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Turned down the Giants for the Stros. Nice.
Lee is latest bat to spurn Giants
SOURCE: CONTRACT WOULD HAVE BEEN TEAM RECORD
By Andrew Baggarly
Mercury News
The Giants swung and missed at another free agent, and this time they took the mightiest of cuts.
According to a well-placed source, they offered Carlos Lee what would have ranked as the largest contract in franchise history -- $112 million over six years -- but the All-Star outfielder rebuffed them to sign a six-year, $100 million deal with the Houston Astros on Friday.
The Giants might be close to making contact with a few other players, though. They continued to negotiate with the agents for infielder Rich Aurilia and outfielder Dave Roberts, and the two players reportedly are close to signing three-year contracts.
But Lee was considered the last impact hitter on the free-agent market, and the Giants' committed pursuit of him signaled their willingness to move on without Barry Bonds. Lee and Bonds are restricted to left field, and the Giants do not have the luxury of a designated hitter.
Despite aggressive efforts, the Giants still have a virtually blank lineup card -- shortstop Omar Vizquel and outfielder Randy Winn are the only projected opening day starters -- along with other needs in the rotation and bullpen.
Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, said he is having ongoing discussions with Giants officials but did not have a clear idea of the club's plans for the 42-year-old slugger, who is 22 home runs away from breaking the all-time home run record.
Asked whether Lee's signing leaves Bonds as the top power hitter on the free-agent market, Borris said, ``I'm slow to believe that Barry Bonds isn't still the best power hitter in baseball. He is a year removed from (knee) surgery and he'll play pain-free. There's no reason to believe he won't put up the staggering numbers we're all used to seeing.''
While its been assumed that Bonds is seeking a one-year contract, Borris said the escalating market is making it conceivable that a club would offer Bonds guaranteed money for 2008.
``It wouldn't be unreasonable to assume that clubs haven't offered Barry more than one year,'' Borris said.
Borris acknowledged that Bonds is growing concerned about the Giants' ability to contend next season.
``The one thing that's of primary importance to Barry is playing on a championship team,'' Borris said. ``There's no doubt the Giants have a lot of holes to fill and none of them have been filled yet.''
Roberts, a center fielder and leadoff hitter, also is being pursued by the Brewers and Rangers. His agent, John Boggs, said an agreement wasn't in place with any team. Aurilia, who was the shortstop on the Giants' 2002 World Series club, can play all four infield positions. The Giants also continue to negotiate with second baseman Mark Loretta.
The Astros were considered the front-runners to sign Lee, 30, who owns a 100-acre cattle ranch outside Houston. The Astros' offer will end up a near wash with the Giants' dollars because Texas has no state income tax.
• It was a big day for Houston, which also signed right-hander Woody Williams to a two-year, $12.5 million deal.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...s/16095779.htm
Turned down the Giants for the Stros. Nice.
That offer for a guy like Carlos Lee makes the Cubs' deal with Soriano look like a bargain.
Every single FA in baseball is overpaid. Every FA looks like a ridiculous signing. Such is the market. If you want a player, you have to overpay to get him.
Contracts have gotten so rediculous that players like Manny Ramirez, a one-time almost untradable player because of his 18-per average salary, now look like bargains.
16-per for .280, 40 and 90
or
18-per for .300, 40 and 120+
I'll take door #2, Bob!
The contracts this offseason are beyond rediculous.
Giants pay DAVE ROBERTS
3 years 15 million.
Are you KIDDING ME!?!??!
Undoubtedly. I was mostly suggesting that the thread lambasting the Cubs for giving Soriano 8/136 had been shown to be much ado about nothing, given the offers being thrown around for other guys on the market.
Look at what Jason Schmidt got today, ridicoulous
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