What's with the things Free Agents say?

From the Angels' site:

"I would love to stay here," Rodriguez said. "This has been my family for 10 years, the only people I know. I grew up in the organization. People think it's my decision; it's not. I want to stay here for many years, but I don't know what will happen.

"They have some big decisions to make. I don't know what they're going to do. I'm only one of six, seven guys who are going to go free agency [from the Angels roster].

"We were built to win this year. I'm pretty sure they're going to make big changes. Hopefully, next year they'll put together a ballclub to go where we need to go."

I am always very interested when Free Agents say, "it's not up to me." Who is it up to? Francisco Cordero said similar things last year, and I believe Carlos Lee did as well.

The Angels are indeed going to give K-Rod an offer, which it sounds like he would like to accept. But it's not up to him, apparently.

What does that mean? Does someone other than the free agents make decisions about where free agents end up?

It must be up to whoever convinced him that his 90MPH fastball is better than his 95MPH fastball because that person obviously has control over him.

radio silence:

I am always very interested when Free Agents say, "it's not up to me." Who is it up to? Francisco Cordero said similar things last year, and I believe Carlos Lee did as well.

Yeah, we've been railing on that one for a while now.  That's one of the most ludicrous sports cliches out there.  What the hell do you mean it's not up to you?  This isn't Russia, is it Danny?

radio silence:

I am always very interested when Free Agents say, "it's not up to me." Who is it up to? Francisco Cordero said similar things last year, and I believe Carlos Lee did as well.

It's just a way for the players to deflect some of the negative attention that comes their way when they are viewed as having a lack of loyalty to a certain team.  Almost all are looking for the payday, no matter which team gives it to them.

Let's also not forget that the agents will have something to do with this.  It's also the player's union.  The union is not about to let a stud player sign for a discount because he likes a certain team.  That contract can then be used as the benchmark for other contracts.  That brings the market price down and hurts the players as a whole.

I wouldn't doubt the player's union puts a lot of pressure on free agents to score big deals.

Great post, Jim, I agree 100%.

I've heard from some that the union is particularly hard on players to get them going for the big $$$.

(For this reason I am very interested to see what happens with C.C., because chances are no one outbids the Yanks, but I've read that C.C.'s taylor is not crazy about pinstripes).

I thought vertical stripes were supposed to be slimming?

brewhawk:

I thought vertical stripes were supposed to be slimming?

brewhawk:

I thought vertical stripes were supposed to be slimming?

Jim Breen:

radio silence:

I am always very interested when Free Agents say, "it's not up to me." Who is it up to? Francisco Cordero said similar things last year, and I believe Carlos Lee did as well.

It's just a way for the players to deflect some of the negative attention that comes their way when they are viewed as having a lack of loyalty to a certain team.  Almost all are looking for the payday, no matter which team gives it to them.

Let's also not forget that the agents will have something to do with this.  It's also the player's union.  The union is not about to let a stud player sign for a discount because he likes a certain team.  That contract can then be used as the benchmark for other contracts.  That brings the market price down and hurts the players as a whole.

I wouldn't doubt the player's union puts a lot of pressure on free agents to score big deals.

 Right On Jim! K-Rod does have a point.... the players union and the player's agent WILL NOT allow their client or a top level free agent take less than market value. I've heard plenty of stories from people who've run into CC during the season in Milwaukee that he "loves it here..." but isn't sure if he'll be able to stay because of how baseball business and economics work. The MLBPA and agents while they do maximize a players value, are KILLING small market teams like the Brewers, Royals, Twins etc. (Having to move Santana last year had to be an awfully hard sell to the fan base)

hbk21042000:

 The MLBPA and agents while they do maximize a players value, are KILLING small market teams like the Brewers, Royals, Twins etc. (Having to move Santana last year had to be an awfully hard sell to the fan base)

That's not really true.

If it were, there wouldn't be any small market teams competing for the playoffs or making the playoffs. 

radio silence:

Great post, Jim, I agree 100%.

I've heard from some that the union is particularly hard on players to get them going for the big $$$.

(For this reason I am very interested to see what happens with C.C., because chances are no one outbids the Yanks, but I've read that C.C.'s taylor is not crazy about pinstripes).

I was in a question and answer session with some players a few years ago. Most people were asking softball questions, but I decided to ask a tough one. At the time, Juan Gonzalez publically said he wanted to sign with the Mets, but he eventually signed with the Rangers. The 2 players that were there was Paul Rigdon and Brett Tomko. I asked, "How much does the players association really help the players? It seems they only care about the big salaried stars and the little guys get tossed to the wayside. For example, a couple years ago, Albert Belle almost killed Fernando Vina, yet the union didn't care about Vina and couldn't defend Belle fast enough. This winter, Gonzalez signed in a place he didn't really want to because they offered a few more dollars and the union almost demands that free agents sign for the most money, no matter if it's a place you don't want to go to. Just how much does the union do for non-stars?"

Both Rigdon and Tomko stuttered and stammered and didn't really answer the question. It was left to former players like Bill Schroeder and Jim Palmer to kind of answer the question.

But just from their non-answers, I know I had a point.

 Thanks, Brewguru.

That's an awesome story.

Did you once tell a similar story about a Q/A session where one of the players chatted with you afterwards and admitted that you were right?

I remember someone on the old board telling a very similar story. It might have been you.

Yes, that was the same story.

It was actually on a Brewers cruise. They had 3 of them years ago and I went on 2 of them.

One was to the Carribean with Bill Schroeder, Jamey Wright and Davey Lopes along with the Orioles (Earl Weaver, Ryan Kohlmeier, Boog Power and Ken Manfree (broadcaster) and the Twins (Bert Blyleven, Dan Gladden, Latroy Hawkins, Torii Hunter).

The next year was to Hawaii with Bill Schroeder and Paul Rigdon along with the Orioles (Weaver, Jim Palmer, Manfree) and Padres (Kevin Towers, Bruce Bochy, Brett Tomko and Mark Grant).

Some great stories from those trips and I'm still getting free stuff from then! :)