Hi-priced players who may have something to prove in 2007

[Mattingly]

Let's see now, where do we start? OK, right here, right now.

Source: http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/detroit-tigers_21.html

Giants:

Barry Zito: $126m ($18m/yr x 7 years). I do think that he has to put up some 2002 numbers and then some for that price. I know that $18m doesn't buy what it used to, what with apartment complex prices and all going upwards, but can he really be worth that amount for 7 years straight?

Red Sox:

Daisuke Matsuzaka: $51.1m posting fee + $52m/6 yrs. While his salary may not be extraordinary, his posting fee was certainly historic. Can the finest Japanese pitcher in a long time be a boon for Boston or merely a #2 or #3 pitcher? Will he spark references to vintage Pedro?

Cubs:

Alfonso Soriano: $136m ($17m x 8 yrs). This just a season after a few figured that with his reluctance to even play LF, not many GMs would even be interested in him, much less his getting the largest of the deals in his first season of free agency.

Ted Lilly: $40m ($10m/yr x 4 yrs). Should a player who's normally a #4 pitcher be paid what a #3 or #2 would normally be paid? Can he escape the word "mediocrity" for long? Does he have to?

Brewers:

Jeff Suppan: $42m ($10.5m/yr x 4 yrs). He's been good while making $4m+, but now that he's added an extra digit to his salary, per the outrage fees being paid to free agents this winter, will he do better than before? Will his expectations be beyond his capabilities? Inquiring baseball minds want (demand) to know! :D Heck, he's making more than teammate Ben Sheets ($38.5m/4 yrs).

Rangers:

Eric Gagne: $6m/1 yr. The simple question: can he remain healthy. If so, he could be a comeback award winner. He's more than proven his worth, but his health and continued health is a big question. Can he dominate like nobody's business in the 9th inning in a bandbox of a park under deser-like conditions?

If anyone has any further names to add, please do so and let's get this discussion rolling onward and upward! :p

[Erik Bedard]

Royals: Gil Meche. What were they thinking?

[jsmets92]

Angels-Gary Matthews Jr., 5yrs. 50M
Dodgers-Juan Pierre, 5yrs 45M

[Old Sweater]

Rockies/ Latroy Hawkins 3.5 mil

Best I could do, the Monforts are cheap and it's are highest priced FA.

[EvanAparra]

Rockies/ Latroy Hawkins 3.5 mil

Best I could do, the Monforts are cheap and it's are highest priced FA.
Do you think Helton has something to prove? I've heard a lot of people say he's slipping and on his decline

[Old Sweater]

Do you think Helton has something to prove? I've heard a lot of people say he's slipping and on his decline

Sure does, that stomach illness he had sapped him of his strength last year and he always seems to have back trouble. If he stays healthy I hope he can debunk the decline rumor and have his usual 25-30 hr's and 100rbi's.

Some even suspect that there is some truth to Wayne Hagans comments about Helton juicing.

[W_Marone]

I think Matsuzaka has a lot to prove, we all saw him pitch in the WBC and know what he did in Japan, but he needs to show he can pitch a full season with the best baseball talent in the world. (MLB;) ) I think Gary Matthew's Jr. also has to show that he isnt just a one year wonder.

[VTSoxFan]

Red Sox: J.D. Drew, should his contract ever be finalized, has a huge contract to live up to, and a fan base which, if it senses that a player isn't doing what he ought, is notoriously unforgiving.

[mojorisin71]

Red Sox: J.D. Drew, should his contract ever be finalized, has a huge contract to live up to, and a fan base which, if it senses that a player isn't doing what he ought, is notoriously unforgiving.
Do the Sox play the Phillies this year? If so, I'd suggest he carry his own bodyguards in right field.

[W_Marone]

Do the Sox play the Phillies this year? If so, I'd suggest he carry his own bodyguards in right field.

That's old news, we've been throwing batteries at him for years here in Philly, one bodyguard can't help him when he's on the field:laugh ;) But no they dont play the Phillies.

[cubsfan1073]

Gary Matthews Jr. for sure. He is definitely not worth 10M a year.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Out of all of them, I think that Soriano has the most to prove. The others were simply overpaid, because there were more buyers than there were things to "buy". I don't think that people expect Ted Lilly to improve to being a #2 guy, just because he's making #2 kind of money. But Soriano is different. He put up great numbers, and definitly has to prove whether he actually deserves that kind of money, or was a contract-year-wonder.

Add to this the fact that it's an 8 year contract.

[Mattingly]

Since I'd conspicuously not given any Yankees, I'll add:

Randy "Big Unit" Johnson (wherever he plays): $16m for 2007. If he gets an extension from Arizona, they'll have to mummify him (if that's not already been done) for him to prove his worth. At age 43, with a surgically-repaired back and an exorbitant contract, I'd say he's got an easier path to Cooperstown than he does onto his next team. Oh, if only Arizona will be so kind.

Should Jason Giambi's name be added?

[FatAngel]

I don´t think Matthews has a lot to prove, because he never did a lot. It´s not his fault his agent found a team that has people with obvious brain damage in its FO, especially one that made so many good moves during the last years.

[Brannu]

I don´t think Matthews has a lot to prove, because he never did a lot. It´s not his fault his agent found a team that has people with obvious brain damage in its FO, especially one that made so many good moves during the last years.

I think that this would be the exact reason why he would have a lot to prove. There are many people out there with a similar voice of reason against this signing. Thus, I think it is absolutely imperative that he goes out on the field and proves to everybody that he is worth that much money. Silence the critics ... of which there are many.

Zito has a lot to prove. I don't think that there is an individual in the universe, outside of himself and his family, that believe he is worth that much money. They basically traded Bond's salary for his. Zito is only going to get $10mil next season, then $4mil increases the following two years. So, basically, they are expending Bonds' contract then offering that money to Barry Zito ... which, I'm not sure is as beneficial, but hell .... what do I know? But, for that much money ... he will have to go back to his Cy Young Award ways. That may just happen as he moves to the NL.

[FatAngel]

I think that this would be the exact reason why he would have a lot to prove. There are many people out there with a similar voice of reason against this signing. Thus, I think it is absolutely imperative that he goes out on the field and proves to everybody that he is worth that much money. Silence the critics ... of which there are many.


I wish you good luck. I got the chance to watch Matthews a lot during his stay in Baltimore and I´d be very surprised if he can reproduce his 2006 numbers for a single season, yet alone five.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

There are some players who simply have something to prove, and there are others also who have previous expectations to live up to.

People expect players like Soriano, Zito and Carlos Lee to continue to play the way they did (and get better too). Their contracts are somewhat justifiable.

Then, there are players like Gil Meche, Gary Matthews Jr. and Juan Pierre who have to prove that they're worth that kind of money in the first place. People don't really expect them to be great, so they have to prove that they can be.

[FatAngel]

With almost all premier CF´s on the market next season, I really don´t know what made them throw 50M on a guy like that. I hope for them they do know a lot more than the casual "interested fan".

[lance_the_pants]

V-Dub, $126 Million, does he really deserve it? YES!!!

However, imagine what happens if he fails to live up to the cash, or if he is injured, just think of the controversy to follow. I do not think it will happen, but think of what COULD happen.
As for Gary Matthews Jr., biggest fluke last year, no way he deserved the contract he received, what were the Angels thinking?

Another quick thing...the two $126 millionaires, Vernon Wells and Barry Zito.
How does Barry Zito get the same amount of cash as Vernon Wells?
I don't think that 16 wins should amount to the 6th largest contract in MLB History.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Supply and demand my friend, supply and demand.

[Elvis]

When a guy like Barry Zito is making pretty much the same money per season as Kobe Bryant, it make me think: Is there something wrong with the NBA? or with MLB?

[plask_stirlac]

Dice-K, to a small extent he needs to earn his money but it's more about proving his dominance in Japan can transport.

Drew
Gary Matthews. I'm just waiting to see if he can be a starter all year even if healthy, like Meche.

[Jermz]

Gary Matthews Jr. is going to play GREAT Centerfield, but bat .260 with 15 homers and 12 steals, and possibly drive in 60 if he is lucky. He also won't hit 40 doubles like he did last year, 30 is more like it. And really, you could get those stats and possibly more from any AAA team in the nation.

And although I am a big Giants fan, I don't think Zito will earn his money either. Sure he won't be Denny Neagle, but he will probably win 15 to 18 games, which means he will also lose 9 or 10...and post an ERA in the 3.50's. Not even as good as Matt Cain is going to be...so again, it's stats you can get from a minor leaguer.

And Gil Meche is the worst. My prediction for his stats this year...
10-9 with a 4.80 110 k's and 85 walks

These teams should have went to the FARM instead of the BANK!

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

I don't think that a minor leaguer is going to come to the majors and be 15-10 with a 3.50 ERA. Maybe once in a while a guy will do it, but you can't expect it from your average minor leaguer.