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**newhampfan** · 10-25-21, 07:23 PM

Originally posted by Strategerie View Post

I think this would be a reasonable contract but I don't think I would do 5 yrs, $70M for Rizzo. I certainly wouldn't do much more. I fear the Yankees will offer him even more.

I don't think Cashman/Rizzo will go for more, not in the long run. The so-called demand for "tons of money" is likely nonsense. He and his agent (if not Cashman and his protege Gardner) surely realize how time makes all us less.

**JLJ81** · 10-25-21, 08:27 PM

Originally posted by newhampfan View Post

I don't think Cashman/Rizzo will go for more, not in the long run. The so-called demand for "tons of money" is likely nonsense. He and his agent (if not Cashman and his protege Gardner) surely realize how time makes all us less.

Could see Boston at the very least driving up the price.

**False1** · 10-25-21, 08:42 PM

Originally posted by sjb23 View Post

Of course I agree with this. But at 27 yrs old with two years left of team control before free agency (and that might come even sooner under a new CBA) he's got IMMENSE value for a team that is only a few moves away from contending for a division title. The A's would have to be OVERWHELMED to deal him now.

The Yanks would obviously have to overpay to acquire him. That doesn't seem realistic IMO.

The same is true for any elite position player with two years of control. The A's will absolutely look to extract maximum value out of an asset like Olson. If the Yankees make the other prerequisite moves via FA and Olson is a finishing piece, pay the price.

**Portbb** · 10-25-21, 10:15 PM

Originally posted by JLJ81 View Post

Could see Boston at the very least driving up the price.

Bobby Dalbec makes league minimum and they probably aren’t interested in Rizzo.

**HelloNewman** · 10-26-21, 03:46 AM

Was fun watching ThePinStripes whoosh a couple of people with that Rizzo "item" lol.

**Zimmer's Helmet** · 10-26-21, 04:35 AM

Originally posted by sjb23 View Post

Of course I agree with this. But at 27 yrs old with two years left of team control before free agency (and that might come even sooner under a new CBA) he's got IMMENSE value for a team that is only a few moves away from contending for a division title. The A's would have to be OVERWHELMED to deal him now.

The Yanks would obviously have to overpay to acquire him. That doesn't seem realistic IMO.

He’s also about to become too expensive for Oakland due to arbitration so the A’s will do what they always do and look to trade him for the right package.

Seeing as the Yankees fail at developing prospects anyhow, may as well package some of them together for a 27-year-old LH hitter who checks all the checkboxes.

**ThePinStripes** · 10-26-21, 05:07 AM

Originally posted by Zimmer's Helmet View Post

He’s also about to become too expensive for Oakland due to arbitration so the A’s will do what they always do and look to trade him for the right package.

Seeing as the Yankees fail at developing prospects anyhow, may as well package some of them together for a 27-year-old LH hitter who checks all the checkboxes.

The Yankees aren't one or even two big players from being a world series contender. They need a TOR pitcher, CF, 1B, SS, Closer and Catcher. They need to fill at least 3 of those positions with "good" (even if not elite) players to have any chance next year. Otherwise, it will just be a repeat of the trade deadline this year. Just enough to be relevant- not enough to do anything meaningful.

**Paul Zuvella** · 10-26-21, 05:49 AM

Originally posted by jnewmark View Post

Funny how we all read the same articles and take away different conclusions. The couple of articles I read on the Cole/Gardner episode, left me with the impression that Cole is sort of a red ass, prima donna, and over reacted to some clubhouse joking around. I'm sure many here will disagree with me because Gardner.

I agree with you. Some guys cant handle getting their balls broken. Too important to laugh at themselves. Guy cheated his way to a 300 million dollar payday, but we should worry about his hurt feelings?

**aeromac76** · 10-26-21, 06:02 AM

Originally posted by Paul Zuvella View Post

I agree with you. Some guys cant handle getting their balls broken. Too important to laugh at themselves. Guy cheated his way to a 300 million dollar payday, but we should worry about his hurt feelings?

I think there are nuances here... It's once thing to poke fun at someone in a manner such as 'they have a big head' or their 'clothing is crazy' sort of thing... I am overweight and balding and if someone poked a little fun at me for those things I'd have a good giggle about it and heck, I am self deprecating myself pertaining to those very things amongst others..

But as an aerospace engineer and astrophysicist, I take my job EXTREMELY seriously.. and like any other human being, I have made mistakes in executing that job at times. And if someone were to poke fun of me for those mistakes, it is not going to end well..

The sticky stuff with Cole was obviously a serious point of contention and clearly affected his performance, so poking fun at that is poking fun at the man's performance, and I don't blame him for getting upset. If he got upset because his teammates made fun of how his hat sits on his head or the sign he made as a kid type thing, then I'd say he needs thicker skin.. But the man takes his craft seriously as well as the responsibility of being the ace of the staff... To go poke fun at anything related to that is going to get him upset and I don't blame him... There are things you can poke fun at and things you don't...

**Zimmer's Helmet** · 10-26-21, 06:03 AM

Originally posted by ThePinStripes View Post

The Yankees aren't one or even two big players from being a world series contender. They need a TOR pitcher, CF, 1B, SS, Closer and Catcher. They need to fill at least 3 of those positions with "good" (even if not elite) players to have any chance next year. Otherwise, it will just be a repeat of the trade deadline this year. Just enough to be relevant- not enough to do anything meaningful.

For sure, which is why it's critical they also sign Seager or Correa, and look into acquiring a solid defensive C such as Barnhart from the Reds.

If they make the moves I expect they'll make (re-sign Rizzo, sign a cheap SS off the scrap heap like Simmons, move DJ to 3B and stick with Sanchez), then there's a probability that we'll be watching a last-place team next year if Baltimore's young players begin to gel.

**ThePinStripes** · 10-26-21, 06:08 AM

Originally posted by Zimmer's Helmet View Post

For sure, which is why it's critical they also sign Seager or Correa, and look into acquiring a solid defensive C such as Barnhart from the Reds.

If they make the moves I expect they'll make (re-sign Rizzo, sign a cheap SS off the scrap heap like Simmons, move DJ to 3B and stick with Sanchez), then there's a probability that we'll be watching a last-place team next year if Baltimore's young players begin to gel.

At the end of the day, it's about selling seats. And signing Rizzo sounds good enough to keep the fans coming through the doors.
Clearly, there has been no change in philosophy. I dont know why we should expect anything different.

**sjb23** · 10-26-21, 06:13 AM

Originally posted by Zimmer's Helmet View Post

He’s also about to become too expensive for Oakland due to arbitration so the A’s will do what they always do and look to trade him for the right package.

I have a "big market" point of view, but IMO this is what's wrong with MLB - there's no reason why such a storied franchise can't get a ballpark built, or spend $150M on payroll, or lock up a stud like this long term and make him a building block for the next 5 years.

And folks think Yankee ownership doesn't spend money ?

There needs to be a LT floor put in place. I think there are about 8 teams or so (what is that, 25-30% ?) that didn't even spend $100M, some of them with lots of success (i.e.Rays). If the Rays increased their payroll by 30% maybe they get past the Red Sox?

IMO the floor should be $100M - if a club doesn't spend $100M they put money into the kitty, just like the clubs that exceed the ceiling.

**Zimmer's Helmet** · 10-26-21, 06:22 AM

Originally posted by sjb23 View Post

I have a "big market" point of view, but IMO this is what's wrong with MLB - there's no reason why such a storied franchise can't get a ballpark built, or spend $150M on payroll, or lock up a stud like this long term and make him a building block for the next 5 years.

And folks think Yankee ownership doesn't spend money ?

There needs to be a LT floor put in place. I think there are about 8 teams or so (what is that, 25-30% ?) that didn't even spend $100M, some of them with lots of success (i.e.Rays). If the Rays increased their payroll by 30% maybe they get past the Red Sox?

IMO the floor should be $100M - if a club doesn't spend $100M they put money into the kitty, just like the clubs that exceed the ceiling.

Problem is, Oakland isn't a true major league market. Ever been there? It makes Cleveland look glamourous.
That franchise should be moved to Las Vegas or Montreal.

Despite their financial limitations, the A's still spend a much larger percentage of their profits on payroll than the Yankees do.

**ThePinStripes** · 10-26-21, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by Zimmer's Helmet View Post

I am in 100% agreement with you. Making fun of one's struggles is something you might do to an opposing pitcher, but to your own teammate? Sorry, but that's a no-no. Gardner should consider himself fortunate that it didn't turn ugly.

What did I miss here?

edit: Lol, wow. That's not good fun. He definitely saw Cole's (horrific) interviews about the issue. He's obviously struggling. How on earth was that supposed to be funny, in gest or even light hearted? That's a straight up attack and insult.

Cole's awful season was still immensely more productive than Gardner's season, and he didn't take Voit out of the line up on top of it. I guess sucking on the field and keeping the reigning HR champ on the bench wasn't quite enough for Gardner.

**Paul Zuvella** · 10-26-21, 07:30 AM

Originally posted by aeromac76 View Post

I think there are nuances here... It's once thing to poke fun at someone in a manner such as 'they have a big head' or their 'clothing is crazy' sort of thing... I am overweight and balding and if someone poked a little fun at me for those things I'd have a good giggle about it and heck, I am self deprecating myself pertaining to those very things amongst others..

But as an aerospace engineer and astrophysicist, I take my job EXTREMELY seriously.. and like any other human being, I have made mistakes in executing that job at times. And if someone were to poke fun of me for those mistakes, it is not going to end well..

The sticky stuff with Cole was obviously a serious point of contention and clearly affected his performance, so poking fun at that is poking fun at the man's performance, and I don't blame him for getting upset. If he got upset because his teammates made fun of how his hat sits on his head or the sign he made as a kid type thing, then I'd say he needs thicker skin.. But the man takes his craft seriously as well as the responsibility of being the ace of the staff... To go poke fun at anything related to that is going to get him upset and I don't blame him... There are things you can poke fun at and things you don't...

I understand Cole getting pissed, some people take themselves way too seriously, he happens to be one of those people.I just dont really care. Im pissed he scammed us into paying him 300 million+. Im sure he doesnt care that im mad either.
If you lied your way to your position as an engineer or misrepresented yourself to get a higher salary, if one of your co-workers broke your chops about it, Im sure it would piss you off. That doesnt mean you didnt deserve to be poked fun at.

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