Shapiro gets 5-year extension

[consigliere]

Lots of buzz today that his extension finally went through. That it is five years. Haven't been able to check on-line as I have been extremely busy with the WH Live report (that thinkg takes 6-7 hours to load up and do)....but just passing along what I heard before I hit the sack tonight.

If true, that it is a 5-year extension, I am very happy about that.

[bookelly]

Hopefully we'll hear something about Hafner or C.C. soon.

[consigliere]

I recall a quote from Shapiro a few weeks back that once he got his deal done, that they would then move onto other potential signing announcements.

I'm pretty positive that we'll get a Hafner announcement soon.

CC is gone.

[jb]

I'm pretty positive that we'll get a Hafner announcement soon.

Based on what?

I think yer dreamin'.

[swerb]

I gotta admit, I would have bet against Shapiro signing this extension throughout most of the last 2-3 years, and often stated that I thought the Dolan's tight purse strings would lead to Mark signing his next deal elsewhere.

I was wrong.

Looks like a 65-70 mill payroll, and potentially a handshake with Mark that they're gonna sign Pronk has proven to Shapiro that the Dolans will make the financial commitment as we head into the end of this decade.

[consigliere]

I'm pretty positive that we'll get a Hafner announcement soon.

Based on what?

I think yer dreamin'.

From the buzz I have heard around camp, after talking to Tribe schills like Triv and also talking to some of the scouts at camp, if an extension is not announced by mid-April I will be extremely shocked.

The Indians have an advantage with Hafner that is really working in their favor....that being he is a DH (so 16 NL teams are elminated from consideration for him in FA), and also that two big market teams Chicago and Boston have big-time DHs already in place in Thome and Ortiz. Plus, the Yanks essentially have Giambi as their DH. It really leaves only Baltimore, Texas and Anaheim as possible destinations for him.