What is it going to cost for Soriano?

[ACrank]

Since the last few threads have had so much talk about Soriano coming to the Indians, i thought i would post this blurb i found in the Philadelphia Inquirer from yesterdays paper.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/16013819.htm

Soriano is looking for a multiyear contract that could be worth substantially more than $100 million, and the Phillies don't appear eager to play in that neighborhood. The Cubs, Angels, Dodgers and Astros are all in the hunt for Soriano.

"It's crazy," Gillick said of the market. "You don't like to tie up your situation for a long period of time. You've got to think down the line and what it could do to you. We're kind of working ourselves out of some situations like that now. But this is a very volatile market."

I can't see the Indians signing anyone to

a multiyear contract that could be worth substantially more than $100 million

[Guest]

I can't see anyone paying that for any player nowadays

[pup]

I went into free agency at my work not long ago, and asked for a 7 year deal for $100,000 a year. They didn't bite, but I sure do still come to work every day.

Everyone wants $100 million. Very few get it. If he does, no it will not be in Cleveland. If that comes down to 5 years, $70 million, then it can be considered.

[consigliere]

Gammons mentioned that Soriano is heading to a payday of about $120M.

Ridiculous.

[pup]

Maybe it is an 7 year deal??????

How old is he. I thought he was fairly young, but I read this morning that he was 31.

[consigliere]

The talk is he is going to get $17-20M per. Unreal.

[furls]

He is getting Arod money.

Man how broken is baseball economically? There are about 5 players and 27 AAAA teams.

Every year, it gets harder and harder to come back to baseball. I know, probably better than most people, that the world is not fair, but sports are at least supposed to be sort of fair. There is nothing approaching a level playing field, and while revenue and attendance in general are up there are some very disturbing aspects of baseball economics.

The market is "compressing" and there is no better evidence than the games showcased on ESPN nationally. It is the same core of teams and it is pretty much the same core of teams every year. Fans in the AAAA markets are, in general, becoming less interested.

[pup]

Heard Frank Thomas is getting 3 years, $30 million from Toronto. If that is the case, Soriano can go ahead and have 5 for 100.

[consigliere]

Heard Frank Thomas is getting 3 years, $30 million from Toronto. If that is the case, Soriano can go ahead and have 5 for 100.

This is going to be an insane offseason....very much like the Manny/A-Rod offseason from 2000 where teams spent ridiculously on players. 75% of these signings will be on the block in 2-3 years as teams look to get out from under these deals. Mark it down. It always happens.

The Indians best opportunity to get a big bat may have to come via trade.