Should the Braves lock up Jason Heyward?
by RoyalsRetro on Dec 22, 2009 11:15 AM EST
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PrintDays after he made his MLB debut, the Rays signed 3B Evan Longoria to a six year deal, $17.5 million deal with three option years totaling over $30 million. It shocked many across baseball, but Longoria has thus far more than lived up to the bargain.
via blogs.ajc.com
Locking up young, pre-arbitration players to long-term deals was all the vogue in 2008 with Longoria signing, the Royals locking up Zack Greinke and Joakim Soria, the Marlins signing Hanley Ramirez, the Rays signing Scott Kazmir, the White Sox signing Gavin Floyd and the Rockies signing Troy Tulowitski.
Pre-arb deals haven't been as prevalent lately, probably due to the recession. However, it could end up being a great way to save money, especially when you consider how much a guy like Tim Lincecum may get in arbitration.
So is it too soon for the Braves to lock up a "can't miss" prospect like Jason Heyward? What about Tommy Hanson? Any other young rookies you would consider locking up?
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the guy hasn't even made his major league debut yet
He’s only played 3 games above AA!!!
Deep breaths.
+ 1
I think the guys who got extended early were from college (Longoria and Braun) and over 22 years old. Not that Heyward is Delmon Young, but I’m sure how DY developed after AA might play into their thinking too.
by FRANCHISEv2 on Dec 22, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
That's the point
The Rays signed Longoria before his debut and it worked out great for them. The OP is asking if the Braves should do something similar.
I take that risk all day
Barring some major injury or Heyward falling on his face in AAA, he should definitely get the Longoria treatment. And, the Braves, being a bigger market team than the Rays, are taking less of a risk than Tampa Bay was.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
+ to locking up McCutchen and King Brett
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
Risky...
Anderson is too risky to be extended. Young pitcher already racking up decently large IP counts? They’re better served just repeating the Hudson/Mulder model…abuse the crap out of his arm then dish him for a big package.
by Franchise887 on Dec 22, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
Hudson/Mulder
were both signed to extensions early on, then traded when the team wasn’t going to be able to afford the next contract for each of them. The deals weren’t as long as the Longoria deal, but Mulder and Hudson both had their arbitration years bought out, which is the very least that should be done with Anderson.
RIP Nick Adenhart
+1
I love the idea of locking up young bats like McCutchen, Longo, etc., especially once they’ve proven they can do a little hitting. In the end, there’s a way, way higher chance a pitcher makes a fantastic debut and then struggles with injuries and doesn’t even make it to his arbitration years than a hitter suddenly stops hitting.
So basically, locking up hitters to long-term deals early on is a great idea. Far riskier with pitchers, and it’s almost worth going year-to-year to avoid getting locked into paying a guy $8-10 million for little-to-no production. Depends on the numbers the agent wants to talk, too, I guess.
The Orioles won't give Wieters an extension, Wieters will give the Orioles one.
Or something. I’m not very good at those facts.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Dec 22, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
heyward/hanson
and to answer your original question, I would lock up both of them, especially if they can get a ridiculously cheap Longoria-esque deal.
Takes two to tango
How do we know that Heyward would agree? The Longoria deal that is being touted here is extremely team-friendly and is probably not a model for players or player agents.
+1
Longoria’s contract pissed off other major leaguers. it is, in fact, retarded from his perspective. he’ll be one of the top 3-5 third basemen on earth and paid like a platoon player.
by richieabernathy on Dec 22, 2009 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
The real problem with that deal is that it has 3 club options
At a cost that is either well below market, or not going to be picked up by the team (if Longoria is hurt or sucks or something).
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Dec 22, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
Unless...
…. money isn’t his main concern.
Nice to have security
In case you suffer a major injury, or the market continues to slide.
But yea, I get what you’re saying, not everyone would be willing to do it. But would you offer it?
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
Rocco Baldelli...
The classic example of why a young player may want to sign one of these extensions. Even if you’re injured, or suck, you’re still guaranteed a good chunk of change. Many players are extremely risk averse…its better to get guaranteed cash, even if its less than you might get going year to year.
by Franchise887 on Dec 22, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
For another example...
Francoeur, Jeff
Thank God he turned down a similar offer to the one McCann took. Now he’s basically begging Omar to extend him but that’s not going to happen.
Ben Grieve
Grieve is really glad he signed that team friendly deal.
Chris Young
Chris Snyder
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Dec 22, 2009 11:24 PM EST up reply actions
Snyder
I’m still a fan. He had an injury riddled 2009, but I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t bounce back into a .750-.800 OPS catcher. His biggest obstacle right now is Miguel Montero.
badass move
this would be a badass move, basically saying you trust your scouting and developmental staff. of course, if you thought something was wrong, then not pulling the trigger is just as good a move.
tampa fucking nailed that one. longoria is pretty much priceless with that contract.
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