Relief Pitcher: The Come-and-Get-It Strategy
According to Buster Olney, in a post to his blog for ESPN.com, the Mets may decide to make appropriate offers to each closer, ‘and the first one to jump at their proposal will be signed.’
“For example,” Olney explains, “It is not known exactly what the Mets intend to offer to the top-flight closers, but let’s say they proposed a three-year, $36 million deal to Francisco Rodriguez; a three-year, $30 million offer to Brian Fuentes; and a two-year, $18 million offer to Kerry Wood. And then they could tell all three that the first to bite gets the contract. The Cardinals, Brewers, Indians and other teams are looking for closers, but probably won’t spend at the same level as the Mets.”
…this is an odd strategy, unless, of course, the Mets truly do not care which of these three is their closer…in that case, if they value them all the same in terms of talent, in terms of ability to close out a game, then i guess it makes sense…assuming these take-it-or-leave-it offers are the absolute minimum the Mets are willing to pay, before lowering the bar to a point that other teams could jump in…
Olney also blogs about potential talks between the Dodgers and Yankees, regarding Robinson Cano, and how that could impact Orlando Hudson; Atlanta’s offer to A.J. Burnett; Jason Giambi’s lofty request; and whether Jon Garland will accept arbitration from the Angels, among other things.
