An argument to keep Patterson in 08

[TGO]

How much do you think Fukudome will go for? Put him in RF and move Markakis to CF

It's anyone's guess what he'll get. The market for Japanese FAs is usually somewhat uncertain.

Drungo is right, though. Don't consider yourself limited by the free agency pool and what we have on the roster.

[Sports Guy]

How much do you think Fukudome will go for? Put him in RF and move Markakis to CF

Anywhere from 5-11 million...No idea what his market will be.

[tywright]

It's anyone's guess what he'll get. The market for Japanese FAs is usually somewhat uncertain.

Drungo is right, though. Don't consider yourself limited by the free agency pool and what we have on the roster.

Says here he would probably fetch $12-$15MM for 3-4 years

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/05/mike_plugh_on_k.html

[Sports Guy]

Says here he would probably fetch $12-$15MM for 3-4 years

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/05/mike_plugh_on_k.html

I don't think he means per year there either.

[tywright]

I don't think he means per year there either.

yes it does

[DrungoHazewood]

Says here he would probably fetch $12-$15MM for 3-4 years

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/05/mike_plugh_on_k.html

Of course that is the always entertaining mlbtraderumors.com.

[TGO]

Of course that is the always entertaining mlbtraderumors.com.

The music is going to stop playing before all of these guys find chairs. Sign whichever one is the best bargain. And look at trade options as well.

[davearm]

yes it does

Then somebody ought to tell Akinori Iwamura that he was supposed to ask the Devil Rays for $7M per year for 3 years, not $7M over three years.

[TGO]

Then somebody ought to tell Akinori Iwamura that he was supposed to ask the Devil Rays for $7M per year for 3 years, not $7M over three years.

Different story. He was posted, so he had no leverage with the Rays. But I agree with the general idea that MLBTR is just speculation. They aren't going to predict everyone's salaries correctly.

[Sports Guy]

yes it does

I don't think so...Especially since it was followed up with "that would be a very good buy for whichever team he chooses".

I doubt he would use the words "very good buy" for a guy making 12-15 million per year who has never played in the majors.

[tywright]

Of course that is the always entertaining mlbtraderumors.com.

It was an interview with a "Japanese baseball guru" and has written for BP so at least that guy has some knowledge and credibility.

[Sports Guy]

Different story. He was posted, so he had no leverage with the Rays. But I agree with the general idea that MLBTR is just speculation. They aren't going to predict everyone's salaries correctly.

Of course MLBtraderumors didn't predict anything...They conducted an interview with someone who is predicting it.

[tywright]

I don't think so...Especially since it was followed up with "that would be a very good buy for whichever team he chooses".

I doubt he would use the words "very good buy" for a guy making 12-15 million per year who has never played in the majors.

Well the interview has been cited on numerous other websites, all of which read into it thinking that it's $12-15MM PER year

[davearm]

Different story. He was posted, so he had no leverage with the Rays. But I agree with the general idea that MLBTR is just speculation. They aren't going to predict everyone's salaries correctly.

It's a *somewhat* different story. It's more similar than different though.

If Iwamura was worth $7M a year, but could be had for 1/3 that price, then the bidding at the posting stage would have been much heavier.

As it was, TB ended up shelling out around $12M for 3 years worth of the guy (posting + salary).

You're going to be hard pressed to convince me that Fukudome's average annual worth is not about the same as Iwamura's, but rather 3x as much.

[DrungoHazewood]

It's a *somewhat* different story. It's more similar than different though.

If Iwamura was worth $7M a year, but could be had for 1/3 that price, then the bidding at the posting stage would have been much heavier.

As it was, TB ended up shelling out around $12M for 3 years worth of the guy (posting + salary).

You're going to be hard pressed to convince me that Fukudome's average annual worth is not about the same as Iwamura's, but rather 3x as much.

Fukudome and Iwamura are similar players in many respects. Differences are:

- Fukudome is a much better hitter for average

- Fukudome strikes out about half as much

- Fukudome is a corner outfielder with good range, or maybe an ok center fielder, while Iwamura is a third baseman

- Fukudome will be 31 next year, while Iwamura is 28.

By the way, Fukudome is making about $3M a year in Japan. Iwamura was making a little less than $2M a year in 2006.