rangers was pedestrian and the numbers prove it: 4-6, 3.98 while giving up 11 homeruns in 108 innings.
If Lee goes to New York, he better win 20 ever year for the seven years that are on the table. And he better outperform Sabathia at every turn.
Perhaps I just think Lee is not as good as everyone thinks. Hindsight is 20/20 right?
In all honesty, Lee is good. Very good and the recent postseason performances prove that. Still the American League West is not the American League East.
Cleveland is not New York, Philadelphia is not Boston and Texas isn’t even Chicago.
Lee has bee a hired gun since he turned into a left-handed Greg Maddux and has surpassed all expectations, that is until the San Francisco Giants ripped off his Superman cape.
If Lee joins the Yankees he is setting himself up for failure.
Currently the Yanks are losing the offseason grudge match to the Boston Red Sox as they have fully loaded a line-up that is going to be very hard to stop, and their pitching is every bit as good as the Yankees.
If the rumours are true, Texas will continue to be the team to beat if he decides to stick around.
The Rangers are in a weak division and their toughest opponent; the Los Angeles Angels has already lost their prized recruit to the Red Sox (Carl Crawford). The Seattle Mariners are lucky to score three runs a game and Lee knows that from experience.
The Oakland Athletics, on the other hand, are improving; using a defensive approach to rebuilding similar to what the Mariners have implemented but in no way are they ready to compete.
If Lee decides that New York is the way to go, he has the privilege of facing the Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and the powerful bats of the Toronto Blue Jays approximately 16 times in one season.
I can’t see Lee dominating those clubs with the precision that everyone is expecting.
Then again, if you are worth a seven-year deal at $160 million you must be that good. Right?
After Carl Crawford’s surprise signing by the Boston Red Sox, MLB’s free agent pool is slowly starting to dwindle down.
Cliff Lee is still out there for the New York Yankees’ or Texas Rangers’ taking, but there aren’t a whole lot of other marquee names left.
As for free agent relievers, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim—not to be confused with all of the other Los Angeles residing in MLB—scooped up Scott Downs, the Philadelphia Phillies re-signed Jose Contreras, Joaquin Benoit went to the Detriot Tigers, and the Bronx Bombers kept Mariano Rivera.
Still there’s a solid group of relievers left for any teams trying to shore up their bullpens this offseason.
Here’s a list of the top 15 specialty relievers still available.
Wondering where ace Cliff Lee will be bring his talents in 2011?
Here is the latest news.
Last night while attending a Christmas party, I happen to be introduced to a man who went to college with Lee’s Arkansas neighbor and happens to be one of his closet friends.
In asking what he had heard, the response was that Lee had not made a decision as of Friday afternoon.
He confirmed that Lee liked Texas but that he is afraid he will regret the opportunity to be a New York Yankee. The fact that old teammate CC Sabathia and good old boy AJ Burnett absolutely love playing in the Bronx is very significant for Lee.
The Rangers are playing up the small town and southern roots angle. Also, the Lee’s just moved into their new house in Little Rock so to up and move again is scary and will upset his kids.
Overall, this man had only heard a lot of the rumors from his buddy’s wife. The wife thinks Lee will stay in Texas, but his wife is only listening more because of Amber Sabathia who absolutely loves being in New York.
From what it sounded like, Lee will sign with the Rangers but remember if he was so happy in Arlington he would have signed by now.
