Look's like we can end the Hardy to Cards talk now. Peralta to Cards.

[weams]

I think the Cardinals panicked. Maybe they were afraid we would sign him for LF. Peralta will be a huge downgrade from what those fine arms have been used to.

[Guest]

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS 36s

i team that offered $52M for 4 yrs for peralta was told they're not even in game. will be fascinating how high it goes.

[clapdiddy]

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS 36s

i team that offered $52M for 4 yrs for peralta was told they're not even in game. will be fascinating how high it goes.

Wow. I would think that would be a MAX deal for a guy like Peralta. The money being thrown around is just insane.

[Number5]

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS 36s

i team that offered $52M for 4 yrs for peralta was told they're not even in game. will be fascinating how high it goes.

[video=youtube;nltVuSH-lQM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nltVuSH-lQM

[weams]

Wow. I would think that would be a MAX deal for a guy like Peralta. The money being thrown around is just insane.

I guess it is the new reality.

[clapdiddy]

I guess it is the new reality.

It's getting to a point where only a few teams are going to be able to afford free agents.

[SrMeowMeow]

The good news is that it looks like we also won't be signing Peralta to be our LF.

[weams]

It's getting to a point where only a few teams are going to be able to afford free agents.

Yep. Even if you say that the Orioles can spend 125 Million you know they can't spend 200 Million like the Yankees just did.

I am glad we ran the price up for him though

[waroriole]

It's getting to a point where only a few teams are going to be able to afford free agents.

Every team got an additional $25M. Some teams choose to spend it to improve their team, others put it in the owner's bank account.

[BillySmith]

I guess it is the new reality.

It would be a good study to see if these FA contracts are any different or worse than other years. Don't we say this just abut every year? I understand the Lohse situation and similar guys, but that's attributable to the new CBA.

I think, and it's not my original thought for sure, for whatever reason, teams are striking early with over the top deals for zero WAR guys. The game is awash in cash obviously.

Where is the moneyball in this environment?

[VeveJones007]

Every team got an additional $25M. Some teams choose to spend it to improve their team, others put it in the owner's bank account.

If it's a savings account for Davis and Machado, then I think it's for the best.

[TonySoprano]

The Cardinals did trade away their third baseman yesterday, so it's possible Peralta takes his place. I doubt it, but it's possible.

[weams]

It would be a good study to see if these FA contracts are any different or worse than other years. Don't we say this just abut every year? I understand the Lohse situation and similar guys, but that's attributable to the new CBA.

I think, and it's not my original thought for sure, for whatever reason, teams are striking early with over the top deals for zero WAR guys. The game is awash in cash obviously.

Where is the moneyball in this environment?

If it's a savings account for Davis and Machado, then I think it's for the best.

I cannot think that having a owner of the vintage of ours can be an advantage in a spiraling market. As always, the young cost controlled players in good health are the market inefficiency. Build your system with as many high ceiling prospects as possible.

[waroriole]

If it's a savings account for Davis and Machado, then I think it's for the best.

Do you think that's the case?

[crawjo]

If teams are going to use their extra $25 million to give away huge contracts to aging and declining players, it's not an advantage. That money would be MUCH better spent locking up younger talent long-term. I would never in a million years give Peralta 4 years, $52 million, let alone higher than that.

Man this is turning out to be a great year to be a free agent.