Jays, Bautista Arbitration Hearing Postponed until Fri 18th

[DonYon]

I wonder how much of an affect the Albert Pujols demands have on AA trying to get a deal done. I mean if Pujols is asking for $27 million/year and is signed for that much, it just drives everyone else's value way up.

I don't think the contract status of players that are of Pujols/A-Rod caliber can be used as a leverage for other players. They're in a league of their own.

[LBJSeizedMyID]

No I wasn't implying that, but I'll guarantee you once Pujols signs his contract the average for "all-star" like Bautista just skyrocketed.

[flatjacket1]

I wonder how much of an affect the Albert Pujols demands have on AA trying to get a deal done. I mean if Pujols is asking for $27 million/year and is signed for that much, it just drives everyone else's value way up.

I don't think the contract status of players that are of Pujols/A-Rod caliber can be used as a leverage for other players. They're in a league of their own.

That's all agents do for a living. Find players statistically worse who sign better deals and demand "market" value.

I think for now getting him for a few years (like 3) at a fair rate is the best possible idea. The real target of this should be to retain Bautista for the shortest time period for an amount that will keep him on our good side. Soon as GM's dick around with players over 2M/year then the player ends up flat out leaving the next season. Hell I say give him 20M/1 year deal if it makes him happy. As long as it isn't anything like these ridiculous 6/7 year contracts going out it should be considered low risk high reward.

Signing bonus: 6M
Year 1: 17M
Year 2: 14M
Year 3: 15M

Nice and simple and won't screw us over for a decade if Baustista gets a hernia.

[augustine]

Is it possible that JB wants a big contract, and AA is unwilling to pay it, but AA is shopping a signed JB for a trade. Possibly, JB would accept it, since he gets a contract now. And, AA likes it since the value increases if JB agrees now to a certain contract. I'm not saying I want this to happen, but is this allowed? Does it have precedent?

[Wo1verine]

Blue Jays Close To Extension With Jose Bautista
By Mike Axisa [February 16 at 7:05pm CST]

The Blue Jays and Jose Bautista are close to agreeing to a five-year contract extension worth appoximately $65MM, reports Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes. The deal would also include financial support for Bautista's charitable activities in Toronto and the Dominican Republic. Some details still need to be worked out and a physical must take place before the contract is finalized.

I hate the deal personally.. I'd like it more if a couple of the years are team options..