Point is, that means nothing to Thomas. His income is unaffected by the exchange rate.
He can spend all those American bux while sitting around on the disabled list, which I fully expect he’ll visit frequently.
According to the Star Ledger, the Yanks are talking to Rich Aurilia to be the right handed first baseman.
What I am not sure of is why the Yanks need a right-handed first baseman.
Jim
I think we should start giving the Frank Thomas Award to the highest-paid player to spend at least 25% of the season on the DL.
Well, the Dodgers are resigning Nomar to a 2 year contract. That takes the sting out of Drew bailing. A little bit. We still need another power-hitter, and you can never have enough pitching. Time to raid the minors, Coletti!
Carl Pavano has already accomplished enough to merit a Lifetime Achievement award in that category.
First big signing is done by the Cubs: Cubs land Soriano with fifth-biggest deal ever
“Soriano has agreed to an eight-year contract worth about $136 million”
They hired Piniella, re-signed Ramirez for 5 x $75m, got Mark DeRosa for 3x$13m and have Kerry Wood and Wade Miller cheap and Henry Blanco to backup Catcher at $5.25m for 2 years.
Cubs are tired of losing finally?
Jim
(starting a fight)
Spoken like a true Yankee fan.
Spending money = Winning
Tell that to the Sox of both colors this past year.
Come now, that’s just comical. The way I see it we just tied up a huge chunk of payroll for 8 years to land a leadoff hitter who hits .280 and strikes out a 140 times a year. Oh, and can I mention the defense?
There’s plenty of losing left in Wrigleyville.
To be truthful, I like the move and I like the way our lineup will look with Soriano, DeRosa, Lee, Ramirez and Barrett at the top of the order. But the fatalist in all Cubs fans remembers all too clearly what it’s like spending a ton of money for a power hitter with poor plate discipline and a shaky glove. Soriano is apparently a better character guy than Sosa was though.
You must be thinking of the Red Sox, my team is the model of fiscal responsibility this year.
(at least for the moment)
I just said the Cubs were tired of losing, I did not say they would succeed. 
It looks like he will be learning Center Field in the friendly confines of beautiful Wrigley Field. His power number should only go up, this is a positive. Overall I think the Cubs overpaid, but he is a exciting player.
Jim
The Mets seem to be on the verge of giving a one (not two) year contract to Moises Alou. I guess Lastings Millige and Cliff Floyd are goners, and 40 year old “I pee on my hands” Alou takes over in left.
I don’t like it. I trust Omar, so I’ll just see what comes next, but on the surface, I’m not a fan of this deal. I’d really hate it if they actually went the 2 years that was innitially reported. As it is, I just don’t like it.
Jimmy, why didn’t the Yankees try and reclaim Soriano and why did they get rid of him in the first place?
I mean, if Soriano was willing to play center field…
The only point I was making is that, a few years ago, Thomas’s costs for time spent in Canada–living quarters, etc.–would have been dirt cheap compared with what they will cost now. Not that he’ll really care, given the amount he’ll make. I know his contract is in US dollars, not Canadian.
My, the Cubs seem serious about this thing. It might even work with another pitcher or two.
He was traded for A-Rod before he was willing to move off second, where he was a poor defensive player. On paper a great trade.
AndyPolley, the Alou deal for two years is a head scratcher. It looks bad in writing.
But do you think Soriano wouldn’t mind coming back (and vice versa).
What a hole he’d plug up in center field, though. Yes, even though he’s not amazing when it comes to the glove.
I’m guessing the Yanks even have to be a little responsible when it comes to spending money. Adding another bat for the money the Cubs put up would have meant they’d been spending something like $150 million per year on just their offense. That’d have to limit their options in acquiring pitching somewhat.
Timing might have been an issue too, there’s probably some uncertainty over there. I’m not sure if the A-Rod situation is entirely settled and they haven’t addressed the pitching yet. Even if adding Soriano was on their agenda I’m guessing it had to take a back seat to getting some pitching and the Cubs just moved faster.
As much as we like to think so, just because a player didn’t go to the Yankees doesn’t mean they didn’t want him. They may have just gotten outmaneuvered.
Impossible!
What Exit?, I’m still scratching my head over one year. Was Millidge so bad that after this past partial season it’s decided that we cut bait? I understand letting Floyd go, but to give up a young (= not expensive) up and coming coveted talent like Millidge, only to replace him with Alou at $8 million…it just seems dumb.
The Yanks have a problem right now of already having 4 outfielders. Why on earth would the Yanks want Soriano? That ship has sailed. Cano is a much better defensive player at second with a solid and improving bat. He just grabbed the silver slugger and he might eventually get a Gold Glove. His power number will probably improve to a respectable 25 or so.
I think Millidge is more of a Ruben Rivera than a real prospect, lots of skill and little brain. I am guessing that the Mets agree with my appraisal.
Jim
Howard received 20 first place votes and 12 seconds with 388 total points.
Pujos received 12 first place votes and 19 seconds with 347 total points.
I am okay with this vote. I feel like Howard let the Phillies play meaningful games in late September and with Pujol’s injury had the edge. I was fine with whichever of the two received the award.
Now I want and expect Jeter to win the AL tomorrow.
Jim
Because Soriano would have cost a ton, and not only do they have no room for him, they don’t need him. There’s no position for him to fill, and although he’s apparently less of a free-swinger than he used to be, but they’re building a lineup with plate discipline. And they got rid of him Alex Rodriguez is a better player than Soriano could ever possibly be - which becomes easier to see when you consider the fact that the two men are the same age. If I were a Cubs fan, I’d be happy about the signing - but will the Cubs be happy about paying Soriano $18 million a year eight years from now?