I actually thought the years would be a bigger problem than the money, so if they're starting off at 6 years I think they could build on that initial offer. I'm reasonably optimistic.
Yeah, there's that. It's a gamble on their part that nobody else wants to walk through the now-wide-open door labeled 6/$132. I hope their spies in Yankeedom have good information.Kramerica Industries said:I would be shocked if 6/120 gets it done but that they have offered 6 years makes me think theres a chance.
Maybe it does...what is more important comfort or money? I think they told him to shop it around and come back and allow them to match whatever offer he gets if he isn't satisfied.E5 Yaz said:6/120 isn't getting it done
Tyrone Biggums said:Maybe it does...what is more important comfort or money? I think they told him to shop it around and come back and allow them to match whatever offer he gets if he isn't satisfied.
You posted it before I could articulate my thoughts, but this is exactly my line of thinking. Unless someone blows him out of the water, I feel optimistic.Papelbon's Poutine said:
If 6/$120 is too low that it offends him and is "cute", then 6/$130 offers no practical difference. There's nothing wrong with 6/$120 as an open. It says they are legit and if a cpl million more per year makes the difference, then it at least signals that they in the game and will get a counter offer or chance to match/come close to another team.
Tyrone Biggums said:Maybe it does...what is more important comfort or money? I think they told him to shop it around and come back and allow them to match whatever offer he gets if he isn't satisfied.
The "comfort discount" ship sailed. The only hope is that we are planning on beating the highest bidder, within reason, down the road.Tyrone Biggums said:Maybe it does...what is more important comfort or money? I think they told him to shop it around and come back and allow them to match whatever offer he gets if he isn't satisfied.
Doc Zero said:I'm having real bad Teixeira flashbacks right now.
Snoop Soxy Dogg said:
The MLBPA isn't letting him take less money. He's going to the highest bidder, and that'll be more than $120m.
Remember that Cafardo's report says he may have been offered as low as 6/110. 20m isn't negligible.Papelbon's Poutine said:
If 6/$120 is too low that it offends him and is "cute", then 6/$130 offers no practical difference. There's nothing wrong with 6/$120 as an open. It says they are legit and if a cpl million more per year makes the difference, then it at least signals that they in the game and will get a counter offer or chance to match/come close to another team.
rodderick said:
Good thing the Red Sox can make other bids, then. Or that we don't actually know for certain what their initial bid was.
I don't see the MLBPA swaying this. Certainly they would not let a player take less money on an existing contract....but Lester is an unrestricted FA. By all means he could (not saying he would) take a lesser offer if it made him happy, I think the MLBPA could care less about that.Snoop Soxy Dogg said:
The MLBPA isn't letting him take less money. He's going to the highest bidder, and that'll be more than $120m.
CaskNFappin said:Remember that Cafardo's report says he may have been offered as low as 6/110. 20m isn't negligible.
From whom?Snoop Soxy Dogg said:
The MLBPA isn't letting him take less money. He's going to the highest bidder, and that'll be more than $120m.
Hey, not suggesting it isn't true, but I've heard you mention this twice and haven't seen that anywhere--what was the story there?TomRicardo said:From whom?
Cubs heard the offer and immediately said "Guess he is going to Boston"
Lester is fishing for a better offer right now. Braves aren't going to match that.
Papelbon's Poutine said:
I love the MLBPA as cartel theories. Keep em coming.
soxhop411 said:“@nickcafardo: According to a mAjor league source the Red Sox offer to Jon Lester falls into $110-$120 range over six years.”
Tyrone Biggums said:They want to add a veteran arm to show Stanton they're serious about competing.
Could be true. He told me this last week so maybe it isn't but I have to figure that taking less money up front has to give this at least some merit.Doc Zero said:
I don't think this is a factor anymore.
JohntheBaptist said:Hey, not suggesting it isn't true, but I've heard you mention this twice and haven't seen that anywhere--what was the story there?
That's interesting. Well, however they can generate good will seems like a wise move.Clears Cleaver said:when I was in Phoenix, Edes said to me that the "sox are willing to set the market on Lester" after he spoke with Cherington. I think this is clearly a favor to Lester to let him go shop that offer around with the Sox knowing full well someone will go over it.
Hopefully this is trueClears Cleaver said:when I was in Phoenix, Edes said to me that the "sox are willing to set the market on Lester" after he spoke with Cherington. I think this is clearly a favor to Lester to let him go shop that offer around with the Sox knowing full well someone will go over it. And if wants to accept it, great. But now way he's leaving $20M or more on the table.
I hope I'm wrong.
That was before this report came out. Cubs fans are pretty excited right now, actually. They think Theo will be willing to beat this offer, or at least drive up the price of the negotiations.TomRicardo said:
Gammons said the Cubs FO are convinced the Red Sox will sign Lester
nhsoxfan17 said:That was before this report came out. Cubs fans are pretty excited right now, actually. They think Theo will be willing to beat this offer, or at least drive up the price of the negotiations.
They just expected the Sox's offer to be higher after it was reported as "aggressive." They think they have the money.E5 Yaz said:
Why would Cubs fans be excited about driving the price up on a contract Lester signs elsewhere?
nhsoxfan17 said:They just expected the Sox's offer to be higher after it was reported as "aggressive." They think they have the money.
Most of them thought that the Sox were going to get Lester. They see it as an initial offer in the race to sign him - not just driving up the price. From what I've read on their boards, they've been expecting at least a 6/140-150 contract the whole time, so they don't see this as driving up the price too much.Doc Zero said:
Yeah, but why would they be excited about driving the price up for someone else?
TomRicardo said:
Gammons said the Cubs FO are convinced the Red Sox will sign Lester
Papelbon's Poutine said:
"Tried to pressure a player" and "allowed" are two very, very different things and even the first is rumor at best.
What I heard is that they are interested in Shields. They're hoping they can bring him in on a 4 year contract at around $68 - 72million using the Florida state tax benefits to keep it under $20million a year.Tyrone Biggums said:Could be true. He told me this last week so maybe it isn't but I have to figure that taking less money up front has to give this at least some merit.
Fernandez might not pitch in the rotation next year. I know they're going to sign someone pretty good at the top of the rotation. But as I said I'm hoping Lester comes back and I expect it.
Ahh, ok, I read that too. It never meant the Cubs were out and it was a report from before the actual offer.TomRicardo said:
Gammons said the Cubs FO are convinced the Red Sox will sign Lester
Agreed, no starting offer. Make an offer and move along. That said, 6/130 is (imho) a bit high.CaskNFappin said:There should be none of this starting offer crap. Stop trying to be so cute...Should have offered 6/130 at the very least.
Agree to disagreeE5 Yaz said:6/120 isn't getting it done
Exactly. I don't think Lester will go elsewhere for such a "small" amount of additional money. 6/120 is a very fair offer and although I don't consider it a starting offer, I'd be okay with them increasing it slightly if that's what it takes.Papelbon's Poutine said:
If 6/$120 is too low that it offends him and is "cute", then 6/$130 offers no practical difference. There's nothing wrong with 6/$120 as an open. It says they are legit and if a cpl million more per year makes the difference, then it at least signals that they in the game and will get a counter offer or chance to match/come close to another team.
Non-factorSnoop Soxy Dogg said:
The MLBPA isn't letting him take less money. He's going to the highest bidder, and that'll be more than $120m.
True and yet he still did what he wanted. If Lester wants to come back to Boston (and I think he does), he'll take whatever he feels is a fair offer for both sides. He may look at this from a Tom Brady point of view (even though there's no salary cap in MLB, there are limits to what anyone is willing to spend) and appreciate them taking some of the "extra" money he could've had and spend it on players who will help him get more rings.E5 Yaz said:
Tony Gwynn spoke about just such pressure.
When he was still alive, of course
This is not true. Having spoken to a current MLB player (who was also the team union rep), the union wants you to take the highest bid but it's up to the player to make the decision that is best for him. "isn't letting him" is not true at all.Snoop Soxy Dogg said:
The MLBPA isn't letting him take less money. He's going to the highest bidder, and that'll be more than $120m.
Hee Sox Choi said:This is not true. Having spoken to a current MLB player (who was also the team union rep), the union wants you to take the highest bid but it's up to the player to make the decision that is best for him. "isn't letting him" is not true at all.
JohntheBaptist said:It's probably pretty simple--they inundate them with the perspective of thinking of the whole union and one's peers when considering offers, and there's a culture in the game where that's important to a vast majority. Beyond that, what can they actually do? What evidence is there that they've ever "done" anything?