Angels Lock Up Gary Matthews Jr. For 5 years 50 Million.

[NYDCYankee]

Cha-Chiiiiiiiiiiiing!

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_4702721

[JDPNYY]

The Yankees are bad for baseball.

[Saxmania]

Seriously now. Is it just that one Web Gem that's doing this? Because in 3 years time some of these contracts are either going to look incredibly stupid, or it's going to be the start of a new economic era in MLB, where the ability to put a glove on is worth $2m a year on its own.

Revenue sharing is working. Free agency pickings are getting thinner, teams are overspending on them, and young players are getting locked up for their 20s with the teams which drafted them. Take your salary cap to a sport that needs it.

Be seeing you,

Saxmania

[NYDCYankee]

I am kind of surprised how quickly free agents are signing this year. Especially to big deals like Soriano. Usually they let the market build. But I guess this year they don't have to do that since owners are emptying their vaults right into the sewer.

[iodon]

Now I've heard it all. Of course this is the same team that gave Finley a lot of money to play center field in his forties. Vlad looks like a bargain in this market.

[Mark19]

the insanity continues

one texas-aided career season and he cashes in on Tejada money

[ring403]

I guess it makes sense in light of the Pierre contract.

[Mattpat11]

What the hell is going on?

[In Mo I Trust]

Another hilarious deal.

[BeantownYankee]

At this rate maybe Giambi will be tradable....

[Snatch Catch]

I guess it makes sense in light of the Pierre contract.

I'm not sure Matthews is better than Pierre...

[ring403]

I'm not sure Matthews is better than Pierre...

I think he'll age better than Pierre over the life of his contract.

[Mattpat11]

I'm still waiting for the big Enrique Wilson contract

[cptcarl]

I'm still waiting for the big Enrique Wilson contract

You mean to carry groceries for Pedro?

[chanman7483]

Wow... wtf is going on in baseball? 11 mil for Gary Matthews Jr???

[gamesix1977]

The insanity continues...

[SINCE77 2]

Damn.

[Archer1979]

I thought that they were trying to get better...

[THEBOSS84]

As an Angels hater, I absolutely LOVE this deal.
Nothing like having a team you dislike, locking up years and dollars on a marginal player.

[yanksphan]

I'm not sure Matthews is better than Pierre...

Correct...Pierre is Willie Mays compared to GMJr.

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/...ion_nl_aug_27/

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/...ion_al_aug_27/

NAME	Last	Team	GP	INN	RSpt	RS/150
Juan	Pierre,	ChC	129	1137	12	15
Carlos	Beltran,	NYM	112	983.7	12	16
Eric	Byrnes,	Ari	102	875	8	12
Reggie	Abercrombie,	Fla	84	586	7	15
Mike	Cameron,	SD	108	970.3	6	8
Willy	Taveras,	Hou	113	916.3	5	8
Jim	Edmonds,	StL	95	763.3	5	9
Steve	Finley,	SF	108	828	4	7
Cory	Sullivan,	Col	95	739.3	-1	-2
Kenny	Lofton,	LA	92	740.3	-2	-4
Aaron	Rowand,	Phi	107	901.7	-3	-5
Brady	Clark,	Mil	101	800	-4	-6
Andruw	Jones,	Atl	120	1037	-6	-8
Ken	GriffeyJr	Cin	93	807.7	-11	-18
NAME	Last	Team	GP	INN	RSpt	RS/150
Corey	Patterson	Bal	118	958	14	19
Torii	Hunter	Min	109	942.7	7	10
Vernon	Wells	Tor	117	1012.7	7	9
Chone	Figgins	LAA	71	607.7	5	11
Brian	Anderson	CWS	105	754.3	4	7
Grady	Sizemore	Cle	127	1094.7	4	5
Curtis	Grandrsn	Det	125	1037	2	3
Joey	Gathright,	KC/TB	104	810.7	1	2
Rocco	Baldelli	TB	61	507	0	-1
Johnny	Damon	NYY	107	899.7	0	-1
Jeremy	Reed	Sea	64	507.3	-1	-4
Mark	Kotsay	Oak	108	907.3	-4	-6
Coco	Crisp	Bos	86	757.7	-6	-11
Gary	Matthews	Tex	112	958.7	-6	-9

This is absurd. 5/55 for literally one of the WORST CF in baseball. Unreal.

[THEBOSS84]

I'm shocked to see Kotsay, Reed, A Jones, Rowand and Damon on the bottom of that list.

[yanksphan]

I'm shocked to see Kotsay, Reed, A Jones, Rowand and Damon on the bottom of that list.

Amazing how 'Web Gems' affect perception, eh?

I kept track of these throughout the season, and Damon actually fell towards the end. He was slightly above average, and now just below. I'm guessing all those small injuries piled up on him as the year went on affecting his overall range.

The stat RS/150 is VERY similar to UZR rankings. Always within a point or two. I use them b/c they are actually published, and UZR is only randomly released by it's creator.

[TheScooter]

Not so fast

Matthews, 32, had lunch Tuesday with Angels Manager Mike Scioscia and General Manager Bill Stoneman, emerging from a 1 1/2 -hour meeting feeling even better about a team he has targeted since the end of a 2006 season in which he hit .313 with 102 runs, 44 doubles, 19 home runs, 79 runs batted in and a .371 on-base percentage.

Reached by phone Tuesday night, Matthews said it "wouldn't be a stretch" to say the Angels are the leading candidate to sign him.

"It's fair to say we're high on each other's list," said Matthews, a Granada Hills High graduate and the son of former major leaguer Gary Matthews. "The opportunity to be home and to play for a winning team would be very, very attractive to me."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseba...ck=1&cset=true

[yanksphan]

Not so fast

Matthews, 32, had lunch Tuesday with Angels Manager Mike Scioscia and General Manager Bill Stoneman, emerging from a 1 1/2 -hour meeting feeling even better about a team he has targeted since the end of a 2006 season in which he hit .313 with 102 runs, 44 doubles, 19 home runs, 79 runs batted in and a .371 on-base percentage.

Reached by phone Tuesday night, Matthews said it "wouldn't be a stretch" to say the Angels are the leading candidate to sign him.

"It's fair to say we're high on each other's list," said Matthews, a Granada Hills High graduate and the son of former major leaguer Gary Matthews. "The opportunity to be home and to play for a winning team would be very, very attractive to me."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseba...ck=1&cset=true

Gary should hold out in case a better offer comes along.

[BrooklynBotz]

This guy is the definition of a journeyman, the punch at the GM meeting must have been spiked with stupid this year.

[gold23]

I loved the Sheff deal a month ago. It now seems he is a monstrous bargain at that salary. Wow.

[swityak11]

He's 32 and has had one good year. I'm in awe.

[gold23]

Here comes Figgins, Santana, and Shields for A-rod, people

Seriously, though, if they do sign him they are arranging extra parts for a probable deal. The fact they overpaid for mediocrity is something they'll need to address later.

[Cardinal Fan]

This guy is the definition of a journeyman, the punch at the GM meeting must have been spiked with stupid this year.

LOL-Mathews was released three times in one year alone

[Jace]

Here comes Figgins, Santana, and Shields for A-rod, people

Seriously, though, if they do sign him they are arranging extra parts for a probable deal. The fact they overpaid for mediocrity is something they'll need to address later.

Gah, Figgins. He had like a .710 OPS last year, and its not like he's going to steal 50 bases on the Yankees... He wouldn't be disastrous or anything, I just really don't feel like seeing him in the lineup. Plus he irritates me being on the Angels, of course

[Chacon]

A 32 year old journeyman has 1 above average season and he gets rewarded with 55 million dollars...

I'd hate to be an Angels fan today

All of these insane contracts just makes me appreciate the Abreu trade that much more

[Rocketman]

LOLOLOLOL They gave a guy $55 million for a fluke season at age 31? LOLOLOLOLOL

[Davios]

I loved the Sheff deal a month ago. It now seems he is a monstrous bargain at that salary. Wow.

I was thinking the same a day or so again. I wonder if we could have gotten even MORE than what we did had we held on to Gary for a little longer.

[ppa79]

A career OPS of .750 gets you 11 per year???? How messed up is that?

[ny]

JD Drew must be happy

[DontHateOnNumber2]

I wonder if I could have one year where I play good baseball. I'd set myself up for life. To be fair Junior did pretty well this year offensively and defensively. Hopefully no one snaps him up from under the Angels' noses.

[AustinTXHorn]

How much do ya wanna bet that our new leadoff hitter, Frank Catalanotto, has a higher OPS than GMJ in 2007?

Matthews had an outstanding year, but that is just ridiculous.

[apolansk]

JD Drew must be happy

JD Drew is too busy deciding which Caribbean island he would like to purchase right now to be happy.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

JD Drew must be happy

You would never know it fron his demeanor.

[NYDCYankee]

JD Drew must be happy

JD Drew is looking at Beltran money.

[ny]

JD Drew is looking at Beltran money.

Im sure he's willing to take far less to play in Boston now

[Mark19]

How much do ya wanna bet that our new leadoff hitter, Frank Catalanotto, has a higher OPS than GMJ in 2007?

Matthews had an outstanding year, but that is just ridiculous.

Very likely Frank Cat will outhit Matthews, but have you seen him try to play left field? yikes!

[jimmyclark]

bubba priced himself too cheaply. Gary Matthews? 5 year $55 million?

[NYDCYankee]

Here comes Figgins, Santana, and Shields for A-rod, people

Seriously, though, if they do sign him they are arranging extra parts for a probable deal. The fact they overpaid for mediocrity is something they'll need to address later.

No Figs. But Wood yes and Adenhart as well. And replace Santana with Weaver.

[effdamets]

At this rate maybe Giambi will be tradable....

We could only hope....

[NYDCYankee]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6198342

Turned out to be 5/50.

[NYDCYankee]

Prior to last year he was a career .249 hitter.

Ha

Ha

Ha

[Smithers]

There goes another Manny destination, perhaps.

[Dr. Gonzo]

At this rate maybe Giambi will be tradable....

how I wish,

if they could somehow pull it off, throw in some money. Work it cash, and I am sure he already is.

[NYDCYankee]

how I wish,

if they could somehow pull it off, throw in some money. Work it cash, and I am sure he already is.

Why would a team want Giambi when they could get Bonds at a better rate?