Rangers set high price for star shortstops
posted in players |Thanks, Texas.
The Rangers gave Michael Young, a very fine shortstop, $80m over five years ($16m per). Interestingly, it’s a bit of a speculative contract. It doesn’t begin until 2009 and by 2013, $16m may not seem like that much money. At 30 now, Young will play the 2013 season as a 36-year-old, so there is some risk in it for the Rangers. But he’s a career .800 OPS and currently one of the top at his position, so I guess they decided it makes sense to keep him happy and around.
Carlos Guillen, 31, must be looking at that and salivating. Coming off a .919 OPS year in which he finished 10th in MVP voting, there’s going to be a market full of teams just begging for him to play for them, whether or not it makes financial sense. And if Young can earn $16M, Guillen very well could net more, even with the concern his defensive ability may have taken a dip after his injury. (We’ll learn this year if his 28 errors in 2006 was an anomoly). At the very least, I think this sets 5/$75m as the base price.
That’s a good chunk of change, especially since the Tigers will already see some escalating salaries next year to the tune of about $12m (per Bilfer’s payroll spreadsheet). Adding $10m to Guillen kicks that up to $22m in additional payroll just to keep the players Detroit has. But don’t let me paint too bleak a picture, there’s no reason Kenny Rogers (8m), Neifi Perez (2.5m), Sean Casey (4m), Jose Mesa (2.5m) or Todd Jones (5.5m) have to come back. So that pretty much cancels things out, as there are players waiting in the wings to fill their voids. (Slightly off topic, but that’s why I believe if Marcus Thames can show an ability to learn first, he won’t be traded, he’ll be starting there next year).
Given the Tigers players want to stay in Detroit and given the team should continue to compete strongly behind its young pitching for years, I just hope there’s some sort of “hometown” discount and that earnings continue to rise so a $100m payroll can be maintained.
Sphere It
I hadn’t considered the salaries the Tigers will be shedding off their payroll next season, so that certainly gives them some breathing room if they want to re-sign Guillen. Good point, Kurt.
I’m sure the Tigers aren’t thrilled about the market that Texas just set for shortstops. But I also wonder if they’re less concerned about the money and more worried about the years Guillen might want in his deal.I can’t imagine the Tigers giving him a five-year contract.
Yes. He’s worth 15M. But the question is for how long he’ll continue to be worth it. I wouldn’t want a contract past 2010 myself.