Carlos Lee signs with Astros

[TheScooter]

The competition for free-agent outfielder Carlos Lee appears to be down to three teams, including the Orioles, and the slugger could make a decision by the weekend.

The Orioles, Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies are viewed as the most serious bidders for Lee, the most coveted offensive player remaining on a market that's rapidly changing shape.

"That's my read," said Jim Duquette, vice president of baseball operations.

It's believed the Orioles would offer as much as a six-year contract worth about $80 million to $90 million for Lee, 30. Though it would be a substantial commitment, it's not in the same neighborhood as the eight-year, $136 million contract that Alfonso Soriano signed with the Chicago Cubs.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/b...orts-headlines

$13-$14 million per for Lee from the O's

Lee is widely considered the best remaining run producer on the free-agent market, which is why he already has an offer worth at least $14 million a year for five years, according to a high-ranking club official from an American League team in pursuit of Lee. The Astros aren't the team with that offer, according to multiple major league officials.

Another major league official who has negotiated with Lee's representative has been told that one team put a six-year deal on the table for Lee.

The Astros' offer to Lee exceeds $12 million a year for at least five years, according to an NL general manager

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4353142.html

[chanman7483]

If I'm the Astros, i'm going all out for this guy. Imagine if Berkman actually got some protection in the lineup?

[apolansk]

In a market where Gary Matthews gets 5/55, and Juan Pierre gets 5/45, his might be the most reasonable contract that anyone has signed yet this offseason. Even at 6/90.

A 6 year pact would only take him up to his age 36 season, an age where most power hitters have not precipitously declined yet. A righty power hitter, like El Caballo, could easily take advantage of the short wall of whatever they seem to be calling the stadium in Houston now.

This also would seem to set the market for JD Drew. I can't see the Red Sox offering 6/90 for JD Drew, or 15M per for anything longer then 2 years.

[MatsuiFan55]

The O's need a whole new team. The Phillies need pitching. Spending big bucks to get Carlos Lee, especially with the precedents that have been set on this market, would not make any sense. As for the Astros, they are just one big bat away from being a contender for the World Series. Getting Lee, no matter what the cost, makes too much sense.

[RollingWave]

The O's need new owners/FOs is what they need.

The Phillies need a long term plane and not panic and react to the fans on a flinch, imagine if their current team have another borderline hall of fame RF, 3B, and SP, that would clearly make them teh best team in the NL, like... Bobby Abreu, Scott Rolen and Curt Schilling...... DOHHHHHHH!!!

The Astro's plan next year is suspect. wether or not they could/will bring back Pettiett / Clemens completely changes the dimionsion of their plan, but those 2 are taking their time, which is bad news for Astros fan.

[JDPNYY]

I hope the O's pay him 18 million a year for 8 years.

[JeffWeaverFan]

Originally Posted by chanman7483

If I'm the Astros, i'm going all out for this guy. Imagine if Berkman actually got some protection in the lineup?

Berkman is actually a good example of why lineup protection is incredibly overated. He'll be the same hitter either way - maybe he'll be pitched to a bit more instead of being walked - and that would actually not be a good thing for him offensively. But it's not like pitchers are going to just throw Berkman fastballs because they are worried about Lee (or whoever) behind him. They are going to try their hardest to get him out no matter what.

[ring403]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/a...2006&fext=.jsp

HOUSTON -- Free-agent slugger Carlos Lee has agreed to terms on a six-year contract with the Houston Astros, according to a Houston television station.
KRIV-TV, citing Major League Baseball sources, reported Friday morning that the outfielder had agreed to a six-year contract worth an unspecified amount of money and would be flying to Houston from Panama on Friday evening to sign the contract.

[apolansk]

Originally Posted by ring403

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/a...2006&fext=.jsp

Made too much sense for them not to do it. I'd assume it to be for somewhere between 13 and 17M per, so anywhere from 78~102M

[Soriambi]

According to ESPN.com, it's for 100 million dollars, with a NTC for the first four years and a limited NTC for the last two:

"A source told ESPN's Jayson Stark that the Houston Astros were set to announce Friday afternoon that they have signed the free-agent slugger to a six-year, $100 million deal."

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2674398

So that would be 16.67 million per year.

[Tifoso]

Originally Posted by Soriambi

According to ESPN.com, it's for 100 million dollars, with a NTC for the first four years and a limited NTC for the last two:

"A source told ESPN's Jayson Stark that the Houston Astros were set to announce Friday afternoon that they have signed the free-agent slugger to a six-year, $100 million deal."

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2674398

So that would be 16.67 million per year.

16,666,666.67

[ny]

Sori 17(136)
Lee 16.6 (100)

So the market for Nancy Drew should at least 4/64 or 5/80.


Also Soriano is only 3 months younger than Drew while Lee is about 8 months younger so if Sori got an 8 year deal and Lee got a 6 year deal why do Sox fans believe Drew is going to sign a 4 year deal with them?

[Dannman103]

six years on a national league team? I'd be a little afraid to see just how bad Lee is going to look in the outfield come year six of that deal

[Kulish29]

Good move for the Astro's, they needed him.

[swityak11]

Well if Gary Matthews is worth $10 per...

[Yanks Lifer]

My guess is this makes Cashman look a little closer at the Morgan Ensberg situation. Could Ensberg be the RH 1B answer? I know he hasn't played there but he has some pop and is an above average OBP guy which the Yanks like. Better option than Hillenbrand or Aurillia IMHO.

[simmy886]

Originally Posted by swityak11

Well if Gary Matthews is worth $10 per...

...then Lee is certainly worth $16m, I agree.
I think the Astros should bring Clemens back for $20 million prorated to start 20+ games, they should go all out for 2007 because with Berkman and Lee in their prime they can be a scary team in that weak division and they can make 2007 their year.

[JeffWeaverFan]

I wonder what we could have gotten for Sheff had we waited until both Lee and Sori signed these absurd deals... Of course, I am still very happy with the package we did get back for him.

[yankeeman61]

Lee could have a huge year playing in the juice box. Plus if he plays LF he won't have to move his fat ass around too much. Almost $17M per...unbelievable.

[Workhorse]

Originally Posted by ny

Sori 17(136)
Lee 16.6 (100)

So the market for Nancy Drew should at least 4/64 or 5/80.


Also Soriano is only 3 months younger than Drew while Lee is about 8 months younger so if Sori got an 8 year deal and Lee got a 6 year deal why do Sox fans believe Drew is going to sign a 4 year deal with them?

Fine. The price went up for Drew.

It also means that the trade value of one Manny Ramirez keeps going up exponentially with every one of these loony tunes contracts that gets signed. At this point, the Sox could reasonably expect to get at least 3 quality arms for Manny in this market.