April Tears Bring May Longoria

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 22, 2008 7:05 PM EDT Comment 15 comments

That's a pretty sight, no? Well, we won't be seeing that in a meaningful game until May. Prepare bracing yourselves now, it's not a certainty, but awfully close. On the positive side, it's not even a fourth of the season, it's the smart business move, and we'll get an extra year of Longo.

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Re: April Tears Bring May Longoria

As a fan I'm a bit disappointed, but I really can't argue against doing it.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 22, 2008 8:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: April Tears Bring May Longoria

I'm on record as being good with the decision either way. There is a good chance that 2007 Longoria hits no better than Young or Gordon did last season.

I am getting concerned that without Kaz now a few weeks into the RS, the Rays are about at the same talent level of the 2007 team. That means a rough start is more than likely. Given the expectations, that would be a kick in the pants.

by ttnorm on Mar 22, 2008 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: April Tears Bring May Longoria

Nope. It's the right move for the long term.

Eric SanInocencio www.mvn.com/mlb-rays

by EricSanSan on Mar 22, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: April Tears Bring May Longoria

>>it's the smart business move

But I thought Andrew Friedman said "that doesn't factor in for us in this decision, and it's funny how this has become a focal point."

It must be those pesky change ups!!

by gavind on Mar 22, 2008 9:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: April Tears Bring May Longoria

Well, it is a baseball move too. Having him in 2014 will make us a better team then. He'll be a super-2, it's not about money at all. They aren't waiting until June to call him up. He'll be up in early May.

by Tyler on Mar 22, 2008 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: April Tears Bring May Longoria

The Rays should sign him longterm in a year or two and all this nonsense about eligibility will mean nothing. I bet the Rays take a page out of the Rockies book and sign Longoria just like the Rockies signed Evan's college teammate Tulowizki to a long term deal. SCREW SENDING HIM DOWN! He IS the best man for the job.

by iamthebiggesttloser on Mar 22, 2008 11:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: April Tears Bring May Longoria

It takes 2 to sign a contract.

by ttnorm on Mar 23, 2008 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: April Tears Bring May Longoria

I agree with this. Yes, it takes two to sign a contract, but if one of the parties is angry becuase they felt slighted, it's even harder.

Also, for the long-term, if I were whoever the Rays draft at #1, I'd instruct my agent to do the following:

"We noticed that while Evan Longoria was one of the best players on your team, you opted to return him to the minors solely to slow his arbitration clock. Since you've shown you will do this to protect your long-term future, we have to ask for an extra million as a signing bonus to protect our long-term future."

The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.

by pocket8pin on Mar 24, 2008 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: April Tears Bring May Longoria

It is common for high picks to demand they be put on the major league roster immediately. Teams hope to avoid it, but cannot always. For example, Longoria did not negotiate that provision, but Price did, so David is on the 40 man already.

This whole concern with getting Evan angry is vastly overemphasized. He is not a stupid person and understands the decision is complex. Perhaps when the time comes to negotiate an extension he may try to recoup that year by upping some of his demands; the Rays know that is possible. But it is really silly to worry that the Rays are alienating him. He is not a child.

by bobr on Mar 24, 2008 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This actually won't

cost him very much money at all. All it will cost him in the long run is a month of the minimum ML salary. He's not staying down long enough to keep him from becoming a super-2. He'll hit arbitration the same time that he would have if he was called up now. The only thing affected here is the 7th year. He won't be a free agent. But if he chooses to go the arbitration route, he'll get a fair market value contract, which at that point, if he's doing what we expect him to be doing will be upwards of 15 million dollars. I don't think this affects the relationship between him and the Ray long term at all.

by Tyler on Mar 24, 2008 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This actually won't

I don't know about the "fair market value" part of your comment. Arbitration is inherently lower than fair market value because the player has no alternative than to re-sign with the team. Free Agency is where fair market value is attained, obscene as it may seem at times.

I also think this gives Longoria more incentive to wait it out till free agency. He will now be 28 when he gets his first shot at a multiyear deal. If I were in his shoes, I would be reluctant to sign any extension that doesn't put me on the open market until I'm on the wrong side of 30.

by GomesSweetGomes on Mar 24, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This actually won't

I also think this gives Longoria more incentive to wait it out till free agency.

Why? Because he feels taken advantage of?

What is to stop Longoria from feeling taken advantage of when he gets the MLB minimum the next 3 seasons? Or when one of the other guys signs a long term deal?

I'm with Bob on this. By all indications, almost all players are fine with this. They know they will get theirs if they play to their expectations.

Maybin, Rasmus, and Bruce got sent down and all are expected to return by mid season. Like RJ, I am a lot more concerned about Price than Longo today.

by ttnorm on Mar 24, 2008 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This actually won't

The first couple years is not "market value" but by years 3 and 4, it's pretty much market value. Ryan Howard made 10 million as a super 2 in his first year of arbitration. That's a huge number. If Longoria hits, he could easily be approaching 17 million dollars by his 4th year of arbitration, which is probably around what he'd get on the open market, just for more years.

by Tyler on Mar 25, 2008 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This actually won't

There is not a team in baseball that wouldn't sign Howard at 1 year for 10 million, so even though its a big number, its still a steal compared to what he'd get on the open market.

17 Million? Keep in mind that Howard set the record at 10 million. To get 17 million in 4 years Longo would have to put up one or 2 MVP caliber seasons. If he does, and gets his payday because of it, I can live with that.

by GomesSweetGomes on Mar 26, 2008 7:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs